do the work of an evangelist

©2019 mark montgomery | ask@lifechurchco.com

do the work of an evangelist...

2 timothy 4:5

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Evangelism is something that, as Christians, we know we should do, but what does that really look like? For some it’s scary, being continually pushed outside of their ever-fleeting comfort zone. For, others, confusing. What is “evangelism” really? Testimonies, conversations, the Romans Road, service projects, cups of cold water... what? The short answer is “yes”.

But wait... there’s more. What about the “when,” the “where” and the “how?” Are there appropriate times and places for this? Yes, there are.

How do we get started? How do we keep things going? What about rejection?

These are some of the things we’ll look at during this study. This study has a bunch of verses but is in no way exhaustive.

So let’s start with a few familiar questions: Who? What? When? Where? How?

my notes:

who?

Me!

john 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

We simply couldn’t have started without it. We know this verse by heart. We can quote it, but we need to let the truth sink in.

romans 5:8

...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We were wicked, vile and broken when Christ first showed His love for us. Why me? Love.

2 peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Not wanting anyone to perish! We can battle of the issues of predestination later but God’s desire is that everyone know Him.

ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We are bought with a Price and for a purpose. “You don’t do good works to be saved. You are saved to do good works”.

my notes:

1 corinthians 15:1-2

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ demands a response from His people.

john 13:35

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The world is so estranged to the idea of love that we will stand out simply by living out a life that loves and cares for others.

titus 2:1

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

You’ve got to know what you know. You’ve got to believe what you know and you’ve got to live what you know.

2 corinthians 5:20

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Because Jesus saved us we are now His ambassadors. What reputation do we have, or perhaps need to overcome as a follower of Christ?

matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

We are, not one of us, ever on our own. He is with us!

luke 21:14-15

Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

Not only does He give us courage but He also gives us the words to say. Sometimes we need to simply get out of His way.

john 15:8

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Jesus may be the same yesterday, today and forever, but we must not be.

my notes:

1 peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

We must remember the standing we are given in Christ and hold it with the humility it deserves. As a reminder, let’s look at a song you might know:

nobody - casting crowns

Why You ever chose me

Has always been a mystery

All my life, I’ve been told I belong

At the end of a line

With all the other Not-Quites

With all the Never-Get-It-Rights

But it turns out they are the ones You were looking for

All this time

‘Cause I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody

All about Somebody who saved my soul

Ever since You rescued me, You gave my heart a song to sing

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

Moses had stage fright

And David brought a rock to a sword fight

You picked twelve outsiders nobody would’ve chosen

And You changed the world

Well, the moral of the story is

Everybody’s got a purpose

So when I hear that devil start talking to me, saying

“Who do you think you are?” I say

I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody

All about Somebody who saved my soul

Ever since You rescued me, You gave my heart a song to sing

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

So let me go down, down, down in history

As another blood-bought faithful member of the family

And if they all forget my name, well, that’s fine with me

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

So let me go down, down, down in history (Go down in history)

As another blood-bought faithful member of the family

(It’s all I ever wanna be) And if they all forget my name, well, that’s fine with me

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus, yeah

I’m just a nobody (Nobody)

Trying to tell everybody

All about Somebody

Who saved my soul (Oh, saved my, saved my soul)

Ever since You rescued me

You gave my heart a song to sing (You gave me a song to sing)

I’m living for the world to see

Nobody but Jesus (Nobody but You, Lord)

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

to others:

mark 16:15

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

romans 2:11

For God shows no partiality.

acts 10:34-35

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Let this be a warning and a relief: We do not get to pick and choose. Consider Jonah.

matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Go. Why? Because we are told by the One that has ALL authority.

acts 13:47

47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

The goal, the Great Commission, is everyone. And you may be the only Bible that someone will get to read. It is not our place to be offended. How can you offend a dead man?

matthew 5:14

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

It is our place to put aside ourselves, lay our lives down and remember that by somebody holding out the love of God to you - they did so to the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Therefore we must put aside our pet peeves and allow the love of God to love others through us.

acts 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

One Way, One Truth and One Life (John. 14:6)

my notes:

what?

ezekiel 38:23

So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

What do we share? How about thinking, Whom do we share?

romans 1:16

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

If the Gospel does have the power to change lives, assuming of course we know it to have changed our own, how could we be ashamed?

luke 9:26

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

romans 10:17

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Faith does not come through hearing a man, but from hearing from the Word.

isaiah 12:4

And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.

An attitude of gratitude is infectious. We can be, and indeed are (sometimes) grateful for the abundance we enjoy. It is time to count our blessing again?

matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

k.i.s.s. = keep it simple stupid!

1 timothy 3:16

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Scripture says that all of heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. Wouldn’t it be amazing and so refreshing if we had the same reaction? What did we just witness?

my notes:

when - to share?

1 peter 3:15

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

always = all times + all possible means

2 corinthians 6:2

2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Today is the day. We are not able to lay claim to tomorrow. So let us make the most of today. Consider the words of Charles Spurgeon:

morning and evening - c.h spurgeon

Evening - September 20th

In the evening withhold not thy hand. - Eccl 11:6

In the evening of the day opportunities are plentiful—men return from their labor, and the zealous soul-winner finds time to tell abroad the love of Jesus. Have I no evening work for Jesus? If I have not, let me no longer withhold my hand from a service which requires abundant labor. Sinners are perishing for lack of knowledge; he who loiters may find his skirts crimson with the blood of souls. Jesus gave both His hands to the nails—how can I keep back one of mine from His blessed work? Night and day He toiled and prayed for me, how can I give a single hour to the pampering of my flesh with luxurious ease? Up, idle heart; stretch out your hand to work, or uplift it to pray. Heaven and hell are in earnest, let me be so, and this evening sow good seed for the Lord my God.

The evening of life has also its calls. Life is so short that a morning of manhood’s vigor, and an evening of decay, make the whole of it. Life is so brief—that no man can afford to lose a day. It has been well said that if a great king should bring us a great heap of gold, and bid us take as much as we could count in a day, we would make a long day of it; we should begin early in the morning, and in the evening we would not withhold our hand; but to win souls is far nobler work, how is it that we so soon withdraw from it? Some are spared to a long evening of green old age; if such be my case, let me use such talents as I still retain, and to the last hour serve my blessed and faithful Lord. By His grace I will die in harness, and lay down my charge—only when I lay down my body. Age may instruct the young, cheer the faint, and encourage the desponding; if eventide has less of vigorous heat, it should have more of calm wisdom, therefore in the evening I will not withhold my hand.

hebrews 3:13

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Encouragement is a must! Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs.

2 timothy 4:1-4

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

In season and when it is not so convenient, always being sober minded so as to not think of ourselves more highly that we ought (Romans 12:3). Consider the words of another song:

build your kingdom here - rend collective

chorus

Build Your kingdom here

Let the darkness fear

Show Your mighty hand

Heal our streets and land

Set Your church on fire

Win this nation back

Change the atmosphere

Build Your kingdom here

We pray, Come set Your rule and reign

In our hearts again

Increase in us we pray

Unveil why we’re made

Come set our hearts ablaze with hope

Like wildfire in our very souls

Holy Spirit come invade us now

We are Your Church

And we need Your power In us

We seek Your kingdom first

We hunger and we thirst

Refuse to waste our lives

For You’re our joy and prize

To see the captive hearts released

The hurt, the sick, the poor at peace

We lay down our lives for Heaven’s cause

We are Your church

And we pray revive

This earth (We’re prayin’ for revival)

(chorus)

We pray (Change the atmosphere)

Unleash Your kingdom’s power

Reaching the near and far

No force of hell can stop

Your beauty changing hearts

You made us for much more than this

Awake the kingdom seed in us

Fill us with the strength and love of Christ

We are Your church

Oh, and YOU are the hope On earth

(chorus)

We pray (Change the atmosphere, build Your kingdom here)

(chorus)

We pray (Let’s win this nation back!)

when - not to?

romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

If we are to “...consider others better than...” (Philippians 2:3) ourselves then we must exercise patience.

philippians 1:15-18

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

matthew 23:5-7

They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

matthew 6:1

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Pharisees exist in modern times and not just within the Jewish culture. (Matthew 6:16)

my notes:

hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

We are not the judge. The Word judges the motives of our hearts. Let us strive to live our lives through the grid of Scripture.

my notes:

where?

deuteronomy 6:4-9

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

When we sit, rise and walk. God told Joshua in chapter 1 never to let the book of the law depart from His mouth, but to mediate on it day and night. Remember, “What you put in is what you get out.”

acts 5:42

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Not just at church. Not just at our pastor’s house. Within our homes too!

acts 20:18-21

And when they came to him, he [Paul] said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s word does speak to every area and aspect of our lives. It is profitable in our marriages, parenting, friendships, work places and recreation.

acts 26:22-23

To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Who despises the day of small things (Zechariah 4:10)?

my notes:

how?

2 corinthians 5:14-15

For the love of Christ controls [“compels” - NIV 1984] us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Driven by love. If we can look at the world around and not be moved with a burden for the lost, then may be ask the Lord for His love for the world.

1 corinthians 2:2

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Paul was determined that nothing else mattered.

acts 2:42

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Devotion is a concept that is all too allusive in our world. Unless of course you are talking about our “clandestine idols”.

john 15:8

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

A good tree produces good fruit (Matthew 7:17). What kind are we producing?

my notes:

2 peter 1:3-11

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We have been given so much and there is still more to add. We will not ever reach the end of the depth of the knowledge and wisdom of our Great God and King!

1 corinthians 9:22-23

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

normal walk = lifestyle evangelism

matthew 4:19

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Amen! No ambiguity there!

fear

proverbs 29:25

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

acts 20:24

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

matthew 10:28

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

What if we are rejected, ridiculed, hated, abandoned, forgotten? Keep a proper perspective.

isaiah 51:12

“I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass,

hebrews 13:6

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?

Confidence is not found in our own ability, charisma, knowledge or opinion. Unshakeable confidence is only found in Jesus.

1 john. 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

The knowledge of God’s heart for His people, His patience, provision and faithfulness will spur us on in times of fear. We must remember and fill our minds and hearts with truth.

galatians 1:10

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

We cannot serve God seeking the approval of man.

isaiah 2:22

Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?

my notes:

reassurance

mark 8:35

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.

We are to store up treasures in heaven, not here (Matthew 6:19-21)

2 thessalonians 2:14

To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 peter 2:21

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Remember the call and the promise (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

john 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

psalm 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

We always have the One to turn to - Who just so happens to have all that we need. He is out Great Defender.

2 timothy 1:7

...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

As the love of Christ compels us, so the heart of the King enthuses us.

exodus 33:14

And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

We are work for the King in His every presence. He is out “4th Man” in the fiery furnaces of life.

isaiah 54:17

...no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

my notes:

the battle belongs to the Lord - maranatha! music

In heavenly armour we’ll enter the land

The battle belongs to the Lord

No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand

The battle belongs to the Lord

We sing glory and honor

Power and strength to the Lord

(repeat)

The power of darkness comes in like a flood

The battle belongs to the Lord

He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood

The battle belongs to the Lord

we sing glory and honor

power in strength to the lord

(repeat)

When your enemy presses in hard do not fear

The battle belongs to the Lord

Take courage my friend, your redemption is near

The battle belongs to the Lord

The battle belongs to the Lord

Battle belongs to the Lord...

1 john 4:4

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

2 corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

philippians 4:6-7

...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

romans 8:15

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

He is our Good, Good Father. One that longs to have the closest of relationships with His children. He longs to bless, encourage, teach and grow His children with the ultimate goal of spending eternity with us!

proverbs 16:3

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

my notes:

in conclusion

Being a Christian affords us a relationship with the Most High - one that is not aloof, but intimate. He desires to see growth in His children as all parents do. He loves to provide for, protect and esteem His children. He hungers for the ability to meet us where we are and not see us striving to meet a man-made standard before surrendering to Him.

He is our Father and He instills within His people His heart for the world. When that takes place no Christian can contain it. We must let it loose. It is the knowledge of His love, sacrifice and strength that demands a response from His people.

If we have felt our burden for the lost subside, we have the ability today to not get caught up in pride or false humility, but to turn to the one for Whom nothing is impossible, seek His forgiveness and walk forward in the strength and freedom that He alone can bestow.

May we not withhold our hand this evening time.

my notes:

other verses to consider:

1 John 4:4

1 Peter 5:7

Deuteronomy 1:17

1 Corinthians 10:13

Romans 8:13

Philippians 4:13

Proverbs 1:7

Ephesians 6:10-13

Romans 12:2

John 15:1-27

John 12:42

John 7:24

Matthew 6:21

Psalm 25:14

Psalm 27:1

Philippians 4:8

John 3:35

Jeremiah 17:5

Romans 1:20

Romans 14:11

John 1:1-3

Philippians 2:5-11