The Motivations Behind Evangelism

We love to talk about the weather or sports or our kids or about politics.

TODAY IS SUPER BOWL SUNDAY - How many people do you think will be talking about the game today, tomorrow and into the week?

But when it comes to talking about our faith, many of us cower like chickens running away from the Colonel. If we know Jesus, we have GOOD NEWS! It’s like a life ring thrown to the person drowning or a fire alarm to rouse the sleeping from a burning building!

Basic Definition of Evangelism

“To evangelize” is to proclaim the good news of the victory of God’s salvation. “Evangelism” is the noun denoting that activity. This biblical concept is expressed through a Hebrew verb (bāśar) and a Greek verb and noun (euangelizō and euangelion). Euangelion is normally translated “gospel,” denoting the content of the good news. But it can also be a noun of action, describing the activity of telling that news (e.g., 1 Cor. 9:14; 2 Cor. 2:12; Phil. 1:5).

1 Corinthians 9:14 NKJV

14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Evangelism

The proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ, which arises naturally from believers’ love for God and appreciation of all that God has done for them. The NT stresses the importance of evangelism, and provides guidance as to how it should be carried out.

The Motivations behind Evangelism

Evangelism arises from a natural response to the grace of God, a concern for those who have yet to hear the good news and a desire to be faithful to the great commission to bring the good news to the ends of the earth. Evangelism is guided and directed by the Holy Spirit.

Motives for evangelism

Recognizing God’s call

2 Timothy 1:11 NKJV

11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Isaiah 6:8 NKJV

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

However not everyone who is called to go response to His call with open hearts and minds eager and ready to go…take Jonah for example.

Jonah 1:2 NKJV

2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.”

1 Timothy 2:7 NKJV

7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

A divine compulsion - A burning within to share the gospel.

Jeremiah 20:9 NKJV

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.

Acts 4:18–20 NKJV

18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

A God-given responsibility

Ezekiel 3:17–19 NKJV

17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: 18 When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

A desire to win the lost

Romans 10:1 NKJV

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

Romans 9:1–3 NKJV

1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

A recognition of coming judgment

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Confidence in the gospel

Romans 1:16–17 NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

1 Corinthians 1:17–18 NKJV

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 NKJV

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Conclusion

2 Timothy 1:8–9 NKJV

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,