I come with a dream. A dream where we as a people are filled with a love for the unbelieving people around us and earnestly desire that they be saved. I dream that the power of God would make us loving, outreaching and soul-saving. I dream that Christ would work through us that through our ministry more unbelievers may be converted. I dream that the Holy Spirit would come upon us so that we have no fear or guilt in our evangelism.
This dream is rooted in scripture. Christians are to be loving people. Jesus commanded that often. He says in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” We are to desire the physical and spiritual wellbeing of those around us. The best thing imaginable for someone is that they be saved. This means we are to desire the redemption of those around us.
That’s why the risen Christ commanded His disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus not only commanded love, but also evangelism. As New Testament disciples of Christ, that command now rests on us. To evangelise is to obey God. Hudson Taylor said, “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”
Follow New Testament examples
That’s why the risen Christ commanded His disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus not only commanded love, but also evangelism. As New Testament disciples of Christ, that command now rests on us. To evangelise is to obey God. Hudson Taylor said, “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”
Follow New Testament examples
Paul is a great example for us in displaying love to those who were lost. He dedicated his life to reaching out to them and saving them by the Word of God. He says in Romans 10:1, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” Like the world around us, they were no longer God’s chosen people (Romans 11:20). And yet Paul had a burning passion for converting these unsaved people. He not only had sorrow that they were lost, but he also had a longing that they might be saved.
Should we not have the same attitude? Should we not grieve over the misery of the lost? Should we not have the same desire for their salvation that Paul had? Should we not look upon the people at our workplaces with a mixture of sorrow for their condition and longing for their conversion? Can we claim to be biblical Christians if we work and eat and laugh with unbelievers and feel none of these things?
I beg you also to look at the example of Jesus. Mark tells us, “Jesus saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34). Jesus Himself had compassion on the multitudes! He felt sorry for their spiritual state. They were ‘like a sheep not having a shepherd’, and so He preached the gospel to them. Jesus, too, had sorrow over the unbelieving and a desire that they be converted.
God has no pleasure in their death
Should we not have the same attitude? Should we not grieve over the misery of the lost? Should we not have the same desire for their salvation that Paul had? Should we not look upon the people at our workplaces with a mixture of sorrow for their condition and longing for their conversion? Can we claim to be biblical Christians if we work and eat and laugh with unbelievers and feel none of these things?
I beg you also to look at the example of Jesus. Mark tells us, “Jesus saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34). Jesus Himself had compassion on the multitudes! He felt sorry for their spiritual state. They were ‘like a sheep not having a shepherd’, and so He preached the gospel to them. Jesus, too, had sorrow over the unbelieving and a desire that they be converted.
God has no pleasure in their death
The Old Testament tells us that it is God’s desire that the multitudes are saved. Ezekiel 18:23, 32, “‘Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?’ says the Lord God, ‘and not that he should turn from his ways and live? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies.’” He contemplates the death and suffering of all those who are not saved and has no pleasure in it. He wants them to turn to Him.
We too should have the same sorrow that God has for these people. We too should think of the suffering that they would endure and try our utmost to wrest them away from that. Charles H. Spurgeon: “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!”
Be inspired by your own salvation
We too should have the same sorrow that God has for these people. We too should think of the suffering that they would endure and try our utmost to wrest them away from that. Charles H. Spurgeon: “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!”
Be inspired by your own salvation
Another reason why we should have a passion for the conversion of the lost is the magnificence of our own transformation. We confess that our own salvation is a gracious gift from God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Should that not inspire us to proclaim this glorious truth to others too?
It is unthinkable that we should be cured from a lethal disease by some remarkable medicine, been handed the cure, and then not deliver the cure to others with the same disease. We’ve been cured from death at the cost of someone’s life! As Leonard Ravenhill says:
It is unthinkable that we should be cured from a lethal disease by some remarkable medicine, been handed the cure, and then not deliver the cure to others with the same disease. We’ve been cured from death at the cost of someone’s life! As Leonard Ravenhill says:
Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry?
Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patients die?
Could a fireman sit idle, let men burn and give no hand?
Can you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you damned? [1]
Jesus speaks of a man who was the recipient of incredible grace, but then refused to spread that grace to others in his life (Matthew 18:23-35). We read how his master reacted in verse 34: “His master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers.”
How dare we say that we believe God’s Word, we believe that all the judgements will be fulfilled, and then turn away, and coolly pursue our worldly business, without uttering one cry for those who are exposed to these judgements! How dare we go and claim a relationship to Christ, and profess to have His Spirit, but then make little effort to save those for whom He shed tears, and possibly even blood too (1 John 2:2)! [2]
We’ve been saved by a miraculous act of grace from God. What’s stopping us from declaring that glorious deed far and wide? Invite others to partake with you in that gift. Become a herald. Proclaim the gospel—the good news—of God coming to save the brokenness of humanity and the brokenness of creation, through Jesus Christ. [3]
How to Evangelise: Seasoned with Salt
Colossians 4:6 tells us how to do that: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Without salt, food is bland and unseasoned. It’s tasteless and unappetising. Our speech is not meant to be like that. Paul tells us that our speech about the gospel must be as appealing as possible.
How do we do this? How do we speak about God’s grace and Christ’s death and the Spirit’s power in a way that attracts people to the gospel? In Luke 2:10 the angel calls the gospel ‘good news of great joy.’ The gospel is attractive all by itself. In fact, there’s nothing more beautiful than the gospel! Paul’s not requesting us to “spice it up,” put a bow on it or add anything to it, for there’s no such need. We simply must be more careful not to hide its beauty by our tackiness, foolishness and lack of manners.
In order to do that, we need to value the gospel ourselves. People should see that we trust, obey and thank God in all things. We need to ensure the gospel tastes good in our own mouth and looks good in our own eyes. Spend time meditating on the greatness of God and His grace. We need to be like David, who says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
How to Evangelise: Talk about Jesus
How do we do this? How do we speak about God’s grace and Christ’s death and the Spirit’s power in a way that attracts people to the gospel? In Luke 2:10 the angel calls the gospel ‘good news of great joy.’ The gospel is attractive all by itself. In fact, there’s nothing more beautiful than the gospel! Paul’s not requesting us to “spice it up,” put a bow on it or add anything to it, for there’s no such need. We simply must be more careful not to hide its beauty by our tackiness, foolishness and lack of manners.
In order to do that, we need to value the gospel ourselves. People should see that we trust, obey and thank God in all things. We need to ensure the gospel tastes good in our own mouth and looks good in our own eyes. Spend time meditating on the greatness of God and His grace. We need to be like David, who says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
How to Evangelise: Talk about Jesus
Perhaps we should start by telling the gospel to one other in the church. We should remind each other regularly of the good news of Jesus Christ. Many believers are not that impressed with Jesus and overcome with affection for Him. Many have more affection for their cars, their fishing trips, their diet plan and their money. That’s what they spend their time talking about.
It is possible that you are one of these people. Perhaps you don’t feel this zeal and love for the gospel and those around us. If that is the case, I urge you to pray earnestly for that to change. God is the one who inflames this in your heart by His Spirit. We know that He works faith through the Word and sacraments, so also soak yourself in these things. Meditate on the promises of God and His astounding gift of salvation, and grow in zeal and love. Evangelism will be easier.
It’s easy talking about something you love. If Jesus were your passion, if He’s truly your God, if you truly love Him, then surely you would be able and willing to talk about Him more than your worldly possessions? So tell about Him to one another in the church, and then tell your workmates about Him. Tell that person sitting next to you on the train or the plane. Tell your neighbours. Tell everyone you know, whether it is by your words or by your actions.
Be A Herald
It is possible that you are one of these people. Perhaps you don’t feel this zeal and love for the gospel and those around us. If that is the case, I urge you to pray earnestly for that to change. God is the one who inflames this in your heart by His Spirit. We know that He works faith through the Word and sacraments, so also soak yourself in these things. Meditate on the promises of God and His astounding gift of salvation, and grow in zeal and love. Evangelism will be easier.
It’s easy talking about something you love. If Jesus were your passion, if He’s truly your God, if you truly love Him, then surely you would be able and willing to talk about Him more than your worldly possessions? So tell about Him to one another in the church, and then tell your workmates about Him. Tell that person sitting next to you on the train or the plane. Tell your neighbours. Tell everyone you know, whether it is by your words or by your actions.
Be A Herald
So that’s evangelism. We are to be sorrowful for the imminent devastation upon the unbelievers around us. We are there to tell them about a God that made them and a God to whom they must give an account. They have sinned against this judge, and He is good and will punish them, and so they need a saviour. It’s being a herald of the good news of Jesus Christ, and being inspired by His love for you that you are passionate about spreading that glorious grace as far and wide as you can.
Romans 10:14-15:
So go, and by the power of God, let your feet be ever beautiful, your light ever shining, your mouth ever ready and your words ever seasoned.
Romans 10:14-15:
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
***
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”
Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
(Isaiah 6:8)
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