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Sept.20.05 - Lftd -   
"EMP2: Having the Right Motivation in Evangelism" 
Course : EVANGELISM MADE PERSONAL
-- Mark A. Copeland 

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Study 2 

"HAVING THE RIGHT MOTIVATION IN EVANGELISM"

The "Steam" That Drives The Train

With the right motivation behind our efforts in evangelism, the job will get done. Whenever evangelism does not occur, lack of motivation (or in some cases, improper motivation) is always at the root of the problem!

What Is "motivation?"

Motivation is like "steam." Properly channeled it can move large objects, like a steam powered train. But without it, the train remains motionless. All the careful construction in preparation for travel is for nothing if there is no steam to propel the train.

So it is with us. If motivated and properly channeled, great things can be done in the area of evangelism.  Unfortunately, many people, despite all of the spiritual education they have received on the subject of evangelism, still do very little with what they know. 
The reason? Lack of proper motivation!

WHAT SHOULD BE OUR MOTIVATION IN EVANGELISM?

Well, what motivated Jesus? Certainly He was successful in reaching His goals. Since He is to be our example (1 Pe 2:21), whatever motivated Him should be the motivating force driving His disciples.
(-- 1 Peter 2:21 - "This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in His steps.")

I can identify at least five things which moved our Lord :

1- Compassion for lost souls
2- A strong sense of purpose
3- The love of the Father
4- The terror of the Lord
5- The joy set before Him

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I- COMPASSION FOR LOST SOULS :

Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the mass of lost souls (Mt 9:35-36; 14:14; 15:32). Such compassion motivated Him to do two things.

1. First, to ask His disciples to pray that God might " send out laborers into His harvest" (Mt 9:37-38).

2. Then, to do something about it Himself (that is, to select and send out His apostles - Mt 10:1,5-7).

Do we ever find ourselves filled with compassion for the lost?
And doing something about it?

If we can only have this same compassion for lost souls, we will not rest till we are doing something to save their souls!

How can we develop or strengthen this compassion for lost souls?

The best way is LET GOD TEACH US TO LOVE, as He did with the Thessalonians (1 Th 4:9).  This He does through the example of Christ (1 Jn 3:16-17).

I am suggesting, therefore, that the more we meditate upon God's love for us as manifested in His Son's sacrifice, the more we will come to love others!

It also helps to BE AROUND PEOPLE. To love people, you have to get to know them. When we do, we can begin to appreciate the saying attributed to Will Rogers, "I never met a man I did not like." So beware of becoming "wrapped up in your own little world." Remember that Jesus was one to become involved with "the multitudes."

Have we allowed the love of God to fill our hearts with compassion for the multitude of lost and dying souls? Are we making an effort to be around people and getting to know them?

Jesus also had . . .

II- A SENSE OF PURPOSE :

This motivating force is seen in our Lord's conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well.  While speaking with her, his disciples marveled at what His motive might be (Jn 4:27). Jesus explained: "To do the will of Him who sent Me...to accomplish His work" (Jn 4:34).

He stated this same purpose in life on many other occasions (Jn 5:30,36; 6:38; 17:4; 19:28-30). And what was the will of His Father? To save a dying world (Jn 3:16). To "seek and save the lost" (Lk 19:10).

Do we have this same "sense of purpose" in our lives?
To put first the Father's will?

Jesus taught that we should (Mt 6:10,33). But people often have "DIFFERENT PURPOSES" for living. The "workaholics" make their jobs their purpose in life. Many make their families, friends or hobbies the reason for living.

But the "RIGHT PURPOSE" comes from studying God's Word.
As we understand God's will for us, we learn that our purpose for being His special people centers around proclaiming the praises of Him who called us (1 Pe 2:9-10). One way we do this, of course, is through evangelism.

Have we let the Word of God develop within us the "right sense of purpose"? If not, our motivation will be inadequate!

Another force that moved our Lord was . . .

III- THE LOVE OF THE FATHER :

Jesus had experienced "the love of the Father", which prompted Him to love others (Jn 15:9). But it went beyond that. This "love" was such that He wanted to share it with others (Jn 17:26), even if it was necessary for Him to go the cross to make it possible! 

Have we experienced "the love of the Father" in our lives? If so, how can we not be moved (motivated) to want to share it with others? Is it not worth sharing? Of course it is! But if we must confess that our sense of the Father's love is not as strong as we would like, how can we develop a greater sense of God's love for us?

The way to experience the Father's love is to
"KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS" (Jn 14:21,23).

A most important commandment in this regard is the one to love one another as Christ loved us (Jn 15:12). This is because loving one another is crucial to experiencing the love of the Father in our lives. As John wrote: "If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us" (1 Jn 4:12).

Another way to increase our experience of the Father's love is to "MAKE OUR LOVE FOR JESUS STRONGER." This is because the Father's love for us is directly related to our love for Jesus (John 16:27). How can one increase their love for Jesus? The best way is to spend time learning more about Him from the Word of God.

Have we experienced the Father's love by loving Jesus and keeping His commandments (esp. loving one another)? If not, we will not have much worth sharing, nor be motivated to share it!

We can also add to our list of the things that motivated Jesus . . .

IV- THE TERROR OF THE LORD

Jesus was very much aware of God's "righteous indignation". He taught that we should "fear" God (Mt 10:28). He warned of the judgment to come (Mk 9:43-48). Knowing the "terror of the Lord",
Jesus was willing to go to the cross that man might be saved. He even prayed for those crucifying Him (Lk 23:34).

Are we willing to make the effort to save others, like Jesus? We may not have to die for them... But are we even willing to speak to them? Or could it be that we don't take the "terror of the Lord" as serious as Jesus' early disciples did (cf. 2 Co 5:11)?

How can we develop a healthy appreciation for "the terror of the Lord"? I recommend frequent "MEDITATING UPON THE WORD OF GOD", especially those portions which describe God's judgments in the past (cf. 2 Pe 2:4-9), and that provide warnings of the Judgment Day to come (2 Th1:7-10; Re 20:12-15; 21:8).

Have we, like many, become complacent to the fact that there will be a day of judgment and condemnation?

Could it be we have not let the Word of God have its true affect on our lives?

A lack of concern and involvement in trying to reach the lost for Christ would certainly imply this to be the case!

Finally, we see that the Lord was moved by . . .

V- THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM :

As expressed by the writer of Hebrews (He 12:2), Jesus was motivated by the joyful prospect of being with His Father, at His Right Hand. Notice that this enabled Him to "endure the cross" and "despise the shame".

Does not the prospect of spending eternity with God move us to do what we can to save souls? It must, if we also are to be willing to "endure the cross" or "despise the shame" that might be involved in
evangelism!

To increase our level of appreciating what lies ahead for the faithful, I recommend regular "CONTEMPLATION UPON WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR US" as described in the Word of God. I find especially helpful those scenes pictured in Re 7:13-17; 21:1-7.

It also helps to "THINK OF WHAT GOD WILL DO FOR THOSE WE REACH". Paul did, as he describes in 1 Th 2:19-20; and it gave him great joy that I am sure helped him to PRESS ON teaching others.

** - CONCLUSION :

The ability to press on...this is the VALUE of proper motivation. Remember our earlier definition of motivation?

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

Such was case with our Lord... He fulfilled His goals, being motivated by:

Compassion for lost souls
A strong sense of purpose
The love of the Father
The terror of the Lord
The joy set before Him

Since Jesus is the "AUTHOR" and "FINISHER" of our faith (He 12:2), we should be "looking unto Jesus" for the motivation we need to do His will. We should "consider Him" (He 12:3), lest we become weary and discouraged in doing God's will.

I am convinced the early church looked to Jesus, and found the motivation necessary to grow as they did.  I believe that we can do the same today!

It should be apparent by now that the "KEY" to developing and strengthening the proper motivation is to let the Word of God have its intended effect upon us. But if Christians are not daily reading, studying, and meditating upon the Word of God, THEN HOW CAN WE EVER HOPE TO STAY MOTIVATED LIKE JESUS, PAUL AND THE EARLY CHURCH WAS?

I believe that if we DO read, study, and meditate upon the Word of God, then we will be like JEREMIAH
... who at first made excuses (Jer 1:6), but as he fed upon the Word found great joy (Jer 15:16). So much so, that when ridiculed for speaking, he first tried to refrain, but found that he just couldn't keep it in (Jer 20:7-9)!

May we also allow God's Word and the example of Jesus to motivate us in evangelizing the lost!

-- Matthew 9:35,36 - "35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

-- Mt 9:37,38 - 37  Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

-- Mt 15:32 - "Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I have compassion for these people. They have been here with Me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the road."

-- Mt 10:1,5-8
1 He called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’

-- Mt 10:28
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of My hand.

-- Mt 6:10,33
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

-- Mark 9:43-48
43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better to enter heaven with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands.
45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better to enter heaven with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet.
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It is better to enter the Kingdom of God half blind than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
44,46,48 ‘where the worm never dies and the fire never goes out.’

-- John 4:2
2 (though Jesus Himself didn’t baptize them—His disciples did).

-- Jn 4:34
34 Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, Who sent Me, and from finishing His work.

-- Jn 5:30,36
30 But I do nothing without consulting the Father. I judge as I am told. And My judgment is absolutely just, because it is according to the will of God who sent Me; it is not merely My own. 36 But I have a greater witness than John—My teachings and My miracles. They have been assigned to Me by the Father, and they testify that the Father has sent Me.

-- Jn 6:38 
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of God who sent Me.

-- Jn 17:4 
I glorified You on earth by finishing the work that You gave Me to do.

-- Jn 19:28-30
28 Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures He said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to His lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, He said, "It is finished!" Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

-- Jn 3:16
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.

-- Jn15:9
"As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.

-- Jn 17:26
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

-- Jn 14:21,23
21 Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal Myself to each one of them."
22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?"
23 Jesus replied, "All those who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come to them and live with them.

-- Jn 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

-- John 16:27
"For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God."

-- Luke 19:10
"For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."

-- Luke 23:34
34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for His clothes by throwing dice.

-- 1 Thessalonians 4:9
9 But I don’t need to write to you about the Christian love that should be shown among God’s people. For God himself has taught you to love one another.

-- 1 The 2:19-20
19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when He comes back again.
20 For you are our pride and joy.

-- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power
10 when He comes to receive glory and praise from His holy people. And you will be among those praising Him on that day, for you believed what we testified about Him.

-- 1 John 3:16-17
16 We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.
17 But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help—how can God’s love be in that person?

-- 1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.

-- 2 Corinthians 5:11
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences.

-- 1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

-- 2 Peter 2:4-9
4 For God did not spare even the angels when they sinned; He threw them into hell, in gloomy dungeon and darkness until the judgment day.
5 And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and his family of seven. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. Then God destroyed the whole world of ungodly people with a vast flood.
6 Later, He turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into heaps of ashes and swept them off the face of the earth. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people.
7 But at the same time, God rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a good man who was sick of all the immorality and wickedness around him.
8 Yes, he was a righteous man who was distressed by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.
9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while punishing the wicked right up until the day of judgment.

-- Hebrews 12:2,3
2 looking to Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Think about all He endured when sinful people did such terrible things to Him, so that you don’t become weary and give up.

-- Revelation 20:12-15; 21:8
12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to the things written in the books, according to what they had done.
13 The sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the grave gave up the dead in them. They were all judged according to their deeds.
14 And death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.
15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

-- Rev 21:8 -- But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

-- Revelation 7:13-17
13 Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, "Who are these who are clothed in white? Where do they come from?"
14 And I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows." Then he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.
15 That is why they are standing in front of the throne of God, serving Him day and night in His Temple. And He who sits on the throne will live among them and shelter them.
16 They will never again be hungry or thirsty, and they will be fully protected from the scorching noontime heat.
17 For the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away all their tears."

-- Rev 21:1-7 
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.
2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them.
4 He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever."
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making all things new!" And then He said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."
6 And He also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give the springs of the water of life without charge!
7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be My children.