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Ten Reasons to Evangelize

Evangelizing means winning people to Christ, proclaiming the good news to them.

1. "For God so loved the world..." (John 3:16)

We profess to be children of God. Therefore, should we not take on the characteristics of our heavenly Father? His love was so great that He gave His Son to save the world. Should not our love be equally great to tell the world about it?

2."Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15)

Jesus gave this commandment to those who are not yet urged on by the love of God alone, do not forget that some can only be reached by you!

3."For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10)

The only reason for Christ's coming into this world was for the salvation of men, even though it meant death on a cross. Should we not follow the example of our Lord?

4. "Knowing therefore that the Lord is to be feared, we seek to win men ... love urges us ... so now we ask in Christ's stead: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:11-20)

Paul, who wrote these words, knew God and knew the great need of the people. It was of concern to him. Shouldn't we likewise be committed to seeing people (friends, relatives, co-workers at work, teenagers, children) still passing through from "death to life"

?

5."Create in me God, a clean heart - I will teach the transgressors your ways" (Psalm 51:12,15).

During a certain time David could not teach others. Why? He had sinned and was no longer living in fellowship with God. He knew full well, "I would be a hypocrite if I still tried to teach others." However, after he brought his transgressions to light (repented) and returned to God, he was able to do so anew.

6."The cowardly and unbelieving ..., their part shall be in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Revelation 21:8).

The Word of God speaks clearly, only we have such a hard time understanding it. If we really took verses like this seriously, we would care more about the future of the lost.

7."Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word" (Acts 8:4).

In verse 1 we see that the apostles remained in Jerusalem while the "ordinary" Christians of the early church scattered. They did not all become preachers by a long shot. Yes, the Greek does not have the word normally rendered "preach" in this passage, but a word that simply means, "to spread the good news of salvation." "They were evidently ordinary Christians, scattered by persecution, and sharing the good news that the Messiah had come with their fellow men everywhere. They probably preached it even in the synagogues, where every Jew had a right to say something. Their hearts were filled. "Whose heart is full, his mouth overflows". Wouldn't that lifestyle be appropriate for you and me?

8. "Behold, I am unto you always ..." (Matthew 28:20).

Many Christians trust completely in the presence of God. Very few, however, seem to realize that the "Behold" is preceded by the "Go ye." "Go ye into all the world, and behold, I am with you always." The promise of Christ's presence is clearly for those who fulfill the first part of the commandment. We can fully lean on the presence of our Lord as we take the Good News (= Gospel) out into the world.

9. "You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit ... and shall be my witnesses ..." (Acts 1:8).

For what purpose are we to receive this power? To be more effective witnesses! Witnesses do not argue, they merely relate what they have experienced. the same power God still gives today for the same purpose. Every Christian can experience being filled with the Holy Spirit in order to be equipped for their task as a witness. God's presence and power is for those who witness. These mega promises should greatly encourage us.

10."Follow me; I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19) We should heed this call of our Lord. He has promised to make us fishers of men. Now it is up to us to follow Him.

How effective is your team?

If we look across the Bible, it was always individual leaders who became key players in carrying out God's commission. Many of these leaders worked together in teams. Effective and persistent evangelism is always a team effort. Jesus chose twelve disciples and sent them out in pairs (Mark 6:7: Jesus called his twelve disciples to him. Two by two they were to go throughout the whole country on his behalf) Later he sent out 72 others and sent them in pairs to all the cities and towns where he himself was going (Luke 10:1). Jesus himself relies on teamwork and usually sends his disciples out in pairs.

How to win your team for this great commission

"What you want to ignite in others must burn in you." That's the prerequisite for anything to happen at all in your work. If you, as a key leader, don't let Jesus ignite you over and over again, all that follows will be for naught. But if that is the case, you must do everything you can to ensure that your team also catches fire for this great commission. How can this happen? What can you do to help as a key leader?

Set clear goals J

esus had crystal clear intentions for his coming. He had clear goals. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10

"My purpose is to call sinners into fellowship with God, not those who already know God." Luke 5:32

Continue to talk about the commission (Luke 15).

Evangelism must become your spearhead anew!

Pray for this

"But I also tell you this: If two of you here on earth will ask my Father for anything, and agree in this, he will give it to them." Matthew 18:19 " and they call to me, then I will hear their prayer in heaven. If these people who bear my name repent of their sin, turn from their wrong ways, and ask for me, then I will forgive them and make their land fruitful again." 2. Chronicles 7:14

Be careful to love one another.

"You are to love one another as I have loved you. By your love for one another the world will know that you are my disciples." John 13:34,35

Maintain good team hygiene

"If your brother has wronged you, go to him and tell him what he has done wrong. If he hears you, you have won your brother back. If he does not want to hear about it, take one or two others with you, and try again together to make him see reason." Matthew 18:15,16

Approach conflict in a healthy way

• Make the first move
• Prepare for the conversation in prayer
• Think carefully about what your problem is
• Seek out the conversation in private
• Confirm the relationship
• Describe the problem, but don't accuse
• Look for a solution together
• Reaffirm the relationship

Literature

Bill Hybels, Don't Convert - Live. How being a Christian becomes contagious

Mark Mittelberg: How to make your church contagious

Ron Smith: How to tell the world

Rick Warren: Church with Vision

Rick Warren: Living with Vision. What on earth am I living for?

Source credits:

Author: Reto Pelli

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