Over the next few weeks, we will be covering some major (though very basic) reasons to evangelize. Some people may have stronger giftings and desires in the area, but all are called to reach out and preach the message of Jesus: His Life, Death, and Resurrection!
Two reasons to start:
1. There is no other way but Jesus
2. We are commanded by Jesus to evangelize
I. There is No Other Way but Jesus
We’ve been in the Minor Prophets, and even then, we see that God desires to save His people.
Hosea 13:4 - "Yet I am the LORD your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no Savior besides Me."
God sent His Son to redeem the world. Even the Name ’Jesus’ or ’Yeshua’ means ’the LORD Saves!’
Peter said to the rulers of the people who commanded the Apostles not to preach Jesus to others --
Acts 4:11-12
11 "This is the ’stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
It’s massively important to tell others! Jesus is the ONLY WAY!
He also claimed this Himself --
John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Life is only found in His Name --
1 John 5:11 - And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
…and it’s important to follow the Way:
John 5:24 - "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."
We have the promise of the Resurrection at the end of this age and eternal life with Him, and it’s by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. We need to put our trust in Him.
John 6:40 - "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
II. We are Commanded by Jesus to Evangelize
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Ultimate Key: Making disciples.
Those who become mature in Christ can make disciples down the road. So part of being a disciple involves being able to make new disciples. This involves getting people on track in following Jesus and to a level of maturity so they can share who they know Jesus to be.
In making disciples, preaching the Gospel is involved.
The word for preach is literally ’evangelize’ or ’bring good tidings’
Parallel passage: Mark 16
Mark 16:15 - And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
Jesus sent His disciples to do the same during His time with them.
Luke 9:2 - He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
How will others hear without us preaching the Gospel to them?
Romans 10:14-17
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
You may have heard the quote, "Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words." Many believe that this is a quote from St. Francis of Assisi, though the source is actually Anonymous. The idea behind the phrase is that you show others your faith by your works. Some of this is true, but Scripture is very clear that we need to proclaim the message of the Gospel. Without telling others the specific revelation of Jesus Christ, we are irresponsible. And yes, God can work miracles in appearing to others in dreams and visions, but the norm and command to us is to proclaim the message He’s given us!
Matthew 24:14 - "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."
May we share the light of the Gospel and be found faithful in the end!
