Evangelism Defined

This week, my Pastor, Tim Presson, preached a sermon on the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). If you would like to listen to the sermon in its entirety, you can do so by clicking here. In that sermon he cited what I feel is one of the best definitions for evangelism I have ever heard from a man named William Temple. The definition is as follows:

Evangelism focuses on Christ, depends upon the power of the Holy Spirit for results, and seeks to make disciples of Jesus who recognize His lordship in all of life (every part without distinction) and plant themselves in the fellowship of a local church. I pray that everyone who reads this blog has become a disciple (or follower) of Christ. However, I realize that there will be some who have not.

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ involves coming to Him in faith and repentance. In faith, one must believe to the point of trusting and staking one's life upon the fact that Jesus is who He said He was, that is, the Christ, the Son of the living God (cf. Matthew 16:13-17), the only way to reconciliation of humans to God (John 14:6). It also means affirming that He did what He said He would do and which his followers and the Scriptures gave witness. All of what one must believed about Christ is summarized in one word--the "Gospel" (or "Good News"). The Apostle

Paul summarizes the Gospel as follows: “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” (1Corinthians 15:1-8 ESV)

Believing this truth also involves believing another one, namely that all humans are sinful by nature, condemned before God, and unable to reconcile themselves to God (cf. Romans chapter 3, esp. vv. 10-26). True discipleship also involves repentance--a turning away from sin and self and a turning to God in faith and obedience. Jesus said that those who love Him will keep his commandments (John 15). Our works do not improve our standing before God. On the contrary, God saves us by His own mercy. However, in view of God's mercy, we offer our lives as living sacrifices to God for His purposes (cf., Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Matthew 5:16).

The Apostle Paul summarizes these points well: “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works...” (Titus 3:3-8 ESV).

Both our coming to faith in Christ and our living the remainder of our lives in faith and obedience to Christ are the gracious work of God. He alone is worthy of glory for saving us in spite of ourselves (Romans 11:33-36). The Scriptures tell us that those who place their faith and trust in Christ will have eternal life and fellowship with God, but that those who do not believe will be condemned (John 3:16-21). I pray that we will all recognize His glory and reflect that glory in the grateful sacrifice of our lives to Him. If you have never placed your faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ as your sole means of reconciliation with God, repented of your sins, and cast yourself upon God's mercy, I beg you to do so without delay.

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me a sinner,"

Jonathan