Effective Evangelism

EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” - Psalm 126:6

I have been writing about the seven pillars of a healthy church. Today, we come to the final pillar. If a church is healthy, it is actively engaged in evangelism. It has been said that we enter church to worship and we exit to evangelize.

Evangelism is the act of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with lost people. Those around us need the message that we know so well.

The early church emphasized evangelism. They boldly shared the Gospel throughout the community, the region and the world. Such boldness is needed in our day. We need to have such a passion for souls.

I believe that most Christians long to see the salvation of souls. We are especially concerned about our family members and friends. We have a great desire to see them transformed by the power of the Gospel.

When I was growing up, it wasn't uncommon to drive along on a Sunday afternoon and see a congregation gathering at a river bank. Without even knowing the church, we knew that a baptism service was occurring. What has happened to such days?

One major denomination has seen a steady decline in baptisms over the last several years. This seems to be a wide scale problem. There is no shortage of sinners that need Jesus. There seems to be a shortage of those whom God is using to win souls.

While many argue and complain over non-essential matters, precious souls are leaving this world without the Lord. They are perishing under our watch.

For a church to be effective at evangelism, several things are needed:

KNOW

In order for us to share the Gospel, we must know we are saved ourselves. Secondly, we must understand the Gospel ourselves. We must know the Gospel well enough to share it with others.

The Good News is best understood when presented in light of the law. Mankind has broken God's law because of sin. Violating His law is a personal offense to Him. It is an act of treason. Sin is a felony that is punishable by death. A Holy God cannot permit sin to go unpunished.

Yet how can a holy God be just and yet pardon sinners? The answer is found in His Son, Jesus Christ. God cared so much for us that He sent His Son to receive the punishment we deserved. Both the Old and New Testaments declare that atonement only comes through the blood. It is only through the blood of Jesus that the justice of God is satisfied on our behalf. Through His blood on the cross, our Lord purchased our pardon. It is only through His blood that sins are covered. Through faith in Christ, a sinner is justified.

GO

Secondly, the remnant of believers need to go and share this Gospel message with others. The Great Commission begins with, “Go ye therefore...” Psalm 126:6 says, “He goeth forth and weepeth...” Our mission field includes our family, co-workers, neighbors and even the strangers we meet throughout the week. If you want to go fishing, you need to go where the fish are at. We are called to be fishers of men.

SOW

Next, we need to sow the right seed. When Jesus explained the parable of the sower, He said that the seed is the Word. If we want to see a harvest, we need to sow the right seed. Sow the Gospel message liberally, regularly and expectantly. Psalm 126:6 says, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed...” Seed in the hand will never produce a harvest. The seed needs to be planted in their hearts of people.

GROW

Finally, if we sow the right seed, we can expect a harvest. I've quoted from part of Psalm 126:6, now let's look at the rest of the verse: “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Notice the Psalmist indicates that the sower will DOUBTLESS come with sheaves. If a man sows the Word in the Name of Jesus, by the power of the Spirit, for the glory of God, there is no doubt that a harvest will come. Without a doubt, the sower will come REJOICING, bringing sheaves with him. There will be growth. God will bless the efforts of such a sower. We need to be about our Father's business. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. With love and compassion, the Church needs to spread the Gospel. Sow the seed. It begins with you and me. It begins today.

If you long to see a harvest, begin sowing the right seed today.