The Purpose Of Evangelism Series

Introduction: Christ’s final words to his followers are known as the great Commission. The most well-known passage is probably the one found in Matthew 28:18-20. Although all four gospels and the Book of Acts have a slightly different form of it, they all give the same basic message. We are not just to make converts or get people to make decisions. We are to make disciples of all nations.

The word Christian is used only three times in the whole New Testament. Acts 11:26; 26:28 and First Peter 4:16. The word disciple is used 272 times. The purpose of Evangelism is to make disciples.

What is Evangelism?

1. Evangelism is announcing good news. (Euangelidzo—the good message. Eu—good, angel-message)

2. Kerruso—to “preach,” herald divine truth as a public crier. Think of announcements rather than a pulpit. To “post” something. Making it public.

3. Didaskos—to teach

4. Matheteo—A learner, pupil

How Do We Evangelize?

1. Tell the Good News to someone else.

2. What is the Good News? First Cor. 15:3-4, “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” It doesn’t get any better than that.

3. Serve as a Witness- a witness faithfully tells what he or she knows. Imagine a witness who sat on the witness stand quietly only trying to influence the jury by a lifestyle without ever talking about the case.

4. Teach obedience

5. Baptize new converts—to submerge, to whelm, to wet completely.

6. Disciple them. More than just teaching someone. To apprentice them, to teach them by hands on experience.

7. Darrell Robinson says, “Successful witnessing is Sharing Christ and the way to know him in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.”—People Sharing Jesus.

Why Evangelize?

1. To Honor Christ through obedience (John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”)

2. To glorify God (John 15:8, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.)

3. To rescue people from death—(Jude 1:23, “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.)

4. To experience Christ’s power flowing through us (See Connant).

5. “There is no command in all the New Testament for a sinner to go to church after the Gospel, but there are multiplied commands for the church to take the Gospel to the sinner.” Conant continues: “We cannot bring the world to Christ. It will not come.”

Conclusion: As Christians, we have been commissioned and authorized by the Lord Himself to take his message of good News to all people. We are to preach Repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name beginning right where we are and reaching around the world. We are not to stop until the job is done. It is about expanding the Kingdom, not building and empire. To whom can you take the gospel this week?

Handout:

Introduction:

What do we call Christ’s last words to his followers?

How many times is the word “Christian” used in the New Testament?

How many times is the word “disciple” used?

What is the purpose of evangelism?

Write definitions for the following words:

Evangelism—The

Evangelize—To

Kerusso—to

Didaskos—

Matheteo—

How would you define the good news to someone else? What makes it good news?

How do you act as a witness?

What two processes did Jesus give us to carry out his commission?

What does baptism mean? What does it symbolize?

List some reasons why we are to evangelize.

How will you put this into practice this week?