Evangelism (3 of 3)

3.) Are There Wrong Way’s To Evangelize?

 It is unfortunate but true that the wrong ways to evangelize are exceedingly more popular than the correct way. If evangelism is the means by which we spread the gospel, and many people hold on to and prefer a false gospel, than there are obvious problems connected to that certain methodology of evangelism. The gospel preached by you must not and cannot be authored by you; instead it comes from what is already defined in scripture (Galatians 1:11). All though many people have varying views on what is effective or successful concerning the gospel of Jesus, it is of no eternal success but of eternal damnation if it does not come from what is already written in the inspired word of God. The fact that the gospel is foolish to those who are perishing seems to be the hardest truth for most Christians in today’s culture to grasp. It is wrongly assumed that we are called to dress up the gospel and make it attractive, welcoming, easy to hear, fun for the whole family, and less confrontational.. All this does is belittle the cross of Jesus and empty it of its effect (1 Corinthians 1:17). Jesus is not some girl on a prom date that needs to be dressed up, nails done, and caked with ½ inch of makeup. Rather, He is the bloodied God-man nailed to a bloody cross for the disgusting sins of humans who spent more time sinning and less time loving Jesus (Romans 3:10-18). When people seek to alter or change the great offense of the cross in any way, they not only bring a curse on themselves (Galatians 1:6-9) but dishonor Jesus by claiming that He alone is simply not sufficient. Any “gospel” that leaves out God’s holiness and hatred toward sin, man’s depravity, and Jesus as the mediator is no gospel at all. It ceases to be “good news” and is reduced to nothing more than what you see taking place on local news station’s across the world – “bad news”. Articulate it, communicate it, but for the love of God (literally), dare not change it!

Evangelism (2 of 3)

2.) Why Do We Evangelize?

We do not spread the gospel for ourselves hoping to earn some right standing with God. To do so would mean that we did not believe the very words we preached and even more so, by our actions declare Jesus’ sacrifice upon the cross as unnecessary, defaming God’s glory all the more. Secondly, we do not evangelize to please, save, or condemn humans. People are already condemned (John 3:18) and only Jesus can save them from their wretched state and to try and please them would be displeasing to God. There is a great need among lost and dying souls to preach the truth of Jesus, and even still we find not our reason to evangelize. We preach the gospel primarily for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). We are also commanded to evangelize in Mark 16:15 and those who claim to love the LORD and do not do what He commands have no love of God in them (John 14:15). In today’s culture there lies before us a great need to sound the trumpet of the gospel and warn those who love their sin of the assured wrath to come (Ezekiel 33:14-16). Those who have been regenerated by God were once walking stupid towards the fires of hell and have now been released from the chains of sin and have been captured by the glory of Jesus. Because of the grace and mercy shown to believers, we also proclaim the true story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to unbelievers in hopes to snatch some from the fire (Jude 23) and turn sinners away from the path that leads to destruction (James 5:20) and towards the way that leads to life, namely Jesus (John 14:6).

Evangelism (1 of 3)

This week we are going to answer three questions about evangelism. Here is the first of three posts:

1.) What is Evangelism?

To answer the question of what evangelism is, we must first briefly look at what evangelism is not. Evangelism is not simply a casual conversation about life or hard times. It is not a topic that is seen as wonderfully intelligent among the lost (1 Corinthians 1:21) or eagerly welcomed among natural men (1 Corinthians 2:14). It is neither easy to hear nor painless to speak (2 Timothy 1:8-11). It is not popular among the arrogant religious types or practiced by the Church at large. Evangelism is not a rehearsed speech that has time restraints, age or race preferences, or gender requirements (Acts 2:36-40).

Evangelism in its truest form is the spreading of the gospel, which is the testimony about Jesus Christ the Son of God, dealing with sin and sinners through His perfect sinless life, brutal death on the cross, and literal resurrection from the dead. It is utter foolishness to the lost (1 Corinthians 1:18), and magnificently beautiful to those who are being saved. To the unrepentant it is a stumbling block (1 Peter 2:7-8), and an offense (Galatians 5:11). The one who accepts it is accepted by God and likewise, the one who rejects it is rejected by Him (2 Timothy 2:12). Whether written or verbal, preached or taught, the gospel is the vehicle God has chosen to draw people unto salvation (Romans 1:16). The Holy Spirit uses the gospel to shine the light of the beauty, worth, and glory of Jesus Christ upon the eyes of the deceitfully blinded heart (1 Corinthians 4:6). When evangelism in its entirety and fullness takes place, it always gives birth to two distinct results: people are broken and contrite as a result of the holiness and glory of God and their falling short, or they continue in unrepentant sin noticing the glory of God but choosing to deny Him the praise that He alone deserves.

Hey everyone…

I just wanted to remind everyone about Friday night Evangelism. I dont think Andrew or Hilary will be out there tonight, but please feel free to go out. Oklahoma City needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus.

Remember to read 1 Peter chapter 1 before HousechurcH.

Also, Caleb Lyons is at the Edmond art show this weekend. Go out and see his art if you can.

Remember, Girls bible study and guys night on saturday, try to come and hang out if you can.

I love all of you, see you this weekend.