What Is Evangelism
Evangelism: Sharing Christ to a Lost World • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 6 viewsWhat is evangelism? Evangelism has been defined in many ways, but Timothy K. Beougher has a great definition on evangelism. He defines evangelism as, It is the compassionate sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ with lost people, in the power of the Holy Spirit, for the purpose of bringing them to Christ as Savior and Lord, that they in turn might share him with others.
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
What is the first thought that comes to your mind, when you hear the word, evangelism?
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In your own words, define evangelism.
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Do you evangelize? If so, how often? If not, what keeps you from evangelizing?
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One of the most intimidating events that happens within the life of a Christian is the evangelistic event. What is meant by this, is when the Christian approaches the lost person and tries to tell them about Jesus. When I was first saved, came to know Christ as my Lord and Savior, the excitement kept me pumped enough to share Jesus with others. As I got older, my boldness would dwindle and I would be open about my faith in Christ, but not as I was at first. It would not be until I began attending Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Cordova, TN, pursuing my A.Div., that I would be once again thrust into a world of personal evangelism.
At Mid-America, not one student, would pass without two parts of an evangelism credit system. One part was practical missions, where we would volunteer in a local mission every week (2 hours), and the second part required each student to knowing share the gospel to a lost person with the intent of winning that individual to the Lord. Then people were either called upon or encouraged to give testimony during chapel. In fact, at the state conventions and national convention level, Mid-America still practices this time of testimony at their Alumni Lunches.
What I have found through the years is some people do not know how to define evangelism. Some do not know what evangelism is. Others do not see the importance of evangelism. So over the next eighteen (18) weeks, we will be going through a series of lessons on personal evangelism. We define evangelism, give biblical/theological meaning and reason to evangelism, be introduced to practical evangelism, participate in differing evangelistic scenarios, and finally, we will discuss how to preserve those who have made a positive response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Opening Passage
1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.
Outline
Evangelism, by its very nature, means the communication of “good news” (Beougher, 3). Then why is it all too often compared with mental persuasion (peer pressure), yelling, threatening, or forcing one to accept the faith against their will. These are all, by definition, contrary to the heart of evangelism is. Therefore, for us to truly understand what evangelism is, we must begin with what evangelism is not.
What Evangelism is Not
Evangelism is not mere presence
“Mere presence” means that one believes that I will share the gospel by my actions, but not use words. They often misquote St. Francis of Assisi by stating that he said, Preach the Gospel at all times; use words if necessary (Beougher, 5). However, Scholars that have specialized in the life and teachings of St. Francis have stated that he never said this. Even if he had, he would be wrong.
Evangelism takes more than actions. Through one’s actions they might see something different, but they will not know what that difference is unless you tell them. They may see you as a good, moral person or even a religious person, but neither of those speak to the truth of Christ. The Gospel takes more than presence. It takes words.
Evangelism is not a spiritual mugging
Evangelism is not about ganging up on the lost person and beating them over the head with the Bible. It is not about, what some would call Bible thumping, but rather Good News sharing.
I heard, years ago, a statement that I have held onto, If I can convince you to accept Christ, someone else can convince you to deny Christ. We are not browbeat, intimidate, or force someone into hearing and accepting the Gospel of Christ. There does come a point, when one has to be willing to let “no” be the answer and let them walk away.
Jesus, after sharing the gospel to the rich, young ruler, did just this. He let him walk away.
22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
Now that we know what evangelism is not, let us know where we get the meaning behind evangelism and the command to evangelize.
Where do we get our word and biblical command to evangelize
Evangelism is taken from the Greek word, Euangelion (yoo-on-gelion), meaning “the Gospel”. Within this word, we see the Euangel, or evangel, meaning “good news”. At the heart of the Christian faith and our purpose is evangel, the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection to pay the payment for our sin.
Evangelism is to announce the “good news”, euangelion, which is used seventy (70) times in the new testament in its noun form and thirty (30) times in its verb form, euangelizo, “evangelize”.
We are to be as Paul was, eager to evangelize or share the good news.
15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
Knowing we have a command to share the Good News of Christ. As Jesus reprimanded His disciples for their stiff hearts and unbelief, reaffirmed His command to evangelize the nations for His sake and His glory, we must go and share the good news.
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Knowing where we get our words and command for evangelism, let us now walk through defining what evangelism is.
Evangelism Defined
Different Evangelistic Definitions
1918 Anglican Definition : To Evangelize so to present Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, that men shall come to put their trust in God through him, to accept him as their Savior, and serve him as their King in the fellowship of his church.
The only weakness that can be found within this first definition is that it result based and oriented. True evangelism is not measured by the result but by the willingness and sharing of the evangelist themselves.
Jeremiah never saw one person repent of their rebellion against God, but that did not make him a failure. His success was not based off of results but his obedience. So is the success of the evangelist.
D.T. Niles : A Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka) theologian defined evangelism as, One beggar telling another beggar where to get food.”
Within this definition there is a great sense of humility and awareness of the evenness of the soil at the foot of the cross.
God is no respecter of person
34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,
Our salvation is not based on us but the grace of God that is afforded to us, that in turn, allows us to put our faith in Christ
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Bill Bright (Campus Crusade for Christ) : Success in witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the results to God.
Within this definition is the great principle shared by Paul to the divided church at Corinth. We are nothing and our efforts are nothing apart from God.
5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.
1974 Lausanne Covenant : To evangelize is to spread the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures, and that as the reigning Lord he now offers the forgiveness of sins and the liberating gift of the Spirit to all who repent and believe.
Timothy K. Beougher, author of Invitation to Evangelism: Sharing the Gospel with Compassion and Conviction : Evangelism is, the compassionate sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ with lost people, in the power of the Holy Spirit, for the purpose of bringing them to Christ as Savior and Lord, that they in turn might share him with others.
Evangelism Broken Down
The Spirit of Evangelism: Compassion
We must learn to cry over sin and cry over the lost of this world. Jesus did! Why don’t we?!
36 Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd.
Ron Hutchcraft, in his book, The Battle for a Generation, gave the following statistics among adolescence in 1996, which is several years removed from where we are. He reported that the National Center for Health Statistics gave the following stats:
Every 78 seconds, an adolescent in this country attempts suicide. Every 90 minutes one succeeds
Every 20 minutes, an adolescent is killed in an accident.
Every 80 minutes one is murdered.
Every 31 seconds an adolescent becomes pregnant
Nearly half of all high school seniors have used an illegal drug at least once and almost 90% have used alcohol, some on a daily basis.
(Hutchcraft, 17-18)
So how do these statistics compare to more recent times? In 2020 the CDC states
When looking at figures across the board on suicide, because I could not find strictly adolescence percentages, we find that there are approximately 132 suicides per day or 11 per second, annually. When Jesus looked at the crowds, He saw them as distressed and downcast. Why don’t we? (Suicide statistics | AFSP)
The Method of Evangelism : Sharing
We are called to share the gospel. We must not only share the gospel through our actions, but we must share the gospel through our words. We must have conversations with one another. We see this dialogue between Philip and the eunuch.
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.
As one reads Proverbs 18, they see a good description of what genuine communication, active listening is
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But in revealing his own mind.
13 One who gives an answer before he hears, It is foolishness and shame to him.
15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
It does know good to cry to out one and say believe, believe, if you do not share with them what they are to believe. As Spurgeon writes...
Hence, if we do not teach men something, we may shout, “Believe! Believe! Believe!” but what are they to believe (Spurgeon, 15-16).
He goes on an emphasizes the point that the message we bring should be people at the heart on a spiritual level not just a mental level. He writes...
If our hearers will weep over their sins and after Jesus, let their tears flow in rivers. But if the object of their sorrow is merely natural and not at all spiritual, what good is done by starting them weeping…You and I must continue to drive at men’s hearts until they are broken (Spurgeon, 19).
So how do we drive at men’s hearts? We drive at men’s hearts by declaring Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 1:23). That my friend is the content of evangelism.
The Content of Evangelism : The Good News of Jesus Christ
This has been the emphasis of all the Scripture. The entirety of Scripture points to the good news of Jesus Christ at some level or another. Jesus’ birth was signified as the good news.
10 And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
Why is it, as Timothy K. Beougher states, that our attitude seems to convey that what we are sharing is somehow less than good news to this person. We drag our heels and often seem reluctant to open our mouths. Why do we act like that at times? (Beougher, 11-12).
The best news for us, for our family, for our friends, for everyone, is the Good News of Jesus Christ’s birth, sinless life, death, burial, and resurrection to the pay the penalty of our sin and set us free from the enslavement of sin.
The Recipients of Evangelism : Lost People
10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Let me help you out, people are not knocking down the doors to come to church today. Why is this? Because they are lost. We are fooling ourselves, if we are waiting for the lost to come here. We must go to them.
The Power for Evangelism : The Holy Spirit
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment:
The Purpose of Evangelism : Bringing them to Christ as Savior and Lord
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
The Perpetuation of Evangelism : They Win Others
2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.
Conclusion
Evangelism is not spiritual mugging and is mere presence. It is the compassionate sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ with lost people, in the power of the Holy Spirit, for the purpose of bringing them to Christ as Savior and Lord, that they in turn might share Him with others.
Evangelism does not stop at conversion but continues through discipleship.
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