We Are Made for Evangelism

 

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WE ARE MADE FOR EVANGELISM:

When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him, He said He would make them fishers of men. He meant that they would go out and share the Good News of the Gospel so that others would come to Jesus for salvation. This is the same calling He has given each of us. 

39 Matthew 28:18-20(NLT)

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

Some people are Spiritually gifted in evangelism. They talk to everyone they meet about salvation. But we are all expected to reach out to our friends and neighbors with the love of Jesus. It is our obligation to witness to individuals in our circles for the purpose of bringing them into the Kingdom of God. We will be held accountable for the lost souls we neglected to share the Gospel with.

Pastors carry an even greater responsibility for the souls God has entrusted to their care. Pastors are commanded to be guards or watchman for the souls of each person they preach to. The Lord gives a very sober warning for those who fail to sound the alarm.  

40 Ezekiel 33:7-9(ESV) (English Standard Version)

“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

A watchman is someone who is given the job of watching for the enemy from a tower or from on the city wall. They are to watch for invaders or approaching disaster, and sound the alarm to warn the people to take cover. If they should fall asleep on the job, they would be held accountable for each lost life.

In God’s Kingdom, a pastor or spiritual leader who does not warn  those who are uncommitted or rebellious against God about the danger of judgment, will be held accountable for each person’s spiritual destruction.

All Christians have the responsibility to share their faith with individuals who are spiritually lost.  And to help fulfill the mission Jesus gave to the church. We will give an account to God if we refuse to obey Jesus’ Great Commission. (Firebible notes pg.1309)

The apostle Paul declared his innocence of the blood of each of his hearers before leaving for Jerusalem, where was arrested for preaching the Truth.

41 Acts 20:20, 26-27(ESV) (English Standard Version)

I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Paul preached everything he believed was useful or needful for the spiritual salvation and benefit of his hearers. He was faithful to his calling, whether or not the message was always easy to receive. He had delivered to them the full truth; he had left nothing out. 

The word, “blood” is used normally in the sense of bloodshed or causing someone’s death. Here it means that if any should die spiritually and be lost forever, Paul would not be blamed. 

If pastors and church leaders do not want to be held responsible for the spiritual death, judgement, and eternal loss of those under their care, they must be faithful to declare to them the whole will of God as revealed in His Word.

Christian ministers must be faithful to preach and teach the whole truth of God just as He desires. They must be careful to include the promises and the precautions. They must declare the blessings, and the judgements. 

They must not try to please people or preach only what listeners want to hear. Nor should they promote their own popularity. Even if they must speak words of discipline, or challenge beliefs, they must be faithful. If they must point out prejudices, or preach standards that oppose people’s sinful desires, they must speak fearlessly. 

Steadfast preachers will deliver the whole truth for the sake of Christ and His people. They will not water down the gospel, or neglect to preach the blood of Christ.

We are made for ever-increasing evangelism. We are expected to be constantly working at building relationships with lost individuals, so that we can share the Gospel with them and have the joy of leading them to Christ. We must look at every new acquaintance as a possible candidate for salvation. Because heaven and hell are very real destinations, we must see every individual as either saved or lost . We must continuously pray for open doors to share the Gospel. This is the mandate for every believer. 

As I have been preparing this presentation, God has impressed upon me, as “a watchman on the wall” to sound the alarm. With everything that has happened this past year, it is evident that we are experiencing the introduction of what is to take place during the Great Tribulation. Technology has rapidly increased, and is in place to fulfill, everything as prophesied in Revelation, Daniel, and Ezekiel.

This past year, we have seen diseases, pestilence, deaths, earthquakes, volcanos, fires, and flooding. We have witnessed worldwide civil unrest, violence, lawlessness, and open rebellion against God, such has never been experienced in any of our lifetimes.  

Christian expression is being attacked. Freedom of speech is being censored. Christian ministries are being removed from social media. Governments are restricting what can be posted. 

Jesus said, “when you see these things taking place, look up.” His return is at hand. Everything is in place for the return of our Lord. It can happen at any time. We must be vigilant and step up our approach to reach as many people as we can before we are taken out of this world.