Love & Evangelism

FBC Baxley

February 23, 2025

John 3:16-21

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 

20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 

21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

-Pray

Introduction

There are many powerful historical examples where Christian love radically influenced society, breaking barriers, transforming cultures, and leading people to faith.

1. The Early Church and Care for the Sick (Plague of Cyprian & Plague of Justinian)

During the Plague of Cyprian (250–270 AD) and the Plague of Justinian (541–549 AD), 

Roman society largely abandoned the sick, leaving them to die. 

However, Christians responded with compassion, nursing the sick and dying—often at the cost of their own lives.

Dionysius, a 3rd-century bishop, wrote:

“Most of our brother Christians showed unbounded love and loyalty, never sparing themselves and thinking only of one another. Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ…”

Rodney Stark (sociologist) noted that this radical love and service led many Romans to convert to Christianity, seeing it as a faith that truly cared for human life.

🔹 Impact: The Christian response to these plagues grew the church exponentially, as people saw love in action—compassionate, sacrificial, and Christlike.

2. The Abolition of Slavery (William Wilberforce & the Clapham Sect)

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, William Wilberforce, a devout Christian and member of the Clapham Sect, led the fight against the British slave trade.

Motivated by his faith, Wilberforce declared, "God Almighty has set before me two great objects: the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners."

Despite fierce opposition, he spent 46 years fighting for abolition.

The Slave Trade Act of 1807 and the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 were direct results of Christian-led efforts.

🔹 Impact: Christian love fueled one of the greatest social justice victories in history, proving that faith could transform law and society.

3. The Civil Rights Movement (Martin Luther King Jr. & Nonviolent Love)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, led the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s-60s, rooted in Christ’s command to love and seek justice.

Inspired by Matthew 5:44 ("Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you") and Micah 6:8 ("Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God"), MLK embraced nonviolent resistance.

He preached, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Christian churches provided safe havens, financial support, and spiritual strength for the movement.

🔹 Impact: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 were influenced by Christian activism, demonstrating the power of love-driven social change.

4. Christian Missions & Education (William Carey & Amy Carmichael in India)

Many missionaries transformed societies by establishing schools, hospitals, and fighting for human dignity.

William Carey (1761-1834) – Fought against sati (the practice of burning widows alive in India) and helped outlaw it in 1829.

Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) – Rescued thousands of temple prostitutes in India, providing them with homes and education, saying, "You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving."

🔹 Impact: Christian missions spread literacy, healthcare, and human rights, showing the practical impact of Christlike love.

Final Thought: 

Christian Love Changes the World

From caring for the sick in ancient Rome to fighting injustice in modern society, Christian love has been a force for transformation. 

When believers live out the love of Christ, society cannot ignore it.

***

Love is one of the most powerful evangelistic tools because it reflects the heart of Christ in a way that words alone cannot. 

Three key ways that love serves as a means of evangelism.

1. Love Breaks Barriers

One of the greatest obstacles to the gospel is division—whether racial, social, political, or cultural. 

Genuine Christian love crosses these boundaries and speaks to the heart.

Jesus' Example – In John 4, Jesus engaged with the Samaritan woman, breaking cultural and gender norms. 

His love and compassion led her to believe, and she became a witness to her entire village.

The Early Church – 

In Acts 2:42-47, the believers' radical love—sharing possessions, meeting needs, and worshiping together—drew many to faith, and “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (v. 47).

🔹 Application: 

When we love beyond barriers, people take notice. 

A simple act of kindness—reaching out to someone different from us, helping a neighbor, or standing for justice—can soften hearts to the gospel.

2. Love Demonstrates the Gospel

People are more likely to believe the message of Christ when they see the love of Christ lived out.

1 John 3:18 – "Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Romans 5:8 – "God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

The gospel is the ultimate love story—God sacrificially giving His Son for undeserving sinners. 

When Christians show selfless, sacrificial love, they make the gospel tangible to unbelievers.

🔹 Application: 

Love evangelizes when it is practical—feeding the hungry, helping the needy, comforting the brokenhearted. Mission work, disaster relief, and everyday generosity make Christ visible.

3. Love Creates Curiosity

Jesus said in John 13:35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

The world expects division, selfishness, and hate, but when people see Christians forgiving, serving, and loving unconditionally, it makes them ask, "Why?"

Tertullian (Early Church Father) recorded that pagans marveled at Christians, saying, "See how they love one another!" 

This love led many to faith.

🔹 Application:

Love your enemies (Luke 6:27-28) – Forgiving those who hurt us is a radical testimony of God’s grace.

Love within the church (Acts 4:32-35) – A united, loving church family attracts people to Christ.

Love with consistency – Consistent, Christlike love in your workplace, home, and community plants seeds of faith in others.

Final Thought: 

Love Opens Hearts to the Gospel

Love isn’t just a part of evangelism; it is evangelism. Before people listen to a sermon, they watch our lives. 

Before they open a Bible, they read our actions. 

When we love like Jesus—selflessly, sacrificially, and unconditionally—we create opportunities for people to encounter Him.

-Pray

-Invitation