Motivation to Evangelism

Introduction. A challenge that Christians often face is finding sufficient motivation to evangelism—i.e. to talk to others about their need to obey the gospel.

•         We may have tried in the past and failed.

•         We think that it won’t do any good.

•         We may feel nervous our afraid (not knowing what to say).

This evening let’s talk a little about how to gain motivation to evangelism.

I. What is motivation?

A.      “An inner drive, an idea captured in the imagination which can be harnessed to an intense drive toward a goal (like steam is harnessed to drive a train).”

B.      “Men and women who are motivated push themselves forward, plow through the inevitable setbacks, heading ever onward to their dreams.”

~ Denis Waitley, The Joy Of Working

1.      Motivation is the steam that drives the train!

II. What should motivate us? That which moved Jesus should move us.

A.      “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21).

B.      “...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2).

1.      What motivated Jesus to save souls?

III. Jesus was motivated by...

A.      The joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2-3; John 17:24; 1 Thess. 2:19-20).

B.      Compassion for lost soulsÊ (Matt. 9:35-38; Rom. 9:1-3; 10:1)

C.      A sense of purposeÊ (John 4:34-38; Luke 19:10; Acts 20:24).

D.     The love of His FatherÊ (John 15:9; 17:24-26; 2 Cor. 5:14-15).

1.      The same things should motivate us to save the lost!