A man of God said; “The world is never going to be brought to Christ whole-sale, but one Aby one. Men are not born collectively they do not die collectively; they do not accept or reject Christ collectively”.
Talking of the unique place of Personal Evangelism, one man said, “If you had one hundred empty bottles before you, and threw a pail of water over them, some would get a little in them, but most would fall outside. If you wish to fill the bottles, the best way is to take each bottle separately and put a vessel full of water to each bottle’s mouth”.
Personal Evangelism is the person-to-person (one-on-one) sharing of this good news of salvation with the aim of soul winning. That is, leading the sinner to repent and turn wholly to God through Jesus Christ, the Saviour (John 1:40-42; Acts 8:26-37). Although mass evangelism is good and necessary, it will never take the place of personal evangelism. Personal Evangelism is a God-given and God- ordained ministry for every believer.
1. WHY IS IT OUR URGENT?
(a) The State of Nigerians
Sins and sinners on the increase. Ezra 9:6; Jer. 5:28; Matt. 12:45; 13:15; II Tim. 3:13. Sins is abounding everywhere. To be crooked and deceitful is the acceptable thing. Being straight and honest is absurd.
Death and Judgment are sure and Imminent. Heb. 9:27; Job 30:23; Ps. 49:10; Ecc. 8; Rev. 21:8; Luke 16:19-31. The average life span of Nigerians is 52 years. Nigerians die too young these days. Old men are a rarity. In the world, about 87 million people die every year, 238,000 die everyday, more than 9,916, die every hour and 85 people die every minute. These are alarming facts for us to consider.
Population Growth is alarming. The population of Nigeria is over 100 million. It increases at about 3% every year. That means 300,000 every year. Muslims in Nigeria 36%. Animist 15%, while 49% are the rest. 23 million nominal Christians and only about 23% are truly born-again Christians. Are you not concerned about the eternal welfare of these multitudes who are still in sin. The ration is 7 to 1.
(b) Prophecy, Provision and Participation -II Kings 7:1-16
i. Salvation provided. Gen. 3:5; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 26:28; Acts. 4:12.
ii. Our duty to tell others – II Kings 7:8-11; Ezek. 3:18. Imagine an individual to whom a letter was written instructing him to save and rescue another who was on the brink of death. The letter also contained other information. The receiver, because of his love for the writer was busy reading the letter and enjoying the contents until the unfortunate man he should help died. What a love for the letter, yet what cruelty to the inured? What a great condemnation awaits slothful Christians who hide under religious pretences.
2. THE URGENT TASK FOR EVERY BELIEVE – Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15, 16; Gen. 3:9; Acts 10:3-6.
(i) Christ has no hands but your hands
(ii) To do His work today
(iii) He has not feet but your feet
(iv) To lead men in His way
(v) He has no tongue but your tongue
(vi) To tell men how He died
(vii) He has no help but your help (viii) To bring them to His side
3. PROMPTACTION REQUIRED
Every Christian must be involved in soul-wining because of the following:
(i) Others sought you
(ii) The world needs Christ
(iii) Every Christian can be a witness
(iv) Every Christian must be a witness
(v) Christ needs you
(vi) Personal Evangelism may be practiced anywhere, anytime and without any expense
(vii) Personal evangelism is able to reach all classes of people
(viii) Personal evangelism is able to meet and satisfy every spiritual need.
(ix) Personal evangelism produces the most abundant results
Recommended Reading
AGENT OF COMMUNITY CHANGE
How To Stop Eating In The Dream (1)
How to Combat Loneliness in Elderly Individuals
Tips For Keeping Romance Alive After Having Kids
4. ADVANTAGES OF PERSONAL EVANGELISM
Personal Evangelism is characterized by some advantages which makes it more attractive and easy to engage in these advantages are listed below:
(1) All true believers can participate irrespective of sex, age and education
(2) It can be done anywhere and everywhere. Wherever there is life, there can be evangelism
(3) Opportunities abound for personal evangelism than for any other type. All social and human relationships can be avenues for evangelism e.g. Blood relationship, work relationship, friendship relationship, community/Living relationship.
(4) It can be done at anytime – morning, noon and night.
(5) It is more personal and effective since it focuses attention on individuals. Questioning and answering are made possible. It allows solution to individual problems.
(6) It reaches people of different classes and caters for their particular needs. A teacher can reach out to a fellow teacher doctor to doctor, worker to worker etc.
(7) With personal evangelism, the gap- boundary between the Preacher and the receiver is remove. It allows a personal touch.
(8) Professional consciousness and barriers are removed. Pastors and preachers may not be able to reach out to some sinners who feel that the pastors are engaging in a professional and lucrative job of preaching to get money. Ordinary soul- winners can get in touch with this group
(9) It produces the most abundant and lasting result.
(10) It demands least time, money and organization before one reaches out.