Why Evangelize the Unsaved?

 

Why Evangelize the Unsaved?

Matthew 28:19; Romans 3:23; 6:23

There are several biblical reasons for evangelism in the life of every believer.  First there is the command of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19, where he says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  Every believer should take this command seriously and personally. Then secondly are the sinner’s needs which can be a powerful motivation when we consider passages like Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  And then Romans 6:23, where Paul said, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” These are clear commands from our Lord Jesus and the Word.

The reality of Hell and the wrath of God remain in the future of every unrepentant sinner.  A third reason for evangelizing is our love for Christ who was an outstanding evangelist to say the least. He certainly expects believers to obey his command to evangelize and to prove our love for him by our obedience to him. It was Christ who said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  A fourth and very good reason for evangelism is our love for others.  It is only natural to love one’s family and friends and want their good in all things.  Likewise, genuine love will compel us to be concerned with their eternal good.  These are just a few reasons, but there are others like the example of the Lord Jesus and his disciples, the stewardship of the Gospel, the glory of God, the lack of workers, and the promise of rewards which should also compel us to engage ourselves in the process of evangelism.  

Lesson:

I.               What Are the General Evangelism Approaches?  

So, with solid reasons to get involved, where should I start? How do the approaches to evangelism complement each other and represent parts of the strategy of evangelism?

There are three basic approaches to evangelism, and they each complement each other and represent parts of the strategy we need to embrace. The three parts are Presence Evangelism, Proclamation Evangelism, and Persuasion Evangelism.  Presence evangelism relates to the lifestyle of the believer that is his witness and testimony.  Proclamation evangelism focuses on announcing and publicizing the good news of Christ.  Persuasion evangelism concentrates on persuading and motivating the sinner to embrace Christ by faith.  It is intentionally preaching to secure soul-winning results.  Again, these are interrelated and interdependent upon each other.  For example, by our presence we win a hearing, by our proclamation we share the gospel message, and then by our persuasion we convince others to place their trust in Christ. These interrelated approaches affords ways to immediately invest ourselves in reaching people with the gospel.

II.            What Terms refer to New Testament Evangelism?

If we refer to the various words found in the New Testament to describe evangelism, the following is what we would discover.  Some present-day examples of these different types of evangelism are also delineated.

There are various Greek words found in the New Testament which describe evangelism; there are matching present-day examples for each of these words. 

• 1.     Martureo (Acts 1:8) is sharing your experience with others. The present day equivalent is sharing one’s personal experience in trusting Christ as Savior. 
• 2.     Laleo (Acts 4:1) is talking to others.  The present-day exercise of this type of evangelism occurs when we weave the message of the gospel and our faith into the average conversation with someone.
• 3.     Euaggelizo (Acts 8:4) is telling others about Jesus.  This can be achieved today by telling others the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Emphasis would be placed on the message of the good news in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
• 4.     Didasko (Matt. 28:20) is teaching others the gospel systematically.  Today we should explain the gospel message in great detail and systematically especially when working with someone who has questions or is religiously confused.  The goal is to remove misconceptions so people can understand and believe.
• 5.     Dialegomai (Acts 18:4) is answering reasonable questions.  Today as we share the gospel with others, some will have more questions or our presentation will raise legitimate concerns in the hearts of the sinners.  We can afford them opportunity to present their questions and give them Bible answers.  This form of witnessing takes on the form of dialog or a question-and-answer session.
• 6.     Kataggello (Acts 17:3) is driving home the gospel.  This can be effectively used today in public preaching as we bring sinners to understand their need and fervently point them to the reality that Jesus is the answer, solution, and “The Christ.” Such public proclaiming of Christ should be filled with conviction and astutely advocated by the believer.
• 7.     Kerusso (Acts 8:5) is announcing the gospel so people can respond.  Modern day street preaching wonderfully follows the manner of publicly heralding the gospel so that people can hear and understand.
• 8.     Mathateuo (Matt. 28: 19) is convincing others to follow Jesus.  Today we are to lead people to a conversion experience in trusting Christ to save them and then to actually become lifelong followers of Christ.  The elements of repentance, faith, and discipleship are all included.
• 9.     Peitho (2Cor. 5:11; Acts 18:4) is persuading those who are hesitant.  This is the modern effort of fervently bringing someone to the point of a decision for Christ as Savior.  While no one can be coerced or pressured for a decision, it is correct to persuade and encourage a positive choice for forgiveness and regeneration. 

III.         What is Evangelism?

Evangelism is the effort of believers to sustain a lifestyle which witnesses of the power of the gospel, to proclaim the gospel message clearly so that sinners can understand and believe, and to convince or persuade people to receive Christ as Savior.  Evangelism should be accepted as a mandate for all believers and an essential component for Christian living.

Conclusion:

Beloved, we have a clear mandate from our Lord and insight into our very real human condition of sin. God’s perspective is inarguable transparent also; people who die without Christ have no hope of salvation. Regardless of our position in a congregation or lack thereof, we are charged with the message of Christ. We who know the gospel must share it with those who are without the hope of Jesus Christ. As evangelists, we are referred to as fishers of men, witnesses, ambassadors, and stewards.  Several other occupations illustrate the work as NT evangelists. Terms like “builder” (1Cor. 3:10), “soldier” (2Tim. 2:3), “farmer” (1Cor. 3:6-9), and “sower” (Matt. 13:3) also shed light on our work. Clearly our job is placed before us as NT evangelists.  So, go in as many ways as you can to share the hope of Christ with whoever through the gospel.

Refill Your Cup

 

Refill Your Cup

Luke 5:16, And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Mark 1:35, And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

The Lord Jesus practice something we often miss in our hustle and bustle, he frequently prayed alone in solitary places to connect deeply with God, secure daily guidance, and find strength for the challenges ahead. Such solitude allowed him to focus and engage in undistracted communion with his heavenly Father. Again, such activities were vital for receiving instructions, spiritual power, and wisdom for his very complex ministries and God’s designs. These ‘get aways’ provided rest, reflection, refreshment, and a way to process emotions and challenges. Our Lord’s habit of withdrawing demonstrates the importance of personal solitude in the presence of God, spiritual growth, and recharging our serving capacity. 

Sometimes we are called upon to do the extraordinary! We typically don't even hesitate to meet the expectations and requirements. It is a part of what we do—forsake ourselves for the benefit of others! Doing so can be demanding, exhausting, depleting, and grueling at times, but we still come through in brilliant color and reliable force. Afterwards, it is important to reset in the wake of these episodes...to take a breather...a well-deserved break. I am talking about intentionally stepping back from daily demands to recharge spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

This may involve short resets like walking in God’s creation, praying, or meditating on a verse or phrase. You may try longer getaways like a trip on a long weekend to a location that permits you to unwind. What is critical is that we focus on non-work activities, clear our calendars, unplug from the various forms of tech, and prioritize time with God, rest and good food. There are multiple benefits to doing this like hearing from the Lord afresh, seeing things in Scripture you forgot were there, realizing there are matters we left unresolved, and even relationships we should pursue as well as those we need to eliminate. We can experience a boost in our health, inspiration for our interests, and a renewed eagerness to be more productive, and certainly preventing the various forms of burnout before returning to the fight. It is okay to reduce some of the stress.

Anybody with eyes can see we have been working at a fever pitch to make a lot of great things happen for many others. We have been there making events special, cherish-able, memorable, and picture-worthy-epics. We have treated others with dignity, respect, courtesy and service. But please remember you need a break too…a period of rejuvenation. Start planning now for enjoyable, restorative activities, rather than just passive screen time, these are your keys for true renewal. So, go ahead and steal way to sit prayerfully in God’s presence, plan a trip or even take a short drive, visit a museum you have been wanting to explore, journal your reflections and thoughts, disconnect from work/social media, read the Word slowly and thoughtfully, engage in other restorative activities like walking, hiking, gardening, an unscheduled nap, a long bubble bath, or just taking it down a few notches at home. 

The requirements will still be there when you return, and the demand will be also.... But please take that ‘needed break’ in the coming weeks. You don't have to feel guilty as you do so. We all need these types of respites several times a year. Afterward you may continue to pour from a cup that has been properly refilled.

Jesus's solitary prayer life and his ability to unplug from society was not a matter of avoiding people or merely being alone. Jesus intentionally prioritized a profound and personal interaction with his heavenly Father. Clearly his actions provide us with a model for finding peace, clarity, and strength in our own lives. It informs us to refill our cup often as a matter of priority.  

 

Our Watchful Shepherd

 

“Our Watchful Shepherd”

1 Peter 2:21-25

SUBJECT: THE PROFIT IN SUBMISSIVE LIVING

THEME: There are immediate and eternal benefits to living submissively unto God.

RELEVANCY: But why is this important to us?

Christ’s example and the message of the gospel impact our lifestyles and behaviors of submission giving credibility to our faith claims and confidence in our experiences. 

MESSAGE:

Jesus Is Our Watchful Shepherd in Heaven (1Pet. 2:25).

In the Old Testament economy, the sheep died for the shepherd; but at Calvary, the Shepherd died for the sheep (John 10).

“For ye were as sheep going astray” (1 Pet. 2:25; Isa. 53:6). Referring to our past, every lost sinner is like a sheep gone astray: ignorant, lost, wandering, in danger, without special care, away from the place of safety, and unable to help himself. The diligent “Shepherd” went out seeking and searching for us lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7). Heaven and the “Shepherd” rejoices when a sheep acknowledges their need, repents of their sin, and trusts the rescuing “Shepherd”. Jesus literally died for us sheep; so, we certainly have tremendous value to Him! This is the type of “Shepherd and Bishop” we have return to.

1. A Reminder of Christ’s Love, Protection, and Leadership.

‘Shepherd’ is a metaphor that convey the truth of Christ’s love, protection, leadership, guidance, sufficiency, and supply. No matter what comes our way this will always be true. In Christ there is love and spiritual protection against those who would harm us. We must be concerned with following His love, protection, leadership, and guidance as closely as possible.

As our “Shephard,” he is also our sufficiency and supply; his grace will always be enough (2 Cor. 12:9) whatever the challenges and he can supply our need when we have sacrificed to further his cause (Phil. 4:19).

B.    A Reminder of Christ’s Watch-Care, Administration, and Observation.

Now that we have returned to the fold and are safely in His care, He watches over us lest we stray and get into sin. The word “bishop” simply means "one who watches over, who oversees.” Jesus Christ is the superintendent of our souls.  No matter what goes bad, it must first be permitted by Him and He never allows too heavy a load to cross our little bridge. As the Watcher of our soul’s condition, it is imperative that we live to please Him. Also, he is fully aware of the circumstances and the challenges we face as we deal with the realities of submission to God but are under the control of mere people. People who occupy a position over us, but they are far from knowing our “Shepherd and Bishop.” I am so thankful the Lord Jesus knows and understands the situation completely.

C.    A Reminder of Christ’s Development, Growth, and Perfection. (In Us Believers)

Just as the elder-bishop oversees the flock of God, the local church (1 Peter 5:2), so the Savior in glory watches over His sheep to guard in every good work and develop us according to his good pleasure (Heb.13:20-21). Submission is part of our necessary growth in Christ! So our cooperation, communication, commitment, and surrender should mark our experiences in the Lord. He watches over us to grow us up in God.

This is the wonderful truth Peter wanted us to embrace as we live godly lives and submit to God especially in times of suffering, we are following Christ’s example and becoming more like Him. Yes, we are growing spiritually and becoming more like Christ. The unsaved world is watching us, but the Shepherd in heaven is also watching over us; so, we have nothing to be afraid of, be angry over, or resist submitting to. We can submit to Him and know that He will work everything together for our good and His glory. You and I must trust God for this.

CONCLUSION:

As the people of God, we must emphasize the importance of submission in the life of believers. This is certainly not a popular topic when lawlessness abounds in the quest for "personal fulfilment," but it is an important one. Peter amplified the concept of submission in the life of Christ as the servant of Jehovah. We must follow Christ’s example of submission as a matter of our calling to sustain a godly testimony before a watching and critical/skeptical world.

Changed and contented lives in a sinful and hurting world verify the claims of Christ and facilitates winning others to him. Simply stated, living right makes Christianity attractive and believable to unbelievers.  Additionally, by submitting to God, we accept the mandate to share the gospel with others by our words and deeds.

The driving principle in the Christian’s life is to live as unto the Lord God. This is true no matter what kind of human relationships we may have. No matter what the circumstance or the conditions, I am to live to please Him. This is the fundamental truth in all areas of Christian submission.

We must submit to Civil law and order. We must submit to our superiors in our work relationships, and we must follow closely the example of Jesus Christ. If we look to His example, we will be a powerful witness as a citizen, a godly witness as an employee and a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Phil 1:29, For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; No doubt this will require great TRUST on our behalf.  We must do as our Savior did and “commit” ourselves to Him that judges fairly (1Pet. 2:23).