By: Pastor Joe Moore, Graduate Student, Liberty University Theological Seminary
Introduction
In Matthew’s Gospel, as Jesus went about preaching, teaching, and healing, He saw a great multitude of people lost as sheep with no shepherd. In response to that need, He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”[1] That brings up the question, “What were these laborers to do?” Jesus answered that question with a command given in Mark 16:15 to, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”[2]
The word “gospel” is taken from the Greek word euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον), meaning “good news,” and its verb euangelizō (εὐαγγελίζω), translated “proclaiming the good news.”[3] Simply put, this is the act of sharing who Jesus is, what He has done, and how people can respond through faith and repentance and follow Him. This principle of proclaiming the “good news” is applicable to all churches, whether in a metropolitan or rural settings. In fact, Coetzee, et. al. (2023) stated evangelism is “the heart and center of the churches’ mission.”[4] Accomplishing this mission of evangelism requires practical preparation, perseverance amid obstacles, proficient presentation, and purposeful post-evangelism partnerships that promotes making disciples.
Practical Preparation
According to Vine, Unger, and White (1996), the Greek word for preparation is hetoimasia (ἑτοιμασία) meaning, “the state of being prepared or the act of preparing.”[5] Paul gives an example of this in Ephesians 6:15 by stating that we are to have our “. . . feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”[6] Peter states that we are to “. . . be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”[7] Being prepared means to be ready and equipped – mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
One way of being prepared is to remember to keep the message simple and focused. When sharing the gospel message, it is vital to stay on subject. The gospel is for everyone, regardless of their background, beliefs or religious affiliation. McGever and Senkbeil (2023) said:
The content of the good news is the word of God. The word of God is not the word of “me,” it is not the word of “you,” it is not the word of “our church,” it is not the word of “self-improvement.” The word of God is preeminently the word of the good news of Jesus Christ. There are endless temptations to make the news of evangelism a message that will point people in the wrong destination.[8]
The simple gospel message is “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”[9] McGever and Senkbeil (2023) further state:
The only cornerstone worth building our proclamation of the good news upon is Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ is the leading character in a salvation testimony, I have a sense that person is on firm ground, heading in the right direction, and the messenger, the evangelist, thank God, acted with great wisdom when delivering the message.[10]
Staying focused on the good news of Jesus Christ is the only way to keep the message simple and on track.
Go Praying and Believing that God will use You
To effectively evangelize the lost, one must spend time in prayer. According to Mark Dever (2007), those evangelizing should pray asking God to not only open the door to opportunities, but to also open their eyes to see those opportunities.[11] This could possibly be the intent of John 4:35, when Jesus said to His disciples, “Say not ye ‘there are yet four months then cometh the harvest?’ Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.” Dever (2007) goes on to further state that sometimes opportunities are missed because of apathy and a blindness to see the opportunities God has given.[12]
Witnesses should also go praying and expecting the Holy Spirit to go before them to work in the hearts of those to be witnessed to. Dever (2007) states, “If the Bible teaches us that salvation is the work of God, then surely, we should ask Him to work among those we evangelize. ”[13] Jesus said in John 6:44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”[14] Dever (2007) concludes by stating, “If this is God’s work, we should ask Him to do it.”[15]
By keeping the message simple and focused, and going believing and praying that God will use them personally, witnesses can go in the power of the Holy Spirit. Afterall, it is God that will affect change in the hearts of those who are called unto salvation.
Perseverance Amid Obstacles
Though a vibrant evangelistic program is exciting and empowering, it is not with obstacles and complications. Due to the very nature of evangelism, Satan will do everything within his power to disrupt those efforts. Sometimes these obstacles are internal, and sometimes they are external.
Internal Obstacles
Internal obstacles are those which come from within those evangelizing. These internal obstacles mostly stem from fear but can also come from arrogance. Fears of failure, ability, rejection, and even ridicule have caused many to be apathetic toward evangelism. It is important to remember the promises found in Scriptures. II Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”[16] In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”[17] Another internal obstacle is that of arrogance. To this point, McGever and Senkbeil (2023) asserts:
I am embarrassed and ashamed that, for me, evangelism can be a self-serving activity. It can also be a self-defeating activity. Let me explain this a bit. For whatever reason, I’m competitive. In sports, I strive to win and improve. In school and academics, I alwaysstrove to get 100 percent. I have thought a lot about my competitive and determined nature and have concluded that it is morally neutral – it is just a feature of how I think and work. The part that gets me in trouble is when my competitive nature interacts with my heart, my self-worth, my interactions with others, and with the Lord. This is why evangelism can be a dangerous task for me. When I think about my impulse to evangelize others, my motivation exists somewhere in the overlap of my thankfulness to the Lord for saving me, my obedience to God’s word to preach the gospel, and my competitive desire to “win” souls. It is the last part that is most dangerous for me because it could be morally neutral, or even noble in some way, but my impulse to evangelize requires a confession that I do it sometimes for selfish purposes:[18]
The mission of the evangelist is simply to deliver the good news of Jesus Christ.[19] There is no room for fear or arrogance. The good news shared is not the message of the messenger: it is a message from God, delivered through the power of the Holy Spirit. Doubt in the uniqueness of the message can sabotage evangelistic efforts. Dever’s (2007) said, “our fear should not be directed toward man, but toward God. When we don’t share the gospel, we are essentially refusing to live in the fear of the Lord.”[20]
External Obstacles
External obstacles to evangelism are challenges from outside of the individual and churches that seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ. These are real challenges that can both hinder and discourage evangelistic efforts. One such obstacle is that of Culturalism. Modern American Culture tends to view all religions through the same lens, which hinders the uniqueness of the message of Christ. This has led to other obstacles like sharing faith in school, workspaces, or even in public spaces. Regarding workspaces, Devers (2007) states:
“. . . many of us have jobs for which employers are paying us to get a certain amount of work done, and they have a legitimate expectation. During those work hours, it may be that our evangelism distracts people, or reduces our productivity, or does other things that can cause our employer valid concerns. We certainly don’t want the sharing of the gospel to bring us or the gospel into dispute for any reason other than a disagreement with the message itself. We understand that everyone is, by nature, at enmity with God; but we simply don’t want to give people other reasons to oppose our evangel. We don’t want our evangelism to stand in the way of the evangel – the good news.[21]
Another obstacle to evangelism is that of misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the gospel. This is particularly true in rural communities that are steeped in tradition – some good and some not so good. There are countless people in rural communities that will not receive the good news because they themselves were hurt by a Christian “down yonder at that church,” or someone in the sphere of influence was. It is important to remember, as Dever (2007) says, “God may save anyone. And the more unlikely it appears, the more glory, we might even reason, he gets to himself when it happens.”[22]
Proficient Presentation of the Gospel
One study regarding preparation describes “5 Ps” as Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.[23] Following these principles will help in developing a clear presentation of the Gospel. Being prepared not only helps the one who is evangelizing but will also make it easier for the receiver. Being able to articulate the message in an understandable way is crucial. This can be accomplished by organizing your message in a simple, understandable way. Presenting the message in the Book of Romans is one way of presenting a clear, organized message. In preparing for a presentation, be prepared with additional verses that will address issues that may arise.
Stay in One Book for Simplicity – for You and for Them
Perhaps the most well-known and used section of the Bible for soul-winning is found in the Book of Romans, partly because this enables the user to stay within one book of the Bible without causing confusion for the witness or those being witnessed to. By outlining a “map” in their Bible, witnesses can easily and quickly share their message with those they are witnessing to.
Have a Presentation Planned and Rehearsed
Mark Devers (2007) states “Referring to a clear teaching of the Bible shows our friends that we are not simply giving them our own private ideas; rather, we are presenting Jesus Christ in his own life and teaching.”[24] Romans Road in an excellent example of presenting a clear presentation of the gospel message. This will provide an opportunity to plant in the minds of those witnessed to that all have sinned. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.”[25] Knowing that all have sinned brings with it the realization the need for a Savior.
Some may ask, “Why am I guilty of sin?” Because according to Romans 5:12, the Bible says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”[26] Man was created in the image of God, but through the sin in the Garden of Eden, man marred that image, and that sin has passed to all through all.
Realizing that all are guilty of sin, one must also realize there is a penalty for sin. Romans 6:23says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”[27] There are consequences for sin, and all are hopeless without the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Even though all have sinned, God commended His love toward the world. Romans 5:8says, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”[28] Even though no one is worthy of God’s saving Grace, He sent His only Begotten Son to die for all. That is love! But thank God He wouldn’t diagnose a problem without giving a solution – there is salvation for those who believe. Romans 10:9states “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”[29] If sinners will confess and believe, He will forgive!
Additional Verses to Address Issues
The Book of Romans is not the only place that one can find verses dealing with salvation. The Bible is filled with verses because it is ultimately a Book about a Person – the Lord Jesus Christ. The following verses are by no means exhaustive but are given to assist the witnesses of Christ in sharing the good news. Some of these verses give assurance of salvation, while others will address issues that may arise.
Assurance of salvation is the promise that He will forgive all who will come. John 6:37 says, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”[30] Assurance also comes by following God’s process. John 5:24 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”[31]
Assurance also comes from growing in knowledge. I John 5:13 states, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”[32]
One common excuse often heard is, “God cannot forgive a person of their sin. According to I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”[33] Another common excuse is that a person has too much sin in their life. Romans 5:20 says, “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”[34]
Proactive Post-Evangelistic Partnership Which Promotes Making Disciples
There are two schools of thought regarding evangelism and discipleship. One study argues that both have separate identities with one beginning where the other ends. Evangelism leads one to faith in Christ, where discipleship takes over from there in developing follow-up ministry.[35] The same study shows the other side of the coin by stating, “. . . evangelism and discipleship are seen as inseparable and even indistinguishable from each other. Evangelism is discipleship or faith-sharing in a relationship of trust, so even if one could distinguish between evangelism and discipleship, they are so interwoven that they cannot be separated.[36] Additionally, although evangelism and discipleship can be differentiated, they are linked and intertwined.[37]
Christians are called to live lives within their communities. As they are discipled, or becoming more Christ-like, their walk becomes a greater testimony to that community and more effective their evangelistic efforts. A missionary was once asked what he did. His response was, “I’m living my life on mission.” That is in essence what believers of Christ are to do. Regarding missional evangelism, Coetzee said, “From the quantitative research, it seems that church members are seen as disciples (people following Jesus) and that evangelism is an invitation to follow Jesus. The critical connection between discipleship and evangelism can, however, be better understood if disciples are seen as people who share their faith spontaneously – as disciple-making disciples (missional discipleship).”[38]
Conclusion
Peter White (2023) says, “The central idea of the gospel is the expression of the love of God towards humankind despite our limitations, sinful nature and diversity in options.”[39] The purpose of evangelism is to passionately proclaim that life-changing message, fulfilling the biblical mandate to reach people wherever they are on their spiritual journey. This mission requires practical preparation, perseverance amid obstacles, proficient presentation, and purposeful post-evangelism partnership which promotes making disciples.
McGever, Sean, and Harold L Senkbeil. Evangelism: For the Care of Souls. 1st ed.
Bellingham: Faithlife Corporation, 2023.
Dever, Mark. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism . Wheaton: Good News Publishers, 2007.
Coetzee, Frederik R. L., Malan Nel, and Johannes J. Knoetze. Evangelism as an Invitation to
Missional Discipleship in the Kingdom of God. Verbum Et Ecclesia 44, no. 1 (2023), https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/evangelism-as-invitation-missional-discipleship/docview/2787811484/se-2.
W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, William White, Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, (Nashville, Tn., Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996), 483.
White, Peter. Proclaiming the Gospel in an Interfaith Environment: Missiological and
Ecumenical Approach.Hervormde Teologiese Studies, vol. 79, no. 2, 2023. ProQuest
Central, https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/proclaiming-gospel-interfaith-environment/docview/2902822371/se-2, doi:https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v79i2.9024.
https://www.strategyexe.com/podcast/prior-planning-prevents-poor-performance
King James Bible (1982). Cambridge University Press (Matthew 9:35-38; Mark 16:15; John
5:24; 6:37, 44; Acts 1:8; Romans 3:23; 5:8, 20; 6:23; 10:9; Ephesians 6:15; II Timothy 1:7; I Peter 3:15; John 1:9)
[1] King James Bible (1982). Cambridge University Press (Matthew 9:35-38).
[2] KJV, Mark 16:15.
[3] W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, William White, Jr. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, (Nashville, Tn., Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996), 208.
[4] Frederik R. L. Coetzee, Malan Nel, and Johannes J. Knoetze. Evangelism as an Invitation to Missional Discipleship in the Kingdom of God. Verbum Et Ecclesia 44, no. 1 (2023), https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/evangelism-as-invitation-missional-discipleship/docview/2787811484/se-2.
[5] Vine, et. al. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, 483.
[6] KJV, Ephesians 6:15.
[7] KJV, I Peter 3:15.
[8] Sean McGever and Harold L Senkbeil. Evangelism: For the Care of Souls. 1st ed.
Bellingham: Faithlife Corporation (2023). 56.
[9] KJV, Romans 10:13.
[10]McGever and Senkbeil. Evangelism: For the Care of Souls, 57.
[11] Mark Dever. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism. Wheaton: Good News Publishers (2007). 26.
[12] Ibid., 27.
[14] KJV, John 6:44.
[15] Dever. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, 60.
[16] KJV, II Timothy 1:7.
[17] KJV, Acts 1:8.
[18] McGever and Senkbeil. Evangelism: For the Care of Souls, 20.
[19] Ibid., 56.
[20] Dever. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, 27.
[21]Dever. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, 21.
[22] Ibid., 23.
[23] https://www.strategyexe.com/podcast/prior-planning-prevents-poor-performance
[24] Dever. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, 62.
[25] KJV, Romans 3:23
[26] KJV, Romans 5:12.
[27] KJV, Romans 6:23.
[28] KJV, Romans 5:8.
[29] KJV, Romans 10:9
[30] KJV, John 6:37.
[31] KJV, John 5:24.
[32] KJV, I John 5:13
[33] KJV, I John 1:9
[34] KJV, Romans 5:20.
[35] Coetzee, et. al. Evangelism as an Invitation to Missional Discipleship in the Kingdom of God, 2.
[36] Ibid., 1.
[37] Ibid., 2.
[38]Coetzee, et. al. Evangelism as an Invitation to Missional Discipleship in the Kingdom of God, 2.
[39] Peter White. Proclaiming the Gospel in an Interfaith Environment: Missiological and Ecumenical Approach. Hervormde Teologiese Studies, vol. 79, no. 2, 2023. ProQuest Central, https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/proclaiming-gospel-interfaith-environment/docview/2902822371/se-2, doi:https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v79i2.9024.
Fighting for My Pea Patch 