Sermon Central
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Grace At Work 12 - Evangelists Series
Contributed by Dan Cormie on Feb 3, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: The Ministry Gifts - Evangelists Was the gospel you received "Good News"? Are modern televangelists accurate representatives of this gift?
Dakota Community Church
February 3, 2013
Grace at Work - 12a
Evangelist
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
The Five (or 4) Fold Ministry Gifts:
some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers
1. Apostle 2. Prophet 3. Evangelist 4. Pastor & 5. Teacher
Apostle - to be sent forth to new frontiers with the gospel, providing leadership over church bodies and maintaining authority over spiritual matters pertaining to the church
Prophet - One called to speak forth the message of God to His people
(Greek Word: prophetes - the forth-telling of the will of God; ’pro’=forth; ’phemi’=to speak)
Evangelist - Called and gifted to readily share the gospel with unbelievers in such a way that men and women often become Jesus’ disciples.
What I want us to focus on as we wrap up here this morning is what we can be certain of - the message preached!
It is the good news!
Have you heard it?
Was the message you received good news?
OR... Have you received something else?
False gospels that are not good news:
1. The - Jesus gives you a second chance - gospel.
Also known as the “do over” or “mulligan” gospel. You messed up the first time but here is a clean slate from Jesus so do better this time and He’ll help - NOT GOOD NEWS!
2. The - Jesus gets you in - gospel.
Yes Jesus gets you in but you have to work hard and jump through certain hoops to stay in. Justification is by faith but sanctification is by works - NOT GOOD NEWS!
3. The - You must make Jesus Lord - gospel.
You met Jesus as savior but now you must make Him LORD.
He must be made Lord of your money, if He is not Lord of all He’s not Lord at all.
There is no Biblical directive to “Make” Jesus Lord - Jesus is LORD of all, all the time. He owns everything you have, all your money, all your gifts, all your time and talent, every breathe you ever take - All His. If you have to make Jesus Lord - NOT GOOD NEW!
4. The - poor Jesus needs your help - gospel.
Jesus has big plans, He wants to do so much, Oh the dreams Jesus has for this world, even for your life, but poor Jesus cannot do anything without your help. Jesus needs you to send in a few dollars so that he can work on your behalf - NOT GOOD NEWS!
What about Televangelists? Is this a biblical category? A quick quiz to get you thinking.
Who said, "You’d be surprised how well you can praise God in the back seat of a Rolls Royce Phantom 5." (Rev. Ike)
Which televangelist said Eve gave birth to Cain and Abel out of her side, taught that Adam could fly and believes the Godhead is actually nine entities? (Benny Hinn)
Which televangelist was banned from British television for airing unsubstantiated testimonials? (Morris Cerullo)
Which televangelist was refused entry into Great Britain for being deemed “not conducive to the public good.” (Todd Bentley)
This current televangelist was exposed years ago for receiving "words of knowledge" not from God, but from his wife via radio transmitter. (Peter Popoff)
The question we need to ask is, "Are we hearing the gospel"?
PowerPoint available (Free of charge) on request dcormie@mts.net
Follow Dan on twitter: @DanCormie
