Today I want to spend some time Today I want to spend some time talking about making disciples.talking about making disciples.

This can be one of the scariest This can be one of the scariest things we are called by God things we are called by God

to do.to do.

The background graphic on these slides The background graphic on these slides and the content of this lesson bring to and the content of this lesson bring to

mind what Jesus said in:mind what Jesus said in:Luke 10:2Luke 10:2 NETNET He said to them, "The He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are harvest is plentiful, but the workers are

few. Therefore ask the Lord of the few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest to send out workers into his

harvest.harvest.

Keys to effectiveKeys to effective

By Jeffery AnselmiColossians 4:2-6Colossians 4:2-6

Colossians 4:2Colossians 4:2 NETNET Be devoted to Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with prayer, keeping alert in it with

thanksgiving. thanksgiving. 33 At the same time pray At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for us too, that God may open a door

for the message so that we may for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for proclaim the mystery of Christ, for

which I am in chains.which I am in chains.

44 Pray that I may make it known as I Pray that I may make it known as I should.should. 55 Conduct yourselves with Conduct yourselves with

wisdom toward outsiders, making the wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.most of the opportunities.

66 Let your speech always be gracious, Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may seasoned with salt, so that you may

know how you should answer know how you should answer everyone.everyone.

EVANGELISMEVANGELISMWe are easily intimidated by the thought We are easily intimidated by the thought

of actually telling someone about of actually telling someone about Jesus. We are intimidated by what to Jesus. We are intimidated by what to

say, how to say it, and by the potential say, how to say it, and by the potential reaction from the one we are trying to reaction from the one we are trying to

share our faith with. share our faith with.

I really do not think we fully grasp the I really do not think we fully grasp the importance of what we are called to importance of what we are called to do. There are people who are dying do. There are people who are dying

everyday without Jesus. everyday without Jesus.

How many remember Cecil Todd’s How many remember Cecil Todd’s “Revival Fires” TV program? I heard “Revival Fires” TV program? I heard Cecil speak at the Kiamichi Men’s Cecil speak at the Kiamichi Men’s

Clinic a couple weeks ago.Clinic a couple weeks ago.

His passion and goal is to light a fire His passion and goal is to light a fire under people so they realize so many under people so they realize so many are dying in their sins and bound for are dying in their sins and bound for

Hell.Hell.We can wish people into heaven all we We can wish people into heaven all we

want, but the truth is that without an want, but the truth is that without an active relationship with Jesus, nothing active relationship with Jesus, nothing

will get them there. will get them there.

There are people who are hurting and There are people who are hurting and people who are living without direction people who are living without direction and purpose. It is our job to bring the and purpose. It is our job to bring the

gospel to them. gospel to them.

I have three keys that will help us to be I have three keys that will help us to be successful in our endeavor of reaching successful in our endeavor of reaching

a hurting, dying world for Jesus. a hurting, dying world for Jesus.

I.I. Our ________.Our ________.prayersprayers

This is such an important aspect to the This is such an important aspect to the success of anything we do in life, but it success of anything we do in life, but it is maybe one of the most neglected.is maybe one of the most neglected.

How many times have we tried to say How many times have we tried to say something to another person about our something to another person about our faith without any prayer preparation? faith without any prayer preparation?

Do you have a list of people you are Do you have a list of people you are praying will be open to receiving and praying will be open to receiving and

accepting Jesus as their Lord?accepting Jesus as their Lord?Look at what we are told in verse 2. Look at what we are told in verse 2.

One key to effective evangelism is:One key to effective evangelism is:OUR PRAYERSOUR PRAYERS

Colossians 4:2Colossians 4:2 NET Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it

with thanksgiving.with thanksgiving.

Prayer is something that I cannot stress Prayer is something that I cannot stress enough. I know if we would take enough. I know if we would take

prayer more seriously, we would see prayer more seriously, we would see results we never before could imagine. results we never before could imagine.

1.1. The _________ of our prayers.The _________ of our prayers.mannermanner

How are we to pray? As you look at How are we to pray? As you look at verse two again you will see a couple of verse two again you will see a couple of

things. things.

Colossians 4:2Colossians 4:2 NET Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it

with thanksgiving.with thanksgiving.

1.1. The _________ of our prayers.The _________ of our prayers.mannermannera.a. We are to be We are to be devoteddevoted to prayer. to prayer.

This is an issue of perseverance. It This is an issue of perseverance. It means to be courageously persistent.means to be courageously persistent.We need to all have a list of people we We need to all have a list of people we

are persistently praying for. are persistently praying for.

In In Luke 18Luke 18, Jesus told a parable on , Jesus told a parable on prayer that was designed to show us prayer that was designed to show us that God loves persistent prayers. that God loves persistent prayers.

How many times have we prayed once How many times have we prayed once or twice and then given up. or twice and then given up.

Let me ask you a question. Are you glad Let me ask you a question. Are you glad that someone did not give up on that someone did not give up on

praying for you after one or two times? praying for you after one or two times?

I bet if you ask the person who helped I bet if you ask the person who helped lead you to Jesus how often they lead you to Jesus how often they

prayed for your salvation, it was more prayed for your salvation, it was more than once or twice. than once or twice.

1.1. The _________ of our prayers.The _________ of our prayers.mannermanner

a.a. We are to be We are to be devoteddevoted to prayer. to prayer.

b.b. We are to stay We are to stay alertalert as we pray. as we pray.

The second manner of our prayers is we The second manner of our prayers is we are to stay are to stay alertalert. .

This is kind of funny but the phrase This is kind of funny but the phrase literally means that we are to stay literally means that we are to stay

awake & No sleeping while you pray. awake & No sleeping while you pray. It was used this way when Jesus It was used this way when Jesus

chastised His disciples for going to chastised His disciples for going to sleep on Him as He prayed in sleep on Him as He prayed in

Matthew 26:41Matthew 26:41

Matthew 26:41Matthew 26:41 NETNET Stay awake and Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into pray that you will not fall into

temptation. The spirit is willing, but the temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."flesh is weak."

In the context what it means is that we In the context what it means is that we are to be aware of what is going on are to be aware of what is going on around us in our world that would around us in our world that would

require prayer help from God.require prayer help from God.Christians cannot so isolate Christians cannot so isolate

themselves that they have no clue as themselves that they have no clue as to what is going on around them.to what is going on around them.

1.1. The _________ of our prayers.The _________ of our prayers.manner

a.a. We are to be We are to be devoteddevoted to prayer. to prayer.

b.b. We are to stay We are to stay alertalert as we pray. as we pray.

c.c. We are to be We are to be thankfulthankful..

The third manner of our prayer is we are The third manner of our prayer is we are to be to be thankfulthankful. .

Our hearts should overflow with Our hearts should overflow with thanksgiving.thanksgiving.

As we see that we are called to pray, As we see that we are called to pray, what are we called to pray about what are we called to pray about

concerning our evangelistic efforts? concerning our evangelistic efforts? Let us look at the…Let us look at the…

1.1. The _________ of our prayers.The _________ of our prayers.mannermanner

2.2. The _______ of our prayers.The _______ of our prayers.focusfocus

As we spend a great deal of time in As we spend a great deal of time in prayer, what are we to focus on? prayer, what are we to focus on?

9

Colossians 4:3Colossians 4:3 NET NET At the same time At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may door for the message so that we may

proclaim the mystery of Christ, for proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. which I am in chains. 44 Pray that I may Pray that I may

make it known as I should.make it known as I should.

2.2. The _______ of our prayers.The _______ of our prayers.focusfocus

a.a. That GOD will That GOD will open the dooropen the door for for the the Word.Word.

We must resist the temptation of kicking We must resist the temptation of kicking in the door ourselves.in the door ourselves.

If we try to force the seed, the gospel, If we try to force the seed, the gospel, into unprepared soil, it most likely will into unprepared soil, it most likely will

not produce a harvest.not produce a harvest.

Farmers do not just throw there seeds Farmers do not just throw there seeds indiscriminately; they prepare the soil indiscriminately; they prepare the soil

before they plant. before they plant. We must prepare the soil of the heart We must prepare the soil of the heart with plenty of prayer, prayer that God with plenty of prayer, prayer that God

will open doors for us.will open doors for us.

2.2. The _______ of our prayersThe _______ of our prayers.focusfocus

a.a. That GOD will That GOD will open the dooropen the door for for the the Word.Word.b.b. God will God will guideguide us in what we say. us in what we say.

How many times have we shot off our How many times have we shot off our mouths only to have it drive a person mouths only to have it drive a person

away from God instead of drawing them away from God instead of drawing them closer? closer?

I have done that before, and it was I have done that before, and it was because I said what I said with no because I said what I said with no

prayer, thought or compassion toward prayer, thought or compassion toward the person I was speaking to.the person I was speaking to.

Let God guide you, pray for the words Let God guide you, pray for the words to say and pray for the correct timing.to say and pray for the correct timing.

I.I. Our ________.Our ________.prayersprayersII.II. Our ________.Our ________.conductconduct

How we conduct ourselves has a HUGE How we conduct ourselves has a HUGE impact on our ability to reach people. impact on our ability to reach people.

Our conduct shows people what is really Our conduct shows people what is really important to us. important to us.

If I have nothing good to say about the If I have nothing good to say about the church I am attending, then it will be church I am attending, then it will be

hard for me to convince another hard for me to convince another person to come to the church. person to come to the church.

If I am trying to win a lost husband, wife, If I am trying to win a lost husband, wife, or children to Christ and my attitude is or children to Christ and my attitude is

negative or if my life has very little negative or if my life has very little semblance to what I profess, it will be semblance to what I profess, it will be hard to win them over to a God who hard to win them over to a God who

makes no difference in my life. makes no difference in my life.

If I do not have a heart of compassion If I do not have a heart of compassion toward brothers and sisters in Christ toward brothers and sisters in Christ as well as those who are lost, well, as well as those who are lost, well,

good luck.good luck.We do not have to be perfect to be We do not have to be perfect to be effective. Let see what verse 5 says effective. Let see what verse 5 says

concerning our conduct.concerning our conduct.

Colossians 4:5Colossians 4:5 NET NET Conduct Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward yourselves with wisdom toward

outsiders, making the most of the outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.opportunities.

II.II. Our ________.Our ________.conductconduct

1.1. We are called to conduct We are called to conduct ourselves with __________.ourselves with __________.wisdomwisdom

Living with wisdom is understanding that Living with wisdom is understanding that people are watching us. It is people are watching us. It is

understanding that for many people understanding that for many people we are the only bible they will read, we we are the only bible they will read, we

are the Jesus they will see. are the Jesus they will see.

This is why it is so important for those in This is why it is so important for those in the church to love one another and get the church to love one another and get along. If I go home to my unsaved wife along. If I go home to my unsaved wife

and tell her how much I hate people and tell her how much I hate people and how I cannot stand someone and and how I cannot stand someone and then display anger and hatred toward then display anger and hatred toward

them, do I really think I will have a them, do I really think I will have a chance to win her to Christ?chance to win her to Christ?

If I go out and act just like everyone else If I go out and act just like everyone else in the world, do you think I will have in the world, do you think I will have

much of a chance to win them?much of a chance to win them?Be aware that your conduct will affect Be aware that your conduct will affect

your ability to reach people. If you your ability to reach people. If you stumble, be ready to say you are sorry stumble, be ready to say you are sorry and ask for forgiveness. It will impress and ask for forgiveness. It will impress

people. people.

I know a lot of people in ministry who I know a lot of people in ministry who have been mistreated, never to hear I have been mistreated, never to hear I am sorry or will you forgive me. This is am sorry or will you forgive me. This is

from other Christians. from other Christians.

II.II. Our ________.Our ________.conductconduct

1.1. We are called to conduct We are called to conduct ourselves with __________.ourselves with __________.wisdomwisdom1.1. Our conduct should _________ Our conduct should _________

our outreach.our outreach.enhanceenhance

The way we act should be something The way we act should be something that attracts people to Jesus. What we that attracts people to Jesus. What we do should bring glory to Jesus. WE are do should bring glory to Jesus. WE are to make the most of our opportunities! to make the most of our opportunities!

How we deal with people should help How we deal with people should help them see we have something they them see we have something they

need.need.I really believe that the largest I really believe that the largest

obstacle between the lost and a obstacle between the lost and a relationship with Jesus is Christians. relationship with Jesus is Christians. We can be our own worst enemies or We can be our own worst enemies or

we can be a real blessing. we can be a real blessing.

God calls us to live in such a way as to God calls us to live in such a way as to bring glory to God. I have seen what a bring glory to God. I have seen what a positive role model can do in way of positive role model can do in way of

reaching people for Jesus. reaching people for Jesus.

I.I. Our ________.Our ________.prayersprayersII.II. Our ________.Our ________.conductconductI.I. Our ________.Our ________.

We touched on this a little bit earlier. We touched on this a little bit earlier. The way we speak, what we say and The way we speak, what we say and

how we say it can be either a how we say it can be either a blessing to our efforts or a roadblock.blessing to our efforts or a roadblock.

speechspeech

There are two things I want us to There are two things I want us to consider concerning our speech. Let us consider concerning our speech. Let us

look at what verse 6 tells us.look at what verse 6 tells us. Colossians 4:6Colossians 4:6 NET NET Let your speech Let your speech

always be gracious, seasoned with salt, always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should so that you may know how you should

answer everyone.answer everyone.

III.III. Our ________.Our ________.speechspeech

1.1. Our speech is to be filled with Our speech is to be filled with _______._______.gracegrace

In Bible times this meant that our In Bible times this meant that our speech would be dotted with witty and speech would be dotted with witty and

clever sayings and remarks.clever sayings and remarks.

What is meant here is that our speech What is meant here is that our speech should be the type of language which should be the type of language which

results from the operation of God’s results from the operation of God’s grace on our hearts. grace on our hearts.

Our speech is to be something that Our speech is to be something that seasons as salt. Too much salt ruins a seasons as salt. Too much salt ruins a

good dish. Not enough makes no good dish. Not enough makes no difference in the taste of the dish.difference in the taste of the dish.We are to add flavor to the lives of We are to add flavor to the lives of those around us by our speech. those around us by our speech.

III.III. Our ________.Our ________.speech

1.1. Our speech is to be filled with Our speech is to be filled with _______._______.gracegrace2.2. We need to know who we are We need to know who we are __________ to.__________ to.speakingspeaking

I had a revelation at breakfast the other I had a revelation at breakfast the other day. I was at a men’s meeting where day. I was at a men’s meeting where breakfast was served. I had eggs and breakfast was served. I had eggs and

sausage. Before I even tasted the sausage. Before I even tasted the eggs, I dumped a little bit of salt on eggs, I dumped a little bit of salt on

them. them.

I ruined them because had I not tasted I ruined them because had I not tasted them first, I would have known they them first, I would have known they

needed very little or no salt. I needed needed very little or no salt. I needed to get to know the eggs before to get to know the eggs before

seasoning them. seasoning them.

We need to know as much about the We need to know as much about the people we are dealing with as we can people we are dealing with as we can so that we will know how to respond to so that we will know how to respond to

each person. each person.

Our effectiveness increases as we know Our effectiveness increases as we know more about the people we are trying to more about the people we are trying to reach. We MUST see things through reach. We MUST see things through

their eyes. their eyes.

We need to know those we are trying to We need to know those we are trying to reach so we can better reach them. reach so we can better reach them.

It’s basicIt’s basicMARKETING PRINCIPLES! MARKETING PRINCIPLES!

A man and his family walk on to a car A man and his family walk on to a car lot. The salesman makes up his mind lot. The salesman makes up his mind

before even talking to them he is going before even talking to them he is going to sell them a Mercedes.to sell them a Mercedes.

The man and his wife have decided The man and his wife have decided beforehand they want a Geo Metro. beforehand they want a Geo Metro.

If the salesman would get to know his If the salesman would get to know his customer before trying to sell them an customer before trying to sell them an expensive Mercedes he could of made expensive Mercedes he could of made

more money selling the Metro at full more money selling the Metro at full price instead of having to mark down price instead of having to mark down

the price of the Mercedes.the price of the Mercedes.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Telling other people about Jesus can Telling other people about Jesus can be intimidating. We may have tried it be intimidating. We may have tried it

once or many times and failed so once or many times and failed so somewhere along the line it became somewhere along the line it became

easier not to do it. easier not to do it.

Do you have a list of lost souls you are Do you have a list of lost souls you are praying for? Are you trying to reflect praying for? Are you trying to reflect Jesus in your conduct and is your Jesus in your conduct and is your

speech filled with grace as a person speech filled with grace as a person who has received the grace of Jesus who has received the grace of Jesus

in your life? in your life?

Let us not be afraid to step into the Let us not be afraid to step into the water and let us be diligent about water and let us be diligent about

sharing Jesus. Can you imagine what sharing Jesus. Can you imagine what we could do if all us were to do that? we could do if all us were to do that? This has not been an evangelistic This has not been an evangelistic

lesson in regard to persuading you to lesson in regard to persuading you to accept Jesus as your Savior today.accept Jesus as your Savior today.

It has been an evangelistic lesson in It has been an evangelistic lesson in saying, “Come on people! There are saying, “Come on people! There are

souls dying in their sins all around us! souls dying in their sins all around us! What are we going to do about it? What are we going to do about it?

Here are some keys that can help.”Here are some keys that can help.”