THE USE OF LITERATURE IN EVANGELISM

TEXT: Psalm 68:1 1; Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15


Believers are mandated to publish the gospel among nations. The task of carrying out the great commission and futfilling it is very great Therefore the purpose of this study is to wake us up to the importance of using tracts, letters and books in evangelizing our community and beyond. 
Literature in evangelism has been in use right from the Old Testament period. God used Moses to write the Law, statutes and ordinances for the peeple of Israel (Exo. 24:12; 31:1:1 8; 32:1 5,16). Mordecai and Esther commanded letters to be written in the king's seal to the Jews to reverse the death sentence determined by Haman (Esther 8:8,9). Jeremiah wrote a letter to the Jews in Babylon to instruct, encourage and warn them (Jer. 27:1-4; 36:1-3, 23,28). The Holy Spirit inspired saints and Apostles like Paul, Peter, James, John and exhibited the use of literature in evangelism in their epistles to towns and cities to help the saints to keep to what they had learnt. Therefore, there is power in literature evangelism, when it is properly used and the principles are prayerfully followed.

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1. THE POWER OF LITERATURE IN EVANGELISM: 
Exo. 17:14;Deut. 11:20; Hab. 2:2; 2 Cor. 9:1; Col 4:16; Jn. 19:19-22. 
We can not over-emphasize the power of the written word of God. God gave the order to write down His word. The benefits for this are not far-fetched: All written documents can be re-read at anytime and anywhere. Written words catch and attract people's attention. Whatever is written and read again produces effects (Acts 8:30). Written message is constant. There is readiness in its use. The reader can benefit therein easily. it has ability to penetrate into unnoticed corners. The written word is timeless and it outgrows even the writer. it is also timely. There are facts to show the power of the written word: 
(i). Literature ensures enduring word. 
(ii). lt affords the opportunity of a better understanding of what is being conveyed. 
(iii). It ensures a great awareness in the community of its message. (iv). It transcend man-made barriers.
(v). It affects outreach to difficult areas and seemingly closed doors.
(vi). It enables one to make rich help available to people without being available. 
(vii). It helps in projecting the church and her distinctives.
(viii). It gives effective control on the minds of men.
(ix). It helps in mass penetration into any community. 
(x). It helps to stabilize the vision of the Church. 

2. THE PROPER USE OF LITERATURE IN EVANGELlSM: Lk. 14:28-32. For literature to be effective in evangelism it must be used in the following ways:
(i). Prayerfully - Eph. 2: 1-3. The heart of the people must be committed to God in prayer, so that Satan might be dethroned 
(ii). Purposefully -The purpose must be firm. The goal must be known. Be sure of why you are using it and to whom you give it. 
(iii). Progressively - You must move from stage to stage. For example, from giving two tracts a day to five etc Do not just throw them away, follow up the goals. 
(iv). Pertinently - Ilt must be relevant to the people we are giving it. 
(vii). Persistently - It must be given relentlessly and constantly. What is worth doing at all is worth doing well.

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3. THE PRINCIPLES OF LITERATURE EVANGELlSM: 
LK 19:2-9; Gal. 2:2; Acts 8:30-35; Col. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27. 
Jesus reached Zacchaeus specially. Paul went to those of repute. He wrote letters to many towns and cities, let us draw out some principles from these outreaches. Save Children of God could evangelize by: 
(i). Giving tracts, Christian books, gospel magazines. Tracts aim at -Testifying to those who are unsaved. Reaching the unchurched multitudes. Admonishing those who are perplexed. Convicting and converting nominal Christians and deceived religionists, strengthening the weak. Tracts given to a friend or a complete strange can be a good introduction to spiritual conversation. Tracts can a vital way of spreading the gospel. They are silent missionaries which lead sinners to Christ, heal the sick and strengthen the believers. Tracts can also be an effective means of following up the new converts. 
(ii). Letter writting: Lk. 1: 1-4; 1 Thess. 5: 27. 
(iii). Witnessing through pictures. Illustrating the gospel to the illiterate children and Adults. 

CONCLUSION
Remember, ensure your life is right with God before you render services to God (2 Tim. 2:6; 1 Cor. 9:21 ). Whatever we do after that, we shall receive a reward from the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:58; Rev. 22:12). 

My name is Ubong Kingsley Nsini. I am a preacher in Bible Christian Evangelical Church Inc. I am called by God to preach His good news and to help other preachers spread the good news all over the world.

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