Evangelism

What are some perceptions of evangelism we have as we begin?

Jesus

Evangelism begins and ends with Jesus. I don’t mean that Jesus is the only one who evangelizes, and now we don’t need to do it. But evangelism is one aspect of Jesus’ commandment to make disciples of all nations. The commandment began long before Jesus walked the earth. Israel was God’s chosen instrument to teach the nations to worship the One True and Living God. But Jesus filled out our understanding of this mission, He commanded it to His disciples, He empowers it,

Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

it is about Him, and it will end with the revelation of Jesus Christ at the end of the age.

εὐαγγελίζω, ευαγγελιον

“Proclaim the good news”, “good news”

What is the good news?

Mark 1:14–15 (ESV)

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Connected to kingdom. Who is in charge?

Gospel of Rome vs. Gospel of God

“The time is fulfilled” - kairos – an appointed moment in time. 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

God has a time for everything. He keeps His appointments. Things He did centuries earlier were put in place to accomplish His plan today. Like a parent that gives their child time for a certain activity, then says, you’re time is up, time to move on to something else, there was sufficient time for humanity to fill up their waywardness and rejection of God. He has accomplished everything necessary for Messiah to come. Are you in tune with what God is doing? Do you know what time it is? What is our time?

“The Kingdom of God” – basileia – kingdom = royal dominion, reign, authority

“The Kingdom of God is…the realization of God’s will and the enjoyment of the accompanying blessings.” George Eldon Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom

What is the gospel, the good news, of the kingdom of God? God reigns!

The implications when the LORD reigns are that there will be justice, peace, prosperity, security, and joy.

Scan Mark 1:14-45, what was the demonstration of the truth that the kingdom of God has come near? Disciples are called and follow Jesus, demons are cast out, many sick people are healed and lepers cleansed

Mark 1:32–34 (ESV)

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

“Repent” – metanoia – change direction through a change of heart and mind, reorientation.

We might think of repentance as a change in behavior, “stop doing bad things”. But the word has more to do with your understanding, perceptions, and thought patterns. We underestimate the ways the world system has crept into our thinking. (Matt 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”) What is the center of my life: Self or God? Repent means to adopt a new way of life oriented around a new person.

What is evidence that someone has repented, and reoriented their life to God? They don’t just walk away from their old life but begin to walk toward the kingdom of God in their thinking, affections, actions, and beliefs.

Ken Boa, “Desire for God requires a fundamental reorientation – away from narcissistic enslavement to earthly desires, acquisitions, and ambitions and toward an others-centered pursuit of God and love for people.”

The disciples become the example of people who are entering this kingdom, Mark 1:16-20. They left their way of life as fishermen, and followed Jesus. This leads to our last phrase, “believe”.

“Believe in the gospel” – pisteuo – trust. Our modern definition of belief leaves a lot out. There is a difference between belief as agreeing with a concept and trust, which is a commitment of the whole person.

What does it mean to believe in the gospel? The gospel is a proclamation of truth. We entrust ourselves and reorient our lives to truth that God reigns, and Jesus is Lord and Messiah. Our thinking changes, our language changes, our behavior and our attitudes change. Following Jesus becomes a way of life.

Incarnation, Demonstration, Proclamation

John 1:14 (ESV)

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Incarnation - residing among people

Who are the people among whom we reside here and now?

Demonstration - grace

What are ways we can demonstrate the grace of Jesus in our place and time, among the people of our city?

Proclamation - truth

What is the good news of the kingdom for our community?