Evangelism/Evangelist
Evangelist is one who proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ. The evangelist makes
the initial proclamation of the news of Christ, and the pastor/teacher provides
continuing follow-up ministry that develops maturity in the believer. Even a babe in
Christ can tell about what happened to them and lead others to where they can be
fed (Revelation 12:11) “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the
word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives to the death”. There is
nothing wrong with saying “I don’t have that answer”, but I will take you to someone
who does. Always ask the Spirit before approaching anyone, He will give you the
right words to answer each one. The Bible says “Jesus answered , verily, verily I
say to you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John
3:3); and “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things passed away,
behold all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17); they will see the change in
your life. Remember your life style is the best way to win someone, let the fruit of
the Spirit shine through you. Don’t give up on your friends and family members, “let
the light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your
Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). There is a quote “live the word and if
necessary speak”.
Principles of Evangelism, how should the gospel be presented? Matthew 13:1-23,
the key verse 8 “but some seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was
thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted”. This parable
should encourage spiritual sowers, those who lead others. The farmer sowed good
seed, but not all the seed sprouted, and even the plants that grew had varying
yields. Don’t be discouraged if you do not always see results as you faithfully teach
the Word. It is a miracle of God’s Holy Spirit as he uses your words to lead others
to Himself. The four types of soil represent different responses to God’s message.
People respond differently because they are in different states of readiness. Some
are hardened, others are shallow, others are contaminated by distracting worries,
and some are receptive.
The truth is if people don’t come to Jesus, they are going to hell. John 3:16-18 “for
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His
Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be
saved. He that believes in Him is not condemned; but he that believes not is
condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God”. So if they are not warned, their blood might be on your head (Ezekiel
3:17-19) “son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel, therefore
hear the word of My mouth and give them warning from Me. When I say to the
wicked, you shall surely die, and you give him not warning, nor speak to warn the
wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his
iniquity, but his blood will I require of your hands. Yet if you warn the wicked, and
he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity,
but you have delivered your soul”.
Some people try to fulfill all the gifts given and get frustrated and stop trying, but
Jesus left 5 gifts (Ephesians 4:11-15) “and He gave some, apostles, and some
prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. For the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ. That we hereafter be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about
with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby
they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ”.
Sometimes results of evangelism take time and patience. Remember the woman at
the well (John 4:1-26). The woman did not immediately understand what Jesus was
talking about. It takes time to accept something that changes the very foundation of
your life. Jesus allowed the woman time to ask questions and put pieces together
for herself, and she was used to win her own town to Jesus. When you ask people
to let Jesus change their lives, give them time to weight the matter.
Jesus commanded His followers to carry out evangelism. God gave Jesus authority
over heaven and earth. On the basis of that authority, Jesus told His disciples to
make more disciples as they preached, baptized and taught. With this same
authority, Jesus still commands us to tell others the good news and make them
disciples for the kingdom (Matthew 28:16-20). We must tell the world that Jesus is
Lord of the earth, and He died for the sins of people from all nations. We are not all
evangelists in the formal sense, but we have all received gifts that we can use to
help fulfill the great commission. As we obey, we have comfort in the knowledge
that Jesus is always with us.
It is God’s will for all to evangelize the Word of God. God doesn’t want any to perish
(II Peter 3:9).
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: March 2, 2007
Evangelist is one who proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ. The evangelist makes
the initial proclamation of the news of Christ, and the pastor/teacher provides
continuing follow-up ministry that develops maturity in the believer. Even a babe in
Christ can tell about what happened to them and lead others to where they can be
fed (Revelation 12:11) “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the
word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives to the death”. There is
nothing wrong with saying “I don’t have that answer”, but I will take you to someone
who does. Always ask the Spirit before approaching anyone, He will give you the
right words to answer each one. The Bible says “Jesus answered , verily, verily I
say to you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John
3:3); and “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things passed away,
behold all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17); they will see the change in
your life. Remember your life style is the best way to win someone, let the fruit of
the Spirit shine through you. Don’t give up on your friends and family members, “let
the light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your
Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). There is a quote “live the word and if
necessary speak”.
Principles of Evangelism, how should the gospel be presented? Matthew 13:1-23,
the key verse 8 “but some seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was
thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted”. This parable
should encourage spiritual sowers, those who lead others. The farmer sowed good
seed, but not all the seed sprouted, and even the plants that grew had varying
yields. Don’t be discouraged if you do not always see results as you faithfully teach
the Word. It is a miracle of God’s Holy Spirit as he uses your words to lead others
to Himself. The four types of soil represent different responses to God’s message.
People respond differently because they are in different states of readiness. Some
are hardened, others are shallow, others are contaminated by distracting worries,
and some are receptive.
The truth is if people don’t come to Jesus, they are going to hell. John 3:16-18 “for
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His
Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be
saved. He that believes in Him is not condemned; but he that believes not is
condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God”. So if they are not warned, their blood might be on your head (Ezekiel
3:17-19) “son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel, therefore
hear the word of My mouth and give them warning from Me. When I say to the
wicked, you shall surely die, and you give him not warning, nor speak to warn the
wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his
iniquity, but his blood will I require of your hands. Yet if you warn the wicked, and
he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity,
but you have delivered your soul”.
Some people try to fulfill all the gifts given and get frustrated and stop trying, but
Jesus left 5 gifts (Ephesians 4:11-15) “and He gave some, apostles, and some
prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. For the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ. That we hereafter be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about
with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby
they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ”.
Sometimes results of evangelism take time and patience. Remember the woman at
the well (John 4:1-26). The woman did not immediately understand what Jesus was
talking about. It takes time to accept something that changes the very foundation of
your life. Jesus allowed the woman time to ask questions and put pieces together
for herself, and she was used to win her own town to Jesus. When you ask people
to let Jesus change their lives, give them time to weight the matter.
Jesus commanded His followers to carry out evangelism. God gave Jesus authority
over heaven and earth. On the basis of that authority, Jesus told His disciples to
make more disciples as they preached, baptized and taught. With this same
authority, Jesus still commands us to tell others the good news and make them
disciples for the kingdom (Matthew 28:16-20). We must tell the world that Jesus is
Lord of the earth, and He died for the sins of people from all nations. We are not all
evangelists in the formal sense, but we have all received gifts that we can use to
help fulfill the great commission. As we obey, we have comfort in the knowledge
that Jesus is always with us.
It is God’s will for all to evangelize the Word of God. God doesn’t want any to perish
(II Peter 3:9).
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: March 2, 2007
