With great delight and praise to God in the name of Jesus I wholeheartedly welcome you to the month of our Evangelism. It is my prayer that as you embrace this spiritual activity afresh God whom you are working for will compensate you in a big way.
The Church, Ecclesia, you and I have been given the Great Commission, the 'Go Ye' Commission, the process which is now called Evangelism, Soul Winning and preaching the good news. This month I want to encourage you to revisit the issue of evangelism individually, family- wise, as a denomination, ministry, fellowship and para- fellowship. Let us not just talk about it, let us share the good news of Jesus willingness to save the greatest sinner.
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18.
I like the watchword for Christ Apostolic Church worldwide this year- "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom 10:13
Our job this month is to encourage someone to call on the name of the Lord. God promises to handle the rest. Let us stop complaining about Islamization (God has given us the antidote to any evil agenda) let us carry out and propagate Jesuslization or if you prefer Christianization! Our God is able to save to the uppermost. Meaning we are on the winning side.
What is evangelism? Evangelism is the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness. The English word "evangelism" comes from the Greek word euaggelion. Most literally translated in the noun form, euaggelion means: "gospel" or "good news." Evangelism is sharing the Good News. Evangelism, the communication of the gospel message, includes a warning, an explanation, and a call. Evangelism includes warning people about sin and the consequences of sin (John 16:8; Acts 24:25; Revelation 20:11-15) The Good News for Jesus was the radical, world-turning-upside-down nature of the Kingdom of God; for the apostles it was that Jesus is risen from the dead; and for Paul it was that salvation is open to anyone, Jew or otherwise.
Evangelism is the act of witnessing, telling the story of your life encounter with Jesus to other people in a way to help them know more about Jesus so that they can make an informed decision as to whether to accept Jesus. Conversion is God's in-breaking into a person's life such that that person becomes a Christian; salvation is what we believe happens when people put their trust and faith in God; baptism is the act of welcoming someone into God's family; proselytism is forceful evangelism.
A young member of our church sent this dream to me. "I saw four people sitting in a place and a spirit descended upon two like a dove, they flew and landed in another place. Two others were still in same place and there was confusion everywhere, people started shouting, it's the rapture! It's the rapture!! it's the rapture !!!" From that revelation, I believe evangelism is also warning the people about rapture!
Why must we evangelize? Why should we go to people and offer them the Gospel? As we look at Scripture and the example of Jesus, an online website offers five compelling reasons.
1. Jesus took the initiative to come to us. Jesus came to "seek and save" the lost We do not seek God according to Romans 3:10-12. God has always been the one pursuing us. During His life, Jesus was continually pursuing people and speaking with them about the Kingdom. Jesus also sent His disciples out two-by- two, from village to village to proclaim the kingdom. (Luke 9:1-6 & Luke 10: 1-11)
2. Jesus commanded us to go and take the gospel to all peoples. Read Mark 16:15 and John 20:21 - just as the Father sent Jesus into the world to pursue people, so He has sent us.
3. The example of the apostles and the early church. As you read through the book of Acts, it is quite clear that the apostles and other leaders in the church were continually going to people and not waiting for people to come to them - some of the many examples in Acts: Acts 5:42 in the temple and from house to house. Acts 8:4-13 Phillip to Samaria .Acts 10 Peter to the Gentiles. Acts 13-21 Paul's third missionary journey.
4. People cannot and will not hear unless we go to them. Read Romans 10:13-15. Some people do not have an existing relationship with someone who can explain to them the gospel. The Gospel cannot spread relationally for some, because there is no relationship unless someone goes and establishes one.
5. God is preparing the hearts of people to hear the Good news. There are some who are ready and want to know, and all we have to do is be willing to be used.
Let me give you my own 10 points why you must evangelize.
1. We should evangelize because God loves People John 3:16
2. We should evangelize because Jesus loves people (Matt. 11:19).
3. We should evangelize because Jesus is the only way(John 14:6).
4. We should evangelize because the unsaved are lost(John 8:32-36).
5. We should evangelize because Jesus will judge sin(Acts 17:31).
6. We should evangelize because Jesus offers eternal life(Acts 2:24-36). John 14:1-6
7. We should evangelize because heaven is eternal bliss (John 14:1-3).(Rev. 22:3-5).2Pet 3:9 8.We should evangelize because Jesus wants workers(Matt. 9:37-38)
8. We should evangelize so that we shall not be evangelized 1Cor 10:12.Think of all the Islamization processes going on now, ISIS, Boko Haram; Alshaaba, Hamas etc
9. We should evangelize witness because it is a wise thing to do. Prov. 11:30
In addition, we also evangelize to take our place in the 2000-year relay of faith, so that the story continues to generations to come, and includes more and more people. Meaning this is our time. Someone preached to us to enable us become Christians and we are enjoying the dividends of accepting Christ. You need to let people know about the stock and good enough they can buy without money (Isa 55:1)
5 Reasons why people do not evangelize and how to overcome
1. Fear. Sharing your faith is a scary prospect. You can lose face and friends as a result of communicating this "narrow-minded" message of the gospel even when you do so in love. The Cure: "Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:19-20,2 Tim 1:7- You are not given the spirit of fear. Reject fear. Pray against fear
2. Ignorance. There are many Christians who, deep down inside, want to share their faith but they honestly don't know what to say. The Cure: "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…." 1 Corinthians 15:3,4. Learn the scriptures on how to evangelize.
3. Arrogance. There are Christians who think they are above sharing the gospel. After all, isn't that what they pay the pastor, youth leader and missionary to do? The Cure: "And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, 'Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.'" Luke 5:30-32
4. Apathy (The Disobedient). There are many who call themselves Christians but just don't care about the lost. They believe there is hell but don't care who goes there. The Cure: "When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36. Develop compassion for people.
5. Bad Theology. This brand of bad theology has a range. One extreme defangs hell by making it mythical or instantaneous suffering (as opposed to eternal, hell is here on earth) Therefore removing the urgency to evangelize. The other side of the range uses the doctrine of election as a way to eradicate urgency. After all, if God is sovereign in salvation why evangelize? 144,000 that will be saved. Not true. The Cure: "Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." 2 Timothy 2:10
How To Evangelize and types of Evangelism.
The Apostle Paul said "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" Rom 1:16, There all kinds of group of people. Children, family members, Evolutionist, LGBT community. There are some basic things you must do, but you can apply some methods to make it clearer to the grow.
1. Lifestyle Evangelism. Lifestyle evangelism is often understood one of two ways. Live right and people will see the gospel in one's life. Live right and people will ask about God
2. Servant Evangelism (aka Service Evangelism) This approach uses simple acts of kindness, or service, for evangelism.
3. Event Evangelism. This is a popular method among churches and groups, the most famous of which are revival services and vacation Bible schools.
4. Neighborhood Evangelism (aka Door-to-Door Evangelism). This method involves going to homes and sharing the gospel with those who answer.
5. Street Evangelism. It involves someone standing at a location with pedestrian traffic and proclaiming the gospel to passersby.
6. Tract Evangelism. Tract evangelism uses gospel tracts to present the gospel. This type is fading away now. However, there are three ways to use tracts: (1) take someone through the tract, using it as a visual aid, (2) sharing the gospel then giving the person a tract for further consideration, or (3) leaving the tract for someone without a personal conversation.
7. Conversational Evangelism (aka Relational Evangelism).Some may distinguish between "conversational" and "relational." Conversational evangelisms starting a conversation for the purpose of sharing the gospel; relational evangelism is seeking to relate to the person, looking for permission-i.e., an open door-to discuss spiritual matter. Although conversational evangelism is probably the least common method of evangelism, it's undoubtedly the most effective. It is simply sharing Jesus with someone in a normal, everyday conversation style.
8. Mass Evangelism. Getting many people to a particular place and preaching to them. Evangelists like Billy Graham, Reinhard Bonnke, Apostle Ayodele Babalola are few examples of people in the last Century. Its fading away too, but should not.
9. Online. Create websites and blogs. Most Churches do now. The Social Media is a tool in our generation to evangelize: YouTube, Facebook (Particularly Facebook Live), Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and other social media outlets that allow you to post biblical articles or quotes of Scripture that point people to their need for Christ (first) in the hopes that they will run to the Savior for salvation. I have messages on YouTube on how to evangelize. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj_s5jIYUCo.
10. Books. I have written ten books all geared towards evangelizing and discipleship. One that will particularly help you is : Making the Church Relevant To The Society Dos. There are things you need to do before you go for evangelism.
Pray. Speak to God about what you want to do. Read your Bible. Start with a positive witness for Christ. Keep things simple. Share your salvation experience with them. Know what you believe. Have a genuine love. Be simple and define your terms. Memorize appropriate Scriptures if possible. Be ready to learn from the people you witness to. Be patient and gentle. Listen attentively. Answer their questions if any. Commented [AD1]: Ask questions. Bring the person, if possible, to a decision about Jesus. Encourage them to study the Bible by itself. Use Scripture in context. Remember that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Don'ts. There are things you should not do.
Don't attack or make fun of anyone. Don't jump from one subject to another. Don't expect too much from him. Don't have a spiritual chip on your shoulder. Don't lose patience. Don't come on too strong. Don't debate peripheral issues or doctrines. Don't get sidetracked defending your denomination. Don't be uptight. Don't assume. Don't argue. Don't speak too fast or unclearly.
The Message. What message are you to share? There is no formula for evangelism. We depend on the Holy Spirit To help us. Just make yourself available. Ex 4:12- He will put words in your mouth. Ex 4: He will put wonders in your hand. Lay out the ABCs. Some evangelists like to use a basic introduction method of becoming a Christian as a way of giving a possible convert a concrete list of steps to keep in mind when thinking about developing their faith. The ABC method breaks down like this: A: Admit that you are a sinner. B: Believe that Jesus Christ is the son of the Lord and died for your sins. Jesus Loves You. C: Confess your belief in Christ.
Challenge the person to a decision: Do not leave the person in indecision. Ask the hard question! Do You want to Give your life to Christ now? It's free why not. Possible answers Yes, No, Give me time. If he says no-ask why? Friends, parental belief, business. If he says he needs time, tell he has no time-death does not warn people. You don't need time to accept a precious gift like, money, car, house, this is more valuable!!!!!!!
Closing Remarks for those who gave their life to Christ. Emphasize that if they prayed the prayer and really meant it with all their heart, that they are now saved. Tell them the importance of reading their Bible consistently to feed their spirit and their faith "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17. Remind them that if they really mean it, they must turn from their sins and surrender their whole life to Jesus and His Lordship. Their flesh didn't get saved so they need to build up their spirit by reading and meditating on the Word of God and praying. Encourage them to go to a church that preaches the uncompromised Word of God and where the Holy Spirit moves. If you know of such a church close to where they live encourage them to go there.
Conclusion: I believe you have everything you need to be effective evangelists. So, go forth, and tell the Good News to your family, your friends, your neighbors, your colleagues, your classmates, your shopkeepers, the people who engage with your community activities, and so on. Go to the nations. Start from Jerusalem, to Judea, Samaria and uttermost part of the word. Tell the Good News because you are commanded to, but more because the news is so very good that it cannot be kept to yourself. Ensure that the Gospel you tell is good, is news, is about God, and is about the future. Tell the stories from the Scriptures, and tell the stories of your life, and be humble enough to listen to the stories of others. Plant seeds of faith and hope, and see what miracles God can grow. Amen. May God prosper the work of your hands this month. Receive fresh anointing, strength, power good health, favor and energy for the month in Jesus name.
