Gtcotr/ws082813
Evangelism
is the simple yet powerful act of being a witness for Jesus.
When
we read the word “Evangelist” in an English
language Bible, we immediately connect with the intended meaning. The heart of
the word “Ev-angel-ist” is “angel.” This provides us with a continual reminder of
the spiritual importance and heavenly perspective of evangelism.
Each
time we see the word “Evangelist” mentioned in
the Scriptures it has been translated from the original Greek word – euaggelistes – which means =
An announcer of good news. What is the “Good News” but the powerful and
life changing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To
put it plainly … An Evangelist is someone who shares the Good News of Jesus
Christ with others on the earth. Although there are people with special gifting
and who are called to preach revivals and hold city wide evangelistic crusades,
yet every Born Again Believer in Jesus as Messiah has been commissioned by the
Holy Spirit to do the work of an evangelist. In other words: “We are all responsible to be a witness for Christ.”
God
has given Born Again Believers both the responsibility and the great privilege
of evangelism. When a Roman Centurion named Cornelius prayed God sent an angel
from heaven with instructions. The heavenly angel directed Cornelius to send
for a man named Peter who would tell him everything he should know.
Subsequently it was Peter’s responsibility and privilege to share the Good News
of Jesus with Cornelius which resulted in the salvation of his whole family and
those in his household (Acts 10).
When
Saul of Tarsus was on the road to Damascus as recorded in Acts 9, he saw a
great blinding light and heard a voice from heaven. The heavenly voice directed
Saul to go into the city and wait for a man to come and tell him what to do.
Saul sat for three days waiting until a Born Again Believer named Ananias came and
shared the Good News. Saul of Tarsus was saved and grew to be known as Paul the
Apostle.
Acts
8 tells the story of a member of the Church in Jerusalem who went to the city
of Samaria and began proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus. In turn the whole city
accepted Philip’s witness and multitudes were saved. Later Philip found himself
sharing the Gospel with one single Ethiopian Eunuch. Because Philip shared, the
man was saved and followed the Lord in water baptism. Later in life Philip is
called an Evangelist … one who simply shares the Good News with others.
On
the day of Pentecost 3000 people were saved because God commissioned ordinary
men and women in the Church to evangelize their city. The Holy Spirit empowered
the Believers in Jerusalem to be a witness. As they boldly shared the Good
News, people were convicted of their sin and their need for a Savior.
This
is still the plan of God today. People everywhere are lost and dying and on
their way to hell. Individuals, families, whole communities and even nations
sit in darkness and in need of the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ. We
not only have the light … Born Again Believers are that light!
Matthew 5
14 You are the light of the
world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Men do not light a lamp
and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who
are in the house.
Key
Scripture: Matthew 5:16 Let your light
so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father
in heaven.
Not
only are Believer’s the light of the world but we are also likened to salt.
Matthew 5:13 You are the
salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?
It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
People
need the Lord. Unless a person believes that Jesus is the Son of God, Messiah,
Savior and Lord, they will die in their sins and the devil will claim their
soul for eternity in hell. God does not want even one to perish.
Believers
are both salt to season and preserve the earth and light to show others the
way. We are God’s only hope for our generation.
God
has made the way to salvation and paid for all sin through the blood of His
Only Son. Although every person was born in sin, separated from God and
destined to die, every single individual can be saved if they will simply
believe in Jesus and call upon His name.
Romans 10 NLT
13 For “Everyone who calls on
the name of the LORD will be saved.”
14 But how can they call on
him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if
they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone
tells them?
15 And how will anyone go and
tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful
are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
Who
bring “good news” … the same basic Greek word translated as Evangelist. It
means to do the work of an evangelist … or simply – evangelism!
We
are all angels of evangelism.
Important Points
1.
People who die without Christ will face an eternity in hell.
2.
God does not want even one soul to perish.
3.
God has given the responsibility of evangelism to mankind.
4.
We are all responsible to share the good news with others.
5.
You are someone’s angel.
Supporting
Scriptures:
Proverbs 11:30 – He who wins souls is
wise
2 Timothy 4:5 – Do the work of an
evangelist
