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Should Evangelists “Close the Deal”? Part 2

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You’re out on the street witnessing and have  just finished sharing the 10 Commandments with an unbeliever. The person now understands that because he has violated God’s Moral Law by lying, stealing, blaspheming, murdering—that’s what the Bible calls it when one hates or gets angry—and committing adultery—even looking with lust condemns you, according to Jesus—he will be found guilty before a Holy God on Judgment Day; when he dies he will end up in Hell. He clearly understands this horribly bad news because you’ve taken the time to share—in love—that he is condemned already because of his sin.

Now what do you do? What’s the next step? Should you automatically share the Good News that Jesus died for him? How do you “close the deal”? Should you “close the deal”? (Read Part 1 of this series by clicking here.)

Before you launch into the good news ask this next question of the unbeliever : “Does that concern you?”

If he is not concerned that he is going to Hell, if he is a mocker or scoffer or a foolish time-consuming atheist who is just razzing you in your good faith effort to bring some light into his life, you are under no obligation to share Christ with him. If he isn’t concerned that he is soon to be facing the wrath of God, he won’t care about your Savior, and he will trample your pearls of the Gospel underfoot.

But if you sense that the person is truly concerned about his eternal damnation, then simply ask: “Do you know what God did for you so you wouldn’t have to go to Hell?”

Now is the time to give him the Gospel. Magnify God’s love and mercy and kindness. Plead with him to repent and trust in the Savior.

Say something like this: “God became a man in the person of Jesus Christ; he was fully God and fully man. He suffered and died on a cross for all your sins. He was buried and on the third day rose again. If you repent—turn away from your sins—and trust in Jesus, he will forgive you of every sin you’ve ever committed. It’s a free gift!”

Use as much Scripture as possible. For example:

John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:3: I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.  Explain what being born again means.

2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Luke 13:3:  But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Plead with him to repent. Warn what will happen if he waits and dies in his sins. Remind him that tomorrow is not guaranteed.

If you think this person is ready to take a step of faith and turn his life over to the Lord then ask:  “Would you like to repent right now and trust in Jesus?”

If he says “yes,” explain what he is repenting from; go over the 10 Commandments again, then restate the Good News.

Now, how do you go about “CLOSING THE DEAL”?

DON’T  lead him in a “Sinner’s Prayer”! There is no such thing!

DON’T  have him ask Jesus into his heart! (See Todd Friel’s article: “10 Reasons NOT to ask Jesus into Your Heart)

Have him pray first if he wants to trust in Jesus. Don’t force a decision or you run the risk of making a false convert.

Let him confess his sins to God in front of you, out loud! (But it’s okay if he wants to do it quietly, too. Or later, at home.)

D. L. Moody wrote: “It is a good thing to get a man on his knees, but don’t get him there before he is ready. You may have to talk with him two hours before you can get him that far, but when you think he is about ready, say, ‘Shall we not ask God to give us light on this point?’ Ask him to pray for himself. If he doesn’t want to pray, let him use a bible prayer; get him to repeat it.

“Don’t send a man home to pray. Of course he should pray at home, but I would rather get his lips open at once. It is a good thing for a man to hear his own voice in prayer.

Urge an immediate decision, but never tell a man he is converted. Never tell him he is saved. Let the Holy Spirit reveal that to him.” From Experiencing Pleasure and Profit in Bible Study.

Then give him your information including church services, your email, etc., and get his phone number, email, etc., so you can contact him—if you want to. Remember, follow up isn’t that important because God saves to the uttermost. When one is truly saved, you can’t keep him away from fellowship and you can’t stop him from growing.

***Click here for Part 3, to read about the tragic event that led D. L. Moody to urge sinners to make an immediate decision for Christ.

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This lesson was taken from my 10 week class called “Sharing Your Faith…Made Easy! (Soon to be available online in a new, improved and revised format. Email me if you’d like a free copy when it’s finished at [email protected])

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