Jesus & Evangelism

The Perfect Example of Evangelism

Jesus not only preached to masses of people throughout His ministry here on earth, but He also knew the importance of teaching the individual. In seeing Him as the perfect example of evangelism, notice several lessons from Him in His contact with a Samaritan woman and other Samaritans from Sychar in John 4. First, Jesus showed compassion. In leaving Judea for Galilee, the text reads that “he must needs go through Samaria” (John 4:4).

will you follow jesus example in evangelism

Will you follow Jesus Example in Evangelism?

Since many of the Jews traveling from Judea to Galilee circumvented Samaria on the eastern road through Jericho, Christ’s need to travel through Samaria was spiritual and not geographical. When Jesus confronted the Samaritan woman after sending His disciples for food, she was perplexed that He would have dealings with her because of her race and gender. Christ’s contact with a hated race was enough to impress her with His compassion. If I am to follow His example of evangelism (cf. 1 Cor. 11:1), then I must be compassionate to others.

Second, Jesus introduced the gospel with the gift and the giver (John 4:10, 14). We are living in a world of sin. People do not need a “watered-down” gospel. Rather, the world needs to hear about the gift and the giver (Rom. 6:23). The gospel we are commanded to teach should involve both, and any other gospel is accursed (Gal. 1:8). Thus, if I am to follow the example of Jesus in evangelism, then I must introduce the gospel with both the gift (salvation) and the giver (Jesus).

Third, Jesus was interested in all souls, and He looked for more opportunities to share the gospel. After she inquired about receiving everlasting life, Jesus asked her to call her husband. Certainly, He already had in mind the opportunity to prove His deity, but He was not only interested in her soul, but the souls of her family as well. Later, the Samaritan woman brought many from Sychar to see Jesus, who then believed in Him (John 4:39). We should open our eyes and look for opportunities to spread the gospel to as many as we can. We must be interested in all souls!

Fourth, Jesus taught her properly the truth. He corrected her concept of worship (John 4:19-24), not giving her any idea that she was worshipping properly. He did not commend her sincerity. To be more precise, he said, “Ye worship ye know not what” (John 4:22) and then taught her the proper method of worship according to both spirit and truth (John 4:24). Sometimes, teaching the gospel in an evangelistic manner requires some tearing down before building (cf. Jer. 1:10). We cannot overlook the need to deal with false doctrines; we must teach people properly the truth, for only it can save (cf. John 8:32).

Fifth, Jesus continually realized the importance of soul winning (John 4:35). Although the disciples questioned His involvement with this woman and tried to urge Him to eat, He was interested in the harvesting of souls. What more of a purpose statement do we need as Christians? Evangelism ought to be as much a part of our lives as breathing air! To follow the example of our Lord in evangelism, we ought never to let down in looking for opportunities, realizing its great importance.

Sixth, Jesus understood the concept of preparation in soul winning. Many of the Samaritans believed in Him from this account (John 4:39-42). A short time later, Philip would come to Samaria and baptize many of them (Acts 8:12). Possibly, some of the Samaritans that heard Philip remembered the day they heard Jesus. Many times, we get discouraged in soul winning because we cannot see the immediate fruits of our labor. However, just because we do not see immediate success does not mean that we have not been successful in preparing the soil for another to reap the harvest. For us to follow the example of Christ in evangelism, we ought to rejoice when others can build upon the work we have done in teaching the gospel. We ought to be patient when we do not see an immediate harvest. We ought to be selfless, occupied in our task and willing to rejoice when others reap the harvest.

Seventh, Jesus knew the correct way to teach was exclusively from the word of God (John 4:42). When we teach the world, not with creeds or doctrines, but from the holy word of God, then God will add many saved souls to His kingdom.

Therefore, let us all apply these wonderful principles of evangelism from the example of the greatest soul-winner, and thereby gain more success in our endeavors!

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Destruction by Flood?

Why did God Decide not to Destroy the World with Flood Again?

god will not destroy the earth by flood again

God will not destroy the earth by flood again.

In Genesis 6, God saw that which he had created, mankind, had turned against the Creator. It was this that saddened Him. “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Gen. 6:5-8) God knew that if man was allowed to continue, that they would never recover which would not have paved any way for His Son to come to the earth and to die on the cross for the sins of the world which was first prophesied in Genesis 3:15 which says, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” So, God had destroyed all that was in the earth by water, except the eight souls and those animals inside the ark. He had cleansed the world and showed by implication the effectiveness of God’s cleansing ability.

Later, this same kind of cleaning would be demonstrated in baptism by which the blood of Christ cleanses the sinful soul clean when they, by obedience, go down into the water by immersion. Now, in Genesis 9 God said to Noah, “And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This [is] the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations.” God had given the world another chance to make way the path of the Lord. We see several instance as before how God is frequently trying to guide the people with people such as Moses, the prophets and later of course, His Son, Jesus Christ who was God in the flesh (Jn. 1:14). And it was Christ who is able to wash away the sins of those who came to Him in obedience. Now, God has promised to give man this opportunity to follow Him.

Therefore, he continues to be longsuffering. For, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9). God’s desire is that he wants all mankind (every Male and female) to obey his commands. However, since God has given mankind, “. . . all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” (2 Pet. 1:3), God has given mankind His best. Therefore, no longer will he restart the population of the earth by a world-wide flood in order to give them another chance. He simply will in, “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Pet. 3:10) This is why Christians, “who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels” (2 Thess. 1:7). One day the end will be here and judgment will be upon those who thought that they would have another chance to redeem themselves (like another flood). However, “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matt. 13:41-43).

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The Banquet Hall of Heaven

The Banquet Hall of Heaven

“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:  And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready” (Luke 14:16-17).

the banquet hall of heaven will fill all needs

The banquet hall of heaven will fill all needs.

The world in which Jesus lived was a strange confluence of riches and poverty.  The New Testament alludes to the rich frequently and the extravagances to which they went to “one-up” their social peers.  The system under which business of every kind transpired during Jesus day was more or less the equivalent of our “good old boy” network.  In this relationship, the rich often acted as benefactors toward the poor (Luke 22:25).  In exchange for these benefits the poor were obliged to give the proper honor and respect to the wealthy.  In return for their showing respect, the rich would host large banquets to which their poorer clients would be invited.

The poor frequently found themselves humiliated at these banquets by the rich who would ostentatiously display their wealth (compare 1 Corinthians 11:20-22).  The richer would have higher places of honor than the poor (Luke 14:8-10).  The rich guests would have their feet washed with much flair whereas the poor were sometime neglected (Luke 7:44-45).  The poor may even find themselves hungry while the more honored guests faired sumptuously (Luke 16:19-21, 1 Corinthians 11:20-22).  Slaves, also, would be used to serve the various courses and beaten upon the slightest of offenses.  These banquets were often held in antechambers of various pagan temples.  These “banquet halls of heaven” were anything but heavenly, but rather, as James describes the wisdom of man, “earthly, sensual, devilish” (James 3:15).

The banquet hall, however, which Jesus describes in the parables is quite a different affair.  The upper status guests to these banquets refuse to come (Matthew 22:5-6, Luke 14:18-20).  This was a serious cultural offense and merited the harsh response indicated by Jesus in these parables (Matthew 22:7, Luke 14:24).  In contrast, then, to the banquets of Jesus’ day, the master of the feast invites “the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind” (Luke 14:13).  The servants are instructed to “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23) and “Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid…” (Matthew 22:9).  This picture is not the order of the day.

The banquet hall of heaven, then, is a place where all are considered of equal value.  Peter declared, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35).  James wrote, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons” and “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors” (James 2:1,9).  In the banquet hall of heaven, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).  The banquet hall of heaven is a place of equality, not class warfare.

The banquet hall of heaven is a place where the Master humbles himself for the sake of the servant.  John 13:4-5 records Jesus’ remarkable actions in this regard, “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”  This exemplary action was to instruct the disciples about service to one another, not self-service.  Jesus said, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:13-14).  Peter echoed Jesus instructions in his epistle, “Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5 ASV).  The banquet hall of heaven is a place of humility, not arrogance.

Finally, the banquet hall of heaven is a place of lasting fullness.  The physical banquets often left the guests unsatisfied for various reasons and ultimately could provide no lasting satisfaction.  One would either get hungry again or the banquet of the previous week would be outdone by some other, wealthier patron the next.  What Jesus offers, however, is lasting satisfaction.  He said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).  In John 6:27 Jesus teaches us to, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”  The banquet hall of heaven, then, is a place where all needs are met by a loving and providential God and where no one goes spiritually hungry.

In contrast to the banquets of Jesus day, the gospel sets forth the feeding of the multitudes as an example of the banquet hall of heaven.  The Master of the feast blesses and serves the meal to the hungry (Mark 8:6).  From just a little, a multitude is fed by the providence of God (Mark 8:5,7).  All are fed according to their needs and each eats until he is satisfied (Mark 8:8).  The leftovers are collected and then saved for additional meals (Mark 8:8).  And Jesus’ disciples learn that “man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4; and compare Mark 8:19-21).

Banqueters in ancient Rome sought physical pleasure through debauchery, gluttony, and superfluity of wickedness.  Such brings no lasting pleasure, but mere momentary satisfaction.  How much more satisfying the joy brought through humility, sobriety, and righteousness!  May God help us to grow fat in the banquet hall of heaven!

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Laying Life Down

Laying Life Down

Jesus speaking to the Pharisees in John 10:17-18 stated: “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” The conversation surrounded the fact that Jesus came into the world as a shepherd and savior. As such, He would lay His life down for His sheep, those faithful to God (John 10:4). Unlike a normal Shepherd, Jesus stands out because of his authority over death. He could give up his life and yet, take it again.

The faithful of God do not have the power to take up their lives after death as Jesus did, however, they do have the power to lay down their lives so their Shepherd can lift them up. Jesus established man must lose his life to gain it in Matthew 16:24-25, “… If any one wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.” Accordingly, the apostle Paul stated in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”

It is apparent from the passages above that there are two lives being discussed. The first life is the ending of the physical life which all men experience. The second life being laid down is the sinful life of a man. As sheep who hear the voice of their shepherd and follow, the laying down of a sinful life is submission to Jesus. Jesus has the authority to lift up man from both deaths, but man must make the choice to lay down the second.

Paul’s description of the life in which he had been lifted up in Christ was characterized as one in which Christ lived in him. When Paul addresses the Romans he describes the laying down of the sinful life. “…How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:2-4) He further gives direction for that new life in Colossians 3:1-4, “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

The choice of the faithful to lay aside a sinful life and seek things which are above (Philippians 4:8) provides the hope of promise. The promise is that the Jesus the Good Shepherd will lift the physical body of man up when He returns in the clouds (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

 

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Slothful Sluggard

The Slothful Sluggard

The Biblical word I would like to discuss today is “Sluggard.” The Hebrew word thus translated is found twelve times in Book of Proverbs. Five times it is translated “sluggard” and the other seven times it is translated “slothful.” The English words sluggard and slothful both indicate slowness of movement. Slothful is defined as, “habitual disinclination to exertion; indolence; laziness…” (Dictionary.com) and Sluggard describes a person, “whoishabituallyinactiveorlazy…” (Dictionary.com). A sluggard can simply be called a slothful person. Proverbs uses these terms numerous times to encourage the reader to become active and even proactive in every aspect of their lives and especially to be so in regard to their spiritual lives.

A summary of how the Hebrew word is used in Proverbs demonstrates the characteristics of the slothful sluggard.

  • The slothful sluggardrefuses to labor. Proverbs 21:25 and 24:30-31.
  • The slothful sluggardmakes excuses for not doing anything: “There’s a lion!” (Proverbs 22:13; 26:13) “It’s too cold!” (Proverbs 20:4)
  • These lame excuses and flat refusal to do anything only makes the slothful sluggard’s life more difficult. His way is fraught with thorns that impede him. (Proverbs 15:19)
  • The slothful sluggard is like a man who is sleeps all the time, but gets no rest. (Proverbs 6:9; 26:14)
  • Finally, the slothful sluggard is unreliable and brings only bitterness to those who would attempt to rely upon him. (Proverbs 10:26)

All of this is why, Solomon encourage the slothful sluggard to look to or imitate the ant. (Proverbs 6:6-11)The any may be small, but it works hard and is proactive with regard to seeing to its needs. A slothful sluggard, both spiritually and physically is the very opposite of what a Christian ought to be.

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…” Ecclesiastes 9:10

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ…” (Colossians 3:23-24)

 

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