Jesus Clears the Way for World Evangelization

Jesus Clears the Way for World Evangelization

 

John 16:7-16, Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. ⁸ And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

⁹ Of sin, because they believe not on me;

¹⁰ Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

¹¹ Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

¹² I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. ¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. ¹⁴ He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. ¹⁶ A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

A description of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus would be most beneficial especially when considering worldwide evangelization. The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Lord Jesus began when Joseph has a dream and discovers Mary has conceived a Son by the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:20; Luke 1:35).  Secondly Peter’s preaching in Acts 10:37-38, revealed that Christ was anointed by the Holy Ghost and that the Spirit descended on Him at His baptism (Luke 3:22).  Immediately afterwards the Spirit of God lead Christ into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matt 4:1).   Thirdly, the Lord Jesus was crucified in the power of the Holy Spirit as He offered Himself according to Hebrews 9:14, and Christ was raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit (Rom. 1:4).  Then finally the Lord Jesus commanded His apostles “through the Holy Ghost” (Acts 1:2). Again, the main work and function of the Holy Spirit is in connection with the application of the redemption that has been achieved and worked out by the Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The importance of John 16:7-16 must be carefully considered to see this invaluable truth. These verses suggest that the very coming and presence of the Spirit in the Church and in the world is a part of the work of applying redemption (making it available) in a general way to all people—the world.  The Lord Jesus in John 16:8-11, teaches the effect the actual coming of the Spirit has upon the world, and the very presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church convicts it of sin, and righteousness, and judgment (Acts 5:29-32). As Father and the Son before Him, the Spirit takes up the work of God’s leadership. This is just one way the Spirit of God will lead our evangelism efforts.  

First is the fact that people did not “believe” on the Lord Jesus— “sin”. Therefore, the Spirit’s coming “reproves” or convicted the world of its complete error when it had denied Jesus of Nazareth; it is proof positive and final that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, the Savior of the world.  The second element deals with “righteousness” because Jesus returns to His Father and is currently unseen. The Father has not only accepted Jesus, but His perfect work at Calvary and the empty tomb also.  In fact, the greatest proof of God’s acceptance of Christ as our “justification” is the sending of the Holy Spirit into this world. The third element deals with the fact that the “prince of this world is judged.” The Spirit’s descent on Pentecost was the final proof that Christ defeated Satan and of the “judgment” pronounced upon him.

This is significant because the Holy Spirit convicts people of God’s coming judgment on them. This judgment is guaranteed because Satan (the “prince of this world”) has now been legally condemned through Christ’s death and resurrection. Those who reject Jesus share the devil's fate, while believers are forgiven. Notice John 16:11,

• “Of judgment”: The Holy Spirit alerts people to God’s final justice and the reality of divine judgment. It does not matter what a person believes is or is not possible…whether they ascribe to absolutes or not. They must deal with conviction and judgment.
• “The prince of this world”: is Satan’s temporary influence and control over the rebellious, ungodly systems of the world. “Prince of this world” implies an evil worldwide kingdom. Satan once led this world’s kingdoms excluding Christ, but now we who have believed on the Lord are now subjects of Christ’s kingdom. Colossians 1:11, says, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: ¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: ¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” …. We can celebrate our spiritual transfer from the dominion of darkness (sin and evil) into the light-filled, loving rule of Jesus Christ. Our heavenly Father delivered us from the “power of darkness” and conveyed us into the kingdom of His beloved Son!  
• “Is judged”: The Greek verb is a past-tense, completed action pointing to Jesus ultimately defeating Satan and his condemnation as already settled and cannot be reversed. These are guaranteed realities because of the cross and resurrection of Christ. 

God comforts us believers by revealing that the ultimate enemy, Satan, has already been and is finally defeated. Because the ruler of this world stands condemned, his power over those who trust in Christ is broken. We are free from His control.

Again, the ultimate proof of God’s acceptance of Christ as believers’ justification is the sending of the Holy Spirit. This is why the events of Pentecost are included in a great sequence of historic events, that establish our salvation. The very coming of the Spirit pronounced that there is only one way to salvation, righteousness, and it is through Christ Jesus (1Cor. 1:30). Nothing proclaims this so powerfully as the descent of the Spirit sent by Christ upon the Church on Pentecost.

So, the connection between Satan’s defeat and the coming of the Holy Spirit is set before us in John 16:7-13. The death of Christ at Calvary, His resurrection, and ascension, and His sending of the Spirit soundly declared the defeat of Satan (John 16:11).  Satan is now cast out as the Lord Jesus predicted and no longer controls this world. Satan once held all nations except Israel in a form of spiritual bondage, but Christ has dethroned him and now Christ reigns supreme and is controlling the world. It is incumbent upon Christ’s churches to get the gospel out to the farthest reaches of the earth to “every creature” then (Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-49; Act 1:8).

We cannot pay this “spiritual debt” simply by giving money for missions and praying for missionaries, even though both of these ministries are important and essential. We must present ourselves to the Lord as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1-2), available to him for whatever work he wants us to do, starting at home. The first missionaries began their witness right at home in Jerusalem and then enlarged their circle of ministry to include “the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Dr. Oswald J. Smith often said, “The light that shines the farthest will shine the brightest at home.”

“Are people in today’s world lost?” is not an academic question for theologians to debate in some ivory tower. The question is at the heart of the church’s ministry, and the answer to the question is, “Yes, all men without Christ are lost.” And what are you doing about it? Are you paying your debt by sharing the gospel with others? (W. W. Wiersbe)

Certainly, our Lord Jesus cleared the way for worldwide evangelization, and we must recognize our opportunities to share the hope of Christ with others immediately before us and around the world. May we follow carefully the Spirit’s guidance as we steward the gospel to the world. Beloved, this is ‘kingdom’ work and our church’s mission.

 

Effectively Winning the Lost

 

“Effectively Win the Lost”

2 Tim. 4:5; Acts 4:1-40

 

SUBJECT: EVANGELISM

THEME: Practice the essentials to win the lost and overcome the distractions, and discouragements involved with evangelism.

INTRODUCTION:

1. You might say that I have it on my heart to speak especially to all who are interested in propagating the Gospel to the ends of the earth. That is carrying out the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus and winning the lost of the world for whom He died.  Paul said to Timothy in 2 Tim. 4:5, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

• Do the work of an evangelist. That work is always proclaiming the gospel to all people, calling on them to repent and be saved. Whatever the obstacles, opposition of false teachers, problems of church administration, distractions, or discouragements, Timothy was not to allow any of them to keep him from his appointed task. The phrase means, “do the work of preaching the gospel,” or of one appointed to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation. This is the proper business of all ministers, whatever other position or function we may maintain. This is a major part of our ministry.

• Make full proof of thy ministry. We are to push all our primary duties to their utmost energy and activity! That is carrying out each duty toward all their consequences and trusting God to work with us and through us.  We are not to neglect any part of our sacred functions; perform faithfully all the duties of our ministry; and do God's work in his own way and in his own Spirit.

• Nothing should deter us from carrying out our duties until the day when our ministry would be completed (that is, at our death). How can we know when we have fully carried out our ministry? By defining ministry in terms of lifelong goals instead of temporary jobs, positions, and opportunities.

·       Then, when life ends, we will be able to say with Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Tim. 4:7). Paul also tells us to “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (1 Tim. 4:15).

2. These are challenging days however. I need not remind you of that. One thing that amazes me about the Bible is how minutely and accurately it describes the last days in which we currently live.  It characterizes the last days before the Lord Jesus returns as “evil days.”  Currently there are many enemies to fundamental, Bible-believing, soul-winning churches, workers and preachers.

·       Men in the last days will have a form of “godliness, but denying the power thereof.”  This generation is seeing this statement fulfilled like no other has.  There is worldliness and modernism on every hand.  Wickedness occupies high and low places nationally and around the world.  Thus, this presents the modern preacher and Christian worker with some extremely challenging days in which to minister.

·       Consider the prophet Elijah as an example of a man of God discouraged while attempting the work of Evangelism.  In spite of the fact that he reached great heights in the Lord’s work, enjoyed tremendous power in executing his ministry, and experienced great victories over the enemies of the Lord, he still encountered periods of discouragement.

MESSAGE:

I.           We Need to Witness with Reality (Acts 4:13, 20).

Christ had originally chosen the Twelve to be with him and to send them out to preach the Gospel in power and authority (Mark 3:14-15). Here we find Peter and John, fishermen by trade, who had never received formal theological or special training. Yet their testimony before the members of the council was astonishing. Peter and John were bold, composed, confident, and undaunted in their defense. Christ and the Gospel message was a reality to them. As the apostles stood there with the healed cripple man, speaking with authority, the members of the Council recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. Though the Council still rejected Christ, they were certain the apostles totally believed what they were declaring.

A.   To Witness with Reality Means to Really Believe What We Are Declaring (Acts 4:19-20). 

                                             i.     They Were Convinced of the Truth of the Gospel.

Commanded by Christ to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) and utterly convinced of the truth of the gospel, Peter and John announced their rejection of any such ban on speaking in the name of Jesus. 

                                           ii.     They Were Compelled by Their Personal Experiences With Christ.

A.    These men had indeed “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13), and he had completely transformed their lives. They had lived with him; they had witnessed his resurrection; they had experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

B.    And so they said, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” To have obeyed the Council's command would have been to disobey God.

                                         iii.     They Were Careful to Sustain a Credible Witness of the Gospel. 

A.    What if, when threatened by the Sanhedrin, the disciples had abruptly changed their story and curtailed their witness? How credible would the gospel have been after that?

B.    The fact that they stood strong in the face of severe persecution gave their message a lot more credibility.

C.    Likewise, when we make the daily decision to do what is right, when we stand up boldly for Christ against a hostile crowd, people take notice. They look closer at our lives and listen more carefully to our message. (From Dr. C. Malone)

                                          iv.     Our Conviction for the Truth Can Be Used of God in Witnessing.

A.    We must possess a belief to such a degree that the listener will be compelled to note the authenticity of our faith. 

B.    Even if they reject or disagree with our message, they will still be convinced that we truly believe it.  The message must be real to the messengers of the Lord.

B.   To Witness With Reality Requires a Belief in Heaven and Hell.

                                             i.     I had a lengthy witness with a young man on visitation. While working the front gate and intersection between Katterbach and Bismark Kaserns, a tall young man came along in uniform. So, I introduced myself and extended to him an invitation to the church. Then I asked him if he had a religious background as I customarily do during witnessing encounters and episodes.  He stated that he was Catholic and once studied to prepare to become a priest.  He said he left the movement because his father was a strong ‘Christian’ all his life until he lost his faith on his deathbed.  He tried to find peace with this experience as he wrestled with whether his father went to heaven or did his failure of faith cause him to finally go to Hell instead. His priest could not assure him of his father’s salvation, therefore he dropped out of school. As the conversation continued, I assured him that salvation is strictly through faith in Christ and his finished work at Calvary. I proceeded to share with him the gospel. During the presentation, I pressed home the truth that Jesus Christ is the ONLY Way, Truth and Life. But this very thing he could not accept.  He believed that there were other good religions and that many ways lead to heaven. He rejected the idea that Jesus is the only way, and he said with all the seriousness in his soul. “If you really believed that the rest of the world was dying and going to hell, and the only way they could be saved is through Jesus, then why aren’t Christians telling people all over the world?”

I told him, “I believe this so much that I am a missionary here in Germany to servicemen and their families; I generously support missions around the world; and I am standing here on this corner telling you about Jesus.”  He stood there in disbelief and said, “I have difficulty with accepting one way as the only way to heaven.”  I assured him that I really believe what God said directly about this matter without a single doubt!

Yes, I believe it with all my heart. With all my soul I believe as Jesus taught, that every lost man and woman, buy or girl who has not been born by God's Holy Spirit is forever lost and will spend eternity in Hell.

That young man looked deep into my face and said, “If that is true, it is mighty serious business.”

I prayed, “O God, give to my heart and the heart of every Christian the seriousness of this unbelieving young man.”

 

                                           ii.     My friends, it is true, and it is serious business. Multitudes are lost. They are lost in our city; they are lost all over Germany and America; they are lost on every mission field. We need to enter the holy presence of God in travail of soul and in earnest supplication and prayer until we can go out with a message and the people can say, “Those people actually believe what they are saying.” We need to witness with tremendous reality.

 

                                         iii.     It is said that some years ago in England there was a great actor giving a reading in a room filled with people. Someone suggested that he give the 23rd Psalm.

                                           He asked, “Do you really want me to?”

                                           An old clergyman stood up and said, “Yes, Sir. Give the 23rd Psalm.”

It is said that the great actor, with the most precise intonations and the finest of elocution, began to recite. When he finished, the people smiled, nodded their heads and applauded.

 

                                           Then the actor said, “I want that elderly preacher to give it.”

That gray-haired preacher rose like a giant for God and began, “The Lord is my shepherd.” He walked with God in the green meadows; he walked with God beside the still waters; he walked with God down in the dark valley that came out on the bright side. Finally, with his face turned toward Heaven, he closed, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

                                              He sat down. Nobody applauded but heads were down and people weeping.

The great actor arose and said, “The difference between me and this preacher is that I knew the Psalm, but he knew the Shepherd.” (From Dr. C. Malone)

                                          iv.     Beloved, our witnessing must be done with a reality that will grip hearts. It must not be vague. It must not be filled with doubt. We must witness so that the lost shall take knowledge that “we have been with Jesus.” Listen, the world today has enough doubt without getting anymore from you and from me. We must witness with the tone of reality.

Why Evangelize?

ACTS 2:36-47; MATT.  28:18-20

Every Christian can be properly informed and motivated to evangelize the lost in order to make substantial contributions to the growth of God’s kingdom and their home church. Evangelism is a God given responsibility and every believer must not only understand this wonderful ministry, but actively and fervently participate in these efforts to introduce sinners to Christ.   

                                                                 

Do you find that your heavenly Father gives you many opportunities to proclaim Christ’s salvation message, yet you often shirk back from those opportunities in fearful silence?  Have you ever imagined yourself filled with spiritual courage to boldly speak the truth in love?  Have you ever sincerely asked God to teach you what it means to be His witnesses?

                                         

Most believers are convinced that it is the pastor's responsibility to bring people into the church as well as into the kingdom of God. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Scripture is clear on this point. Pastors were given by God to the church to equip the people to do the work.… Sermons are not God's primary method for reaching people. People are His method for reaching people. What kind of people? Men and women whose lives and life-styles have been deeply affected by the truths of Scripture, people who have discovered the wonderful Spirit-filled life.
God is looking for imperfect men and women who have learned to walk in moment-by-moment dependence on the Holy Spirit. Christians who have come to terms with their inadequacies, fears, and failures. Believers who have become discontent with “surviving” and have taken the time to investigate everything God has to offer in this life.
God's method for reaching this generation, and every generation, is not preachers and sermons. It is Christians whose life-styles are empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit. People are the key to reaching people! (From The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life by Charles Stanley)

Study together with me and discover God’s answers to these questions and become one of those people God uses to reach other people with the hope in Jesus Christ.  Let us endeavor to answer this broader question, Why Evangelize?

WHY EVANGELIZE?    (Acts 2:36-41, 47)

Clearly, each NT church is commissioned to take the message of the gospel to the entire unsaved world. Evangelism and disciple-making is certainly one of the fundamental responsibilities of each church (Matthew 28:18–20).  Is it a priority for you as an Individual?

BUT, IS THIS SOMETHING WORTH REHASHING?

A survey of American adults found that few people could explain the meaning of commonly used religious terms such as the Great Commission (9%), John 3:16 (35%), evangelical (18%), or the gospel (37%). Among adults who describe themselves as “born again” Christians, fewer than expected could correctly explain the four terms: the Great Commission (25%), John 3:16 (50%), evangelical (43%), and the gospel (84%).”  [ National  & International Religion Report, March 21, 1994, 1.]

Clearly there is a real need to revisit this all-important subject of evangelism.

WHY SHOULD WE EMPHASIZE EVANGELISM?

Why bother with trying to win people to Christ?  What is it that thrusts a Believer into a life of aggressive evangelism?

The first church in Acts ministered very naturally, as an overflow of what God had done for them. The Holy Spirit had done some very remarkable things among the first Christians in Jerusalem, and thousands of people believed the powerful message preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost. These Christians then ministered to one another, fellowshipping, breaking bread together, and dividing possessions to meet one another's needs. But in addition to all that, they reached out to those who had not yet heard. They continued to visit the temple, presumably telling others about their experience, since “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (v. 47).  The following are just a few compelling reasons for emphasizing evangelism.

       1.  Because Christ Clearly Commands Us.

Mark 16:15,  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Simply, the truth that we are Called, Commanded, and Commissioned to take and send the gospel to the ends of the earth.  To evangelize consistently is an act of submission to Jesus Christ’s authority in my life.  To refuse to evangelize is to reject or ignore His lordship over me and my responsibility to demonstrate my love for Him through my obedience. 

       2.  Because of the Spirit’s Compelling Power in Us.

Luke 24:49, And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

              A.  What the Father "promised" (v. 49) is the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5; 2:16-17), who was indeed the promised "power" (Acts 1:8).

              B.  How could a group of common people ever hope to fulfill that kind of a commission? God promised to provide the power (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8), and He did. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the church and empowered them to preach the Word (Acts 2). After Pentecost, the Spirit continued to fill them with great power (see Acts 4:33).

Witnessing is not something that we do for the Lord; it is something that He does through us, if we are filled with the Holy Spirit. There is a great difference between a “sales talk” and a Spirit-empowered witness. “People do not come to Christ at the end of an argument,” said Vance Havner. “Simon Peter came to Jesus because Andrew went after him with a testimony.”(Jn. 1:40-42).  We go forth in the authority of His name, in the power of His Spirit, heralding His Gospel of His grace.

       3.  Because of the Grace of God Motivating Us.

1 Cor. 15:9‑10,  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. [10] But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

           A. Be a Witness Developed by the Grace of God and Not the Flesh. 1 Cor. 15:9‑10, “ . . . But by the grace of God I am what I am:”

One of the greatest witnesses of the Resurrection was Paul himself, for as an unbeliever he was soundly convinced that Jesus was dead.  But the living Christ changed His life and saved him.  The radical transformation—a change which brought him persecution and suffering—is certainly evidence that the Lord had indeed been raised from the dead.  It was the grace of God working in and compelling Paul and not the comfort loving flesh.  He made it clear that his salvation was purely an act of God’s grace; but that same grace worked in and through him as he served the Lord in spite of the difficulties.

           B. Be a Witness Driven by the Grace of God and Not Peer Pressure.  1 Cor. 15:10, “ . . .  but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

He was not much for merely trying to outdo someone else, but the grace working in him moved him beyond the accomplishments of others.  Grace is a high motivation for a servant of Christ yielding the finest effort and effectiveness.  It is possible that Paul’s memory of having “persecuted the church of God” was a powerful motivation for his being determined that God’s grace would not prove to be in vain in his ministry.   Paul was able to truthfully state, that he labored even more than all the other apostles (vs. 10).  Yet he was not boasting in his own spirituality or power but in God’s power, because, as he hastened to add, “yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” The same grace responsible for his calling was responsible for his faithfulness and effectiveness. God sovereignly appointed Paul an apostle and sovereignly blessed his apostolic ministry. Paul believed, responded, obeyed, and was continually sensitive to the Lord’s leading and will. But apart from God’s servicing grace,  the apostle knew that everything he did would have been in vain and worthless (Eph. 4:15–16; Col. 1:28–29).  It takes more then peer pressure to be this effective in ministry.

We should not be motivated to merely out preform the church down the road.  We should not be motivated to merely be known as a Soul Winner or a Soul Winning Church.  We should not be more zealous in evangelism simply because it will bring us notoriety or renown.  We are not seeking bragging rights nor do we want an opportunity to feed our ugly pride and arrogance.  No, we must humble ourselves so that the grace of God may work in us by faith as we sincerely seek the glory of God and the spiritual welfare of sinners.  May the grace of God develop and drive us to biblically, zealously, and wisely pursue sinners. 

       4.  Because of the Hopelessness of Sinful Man. 

Genesis 3:6,  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Romans 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

               A.  Men are Hopeless Sinners Because of the Fall.   

Eve disobeyed the Lord's command and ate the fruit first. But Scripture says she was “beguiled” (2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14).  Clearly Adam ate knowingly and, as the “federal head” of the human race, initiated the sin principle which Paul presented in Romans 5:12–21.

               B.  Men Cannot be Saved Except Through Christ. 

“Fallen Man” is more than a theological basis. It is a state of being with eternal consequences.  Every day, millions of people who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus are going to their graves. How accountable are we for not having reached them and how accountable are they before God, as Judge, having never heard? Will they go to Heaven or Hell?  It is clear that there is no hope for them without Christ!

       5.  Because of the Horrifying Reality of Hell.

Rom. 3:19—“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Gal. 3:10; Eph. 2:3; 5:6.

The law of God demands a perfect obedience; but no son of man can yield such obedience; hence the curse of a broken law rests upon those breaking it–the whole world. The wrath of God remains on all who are not vitally united by faith to Jesus Christ (John 3:36).  The wrath of God means suffering forever in Hell.

             A.  Hell will be a place of unquenchable fire.  Matt. 3:12; 13:41–42; Mark 9:43

             B.  It will be a place of memory and sorrow. Luke 16:19–31

             C.  It will be a place of thirst. Luke 16:24

             D.  It will be a place of misery and pain. Rev. 14:10, 11

             E.  It will be a place of frustration and anger.  Matt. 13:42; 24:51

             F.  It will be a place of separation.  Rev. 2:11; 20:6, 15

             G.  It will be a place of undiluted divine wrath.  Hab. 3:2; Rev. 14:10

             H.  It will be a place of eternal punishment by fire.    Isa 33:14; Re 20:10.

             I.  The wicked shall be turned into Hell.  Ps 9:17.

             J.  Hell is Described as:

                  1.          Everlasting punishment.  Mt 25:46.

                  2.          Everlasting fire.  Mt 25:41.

                  3.          Everlasting burnings.  Isa 33:14.

                  4.          A furnace of fire.  Mt 13:42,50.

                  5.          A lake of fire.  Re 20:15.

                  6.          Fire and brimstone.  Re 14:10.

                  7.          Unquenchable fire.  Mt 3:12.

                  8.          Devouring fire.  Isa 33:14.

       6.  Because of the Judgment Seat of Christ.

2 Cor. 5:8‑11, We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. [9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  [11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

             A.  Motivating Paul’s ministry was his goal to please his Lord (Gal. 1:10; Col. 1:10). 

             B.  Contributing to this goal was Paul’s understanding that he would one day be evaluated by his Master.  He wanted to please Him and to hear from Him, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant!’ (Luke 19:17;1 Cor. 4:1-5). 

             C.  This judgment will reveal our lives of service for exactly what they have been.  Not only the amount of our service, but also its quality, and even the very motives that moved us will be brought into review.

We all must affirm and be motivated by this fact that all Christians will be evaluated at the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:12).  We as Believers will be rewarded for the things we have done in our earthly lives.   

This perspective on a day of judgment and the hope of eternity should have a salutary effect on each of us. It should strengthen us to persevere in the face of hardships (2 Cor. 4:7-12). And it should motivate us to be faithful in discharging our ministry (2Cor. 5:11;1 Cor. 4:2-4).  The thought of one day standing before our Savior (2 Cor. 5:10) should captivate us all. As we look forward to that solemn moment, the fear the Lord should impelled us on in His service (Matt. 10:28). The purpose of our ministry will be to “persuade men” to “be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).

Evangelism is a God given responsibility and every believer must not only understand this wonderful ministry, but, actively and fervently participate in these efforts to introduce sinners to Christ.    We must expect our churches to bear fruit as the first century churches recorded in the Scriptures.  We must commit ourselves to make our churches obedient to the Great Commission locally. It starts when you and I avail ourselves to the Holy Spirit of God to proclaim the hope in Jesus Christ.