Faithful Saints

Evangelism

Evangelism is the proclamation of the “evangel” or gospel.

Though some are specially gifted for evangelism (Eph. 4:11), all Christians must be evangelistic. (1 Pet 3:15; Col 4:5-6)

1 Pet 3:15 “15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

Col 4:5-6 “5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Evangelism may take on diverse forms, but must include gospel proclamation to be called evangelism.

Personal Evangelism

Small group evangelism

Evangelistic preaching

Event evangelism

What isn’t evangelism? (Dever –The Gospel and Personal Evangelism)

Imposition

The gospel is a fact that we proclaim.

We should not and in fact cannot impose it on someone.

Personal testimony

Testimony can be a great component of evangelism.

Evangelism is necessarily a call to respond not just communication of information.

Social action and public involvement

Such activities may commend the gospel but they are not the gospel

Evangelism is a call to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There are good things that we should do which are not evangelism. But we must also evangelize.

Apologetics

Evangelism isn’t an argument it’s an invitation.

A compelling case is a component of evangelism, but cannot replace the call to Christ.

The results of evangelism

Conversion is a work of the Spirit and is ultimately not up to the evangelist

Generosity

The Old Testament tithe does not have a direct parallel with New Testament giving

Tithing is an aspect of the sacrificial system which finds its fulfillment in Christ

The recipient of NT giving is dramatically different from the OT Levites and priests

Tithing is never commanded in the New Testament

The universal principle of generosity is still in effect

Pro 3:9 “9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;”

The temptation not to give will be strong

1 Tim 6:10 “10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Christ is our model for giving (2 Cor 8:9)

2 Cor 8:9 “9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

Characteristics of New Testament giving (Kostenberger, Reconstructing a Biblical Model for Giving: A Discussion of Relevant Systematic Issues and New Testament Principles)

Regular (1 Cor 16:1-2)

1 Cor 16:1-2 “1 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”

Proportional (1 Cor 16:2)

1 Cor 16:2 “2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”

Cheerful (2 Cor. 9:7)

2 Cor 9:7 “7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Voluntary and sacrificial (2 Cor 8:2-3)

2 Cor 8:2-3 “2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,”

Reasonable (2 Cor 8:13)

2 Cor 8:13 “13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.”

Purposes for Giving

Benevolence (1 Cor 16:1-4)

1 Cor 16:1-4 “1 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.”

Paying gospel ministers (1 Cor 9:13-15; 1 Tim 5:17; Ga 6:5-6)

1 Cor 9:13-15 “13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.”

1 Tim 5:17 “17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”

Ga 6:5-6 “5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.”

Supporting the advance of the gospel (Phil 4:15-17)

Phil 4:15-17 “15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.”

Service

Spiritual gifts are given to individuals for the benefit of the church (1 Cor 12:7; 1 Pet 4:10)

1 Cor 12:7 “7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

1 Pet 4:10 “10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

The church has been given a variety of gifts. (Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12)

Rom 12:3-8 “3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

The gift lists in the New Testament are not identical and therefore not exhaustive.

The place to discover your gifts is in the context of the local church

One Another Ministry