Evangelism Model!

 

In my previous blog “Evangelism model all are looking for!”, was intended to ignite the spirit of Christendom to bring conviction in our personal responsibility in reaching out to the non-Christians. True understanding of who Christ and His salvation plan, leads to true commitment followed by the obedience to the Great Commission. One cannot choose to know God and not make Him known. Let me emphasize, the primary purpose of every human being is knowing God. Jesus in His prayer to His Father expressed these lines, “and this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”. John 17:3 NKJV. Paul soon adopts it and makes it his personal goal, “my goal is to know Him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings being confirmed to his death.”. Philippians 3:10.When you truly desire to know God and making it your primary goal, it doesn't just become the end destination but creates a deep urge to make the Savior known to this sinful world.

Nothing is more urgent or important in this critical time than giving people hope in Christ and present it through the Gospel to those living in midst of sin and darkness. Evangelism is all about presenting the Gospel, the good news. But how Christendom is understanding it and how people are actually engaging in the Gospel work is a matter of discussion. Let me reiterate all that is inclusive in the Gospel considering this verse from 1 Thessalonians 1:5   “because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you for your benefit.”

On the basis of the verse given above, let me list key factors that includes Gospel according to Paul:

1. Gospel (good news) in Word: “Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe  the good news.”. Mark 1:14-15. The Gospel message is informing people of God’s love, which was demonstrated on the Cross of Calvary and calling them for repentance from  their sin and accept Him as Lord and Savior of their life.

2.   Gospel in Power: "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved."1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB. The Gospel is full of power and has a capacity to break the hearts of people and transform them. The carrier of the Gospel unless truly transformed, filled with the Mission and anointing, may not be able to present the Gospel successfully.

3. Gospel in the Holy Spirit: Acts 1:8 says it all, “But you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”. This promise is actually fulfilled in Acts 2 in the day of Pentecost. Unfortunately, people hold on to one particular theology of either talking only about the day of Pentecost or talk about the gift of speaking in tongues. But then the outcome of the Holy Spirit, which is the sharing of the Gospel and message of repentance is ignored or in most cases completely. Peter presented the Gospel with the power of Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), as a result three thousand people were added to them.

4.   Gospel is presenting oneself for the benefit of others: Paul in his book in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says, “We cared so much for you that we are pleased to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”. Paul ensures that he is not only available for those who are hearing the Gospel from him but offer his life for the sake of Gospel. Today, we just have time for one encounter and expect everything to happen on its own. How much are we able to dedicate ourselves for the sake of the Gospel and for the benefit of people’s soul?

I would like to end my assertion with two powerful quotes, F. Lincicome states, “God never intended His Church to be a refrigerator in which to preserve perishable piety. He intended it to be an incubator in which to hatch out converts.” And the challenge from Leonard RavenHill, “Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry? Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patient 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?"

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Looking for an Effective Evangelism Model?

 

The shift on evangelism initiatives in recent times has taken a giant leap. Last 15 years and so, I have always emphasized much on Holistic approach (Spiritual, Physical, Socio-emotional & Cognitive) not merely implicating holism on NGO’s and social projects but also in the functions of the Church. The pattern of the early church is a classic example of a holistic model, where vibrant evangelism and structural social interventions were integrated in the heart of the Church (fellowship of believers). But sadly, in the past, many Churches did not manage the perfect blend of evangelism and social interventions, though they had financial stability and in some cases inflow of foreign funds.

What is amazing to know today is after the pandemic the social intervention and evangelism drive has become, the priority for Churches and Christian Organizations. If it had been our top priority years before the pandemic, our national Christian census would have looked very different than what we see today. But hold on! Has all the social interventions and evangelism drives been intensified to ensure Gospel is shared and commitments made? Let me leave it to God, for He is the best judge of that. There are already many organizations, which solely exist for Gospel work and there are new Christian organizations, trainers, and experts who claim to have a model for evangelism. Strategies are made, numbers are derived, reports are created but at the end of the day the question we need to ask is how many were actually led to Christ and how has that impacted the Church growth?

Evangelism Model is not necessarily like one of the social models that can be completely replicated. It may or may not work at all. Why is that? Let me quote some examples from the Bible. If you look at the story of Samaritan woman whose encounter with Jesus had her life transformed and revolutionised. She rushed to apprise people of her encounter with God (John 4). The story of Apostle Paul was another revolutionary story. After he had a dramatic encounter with God (Acts 9), history was created. He swept the nations with the Gospel. Very soon, we see, he was able to create a leadership team and ministry partners who shouldered him in the Gospel work. Then in (Acts 8:1-4) we notice severe persecution broke out against the Churches in Jerusalem, all were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria, but that was not the end of the story. These people proved they were not simply a bunch of cowards. Verse 4 says, “So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word.”. Did they have a model? Did all undergo a seminar on how to present Gospel? Of course not. But the driving force was their transformation after their encounter with God. The moment they experienced the gift of salvation they became revolutionaries. People who met daily in house fellowships, praying, and igniting each other were soon seen doing the work of an evangelist in adverse circumstances. Their priorities were connected with Christ's mandate - the Great Commission. This did not stop them while they were even on the run. For these people, presenting Gospel was more important than trying to protect their lives. Strategies emerged from crisis and models of its own were developed. People just adopted and moved forward.

My question is how could someone after experiencing salvation, not be revolutionised? Why is that they just become mere good standing believers and members of the Church, just about fulfilling its obligations but failing to be a witness and lead at least one person (a minimum number) to Christ, in their entire life? For that matter, sadly, many pastors of the Churches are also becoming managers of the Churches ensuring all their members remain with them all their lives. I am not saying it is wrong but how is the Great Commission becoming the Mandate of the Church? A prepared messenger leads many to Christ and impacts more life than through his prepared messages. Unfortunately, many are just satisfied by the noise of activities and evangelistic programs but failing to seriously make disciples. Let’s be careful that we do not treat evangelism and discipleship as mere terms.

If a long-standing Christian has not led one person to Christ all his life then what he/she needs is not motivation and Evangelism Model to wake the person up, but an intense dialogue to know his/her true identity in Christ and teachings to help the congregation member know what is his/her role as Christians. Evangelism is a life-style. One should be convinced of this transformed life and know how his/her career is entwined with the Purpose and Christ's mandate.

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