Portable Bible School Evangelism Lesson Nine

Evangelism Lesson Nine Vision “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). FOCUS: Explain the various areas where it is beneficial for us to have a vision. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED Every successful, productive man of God possesses a vision. A quick look at Isaiah 6 will reveal three visions that Isaiah experienced.  Upward Vision (Isaiah 6:1-3).  Inward Vision (Isaiah 6:5).  Outward Vision (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah focused on God, saw himself, and then he got a vision of the lost world. The Association of Church Missions Committees suggests that we develop a bifocal vision.  Nearsighted. Look close by to the needs and the lost around us.  Farsighted. Look beyond ourselves to the world in need and the opportunity to minister globally. Each of us needs to receive a vision in five areas so that we can be effective soul winners. VISION OF HEAVEN “Jesus has gone away to heaven, and some day, just as he went, he will return!” (Acts 1:11, TLB). Jesus is coming back soon! (See Romans 13:11). The Bible is filled with the promise of His return. David Jeremiah in Jesus’ Final Warning found that there are 1,845 references to this event in the Old Testament and 318 in the New Testament. Forty books of the Bible speak of the promise of His return. For every prophecy concerning the first coming of Christ, there are eight concerning His Second Coming. Jesus testified, “Surely, I come quickly” (Revelation 22:20). The word “heaven” is mentioned 582 times in the Bible. It is real, a prepared place for a prepared people. “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).  A place for born-again believers (John 3:3).  Glorious city (Revelation 21:11-18).  River of life is there to insure everlasting life (Revelation 22:1).  The tree of life is there to insure abundant life (Revelation 22:2).  The throne of God will be there (Revelation 4:2).  It has twelve layers of foundation; each inlaid with a different gem. It has twelve gates with an angel standing guard at each gate (Revelation 21:19-20; 21: 12).  The main street is of transparent gold (Revelation 21:21).  It is a place for all eternity (John 3:15).  Location of our treasures as Christians (Matthew 6:20).  Our true home (Hebrews 12:22).  Dwelling place of God. According to the Book of Revelation in heaven there will be no more…  Tears (21:4)  Sickness (22:2)  Pain (21:4)  Death (21:4)  Thirst (7:16)  Hunger (7:16)  Sin (21:27)  Sun or moon (21:23)  Judgment (22:3)  Night (21:25)  Temple (21:22) “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). VISION OF HELL “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 23). The problem with many Christians today is that they do not believe in “hell.” C. S. Lewis wrote, “There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than this (hell). I would pay any price to be able to say, ‘All will be saved.’” Luke 16:19-31 vividly describes an heir of hell enjoying life in his home and an heir of heaven sitting at the gate, perishing with hunger. The time came when both died. The beggar was carried to Abraham’s side, and the rich man went to hell. There he was in torment and looked for a way to be delivered from the agony of the fire. He pleaded, “Send the beggar Lazarus to my father’s house. I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so they will not come to this place of torment.” Abraham answered, “They have the prophets; let them listen to them.” What happens if they are not willing to share the gospel? From this story we learn:  The souls of men live forever.  There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. Both are real.  The rich man cared, but he cared too late.  If souls are reached, it will be because others went to them.  If souls are reached, it will be because they have listened to a witness, preacher, or the Word of God. Hell is described using the following words:  The lowest pit  Worm dieth not  Fire is not quenched  Outer darkness  Furnace of fire  Wailing  Weeping  Gnashing of teeth  Lake of fire burning with brimstone  Tormented day and night forever  Underworld  Region of the departed  Place of departed spirits  Unquenchable fire  Pits of darkness  Smoke of their torment  Place of punishment  Black darkness Studies show that “hell” is a place of punishment translated “Gehenna,” the Greek form of the Hebrew word that means, “the vale of Hinnom.” This was a valley located south of Jerusalem. Here the Canaanites worshiped Baal and the fire-god Molech by sacrificing their children in a fire that burned continuously. Jeremiah prophesied that this place would be known as the “Valley of Slaughter” (Jeremiah 7:31-34; 19:2, 6). During the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Valley of Hinnom was used as a garbage dump. All of the filth and waste of the city was thrown there. This included the dead bodies of animals and executed criminals. To consume this, fires burned relentlessly. Maggots ate away at the flesh of the animals and criminals. At night wild dogs howled as they gnashed their teeth, fighting over the treasures of the dump. Jesus used this scene to depict the awfulness of hell. Hell is God’s “cosmic garbage dump.” All that is unfit to go to heaven will be thrown there. Human language cannot describe the dreadfulness of hell or the majesty of heaven. (Reference used: Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary.) For a closer scriptural look at hell read: Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Mark 9:46-47; Luke 13:28). God does not want anyone to spend eternity in hell. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). A Voice from Hell You lived next door to me for years We shared dreams, joys, and tears. A friend to me, you were indeed, A friend to help me when in need. My faith in you was strong and sure; We had such trust as should endure. No spats between us ever arose, Among our friends, and so our foes. What sadness then, my friend to find That after all, you weren’t so kind. The day on earth my life did end, I found you weren’t really a friend. For all those years we spent on earth We spoke of things that had some worth You never spoke of my lost soul And of Christ who’d make me whole. I plead today from hell’s cruel fire And tell you now my last desire. You cannot do a thing today for me, No words today my bands will free. But don’t err, my friend again, Do all you can for the souls of men. Plead now with them quite earnestly, Lest they be cast in hell with me! (Author Unknown) The words of Corrie Ten Boom are more preferable. When I enter that beautiful city And the saints all around me appear, I hope that someone will tell me, “It was you who invited me here.” William Booth, the founder of Salvation Army, once remarked, “Most Christian ministries would like to send their recruits to Bible college for four or five years. I would like to send our recruits to hell for five minutes. That would do more than anything else to prepare them for a lifetime of compassionate ministry.” (A Force in the Earth by David Shibley) It is not possible to take a five-minute excursion to hell, but it is possible to visit the local mortuary and/or cemetery. VISION OF A LOST AND DYING WORLD While speaking in London, D. L. Moody was approached by a British friend. He wanted to know the secret of Moody’s success in bringing others to Christ. Moody invited the man to look out the window and asked him, “What do you see?” The man reported that he saw crowded streets below. Moody requested that he look again. This time the man mentioned that he saw people—men, women, and children. Moody insisted that he look a third time. The man became frustrated that he was not seeing what the great evangelist wanted him to see. Moody came to the window with tears in his eyes and said, “I see people going to hell, lost without Jesus Christ.” What do you see at the bus stop, in busy traffic, in the marketplace, or as you pass others on crowded streets? Do you see the lost? Jesus ministered to a blind man who saw men as walking trees. Another touch from the Master restored his sight, and he was able to see every man clearly. Pray that the Lord will open your eyes so that you see souls as the Lord of the harvest sees them. “And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly” (Mark 8:23-25). VISION OF THE LORD OF THE HARVEST SAYING, “WELL DONE!” “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21). Studies conducted concerning why Christianity expanded under the oppressive Roman rule have found that: 1. Early Christians had great zeal. 2. They believed in future rewards. 3. There was a manifestation of miracles. 4. Christians lived a life of holiness (possessing pure morals). 5. Their church organization was compact. (Adapted from Jesus’ Final Warning-David Jeremiah.) Notice that one of the reasons Christianity thrived was because they had a strong belief in future rewards. They were willing to give their lives (if needed) for the gospel. God has a system of rewards (Psalm 58:11; 62:12; Mark 9:41; 10:29-30; Hebrews 6:10-12). “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12). God will reward His people after the catching away of the church. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). At the judgment seat of Christ, each life will be reviewed and rewards issued. Crown of Victory 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 Crown of Rejoicing 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Crown of Righteousness 2 Timothy 4:8 Crown of Life James 1:12; Revelation 2:10 Crown of Glory 1 Peter 5:4 The crown of rejoicing is considered to be the soul winner’s crown. The greatest reward will be to hear Jesus say, “Well done!” What will we do with our rewards and crowns? We will cast our crowns before His throne (Revelation 4:10). No one will want to stand in His presence empty-handed (Deuteronomy 16:16). VISION OF THE VALUE OF A LOST, ETERNAL SOUL There are three things that will last for eternity.  God  Word of God  Souls of men We need to invest our lives with a view of eternity. God places great value on a lost soul (John 3:16). It was for this reason that Jesus came into the world. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). In one short sentence Jesus described His purpose—“to seek and to save.” He also explained His target group—the lost. We remain on the earth to finish the task. Before He left, He said, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21). “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16). Have you ever experienced the terror of being lost? How did you feel? Alone? Afraid? Disoriented? The Bible used the term “lost” to describe those who are away from God and will perish if they are not found and saved. Some do not realize they are lost. They do not look to be rescued, recognize or accept the way of escape when it is offered. “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). What possession do you have that you consider of great value? What would you do if you lost it? Your mind would not be at rest. You would abandon everything you are doing and search for your valuable possession (until you find it). Each lost soul has tremendous value. Jesus came to seek each one and gave His life at Calvary for their salvation. In Luke 15 we see various examples of things of great value that were missing. When found, each event produced rejoicing. The prodigal’s father even threw a party when his son came home. If you took a new (currency) note and offered it to a group of people, would anyone accept it? Yes, because everyone knows the value of money. If you took the note and wadded it up, would anyone still want it? Yes, because the value did not change. If the note were spit upon, would people still want it? Yes, the value still has not changed. Throw the note down and stomp it into the ground. Would anyone take it now? Yes, there still would be takers. Why? The note still has the same value. A lost soul has tremendous value to Jesus Christ. It will never lose its worth. No matter how deep in sin a soul may get, no matter how filthy he may become, a soul never loses its value. How much value do you place on a lost soul? J. Oswald Sanders in Effective Evangelism gives the following ways that the value of the soul can be calculated?  By its nature and origin (Genesis 1:27).  By the duration of its existence (Matthew 25:46).  By the cost of its redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19).  By the struggle required for its possession (Matthew 12:29). “But go rather to the lost…And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:6-7). WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? 1. What three visions did Isaiah have in Isaiah 6? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What is meant by the bifocal vision of evangelism? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Jesus is coming back! Comment on how the Bible is filled with the promise of His return. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What did Jesus testify in Revelation 22:20? _________________________________ 5. Why do think it is important for us to have a vision of heaven? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What are four things that will not be found in heaven? __________________________________________________________________ 7. What did C. S. Lewis say about the doctrine of hell? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 8. What are three things we learn from the story in Luke 16:19-31? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 9. Describe hell. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 10. Describe the Valley of Hinnom. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 11. Why did William Booth wish that he could send his recruits to hell for five minutes? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ _________________________________ 12. What was the secret of Moody’s success as an evangelist? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 13. Which crown is considered the soul-winner’s crown? __________________________________________________________________ 14. What are three things that last for eternity? __________________________________________________________________ _________________________________ 15. How do we know that God places great value on a lost soul? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 16. What are three ways that the value of a lost soul can be calculated? __________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 17. What five visions are needed to help us be effective soul winners? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________