SEEK 44 – Evangelism – Why?
Question: Should you evangelise? How do you evangelise?
Bible Reading: Matthew 25:31-46
Text: “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25:46)
Why does evangelism have such a bad rap? What is evangelism? It is the telling of the ‘evangel’ – the good news about Jesus. According to the Oxford English dictionary it is “the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.” Or “zealous advocacy or support of a particular cause.” It is the latter definition which often causes the discomfort.
I recently saw a job advert for a ‘home work evangelist’. As I describe myself as an evangelist and as it had a salary of $200,000, I was curious! It turns out that this was nothing to do with the good news of Jesus Christ, but was rather about the ‘good news’ of being able to work from home. It is interesting that in contemporary society it is acceptable to be a ‘climate evangelist’ or a ‘music evangelist’, or a ‘home work evangelist’, but being an evangelist of Jesus Christ is often met with derision, fear and abuse.
Why should we seek to tell people about Jesus?
He tells us to. If we are followers of Christ, we do what he asks. And he commands his church to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). We are part of that church – and until he returns again that will be our task. You are here on this earth to be witnesses of Christ.
People are lost – Those who are without Christ are “without hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). Jesus says that those who do not believe are ‘condemned already’ (John 3:18). And he leaves us in no doubt what that means – They are destined for an eternity without him. They are Hell bound. They are lost.
What kind of heartless and cruel people would we have to be if we see people heading for such destruction and in such a condition and yet we do nothing about it. Especially when we know the Christ who came to seek and to save the lost? How can people believe unless they hear? “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14)
The glory of God – Whenever a sinner is saved it brings glory to God – because only God can do it. Jesus endured the Cross because it would bring him joy (Hebrews 12:2) – the joy of seeing a great multitude saved and brought to heaven.
It grows our own faith in Christ – Paul tells Philemon to be active in sharing his faith so that his understanding of ‘every good thing we have in Christ’ would be deepened (Philemon 6). I find that sharing the Gospel about Jesus and seeing him work through his Spirit so that his word does not return to him empty, is such a great encouragement to my faith and understanding.
The good of the world – If you are concerned about the planet and your fellow human beings then you will want to see people become Christians. Did you know that the whole creation is eagerly waiting for the children of God to be revealed? (Romans 8:19). It is only when we are set free that the creation will be liberated from its bondage to decay. If you want to save the planet – do evangelism!
Consider: Why do you think some Christians do not want to evangelise? Can you think of any other reasons to reach out with the Gospel? When was the last time you shared the good news about Jesus with anyone?
Further Reading:
Erasing Hell – Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle
Christianity for Modern Pagans – Peter Kreeft
Prayer: O Lord Jesus, we confess to you with sorrow that we are so slow to share the good news of what you have done for people. You suffered, bled and died for us. You ask us to be your witnesses and yet we are reluctant, we are embarrassed. Fill us with your love. Fill us with your Spirit. Give us your heart. And enable us to have the beautiful feet of those who share the Gospel. For your glory. Amen.
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