EP 59: Evangelism (Spiritual Disciplines Series)
What is evangelism? The dictionary definition defines it as the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.
So evangelism is the announcement, proclamation, and preaching of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), which is the good news of and about Jesus Christ. It is a verbal message.
The English word “evangelism” comes from the Greek word euaggelion, meaning: “gospel” or “good news.” In the verb form, euaggelizesthai, the meaning of the word changes slightly to “announce” or “bring good news.” The Greek word in its various forms appears fifty-five times in the New Testament (Acts 8:4, Acts 8:25, Acts 8:35; Acts 11:20). The Greek word is also translated as “preach.” So evangelism means to proclaim the good news of the message of Jesus Christ.
I love how J.I Packer defined it in his must-read book Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.
He said:
“According to the New Testament, evangelism is just preaching the gospel, the evangel. It is a work of communication in which Christians make themselves mouthpieces for God’s message of mercy to sinners.”
According to the New Testament, evangelism is just preaching the gospel, the evangel. It is a work of communication in which Christians make themselves mouthpieces for God’s message of mercy to sinners.As Christians, we are all called to be God’s mouthpieces. Along with being salt and light to a lost world, we are called to open our mouths and share the good news—the best news we could ever share.
Donald Whitney defines evangelism:
“It is clearly presenting Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to sinful people with the hope that they may see their sinfulness against a holy God and repent and put their faith and trust in Christ alone for salvation.”
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Show Notes:
“We are told of our astounding responsibility to be representatives of the kingdom of God. We are Christ’s ambassadors. We are called to see people differently – to give up the human and worldly vision of others and to know and love them, understanding that they are lost sinners who need to be reconciled to God. We must get the message right.” ~ J. Mack Stiles, Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus
“The good news is that the one and only God, who is holy, made us in his image to know him. But we sinned and cut ourselves off from him. In his great love, God became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross, thus fulfilling the law himself and taking on himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever turn and trust in him. He rose again from the dead, showing that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice and that God’s wrath against us had been exhausted. He now calls us to repent of our sins and to trust in Christ alone for our forgiveness. If we repent of our sins and trust in Christ, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God.” ~Mark Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism (The Gospel in a Minute)
“Few people have the gift of evangelism, but everyone is commanded to evangelize.” ~Todd Friel
“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.” ~Charles Spurgeon
“We are the redeemed bride of Christ who cannot help but proclaim the beautifully adorned narrow way, the liberating truth, and the abundant life that all men in all nations can have if they put their trust in Jesus Christ.” ~Burk Parsons
“Over the course of time, preaching the gospel to myself every day has made more of a difference in my life than any other discipline I have ever practiced. I find myself sinning less, but just as importantly, I find myself recovering my footing more quickly after sinning, due to the immediate comfort found in the gospel. I have also found that when I am absorbed in the gospel, everything else I am supposed to be toward God and others seems to flow out of me more naturally and passionately. Doing right is not always easy, but it is never more easier than when one is breathing deeply the atmosphere of the gospel.” ~Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians
“When preaching and private tale are not available, you need to have a tract ready…get good striking tracts, or none at all…therefore, do not go out without your tracts.” ~ Charles Spurgeon
“We must be ready to speak of Christ in any situation. We must know the essentials of the gospel. We must have confidence in God and His Word.” ~John MacArthur
“Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you’re not saved yourself, be sure of that!” ~Charles Spurgeon
Scripture & Resources:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Acts 8:4
Acts 8:25
Acts 8:35
Acts 11:20
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Romans 10:14-17
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
John 1:1
John 14:6
Acts 4:12
Matthew 5:13-14
1 Corinthians 3:6-7
Romans 10:17
1 Peter 3:15
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney
Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus by J. Mack Stiles
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever
A Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent
Living Waters Website – So many great evangelism ideas here
Living Waters Tracts – This one is our personal family favorite
Way of the Master YouTube Channel
Why I Use Gospel Tracts – @Fish With Trish
18 Prayers to Pray for Unbelievers – @Challies
Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Your Sphere of Influence – @ThankfulHomemaker
Can You Explain the Gospel if You Only Had a Minute? – @ThankfulHomemaker
The Most Difficult People to Witness To: Your Family – @ThankfulHomemaker
How to Preach the Gospel to Yourself – @ThankfulHomemaker
Join Thankful Homemaker’s VIP List (some fun freebies when you do)
Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group
This is such a good podcast! Thank you!
Thank you Christine xo
Where is the link to the website with scriptures one can pray (you suggested to print it out and placing it in our praying journal)?
Yajaira, I think this is the article you’re referring to and if not just let me know xo:
https://www.challies.com/articles/how-to-pray-for-unbelievers/