Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Mark A. Copeland
where they can be nurtured and protected during a vital stage of their newfound life
2. Many congregations may not find “open doors” to reach others because they have not
prepared themselves to be a place where “babes in Christ” will be cared for properly
a. Do we really believe that the Lord through His providence would “open doors” for a
congregation filled with “carnal Christians” who would only devour the new Christian?
b. The Lord might often have to wait a long time before providentially working to see that
a truth seeker has an opportunity to hear the gospel
c. Of course, we would anticipate in such cases that the Lord would use His providence to
spare the truth seeker's life until there are people ready to teach and receive him or her
into the family of God
3. Whether or not the last point is true, the following is still valid and encouraging:
a. If we will prepare ourselves to be useful to the Lord
b. His providence will “open doors” of opportunity for us to reach those in our community
who have honest and good hearts that are seeking for the truth
[And then there is important perspective...]
VII. PRAYER IS THE CATALYST IN EVANGELISM
A. THE PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED...
1. If the providence of God is at work and it involves the lives of those who are prepared to
be used as well as those who are seeking the truth, it should be easy to see that prayer
would play an important role
a. In the case of Cornelius, his prayers that prompted God to take notice - Ac 10:1-4
b. It was a man given to prayer that the Lord chose to reach him - Ac 10:9
2. Sometimes much preparation for evangelism is not too different from preparing to make a
sales pitch
a. It is almost as though people think that if you follow the right procedure with anyone, the
desired results must necessarily follow
b. Certainly that is no one's intention; yet prayer is not often stressed in many books on
how to do evangelism
c. In contrast, we find Paul teaching the Colossians to pray that God would open a door
for the Word - Co 4:3
B. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PERSPECTIVE...
1. Think of prayer as a “catalyst” that starts the process of God's providence in bringing
together the lost but seeking soul with the prepared and seeking servant of the Lord
2. When we have prepared ourselves to be useful to the Lord and then diligently pray “Lord,
lead me to some soul today,” doors will open and we will begin to find souls who have been
praying and will be receptive to the gospel!
[Finally, remember that ...]
VIII. THE PRINCIPLE OF SOWING AND REAPING
A. THE PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED...
1. In 2 Co 9:6 we find this principle stated, and it easily seen in many different areas of life
a. In sales, the ratio of success is often one sale out of nine calls
b. In acting, the ratio can be as high as one job out of thirty auditions, even for successful
Topical Sermons 266