Evangelizing (Teaching) the Lost

 

The Work of the Church, Part 1

 

Introduction

In these next three articles, we’ll look at the actual work of the church. There are a lot of people out there who believe that the church should be doing so much more that what listed in scripture but if we don’t have authority to do it, then we shouldn’t. As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:6, Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

One of the most dangerous things that a Christian can do is to perform duties, on behalf of the church, and state that just because the bible didn’t say, “not to”, it’s acceptable. It is not acceptable because that would open the gates to any number of activities people could claim are acceptable.

 

Evangelism

What is evangelism? The definition, in the 1913 Webster’s dictionary, is The Preaching or promulgation of the gospel. It means an open declaration of the gospel. When someone hears the word preaching, they immediately think of the man on stage, behind a pulpit, preaching a sermon. While that is correct, you can look at it as teaching too. You’re helping someone to make sense of what is being taught. Just like Philip when he encountered the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:30-31, So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. From there until the end of the chapter, the two of them discuss what was being said and, one the eunuch understood he asked to be baptized.

 

GO!

In Matthew 28:19 Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” What Jesus meant was, you can’t expect people to come to you to hear the gospel. You have to go out into the world and take it to them. People just assume that because there are churches that are opened, those looking for the gospel will automatically show up. The problem with that is that there are so many churches and organizations claiming to be the true church that no one is sure. They don’t want to take the time to go to all of them to find what is needed. That’s why we need to go to them. As in the example above, Philip ran after the Ethiopian Eunuch. He didn’t wait for the eunuch to ask as he may not have known who to ask or where to go to get the answers needed. That’s why we need to GO and share the gospel with others. Here are a few ways you can take the gospel to others.

Tracts or Bible Articles

One quick and easy way to get the gospel into someone’s hands is to hand out tracts or bible articles. A tract is like a mini-sermon focusing on a certain subject; gambling, alcohol, fornication, suicide, etc. A bible article, what you’re reading right now, will cover other subjects as well. Don’t just hand them out like a flyer. Explain what it is and what it’s about. If you have time, talk about the subject a little. Make sure you provide a contact name and number on the tract or article. This way if they have any questions or comments, they can get in touch with you or one of the brethren.

Bible Study

Another idea is that offer to study the bible with someone. This can be difficult in a fast-paced world. Most people don’t have, or claim to not have, time to sit down to for a study. A lot of times bible studies should be a follow-up to handing out tracts. This way, you can go over the subject from the tract and actually open up the bible and look at the passages sited and others that cover the same subject.

When getting together with someone, using a neutral area like a restaurant, coffee shop, or park. Choosing someone’s home, especially for a first study can be off putting for some. Strangers in their home or going to a stranger’s home. Once you develop a connection, then you can suggest someone’s home. If possible, get a small group together; from both sides to make things more comfortable.

The Worship

Inviting someone to attend worship with you is also a way to evangelize. Again, this could be the follow-up to both tract and bible study. Coming to worship with you allows them to see the whole service in action. It also allows fellow Christians to “back you up” when talking about a subject; especially one you lack knowledge in.

The Need to be Baptized

This is the final step in evangelism. Get a person to understand that they are in sin and, to become a part of the church and go to heaven, they need their sins washed away. All too often people believe that saying a prayer, known as The Sinner’s Prayer, is enough to make them a Christian. If that is true, where does the bible teach that? In the Book of Acts, all conversions that took place mentions baptism as one of the elements of becoming a Christian. Jesus, Himself, said in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

 

Conclusion

In Luke 19:10 Jesus said, "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." If Jesus came to seek the lost, then we need to do the same thing. Don’t wait for someone to come to you; even if they know you are a Christian. Take the gospel to them and help save a soul.