Fulfilling Our Mission to Evangelize
Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:19-20
Introduction:
The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28, is not a suggestion but a command. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing the good news of salvation with a lost and dying world. Today, we will explore how we can fulfill this mission, understanding the urgency of our task and the power of the gospel.
I. The Urgency of Our Mission: A World in Need
A. Every Unsaved Person is Lost in Sin (Romans 3:23):
• "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
• We must recognize the universal condition of humanity, separated from God by sin.
B. The Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation (Romans 1:16):
• "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
• The gospel is not merely information; it is the very power of God that transforms lives.
C. Christians are the Messengers (2 Timothy 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14):
• "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:2)
• We are entrusted with the responsibility of carrying the gospel message to others.
II. Understanding the Value of a Soul: The Foundation of Our Motivation
A. The Outward Man is Not Worth Much:
• We must prioritize eternal values over temporal ones.
B. The Soul is Worth More than the World (Matthew 16:25-26):
• "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"
• The soul's eternal value outweighs any earthly possession.
C. The Soul is of Divine Origin (Hebrews 12:9):
• "Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!"
• Our souls are created by God, making them infinitely precious.
D. God's Sacrifice for Our Salvation (John 3:16):
• "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
• The immeasurable sacrifice of Christ demonstrates the immense value God places on our souls.
III. The Example of the First-Century Christians: A Model for Our Ministry
A. Daily Teaching (Acts 5:42; 20:20):
• "Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah." (Acts 5:42)
• They were persistent and consistent in their evangelism.
B. Preaching Everywhere (Acts 4:8):
• They seized every opportunity to share the gospel.
C. Teaching Those in Error (Acts 18:24-26):
• They patiently corrected those who were mistaken in their understanding of the gospel.
D. Teaching Individuals (Acts 8:35-39):
• They recognized the importance of personal evangelism, like Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch.
E. The Gospel Reaching the World (Colossians 1:23):
• "This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant."
• They had a global vision, striving to reach every person with the gospel.
IV. Opportunities for Us to Teach: Practical Steps for Evangelism
A. Individual Evangelism (Acts 8:35-39):
• Share the gospel in personal conversations.
B. Inviting Sinners into Our Homes (Matthew 9:9-13; Acts 10:24):
• Create welcoming environments for gospel study.
C. Teaching Those in Error (Acts 18:24-26):
• Correct false teachings with gentleness and respect.
D. Teaching Family, Friends, Neighbors, and Co-Workers (Acts 8:35-39):
• Begin with those closest to us.
E. Being an Example to Unbelievers (Colossians 4:5-6):
• "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
• Live lives that reflect the gospel, attracting others to Christ.
V. What We Need to Know: Essential Qualities for Effective Evangelism
A. Knowledge of the Scriptures (Hebrews 5:12-14):
• We must be well-versed in God's Word.
B. Godly Lives (Titus 2:11-12):
• "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age."
• Our lives must be a living testimony to the gospel.
C. Zeal (Acts 20:31):
• "So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears."
• We must be passionate and persistent in our evangelism.
D. Love for Lost Souls (Ephesians 5:1-2; John 3:16):
• We must be motivated by genuine love and compassion for those who are lost.
E. Love and Kindness (Matthew 10:16):
• "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."
• We must approach others with gentleness and wisdom.
- Preaching on Grumble: James 5:9 and the Power of Words
- Preaching on Saying No to a Crazy Life
- Preaching on Complacency: The Silent Thief of Spiritual Vigilance
Conclusion:
Let us embrace our calling to evangelize. Let us recognize the urgency of our mission, the value of every soul, and the power of the gospel. Let us follow the example of the first-century Christians, seizing every opportunity to share the good news of salvation. Let us equip ourselves with knowledge, live godly lives, and approach others with love and kindness. Let us determine to do all we can to reach out to others with the gospel of salvation, knowing that our labor is not in vain. Amen.
