Introduction to Evangelism Series
All Christians are Ministers of the Word of God.
Sometimes we do not pick and choose who we want to share the Word of God, which leads to disagreement because we are following the commandments on evangelism. We are commanded not to cast our pearls before the swine. Preaching the gospel to itchy ears is seeding the Word that one day they will have a change of heart. Jesus sat and dined with sinners and tax collectors while teaching the kingdom of God… Matthew 9. When the people you are trying to reach are giving you a hard time, follow what Jesus told his apostles: “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town” (Matthew 10:14).
The purpose of evangelism is to deliver the gospel to the hearts and souls of those who lack knowledge and are hungry to hear God’s Word. We share the gospel to give them enlightenment and be happy, but we are not welcome for some reason. That is their choice, and God gave us that freedom of choice. Our responsibility ended when they rejected the Word; our obligation is zero to nothing. If they accepted the Word, then our obligation begins; we must keep watering the seeds we planted.
Since we believe in the Trinity, the Lord God should be well emphasized, and the distinction between the Lord Jesus must be part of the teaching. Though the Word Trinity is not in the Bible, it is written this way; when Jesus Christ commissioned the Apostles to go all over the world and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Many versions of the Bible changed, if not omitted, what was written, and breaks everyone that believes that the Bible has no error; we have to watch that our relationship with the Father will not be tainted. The Son Jesus will not be happy as well. Jesus loved the Father so much that he did his mission beyond what he was told.
“No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My initiative. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. I received this commandment from My Father.”- John 10:18 . God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved – John 3:17.
Suppose you plan to help spread the gospel in this generation; ask guidance from the Holy Spirit that every Word that comes out of your mouth will be directly given to you and through the Holy Spirit. In that case, there will be no confusion about the truth when the audience hears it. We do not want to divide the Word of truth to gain followers. We are continuously reaching because that is the only way to guard the truth of what was written. We want to take advantage of the power and authority vested in us by the Holy One.
We minister to lift the glory of God and not our glory.
There are many heretics and false teachings in our surroundings using the Bible as their front with many different approaches than the traditional teachings. Many believers do not even carry the Bible and rely on what they see on the wall through a projector. Without the Bible, fraudulent acts will blossom, and there will be plenty to harvest a false doctrine.
Why many of the faithful have been led astray by these false teachings? The reason is that many followers are encouraged to allow entertainment preachings. They are more into jumping, dancing, and screaming than being inspired by God. Feeling blessed is different from spiritual blessings. Be mindful that we are also serving God by listening to His Word.
God is all in all.
Dr. Joseph Vitug, Ph.D. – Bishop Emeritus