Evangelizing is essential

I believe based off of the scriptures that christians evangelize. Not only in thier private home, but in the world. With strangers and people anywhere especially the people they care most for. I heard this radio station tell people in my community that if they gave money to the station they'd be fufilling thier commission to go out and preach to the nations... That got me upset. I think "Christians" need to get up and go! Theres a dying world. I believe that if a person has not a heart for the dying nations, they have a heart of stone and have not been converted. I think you are lost if you don't preach the gospel. Either that or very naive. If not naive then lost. Our church goes door-to-door (where jw's reign so far... we've got to get them out of our neighborhoods!), to downtown Orlando to open-air preach, to malls, shopping centers, to the UCF campus (where Campus Crusade for Christ gives out free hugs and beer), together as a church on Saturday, pretty much al the time, and our Pastor goes out Almost everyday besides preparing our sermons for about 40hrs/week. I say this because, I don't see anybody else out there! GO THEREFORE!

Also, I'm not Arminian I'm a Calvinist but most importiantly I'M CHRISTIAN. Its sad to say that Arminians over-all probably preach more than Calvinists. Give me a radical Arminian over a dead Calvinist anyday! If you are Christian then you are evangelizing period not just in your lifestyle (which is common sense not to be a hypocrite) but to acutally tell and proclaim the gospel to people. Don't you want to see the nations glorify God's name?!? (Malachi 1:11)

Luke 24
"46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”"

Mark 1:17
"Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”"

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."

Acts 1:8
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

2 Timothy 3:12
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (You don't get persecuted by keeping your mouth shut, sitting in a room and studying greek.)

Letter from an Atheist (to Ray Comfort)

"You are really convinced that you've got all the answers. You've really got yourself tricked into believing that you're 100% right. Well, let me tell you just one thing. Do you consider yourself to be compassionate of other humans? If you're right, as you say you are, and you believe that, then how can you sleep at night? When you speak with me, you are speaking with someone who you believe is walking directly into eternal damnation, into an endless onslaught of horrendous pain which your 'loving' god created, yet you stand by and do nothing. If you believed one bit that thousands every day were falling into an eternal and unchangeable fate, you should be running the streets mad with rage at their blindness. That's equivalent to standing on a street corner and watching every person that passes you walk blindly directly into the path of a bus and die, yet you stand idly by and do nothing. You're just twiddling your thumbs, happy in the knowledge that one day that 'walk' signal will shine your way across the road. Think about it. Imagine the horrors Hell must have in store if the Bible is true. You're just going to allow that to happen and not care about saving anyone but yourself? If you're right then you're an uncaring, unemotional and purely selfish (expletive) that has no right to talk about subjects such as love and caring."

Your comment on giving money to fulfill the great commission made me think about the song by Keith Green--Open Your Eyes:

This generation of believers that you and me are a part of, we are responsible for this generation of souls, all over the world. we're responsible for them. we're responsible to pray daily for the hundreds of ministries around the world, and ask god "how about me not sending my money this time, how about me going?" it's so easy to write checks, it's so easy. but god can't cash out of state checks in heaven. he needs you!

Open your eyes to the world all around you, open your eyes, open your eyes.
This world is much more than the things that surround you.
You must arise, and open your eyes.
Sometimes we're too busy to share, but jesus wants to care, to care.

Open your arms to the naked and shivering, open your arms, open your arms.
We need a little less taking, a whole lot more giving.
We're so safe and warm, we can open our arms.
And love a little bit stronger, and pray a little bit longer, longer.

Jesus says, when we love someone in his name, we're loving him.
Jesus says, when we touch someone in his name, we're touching him.
And we've got to show them the light, we've got to pour out our lives.

Open your hearts to the ones who are desperate, open your hearts, open your hearts.
They may never repay you, but their souls are worth it,
The life you impart when you open your heart.
Jesus loves all men the same,
So we've got to go out in his name.

Jesus says, when we touch someone in his name, we're touching him.
Jesus says, when we love someone in his name, we're loving him.
Jesus says, when we feed someone in his name, we're feeding him.
And jesus says, when we reach someone in his name,
He feels, he says, it's all for him.
It's all for him

Open your eyes to the world all around you, open your eyes, open your eyes.
This world is much more than the things that surround you.
Jesus loves all men the same, so we've got to go out in his name.
Jesus says, jesus says, jesus says, it's him.
Jesus says, when we love someone in his name, we're loving him.

Supporting ministries with money is nice. But, that just doesn't cut the "Go into all the world" does it.

I think you are lost if you don't preach the gospel.

That's a pretty bold statement. One that will find much objection I would suppose. I would say there are a lot of reasons why people don't preach. Certainly, If one is lost or lukewarm, there will be no conviction to preach.

However, I'm not sure that is the main problem of the church. I'd say ignorance is a big killer. American Christianity says if you preach, you must be a Master's prepared pastor. And to preach it must be in a church. Beyond that it must be at a podium set above the "laypeople" who watch captivated in nice rows of pews (or chairs for your progressives) arranged to best see the show. I'd say, this is one of the biggest doctrines of men you can find in the church today. This setup is never mentioned in the bible. Even the lost will say to the street preacher, "Keep it in church will ya?" Many a professing Christian will also heckle and say, "You look like a fool out here and your makin the church look bad!" Well, how many times did Jesus preach according to the modern way? Paul? Peter? Philip? Could you count them on one hand?

After ignorance of the word, I'd say fear is the next big killer. Christians, I included some of the time, find it hard enough to witness one-on-one let alone to droves of people. Perhaps that's why the apostles prayed for boldness? Lord give us boldness! Fear of rejection. Fear of loss of reputation. Fear of suffering. Sometimes just totally imaginary fear.

After this I would say busy-ness. People are just too bent on the cares of this world and riches(as in the parable of the sower). Just chokes that word right out. Perhaps that's why we must seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and be anxious about nothing?

Church doctrine also has a way of stifling the word going out. Doctrines against preaching actually! Doctrines saying we should have a "quiet witness." Doctrines that equate not praying on the street corners--getting that confused with preaching--to be seen by men. Doctrines (like above)--you must be qualified by a license or degree. Doctrines that say we have a better way today than those 2000 years ago. Doctrines that say just send money. Or America is a Christian nation, go to the mission field. And on.....

How about lack of burden or lack of love for the lost?

I have tracts but I find it so hard to preach the gospel even pray at the moment!!!
I have been giving out tracts , I have the courage of a mouse!!! and I feel as dry as a desert!!!

Today the whole concept of Evangelism and Social action is not properly understood. Some believe that Evangelism is the only primary concern of the church. So neglect social action. But some believe that social action is the major responsibility of the church and therefore social action and neglect Evangelism.

A careful study of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ reveals that Evangelism and social action are like two sides of a coin. They are two facets of the Christian faith. The prophetic word of Jesus Christ the Messiah by prophet Isaiah in 61:1-2 and its fulfillment in Luke 4: 14-32 reveals the fact that the social action is a legitimate part of Biblical Gospel

Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry made it very clear to His disciples and to all the hearers that He came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (mark 10:45). In another occasion, Jesus emphasized “ I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:37). Giving His life as ransom is possible only through Christ but was to be the climax of a life of service. There is a deep sense in which we must take up our cross daily and follow the Master. “His cross was the propitiation for sin: our cross in the principle for service”. The in depth study of the life of Christ reminds us that it is highly impossible to separate His works form his words. He touched the leper, washed the feet of His disciples, fed hungry, encouraged the discouraged and proclaimed the kingdom of God.

The Great commission recorded in the Gospel of John has a special emphasis and explains the mission of the church as Christ has commanded that church. John 20:21 state “ As the father sent me, even so I send you” Christ came to serve the society of His time through word and Deed. Christ – the sent one sends His body- the church to follow His footsteps. It is clear that the Great commission gives place for both Evangelism and Social action. This truth is further explained when we understand the Great Commandment Jesus gave to His disciples, the command to “ Love your neighbor as yourself” Mark 12:31. If we truly start loving people as Christ loved us, then we will seek to minister the Gospel of Christ. Thus witnessing becomes an integral part of the Christian life. It is equally true that if we genuinely live our neighbors, we will not stop with evangelism but do best we can for their welfare and upliftment in the society. Because we love our neighbor as God make - Body, Soul and Spirit.

As Apostle Paul reminded about imitating Christ humility (phi. 2-5-8), we must be willing to renounce status and assume the role of a servant. Instead of expecting others to serve us. We ought to take up the towel and serve people in need. All the symbols of the Christian faith – manage, basin and cross – reveals the truth of serving others. John Stott rightly said “ it is in our servant role that we can find the right synthesis of evangelism and social action. For both should be for us, as they undoubtedly were for Christ, authentic expressions of the love that serves”

We must not forget another important aspect of Christian mission that is essential for ours: in order to serve, He was sent in to this world. In the priestly prayer of Jesus Christ, He said, As you send me in to the world, I also have send them in the world”. John 17:18. the history reveals that Christ did not suddenly appear in a desert and started teaching about the kingdom of God. He identified with Himself our humanity and went through the whole gamut of human experience. He identified with our poverty: He was born in a stable. He identified with our toil. He worked at a carpenter’s bench. He identified with our basic human needs; He knew what it was to be hungry, thirsty and tired. He identified with human culture and language. He was born as Jew and spoke Aramaic. He identified with our temptations: he was in every respect. Tempted as we are yet without sin (Heb 4:15) He identified with our suffering, he was called ‘ A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” Isa 53”3 He even tasted our death. He died on the cross. And now Christ who has experienced every thing what we are experiencing today sends us into the world to identify with the culture language, pains, aspirations, sorrow and needs of the people.

Evangelism and Social action are important to Christian Missions. Both are genuinely distinct aspects of the total mission of the church, at the same time both are connected and inseparable. Evangelism is proclaiming the salvation message through Jesus Christ. Building personal relationship with the God Almighty. Social action is the attempt to meet physical needs of human beings. It has to do with taking care of poor, orphans and needy. I believe that they are partners to the wider mission of the church.

Christ is the model for us in doing both as and when the situation arises. During his earthly ministry he has done the same. To the sinners, he offered forgiveness. To the hopeless he gave hope. To the fearful, he offered peace. To the hungry He gave bread. The church needs to follow the same path of Christ. The church needs to understand the priorities right according to the context in which they are. It cannot compromise in the priorities. I personally believe that we are doing a serious injustice to them (those whose physical needs are met) if we don’t tell them about Christ. Life with out Christ meaningless. Serving the people with telling them about the loving and compassionate lord is completely wrong and seems to be an act that shows lack of love towards the people we help.

Yours in His vineyard
Pastor. Yesuratnam

How about lack of burden or lack of love for the lost? (Instead of saying this "I think you are lost if you don't preach the gospel."

I think that a lack of love or burden for the lost will manifest itself in a lack of evangelism. Even if its a new believer... they should be in the process of seeking to be trained properly to evengelize. Also, they should at least be talking to somebody with something... AT LEAST a tract or something. If a Christian doesn't know how to present the gospel what makes them think they understand it themselves. If they don't know how to word the gospel then they should be seeking how, but if they don't understand the gospel at all then they are lost themselves.

Luke 24
"46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”"

Mark 1:17
"Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”"

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."

Acts 1:8
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

2 Timothy 3:12
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (You don't get persecuted by keeping your mouth shut, sitting in a room and studying greek.)

When someone newly gets married what do they do? TELL EVERYONE.

If they don't they are totally weird.

When a Christian becomes born again, they should have the urge to shout it to the roof tops, that their Jesus loves all. :-)

I don't understand why people call themselves Christians and don't even have a heart for the lost enough to try to tell them about Christ. It's Hypocrisy.

I'm not sure it's hypocrisy so much as fear. Besides, it's the Holy Spirit working *through* us that brings new people to Him, so until people have been baptised in the Holy Spirit, they won't have the words anyway.

Further, it's a journey; all believers reach that level of security in their faith in their own time. If they've come from the secular world, it's scary to contemplate how people will react. But we have to pray for them, and encourage them, not call them hypocrites. Once they truly know the love of Jesus, they'll evangelise. Even if it's in "their own way", providing they are talking the words of the Holy Spirit, their words will be powerful. Better that than Christians hammering their own thoughts and (mis)interpretations down peoples' throats because that's what they think they're supposed to do.

Evangelism takes different forms.

I have found with evangelism that it is a long and difficult road.

when I first got called to go out on the streets I had a tremendous fear but I recognised that I had to do it, I still fear and don't look forward to going out.

God told me one time, though, that the reason He sent me out was for me, not for the town, I know they need the Gospel, they do get it from me and others, but I get more out of it than them.

You see to go out and preach, you have to be in a right relationship, that means prayer, fasting and bible study, I spoke to one lad who knew his bible better than i did and he wasn't saved! It also makes you sort your life out. While I'm preaching I often see a neighbour or a parent from school, or a work coleague. This means that I can't just stop preaching and return to 'normal' life I have to be seen as a Christian when I'm mowing the lawn or taking my kids to school or listening to a dirty joke at work.

Yes it's a long hard road because as you start to tell others about Christ, you find yourself asking questions like 'why do I believe that, is it scriptural?'.

I offered a tract to a lady a couple of weeks ago and she declined because it was about God, I asked why and she told me her children had died when she had prayed for them to live, I told her as gently as I could that God wasn't a genie who had to do everything we asked Him to, she told me they had done nothing wrong and as I prayed for an answer to give her, she turned and walked away. Yes now that I have had time to think I could have given her a better answer but in reality it showed me I was not as close to God as I should have been. If I am to interact with real, needy and hurting people, like Jesus hung around with, I must get closer to God. Pray even more, read and study more. Go out more to find where else I am lacking.

I don't beat myself up over the incident, I learn and move on, and pray for her too.

Evangelism I am convinced is at least 50% about gettting us closer to God, getting the Gospel out is a bonus.

By the way, there are some who say we should let the Spirit guide us as to what to say, I agree but that's not an excuise to not study how Jesus and the apostles in Acts did things. I find more so that the Spirit brings to mind things that we have read, or heard, at the right moment.

Jeremiah 20:9
Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.

Luke 24
"46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”"

Mark 1:17
"Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”"

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."

Acts 1:8
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

2 Timothy 3:12
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (You don't get persecuted by keeping your mouth shut, sitting in a room and studying greek.)
______________________________________________

This is why I started this post. People are ignorant of our calling to preach the gospel. This is the scriptures and doctrine section. True believers submit to God's word.

Fear is not enough to shut up a believer.

I think that a lack of love or burden for the lost will manifest itself in a lack of evangelism. Even if its a new believer... they should be in the process of seeking to be trained properly to evengelize. Also, they should at least be talking to somebody with something... AT LEAST a tract or something. If a Christian doesn't know how to present the gospel what makes them think they understand it themselves. If they don't know how to word the gospel then they should be seeking how, but if they don't understand the gospel at all then they are lost themselves.

_______________________________________________

At one time, I was taught that women aren't allowed to be preachers

1 Corinthians 14:34
Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.

1 Corinthians 14:35
And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

1 Timothy 2:11-15
11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

Do you think our understanding of the bible is something intellectual? God *gives* us the knowledge. Biblical scholars can study it for their entire lives and never come to the faith if their understanding of it isn't from God.

If they then proceed to give people their own arbitrary interpretations, they're essentially sending people to hell. Look at the thread about Catholicism - they're not saved, because they have so fundamentally misunderstood the gospel.

No-one should be telling people about Christianity until God has told them what to say; whether it's to their closest or to strangers on the street.

Do you think our words are as true as those of the Holy Spirit?

If people are afraid, we have no right to judge them for that. We can only pray God showers them with His grace and courage. When He deems it their time, they'll start to evangelise. But Christianity has a gestation period - time where someone develops their *own* relationship with Christ, and until they are with Jesus, they won't have the courage, spiritual strength or love to tell people the way things really are.

There are different forms of evangelism. Someone doing it openly in the streets isn't a better Christian than someone who evangelises amongst smaller groups, they're just called to evangelise in a different way. But however someone is called, "God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it..." (Cor 10:13)

The strength comes from God. He doesn't want people facing persecution before they are ready. If someone's faith is too new, too "shallow", being mocked or attacked by people in the streets coulod easily make thm run a mile; if their faith is firmly planted, if it's developed and strengthened, nothing can make them turn away from Christ.

That strengthening takes time and grace. It takes time for us to open ourselves up to the point where we can hear God talk to us. If people think their faith is developed instantly, that's a judgement they themswelves are making, which is both arrogant and unlikely.

And we certainly shouldn't be pressuring people to evangelise before God tells them it's His will for them to do so.

GraceAlone,

I wasn't arguing. I agree mostly with what you are saying. I completely understand that it is perhaps the main duty of a Christian to witness or preach the gospel. All I was trying to convey was the reasons people don't get out. Of which, I do not believe that all would qualify someone as lost. Shaky ground, yes. Even women have a ministry, though like you said, the bible clearly instructs that they are not to be in a teaching or preaching role. And like Jesus said to most of the seven churches.....REPENT! If we are not doing what Jesus commands, he teaches that we really don't love Him. We need to repent of the depths which we have fallen to.

Allhavesinned,

Great insight! The preacher does get alot out of the preaching himself. So many times, something will come out of my mouth and I think, "Lord, that was for ME!" It really makes me walk in reverence and fear, to pray, fast, and get in my word more when I am out. And no, this is not so we will be a gnostic or something [Munchkin ;-)]. We are supposed to study to show ourselves approved! Also, the word as a mirror lets us continually see our sin, unworthiness and total dependence on God. But reading the bible also helps us to "cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God" why because "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" 2 Cor 10:4-6. What are the weapons we have? The Word and prayer. And certainly the Spirit of God. I don't know how many times I've studied the night before preaching only to find out that what I was studying was absolutely what I needed that day.

I think the problem here is a misunderstanding of what I said.

And we certainly shouldn't be pressuring people to evangelise before God tells them it's His will for them to do so.

Do you think our understanding of the bible is something intellectual? God *gives* us the knowledge. Biblical scholars can study it for their entire lives and never come to the faith if their understanding of it isn't from God.

Romans 10:14-15
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?

All I was trying to convey was the reasons people don't get out. Of which, I do not believe that all would qualify someone as lost. Shaky ground, yes.

Well, if somebody does not even try to evangelize (or learn how) I really doubt thier salvation.

You see to go out and preach, you have to be in a right relationship, that means prayer, fasting and bible study

I witnessed to a man sitting next to me on a plane, for the whole 3 hours! What was so amazing was that I had nothing to do with the circumstances: My plane was late, so I missed my connecting flight, the next flight was cancelled and I had a 3 hour layover and the airline upgraded me to first class without my even asking (actually, I was having a lovely time and didn't even care about the delay), then this businessman sat next to me and started chatting with me and he brought the conversation around to children and asked if I had any. I explained that I was going to visit my grown son and his family and at home I had two small boys keeping their daddy busy. When he commented on the difference in ages I explained that my young sons were adopted, that my husband and I were foster parents. Then he asked, "what led you into that?" and I simply told him, "God." He was taken aback a little and confessed to me that he was an atheist. Then he confided that he noticed that that there was something different about me; that I seemed very content and peaceful and assured him that I had not always been like that, that my peace comes from my faith in Jesus Christ and I was able to give him the Good News [i]as he prompted me with the right questions[/i]! Later, I found out there was a man behind me praying for me and I did notice a man sitting a couple of rows up who was very agitated about the whole thing. There wasn't any movie or anything and my neighbor's voice carried all over first class so they all were hearing about Jesus! :-D

My point is, I at that time I hadn't been trained to preach the Good News and I wasn't even thinking about witnessing to anyone, God just did it! This was a divine appointment God made with this man. It had nothing to do with me, [u]everything[/u] to do with GOD!

I think he warmed up to me so quickly and noticed that 'difference' because I had been spending time in prayer, fasting, and the Word. It's like Jesus said in Mark 1:17, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” I think this is the key, because I have tried to orchestrate similar circumstances, and it just doesn't happen. I can tell you that I haven't been called to be a 'street preacher' but I have led others to Christ and I have been leading Gospel Clubs in the public schools and we have seen salvations. Hallelujah! But if I'm not putting in the time in prayer and meditating on His Word, I'm not a prepared vessel He can use. I have to keep reminding myself of this...because being a Mom is 24/7 and I find myself getting entangled unawares in all the daily stuff and missing out with my Father!

We witnessed to one of the workers at work today!! HIs name his spencer we told him that he was going to hell if he did not believe in Jesus , I wish that he would understand!! I do love him alot and wish that he would come to know Christ even thou he is very Anti christ because of his parents

You see to go out and preach, you have to be in a right relationship, that means prayer, fasting and bible study

I do think this is important thou because how on earth are you going to withness if you do not know the bible yourself!!

Jesus does do it at unexpected times!! He has done it with me!!

GraceAlone,

I'm with you now. Yes, if people don't have a burden for others to know Christ then its doubtful they have met him.

SherylAnne,

Great testimony. God is good. It's amazing what God can do when we aren't involved in the details.

Its just soooo sad to see that there are sooo many people who call themselves Christians and they themselves are LOST.

1 Corinthians 9:16
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

I was wondering what people on this website forum have at thier church for evangelism! If there is any... and what kind... and how...

Anybody?

We all at least individually witness. We go to nursing homes and sing to the residents. Since I work in the cancer ward, we will often sing and witness to patients when they are admitted. We have gone to the local jail to preach--that was pretty interesting! Most of the guys go street preaching about twice a week to area cities. I have a full time job and so get out when I can. We also hit big events that are within 3-5 hour drive (i.e., super bowl, world series, notre dame football games (of which we have all but been banned), brickyard and indy 500). In the summer the entire church gets out, entire families, to local parades (holiday and fairs). This is by far my favorite--big turnout and they're there to see you!!! Beyond this 2 men in the fellowship have their vans covered in scripture. Finally, about every month or two we visit a local church or fellowship and encourage and/or challenge them to live godly in Christ Jesus. Have anymore ideas we'd be game!

Thats really great!

Have anymore ideas we'd be game!

malls, shopping centers, colleges, universities... Can't really think of more... You can go door-to-door... We go preaching to the clubbers and partiers on the outskirts of downtown Orlando (open-airing).... our church holds alot of events at the church for baptisms and holidays, it is a way to get people you know to visit considering there is free food and fellowship afterward. We make it a point to talk to the people who visit our church too.

Its good to have a big get together so that the younger believers can be trained to witness themselves mabey once a week!

This is key:

Mark 1:17, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

This is not:

Its good to have a big get together so that the younger believers can be trained to witness themselves maybe once a week!

In my years in the evangelical church I noticed that, for many, evangelism was far more important than following Christ. Of course no one would admit that. We meant well. We just planned all kinds of “evangelistic” things. Really we were leaning on man’s devices, man’s ingenuity to build GOD’S kingdom. And we prayed that God would bless OUR efforts. We were blind to our own hypocrisy.

Nothing has changed. In fact, it’s getting worse, generally speaking. The modern evangelical church has a lot of repenting to do. For several years it has had a very shallow view of salvation, and what it means to be a follower of Christ. It has made a lot of proselytes – followers of the church’s view of salvation more than followers of Christ. These people live by the power of their own flesh, their own cleverness – a form of godliness, but with out the power. We can make Christian-looking people – zealous ones at that, but we can’t make true Christians. We can make hundreds of little "evangelists" out of dead these dead people, but they only spread a dead gospel, thinking they are obeying God, because they were told so by their church leaders.

May God send his fire and purify us – so that the true light will shine through us. And may he begin with me.

When the Spirit is in us and working though us the light will shine. People WILL see it. Let us invest our lives in following Christ. Only then will we have an answer for the faith that is in us – because we KNOW him and hear his voice. Then we will see the absurdity of dispensing formulas for “getting saved’ – to whomever, indiscriminately.

Consider this: Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan was a clever and timely Gospel presentation. Why?

Diane

When the Spirit is in us and working though us the light will shine. People WILL see it. Let us invest our lives in following Christ. Only then will we have an answer for the faith that is in us – because we KNOW him and hear his voice. Then we will see the absurdity of dispensing formulas for “getting saved’ – to whomever, indiscriminately.

I'm not talking about Arminianism I'm talking about obeying the great commision! We don't save anybody by our own strength or "formulas". Yet, we still evangelisze because we know that God will save.

The point I was presenting here is that if a professing Christian isn't evangelising regularly he's probably lost. He's definitly lost if he doesn't evangelize at all.

1 Corinthians 9:16
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

Jeremiah 20:9
Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.

Luke 24
"46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”"

Mark 1:17
"Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”"

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."

Acts 1:8
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

2 Timothy 3:12
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (You don't get persecuted by keeping your mouth shut, sitting in a room and studying Greek.)

The point I was presenting here is that if a professing Christian isn't evangelising regularly he's probably lost.

The main evidence (witness) is a changed life. We will: " ...live godly" And others will see the evidence - or rather, they see Christ in us.

"His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones;"
Jeremiah was under God's restraint - to give the word (the burden) when GOD called him, not when Jeremiah wanted to, or to "get it off our chest". You may enjoy [url=http://www.benisrael.org/prophecy.html]Prophetic Ministries by Art Katz[/url] This is a fascinating read - and helps us understand the problems with modern evangelism.

"... woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
Preaching the gospel is not automatically the same as evangelism. I shudder when I think of all the evangelistic methods I have experienced over the years - that lacked the power and witness of the true gospel, and were more liked forced attempts than energized by the power of God's Spirit.

"you are witnesses of these things"
Exactly. We are witnesses. When you are a witness you testify to your experience of what happened.

Do you see where I am going with this? In a sense I am not disagreeing with the essense of your burden. I am, however, disagreeing with the implication that we should and aught to be "evangelizing" first and formost, when Christ has called us first and foremost to himself.

The Pharisees where zealous evangelists, and you know what God thought about their eforts! They were making their converts twice the son of hell that they were. Why? Because they were making a lot of little legalists - just like they were. They were more concerned about making converts than BEING converts.

It's easy to have evangelistic zeal about anything we strongly believe in, but that doesn't make it right.

I share your burden, just would differentiate between genuine witness and evangelism.

I'm picking up a hosility towards this simple truth.

"... woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
Preaching the gospel is not automatically the same as evangelism. I shudder when I think of all the evangelistic methods I have experienced over the years - that lacked the power and witness of the true gospel, and were more liked forced attempts than energized by the power of God's Spirit.

You’ve got the wrong definition of evangelize. Evangelism is the same as proclaiming the gospel. I pray that you are evangelizing in your life.

G2097
εὐαγγελίζω
euaggelizō
yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo
From G2095 and G32; to announce good news (“evangelize”) especially the gospel: - declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).

Do you see where I am going with this? In a sense I am not disagreeing with the essense of your burden. I am, however, disagreeing with the implication that we should and aught to be "evangelizing" first and formost, when Christ has called us first and foremost to himself.

The Pharisees where zealous evangelists, and you know what God thought about their eforts! They were making their converts twice the son of hell that they were. Why? Because they were making a lot of little legalists - just like they were. They were more concerned about making converts than BEING converts.

It's easy to have evangelistic zeal about anything we strongly believe in, but that doesn't make it right.

G2097
εὐαγγελίζω
euaggelizō
yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo
From G2095 and G32; to announce good news (“evangelize”) especially the gospel: - declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).

1 Corinthians 9:16
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

WOE to you if you don't preach the gospel.

Romans 10
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!”

i'm sensing a lot of zeal without knowledge.
strange fire, and NOT Holy Spirit fire.

I don't define myself by what my church offers, does, or says. I define myself by Christ and His standard for my life. I mean, sure, I attend the same church week after week and I refer to it as my home church, but I don't refer to it as part of my beliefs. I'd rather not live by the standards set forth by man... call me crazy if you will.

I don't get it. It was a simple question. All I was asking was what you guys did to evangelize. If you don't believe what your church teaches then why are you there? Also, what was your point?

Again, I'm saying that if you don't evangelize you're probably lost. That my friend is a standard set by God not man.

G2097
εὐαγγελίζω
euaggelizō
yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo
From G2095 and G32; to announce good news (“evangelize”) especially the gospel: - declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).

1 Corinthians 9:16
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

WOE to you if you don't preach the gospel.

Romans 10
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!”

What I meant in my last post was that all of the things we do don't have to be organized by the church. Outreach isn't a one day thing; it should be a lifestyle. If it's our lifestyle and we're relying on the church to set things up for us, we're going to regret it 'cause the church isn't what should be running our lives. That's for Christ to do.

I agree that our lifestyle needs to be a witness for Christ! I just want to add that those who do not spread the good news (preach the gospel) scatter abroad the souls to whom the gospel should have been preached.

Matthew 12:30
He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

Either you evangelize, or you're against Him.

I agree that all the outreaches should not have to all be organized by the church. At our church mostly the Christians get things organized for evangelism and the church sends supervision. STill, our church organizes our Saturday mornings for training. I don't know about you but going out with my church is the biggest breathe of fresh air! I learn from my brother's and sister's evangelism. We help each other. The church shouldn't be running our lives, but if the church is in-line with Christ's will and clear teachings then we should obey! We shouldn't rely on the church to set things up for us, but we should be thankful when they do. The church should be more-so relying on its Christians for outreach ideas. Your churches support is edifying as well as its help and training!

I really love my Pastor and my brothers and sisters at my church! They have a great heart for the lost and they evangelize with me all the time there! I thank God for providing me with healthy doctrine and a wonderful church home.

Is there anybody who does not agree that Christians must be evangelizing (proclaiming the gospel)?

And if they are not they are lost?

What about the elderly? There are plenty of older people that can't even feed themselves much less preach the gospel.

This is where the line draws- your heart. Do you want to reach the lost? Do you try to help the lost? I'm not going to say that this man is saved or lost because God knows his heart. We always need self-examination.

I'm not going to go condemning everyone that doesn't evangelize. Really we're not in a place to decide who goes to heaven and who goes to hell.

G2097
εὐαγγελίζω
euaggelizō
yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo
From G2095 and G32; to announce good news (“evangelize”) especially the gospel: - declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).

1 Corinthians 9:16
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

WOE to you if you don't preach the gospel.

Romans 10
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!”

1 Corinthians 9:16
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

Jeremiah 20:9
Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.

Luke 24
"46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”"

Mark 1:17
"Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”"

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."

Acts 1:8
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”"

2 Timothy 3:12
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (You don't get persecuted by keeping your mouth shut, sitting in a room and studying Greek.)

Isaiah 62:10
Go through, Go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; Build up, Build up the highway! Take out the stones, Lift up a banner for the peoples!

"I'm not deciding who goes to heaven- I'm trusting the word of God." RESPONSE: If you're not deciding who goes to heaven, then why exactly do you feel like you need to discuss these things?

Why I see the need to discuss these things is because SO many professing christians are lost.

I've evangelized to her before, but I stopped when the Lord told me to stop and let the light shine instead.

What I'm saying is that if you never told her the gospel or tried to, and you don't even have a burden for those who are so close to you- How can you yourself be saved?

Okay, so what happens when people are paralyzed? Are they lost just because they can't physically evangelize?

You're not condemning anybody? Then why does it sound like you're condemning me as though I don't believe Christ's Word? Just because I don't believe that the physical action of evangelizing is as important as the heart condition?

I'm just going to leave it at this: Evangelism takes many forms. Letting your light shine happens to be one of them.

You might want to reexamine yourself before posting again, 'cause you've definitely made a hypocrite out of yourself.

Its so sad to see people get offended at the word when it says that Christians evangelize.

Hear my Pastor on evangelism [url=http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=610615823]HERE.[/url]

You might want to reexamine yourself before posting again, 'cause you've definitely made a hypocrite out of yourself.

In what way have I been a hypocrite? Judge in righteousness. All I've BEEN saying is that if you are able and are not evangelizing you're probably lost BECAUSE scripture says so.

"I will preach the Gospel, and if necessary, I'll use words."

1 cor 9:6
For though I preach . . . I have nothing to glory of. He preached because he was Christ's servant. He was therefore under necessity, as a servant. Nay, "woe was upon him" if he obeyed not. In this, then, he had no right to boast. But if he refused a support from the churches when he had liberty to receive it, that might make a ground of boasting.

I think we agree more than we see. (Thanks Joy) I hope you see that the scriptures are what I'm quoting not my own ideas. We need to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5) and if the bible teaches what I'm saying then we all need to submit to scripture. I hope you see that all I'm saying is that the bible says that Christians do evangelize. Not that everybody is a street preacher but that we are spreading the gospel as much as possible in accord with our opportunity. I wrote this with the intent of seeing if anybody didn't do these things and if I could help.

I will preach the gospel with my light and my words, and if I have to I'll only use my light.

We are to be wise in evangelism (Matthew 10:16). I just hope the people on this site are not just sayers. I hope you understand my intents...

We have to be careful not to get it backward.

Don't start evangelizing to win Christ, go to Christ to get the passion for evangelism.

Gracealone,

So thankful to see your heart towards Christ, may God increase you with much joy and love and knowledge moment by moment.

Never you mind who says what and how, none of us is perfect, none of us knows all, as we were told herein

[color=0000CC]1 Corinthians 13:8-10

8[b]Charity never fails:[/b] but whether there be prophecies, [b]they shall [i]fail;[/i] [/b]whether there be tongues, [b]they shall [i]cease;[/i][/b] whether there be knowledge, it shall [b][i]vanish away.[/i][/b]

[b] 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. [/b]

10But when that which is perfect is come,[b] then [/b]that which is in part shall be done away.[/color]

yeah, charity in Christ, through Christ, by Christ, because of Christ.. towards lost souls is pleasing to Him, I'm almost sure (edited)

Praise God for your charity and stamina throughout these posts. I appreciate them a great deal.

bartle wrote:
"I will preach the Gospel, and if necessary, I'll use words."

I pray you understand my meaning.

neil

This I believe is attributes to St Francis of Assisi who used to baptise animals for some reason. The word 'preach' is, as I am lead to believe, a word which means litterally 'cup your hands round your mouth and shout'.

Of course our actions are to be a witness too, the way we speak to others, the way we drive our car and do our job, but Jesus' command to go into all the world and PREACH the Gospel means we MUST tell peolpe, not just friends and family but those around us.

I agree that if we are not doing that then we must question weather or not we are saved.

We are not all street preachers or evangelists in the sense of it being a direct calling, but we all have to tell others of the hope within us.

I thought I would drop a line, if you are not great at talking to people... Don't underestimate passing tracts, putting them on cars, planting them, etc.

Living Waters reported that 53% of new believers said they were led to Christ by Gospel literature.

Thats awesome! 53% of new believers? wow.