THE CORE OF EVANGELISM
core \’kor\ n. 1. a central and often foundational part. . . 2. a basic, essential, or enduring part; the essential meaning; the inmost or most intimate part.
Here is a trustworthy statement that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercyso that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who wouldbelieve on Him and receive eternal life. (I Timothy 1:15-16)
When one begins to talk about evangelism, the usual three responses are: abject fear on the one hand, unbridled enthusiasm on the other, or a pervasive complacency which is like the cards of a well-worn deck that are forever being shuffled but never really dealt out to play a game. Unfortunately, for too many in the church today, evangelism is that third option: shopped for, credited to the card, brought home, sliced, seasoned, sautÈed, and served but never consumed-in other words, it is a topic read about, wondered over, discussed, and even prayed for; yet seldom is it practiced in the lives of many Christians.
But you know what-it shouldn’t be that way! Rather, Paul gives us a reason to be more like number two above. You see, the most sublime truth about evangelism (from the Greek word euangelion which literally means good tidings) is simply that GOD saves sinners! That’s it; that’s at the core-no, that IS the core-of evangelism! And once we grasp it, we are at liberty to do what God calls us to do. Let me share a bit:
~ first, because saving sinners is God’s great work (don’t forget why Jesus came to earth as the God-Man in the first place [cf. Matthew 1:21]), you and I are set free to evangelize-we don’t have to worry about results because that’s God’s business (see I Corinthians 3:6-7);
~ second, think about the grand privilege that you and I have in being called upon by God to assist in His great work of saving sinners-recall Jesus’ warm discourse in John 15 where He calls His disciples “friends” rather than mere servants; well, the context of that “friendship” has to do with evangelism (cf. vs. 14-16)
~ third, remember that our participation in the great work of God saving sinners is for here and now and will not be done in heaven-some have even said that evangelism is the only thing that we’ll not be able to do for our Lord in heaven;
~ fourth, if saving sinners is God’s great work, then it will certainly be accomplished-failure is not an option for God nor man-God reminds Paul of that very truth in Acts 18:9-10;
~ fifth, the great work of God saving sinners causes all heaven to rejoice as seen in Luke 15 with the stories of the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son;
~ and, sixth, God’s great work of saving sinners was and is really good news to us, and now we have the opportunity to share it with everybody that crosses our path; don’t you love to be “the bearer of glad tidings” (hey, maybe the adage that “a non-witnessing Christian is a contradiction of terms” is right on!)?
CrossWind has chosen Paul’s exhortation to Timothy as one of our key verses. God has a people (cf. Acts 18:9-10), and in our day and culture, those “people” may very well include some like the Corinthians (remember how they were!). That is why we go where we go and do what we do. Our desire is to be obedient to His Word and Way: loyal servants laboring in our Master’s vineyard–even the place that may be considered as a “yard of hell!” (to recall C. T. Studd’s words). There the process is exceedingly slow, not the routine, and is littered with obstacles-much like a detour from a highway. Bikers are unique, to say the least; but is their uniqueness reason for exclusion from the Good News of the Kingdom of God? We all know the answer to that, and it is “No!”
Our trust and hope rests on the truth that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” How can we be either fearful or complacent? Rather, we have every reason to be fired up, pumped, juiced, and in a zone for Jesus’ sake (okay, so I teach and coach kids all day long; how about that “unbridled enthusiasm” that I mentioned earlier?). He is after all, as Charles Wesley once penned, the True Lover of all souls!
Copyright @ 2005 CrossWind Ministry
THE COMPASS OF EVANGELISM
compass \’kom pus\ n. 1. a definite and clearly drawn-out space; a range or scope.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
The range or scope of evangelism in the mind of God is clearly delineated in our Savior’s words commonly referred to as the “Great Commission.” For those of us from evangelical backgrounds, this brief yet monumental passage has a power that continually captivates our hearts and minds. We who stand at the foothills of the coastal mountains of God’s continent wonder long and hard at where this adventure of sharing His Son with a world of lost sinners might take us. He says “. . .of all nations. . .” and our heads swim!
That God desires to save all types of men is evident in Scripture. Texts like Ezekiel 18:23 and Revelation 5:9, respectively, testify to that truth:
“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” declares the Sovereign Lord. “Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” “..and with your blood you purchased men for God, from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
The chorus says, “Our Lord is an awesome God!” We may praise Him for both His greatness and the greatness of His work in redeeming men.
There is another Scripture, however, that really lays out for us the compass or scope of God’s evangelism; and that is Acts 1:8:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Lord actually provides for us His “battle plan” for evangelizing “all nations.” It’s no secret, and we can apply it to our Christian experience immediately! Initially, you see an ever-expanding set of concentric circles. Beginning at the closest point and moving outward, Jesus tells His listeners to evangelize:
~ those closest to home (Jerusalem) first; for us that would be immediate family;
~ then go outward (Judea); for us that would be removed family and friends;
~ next move even farther away(Samaria); for us that would be neighbors, business associates, and acquaintances;
~ finally take it to the extremes (ends of the earth); for us that would be “person X” – you know, the guy or gal who providentially crosses your path just one time never to be seen or heard from again.
As you consider all this, it is exactly what we see in the book of Acts-a movement of evangelization from the nearest (Acts 2) to the farthest (Acts 10ff). It’s true that along the way, Jesus’ followers needed a bit of extra motivation (how about a kick in the pants!), but His plan was put into action. Hey, He wants us to head that way, too!
As you follow the early church’s obedience to the Great Commission, you can also see how fluid it is-that is, that it goes back and forth through all the concentric circles. That’s how our own evangelism should be-back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, we are His witnesses (from the Greek word marturia from which we get our term “martyr”).
It’s no wonder that we feel a call to the uttermost as we think of CrossWind’s ministry to bikers-are they not at the extremes of our culture? Sure, they live in proximity with us physically, but socially and spiritually, they are poles apart from us. Few consider going to them; nevertheless, Jesus’ command is clear: we are to go even there!
One final thought from our opening text. It should be noted that the initial phrase, “Therefore go. . . ,” is a participle grammatically which is literally translated, “While going. . . .” That’s right; the “going” is taken for granted, so to speak; Jesus expects us to go. The imperative (i.e., command) is in the next phrase: “. . .make disciples of all nations.” Beloveds, we are going-that’s why CrossWind attracted us; let’s just “keep on keeping on” being obedient to His Truth and His Way
Copyright @ 2005 CrossWind Ministry
