DCLM Higher Everyday 18 November 2023 — Extroverts in evangelism
Topic: Extroverts in evangelism
Text: Mark 5:11-20
11Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
12And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
13And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
14And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
15And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
16And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
17And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
18And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
19Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
Key Verse: “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did” (Acts 8:5, 6).
Message
It was Carl Jung, a noted psychologist, who coined the terms “introverted” and “extroverted” to describe two main personality traits. Extroverts are typically thought as those people who are outspoken, outgoing and predominantly concerned with what is going on with the outer world. They have no problem starting conversation with strangers and sharing what is in their hearts. The work of evangelism requires a lot of interaction with strangers and new contacts. The word of the Great Commission is – “go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Philip, the evangelist, was an extrovert.
Introverts are not excluded from the gospel mission. The Great Commission is for all. God can use both extroverts and introverts to reach the lost. Being an effective evangelist has nothing to do with personality type. But it has everything to do with identification with Christ and readiness to obey his command. It has everything to do with commitment, consecration and concern about the peril of the perishing. And it requires enduement with power from on high.
Quote: Introverts are not excluded.
Challenge: The Great Commission is for all.
Prayer for today: Lord, I am ready to go for you.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
