Free The Gospel And Personal Evangelism (9marks) Ebooks Online
Evangelism is not only misunderstood, it is often unpracticed. Many Christians want to share the gospel with others, but because those Christians don't grasp the fundamentals of witnessing, they feel intimidated and incapable of sharing the truth of the gospel. Yet those believers fail to recognize that God has already established who and how we are to evangelize. In The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, Dr. Mark Dever seeks to answer the four basic questions about evangelism that many Christians ask: Who should we evangelize? How should we evangelize? What is evangelism? Why should we evangelize? In his answers Dever draws on New Testament truths and helps believers apply those truths in practical ways. As readers understand the fundamentals of evangelism, they will begin to develop a culture of evangelism in their lives and their local churches.
Series: 9marks (Book 2)
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Crossway (September 7, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1581348460
ISBN-13: 978-1581348460
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.3 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #232,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #426 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Evangelism > Evangelism #4621 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Theology #5170 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Theology
If you want to read a very good book on what evangelism is, why we need to evangelize, and what evangelism is not, then you must purchase this book. Dever has really hit the bullseye in this book when it comes to evangelism and all the implications associated with it. Though every chapter in the book is useful and valuable the better chapters are on the contents of the gospel (chap. 2) and what evangelism is not (chap. 5).In the chapter on what the true gospel is, Dever makes it clear that the gospel (contrary to many modern evangelicals) is NOT 1) that we are simply okay; 2) that God is simply love; 3) that Jesus just wants to be our friend; and 4) that we should just live rightly. The true gospel, according to Dever, is that we are all sinners, that Jesus lived a perfect life and died on the cross to take our punishment, that he rose from the dead, and that we are all called to repent of our sins and trust Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness and salvation. This chapter must be read by ALL evangelical ministers today who are tempted to follow the seeker-friendly or prosperity train.The chapter on what evangelism is not is also very enlightening. Dever rightly points out that evangelism is NOT 1) imposition of our beliefs on unbelievers; 2) personal testimony of our Christian life; 3) social action or public involvement; 4) and apologetics (this point is especially important to highlight since so many Christians today believe that they can persuade an unbeliever to Christ through clever argumentation). Also, Dever rightly points out that just because we do not see the fruits of our evangelism right away does not mean that our role as God's messengers have failed.
One of my favorite podcasts subscriptions is the Capital Hill Baptist Church sermon audio. Capital Hill is where Mark Dever pastors. One of the reasons why I like Dever so much is (in addition to his biblical fidelity) his ability to communicate grand concepts clearly and with intentional application. So when I heard that Dever was soon releasing a new book on evangelism I was eager to read.The Gospel and Personal Evangelism is a short book (128 pages) but is filled with helpful, Bible saturated, honesty and exhortation. Dever is writing both as a pastor and a Christian. Therefore he is transparent about his own evangelistic struggles but also clear about the necessity for believers to faithfully herald the gospel. "My prayer is that because of the time you spend reading this book, more people will hear the good news of Jesus Christ." (p.16)As someone who teaches a class on evangelism I often cringe when I hear contemporary authors and preachers talk about the motivation and means of evangelism. Far too often emotional and pragmatic sentiments drown out the clear God-centered goal of evangelism as outlined in the Scriptures. Thankfully Dever does not swing and miss on this critical understanding of evangelism: "According to the Bible, good motives for evangelism are a desire to be obedient, a love for the lost, and a love for God....Ultimately, our motive in evangelism must be a desire to see God glorified. This was the end of all of the Lord Jesus' actions (See John 17)....God is glorified in being known. To see others truly come to know him glorifies God and honors him....
The Christian life has three ugly step children. They get lots of lip service, and often little action: Consistent Bible Reading, Prayer - and (the BIG one) Evangelism. We all know we ought to to do them. We all WANT to do them - at least on some level. But if one gets shoved aside more than any other - its the last one - evangelism.Mark Dever has written an invaluable resource to help us out.In short, Mark's book is:#1 - Encouraging. Encouraging because he both addresses our universal fears and failings, and because he offers simple, clear, Biblical help.#2 - Clear. You cannot come away from it missing the need to evangelize; being incited to evangelize; being informed as how to evangelize - and above all - getting the Gospel simply and clearly so AS to evangelize.#3 - Concise. Short can often mean bereft of content. Not The Gospel & Personal Evangelism. Much more more can be said, and has been said. But what is here is the essential meat. The core. Digest this, and you are well fed.#4 - Practical. This book is not about theory - though underlying necessary concepts are not ignored. But it is all couched in the practical realm of loving people with the Gospel personally.#5 - Equipping. I cannot imagine anyone putting this book down and not being immensely more confident they can clearly and accurately share the Gospel with others. Or as he puts it in chapter 4: To share HONESTLY, URGENTLY and JOYFULLY. What a great paradigm.# 6- Necessary. For whatever reason, the Gospel message needs to be repeated over and over even to those of us who believe it - or it seems to grow nebulous, nondescript and inarticulable in a heartbeat.
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism (9marks) Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus (9marks: Building Healthy Churches) The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ (9marks: Building Healthy Churches) What Is the Gospel? (9Marks) Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism, 2nd Edition Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus (9marks: Building Healthy Churches) Am I Really a Christian? (9marks) Am I Really a Christian? (Foreword by Kirk Cameron) (9marks) Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God The Master Plan of Evangelism The School of Biblical Evangelism Questioning Evangelism Transforming Evangelism: The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith Gospel Keyboard Styles: A Complete Guide to Harmony, Rhythm and Melody in Authentic Gospel Style (Harrison Music Education Systems) Salvation Through Judgment and Mercy: The Gospel According to Jonah (The Gospel According to the Old Testament) Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming (Gaither Gospel) Top-Requested Contemporary Gospel Sheet Music: 12 Urban Gospel Hits from the 1970s to Today (Top-Requested Sheet Music) The Majesty of Gospel for Alto Saxophone: 16 Great Gospel Songs Renegade Gospel: The Rebel Jesus (Rengade Gospel series) Renegade Gospel Leader Guide: The Rebel Jesus (Renegade Gospel series)
