Probably one of the greatest issues that young believers face is evangelism. Young believers go through all the works of the church and what not, determining purpose, spiritual gifts marriage but they never get schooled on evangelism or going out in the field.
I think this is partly because:
1. The elders don't really teach the younger ones
2. The methods that are used are not relevant to the times
3. The young people are just afraid
Now when I say young people I don't mean young believers eh. I am talking about those "on fire" youths that dig in to their word, can encourage other young believers in a heartbeat! and have the ability to apply a mature understanding to the scriptures.
Yes... you might be one of them.
What stops them from evangelizing?
I think the concept of evangelism has been skewed because of the precident that has been set by the church in terms of it's showmanship. The showtime stigma of the modern day church may have skewed what are the fruits of evangelism in our eyes
If we think first of all that evangelism is going out and handing out tracts and praying for people at the side of the road asking them to give their lives to Christ...... we only have part of it.
This part what we are fed..... but we are never fed the fact that we are living epistles known and read by all men.
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2Co 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
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Now why would Paul tell the Corinthian Church this for?
In chapters 1 and 2 Paul was explaining to them why he was writing, because he was far aways but he heard of what was going on.
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2Co 2:3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
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He was writing it after he had planted the church. I am not sure how long he stayed with them when he helped plant it but he had a connection to them that's why it seems to be one of his more passionate and instructional letters.
So he tell them that you are our epistle....meaning you are a testimony of what God had done through us. In essence you are a testimony of GOD.
He says read of all men cuz, Corininth was huge mannnnn..... and to be the biggest church in Corinth and everyboy watching you, it's hard not to be seen.
A city that is set on a hill comes to mind. (Matt 5:14)
So back to evangelism by speaking/preaching. Our life is evangelism... to a point. We sometimes use this as an excuse not to talk to ppl about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are so scared to tell people about the gospel because we are scared. Why because we will be:
1. Ridiculed (WHICH IS NORMAL)
2. Will not live up to expectations of showtime evangelism
BEING RIDICULED
This is the most normal part of declaring Jesus' name, even believers may ridicule you sometimes. That's nothing new and that will never stop. I can draw among the many references the time God was telling Ezekiel what he had to face when he had to talk to the Israelites that were neck deep in idolatry after they were exiled to Babylon.
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Eze 2:3 And he said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.
Eze 2:4 The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.'
Eze 2:5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Eze 2:6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.
Eze 2:7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.
Eze 2:8 "But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."
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God was telling Ezekiel what he was going to have to go up and speak to.......... Man Ezekiel had gonads!!!........ here are some of the words used, rebellious, impudent and stubborn. yet he says be not dismayed.
Verse 6 is where we sometimes fail to apply. God says, be not afraid of them.
vs 7 YOU SHALL SPEAK MY WORDS TO THEM....... wait for it, wait for it........ WETHER THEY HEAR OR REFUSE TO!!
SHOWTIME GOSPEL
Showtime gospel has thought us that ppl need to fall down, beat up on the ground, start to bawl and/or start to cry to show that God is touching them..... lol......
But we don't have to care if God is touching them or not, That's up to them and God, it's the spirit that does the touching. All we have to do is tell them heartily..... but anytime we think that or ferverent sharing of the gospel is not producing fruits we are in danger of expecting a result that God may not have planned or the fact that the hard heart of someone is resisting..
When you go and try your best and preach the gospel from your heart to someone. Smile and LET GOD WORK.
Evangalism is not converstion...... evangeslism is spreakind the message of Jesus Christ with passion.
The spirit of God does the work of drawing men to God.
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Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
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You can't draw them. You CAN EVANGELIZE TO THEM....in many ways might I add......but i'm talikng about going boldly like the apostles in acts.
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Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
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so Go... but don't go with the expectation that they will change and ask to be baptized.
Go with the expectatoin that they would be opened up to God and he will draw them.
I'll talk about the expectations in MUSIC AND ARTS MINISTRY next week.
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