Here am I, Send Someone Else!

 
  I.	INTRODUCTION.
	A.	Illustration about husband in Illustration Unlimited, #6, p 183.
	B.	We often make just as poor excuses for not evangelizing.
		1.	When God spoke to Isaiah, Isaiah said, "Here am I!  Send me" (6:8).
		2.	We, however, often say, "Here am I!  Send someone else."
	C.	Tonight, we want to examine excuses we make for not sharing the gospel.

 II.	I DON'T HAVE THE TALENT.
	A.	Many believe that God has not given them the talent to share the gospel.
		1.	There people claim that god gives different talents.
		2.	God chose not to give them the talent to evangelize.
	B.	Yet,
		1.	Those who say this generally use it as an excuse.
			a.	They've never tried to evangelize.
			b.	How can I know whether or not I could have been a great pianist if I've never played?
		2.	God has given us all talents.
			a.	These talents were given according to ability-God doesn't expect more from us than we can do.
			b.	Everyone received some talent-we all have some talent that can be used in God's kingdom.
			c.	The man who did noting with his talent was cursed-God expects us to do something with the
				talents we have.
	C.	What are you doing with the talents you have?

III.	I DON'T KNOW HOW.
	A.	This would be an acceptable answer for those who are new in Christ (1 Pt 2:2).
	B.	But, we are to grow in Christ.
		1.	The Scriptures teach this (Eph 4:15; 2 Pt 3:18).
		2.	Part of growing in Christ is learning how to evangelize.
	C.	How can we learn?
		1.	Study through Acts.
			a.	This will provide much rich material for evangelism.
			b.	This will teach us how to evangelize.
		2.	Study the epistles to see how Paul & others evangelized.

 IV.	I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME.
	A.	We live in a fast paced world-it is often difficult to find time to serve God.
	B.	yet, we are to put God & his kingdom first (Mt 6:33).
		1.	To paraphrase a quote by JC Penney, "If we are too busy to serve God through the week, we
			have more business than God ever intended."
		2.	We must serve God regardless of what else is taking place in our lives.

  V.	I'M AFRAID.
	A.	Personal evangelism can be a scary experience.
		1.	People can quickly become angry.
		2.	Some questions you may not know how to answer.
	B.	Fear can prevent us from doing what expects.
		1.	Because Abraham was afraid he had Sarah tell Pharaoh that she was his sister (Gn 12:10-13).
		2.	The man with the one talent hid the talent because he was afraid (Mt 25:25).
		3.	Illustration about the fearful farmer, Illustration Unlimited, #2, p 204.
	C.	Yet, we cannot allow fear to keep us from doing personal work.
		1.	The cowardly shall have their part in the second death (Rv 21:8).
		2.	Are you allowing fear to keep you from personal work?

 VI.	I DON'T LIKE REJECTION.
	A.	Rejection is never pleasant.
	B.	Yet, we need to remember,
		1.	Some of those who heard Jesus rejected the Gospel (e.g., Jn 6:60-66).
		2.	Some of those who heard the apostles rejected the Gospel (e.g., Acts 17:32).
	C.	Those who reject the Gospel don't reject us-they reject God (1 Sm 8:7).

VII.I DON'T WANT TO LOOSE MY FRIEND.
	A.	True friends do what is in the best interest of the other person.
		1.	Friends help each other be all they should be (Prov 27:17).
		2.	Friends help each other when they fall (Eccl 4:9-10).
	B.	True friends share the Gospel.  Are you a true friend?

VIII.I DON'T THINK GOD REALLY CARES.
	A.	Some think God really doesn't care if we reach the lost or not.
	B.	Yet, those who refuse to evangelize shall be lost.
		1.	Jn 15:2.
		2.	Ezek 33:8-9.

 IX.	I'VE GOT A PREACHER.
	A.	Many think that their preacher should do the evangelism in a community.
	B.	Yet, the Bible teaches that all Christians should evangelize.
		1.	The "clergy-laity" distinction prominent in the religious world is unknown in the
			New Testament.
		2.	Those scattered after Stephen's death went everywhere preaching the Word (Acts 8:4).
		3.	Andrew brought Peter to Jesus (Jn 1:40-42).
			a.	When Andrew brought Peter to Jesus, Andrew was not a great apostle.
			b.	Andrew was never really a "great" apostle.
				1)	We never really read much of him in the New Testament.
				2)	He's terribly overshadowed by his brother.
				3)	Andrew was just an ordinary man who brought his brother to Christ.

  X.	I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH BIBLE.
	A.	Only new Christians should be able to say this.
	B.	Those of us who are older Christians should be teachers (Heb 5:12).
	C.	We need to study the Bible.
		1.	The Gospel is God's power to save (Rm 1:16).
		2.	Jesus' words will judge us in the last day (Jn 12:48).

XI.	CONCLUSION.
	A.	There are many excuses we can use for not spreading the Gospel.
	B.	There are many excuses we can use for not accepting Jesus.
		What excuses do you use for not accepting Jesus?