Real Evangelism

If we are going to be effective in reaching people for Christ we are
going to have to start showing people that we really care. Evangelism
and missions must be relational in nature. There is no record of Jesus
walking up to someone out the clear blue sky and saying: I am the
Messiah and then him beginning to show his care for them. No, he showed
his care for them first and then he revealed himself to them.

A story is told about a man who was on a luxury liner and suddenly he
falls overboard. He can't swim and in desperation he begins calling for
help. Now it just so happens that there several would be rescuers on
deck who witnessed the incident. The first man was a MORALIST. When he
saw the man fall overboard he immediately reached into his briefcase and
pulled out a book on how to swim. He now tossed it to him and he yelled:
Now brother, you read that and just follow the instructions and you will
be alright.

The man next to him happened to be a IDEALIST. When he saw the man fall
overboard he immediately jumped into the water and began swimming all
around the drowning man saying: Now just watch me swim. Do as I do and
you will be alright. The person next to him happened to be a member of
the INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH. He looked upon the drowning man's plight with
deep concern. He yelled out: Now, just hold on friend. Help is on the
way. We are going to establish a committee and dialogue your problem.
And then, if we have come up with the proper financing, we will resolve
your dilemma.

The next man on deck happened to be a representative of the school of
POSITIVE THINKING. He yelled out to the drowning man: "Friend, this
situation is not nearly as bad as you think. Think dry!" The next man on
board happened to be a REVIVALIST. By this time the drowning man was
going down for the third time and desperately began waving his arm.
Seeing that, the revivalist yelled out: Yes brother, I see that hand, is
there another? Is there another? And finally, the last man on deck, was
a REALIST. He immediately plunged into the water, at the risk of his own
life, and pulled the victim to safety.

Sermon Illustrations, 1999.