[Evangelism is] a concerted effort in the power of the Holy Spirit to confront unbelievers with the truth about Jesus Christ and the claims of our Lord with a view to leading unbelievers into repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and thus into the fellowship of His church so they may grow in the Spirit.
- Lewis Drummond in the introduction of his book entitled: The Word of the Cross, A Contemporary Theology of Evangelism
- Evangelism is a “concerted effort.” Evangelism is something that is “mutually arranged, planned, or agreed upon.”
- Evangelism is a “concerted effort” with “a view.” Evangelism is visionary and the vision has three aspects – repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and fellowship in the church.
- Evangelism is a “concerted effort” with a “view” that results in spiritual growth. Evangelism is not an end in itself. Evangelism is not an end in itself. It is a God-ordained means toward spiritual growth not only for the ones being evangelized but also for the ones doing the evangelizing.
Matthew 4:19
19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
2 Corinthians 5:9-10
9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE
First of all, evangelism stays a priority in the church as a matter of conscience, vv.11-13. When our conscience is clear things tend to be simple. Actions are right or wrong. Answers are yes or no. Here’s our question: should evangelism be a priority in the church? Yes or No. If I choose to be involved in the work of evangelism, is that Right or Wrong? If I commit myself to do something in the area of evangelism, is that a good choice or a bad choice?
2 Corinthians 5:11
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
Evangelism is a matter of conscience. It is the right thing to do and if we don’t do it, someday we will stand before the Judge and we will be without excuse.
When it comes to the work of evangelism, we need to be in agreement. It is the right thing to do. In whatever way we participate, the work of evangelism benefits everyone. We can approach it with unbridled enthusiasm or with sober caution. Either way, our participation is necessary. Let’s make the work of evangelism plain, in whatever form it takes, the work of evangelism is always the right thing to do.
A MATTER OF PERSONAL CONVICTION
2 Corinthians 5:14
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Is there a better motivation for the work of evangelism than the love of Christ? The love of Christ can mean either Christ’s love for you or your love for Christ or both.
Acts 26:9
9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Romans 5:6-8
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
As a matter of personal conviction, I think we should learn as much as we possibly can from each other about evangelism because the circumstances for sharing our faith in Jesus can be so different. Sharing our faith within the network of family and friends is different from knocking on the door of a complete stranger. Sharing our faith with a person in crisis is different from sharing our faith with someone who is apathetic about or even hostile to Jesus.
Acts 1:8
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.”
Bill Fay in Sharing Your Faith Without Fear:
The approach is basically to put the Bible into the hands of the person with whom you are trying to witness to, have them read selected verses and then have that person tell you what he/she thinks the verses are saying. The highlighted verses are familiar: Romans 3:23; 6:23; John 3:3; 14:6; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:15; and, Revelation 3:20.
A MATTER OF LIFE CONVERSION
2 Corinthians 5:15
15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
- Grow into Christlikeness; “Therefore, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Do the work of reconciliation; “That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.” 2 Corinthians 5:19
- Tell the story of Jesus; “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
