Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Life Shape Prayer & Discipleship Module 3 – New Creation Responsibilities Block 9 – Evangelism

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