Why the Church Needs to Step Up in Evangelism
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When you hear the word evangelism what comes into your mind? Is it a man yelling at the street corner of your downtown? Is it international missions? Is it your neighborhood? Billy Graham? Missionaries? The spiritual gifts?
This is the gospel; this is the good news. This is why we are able to meet people in their hurt and pray with them, share Scriptures with them, ask them questions and present the gospel to them. We get to bring the Light of Christ into this dark world. This is not the responsibility of one person who is a pastor or just those who have the spiritual gift of evangelism – this is a calling for every believer. Just as we all are invited to give, we all are invited to encourage, and we are all invited to share through evangelism.
1 Peter 3:16-17 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
Who is around you in your every day? Have you taken time to share the gospel with them? Who is in your family? Have you told them of the hope that you have and invited them into this hope? Who are your friends? Do they know about Jesus?
Evangelism does not have to be some preplanned sharing event in the community, although that is a great method. Evangelism is sharing Christ in our everyday lives with whom the Lord brings into our paths. Jesus commands us to share His gospel with all the world. Are we being obedient to Him?
Ultimately, we want to honor Christ with our lives. This should be our heart’s motivation in sharing His love for others. Yes, it can be uncomfortable and no the message will not always be received well, but do we not love people enough to tell them the way for salvation and freedom?
If we each just challenged ourselves to share Jesus with one person per day, we would have shared the gospel with 365 people in a year. Multiply that times how many people are coming to our churches. If we all did that there would be many others in the kingdom of God. May we not steer clear of sharing our faith out of fear, insecurity, or selfishness. My the Holy Spirit equip us and use us as His instruments as we show up and see Him at work.
Matthew 28:19-20 says, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”
John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
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