Title: Joy through evangelism / Luke 10:17-24
Content Evangelism can have the effect of not one stone and two birds, but one stone and three tides. It is because through evangelism, I am happy and can give joy to those who have received evangelism and please the Lord.
1. The joy of the evangelist (verse 17)
The 70 disciples who went out to evangelize returned with joy. There is joy in those who evangelize like this. This does not mean that there are no obstacles in evangelism and there is only joy. They must also have been hurt because of people like wolves while evangelizing, and they must have been slapped at the door. However, when I did not give up and continued to evangelize with patience, many happy things happened. It may be difficult and discouraging at the moment, but later it will be filled with joy.
Evangelism is like sowing and harvesting seeds. Plowing, plowing, and sowing seeds are hard work. It is not something that can be harvested right away. But the harvest is the harvest time. There is great joy. There is a sense of pride that the warehouse is full. “He who goes out weeping to sow seed will surely return with joy, carrying his sheaf” (Psalm 126:6).
Evangelism is also like lifesaving activities. We still vividly remember the Sampoong Department Store disaster last year. At that time, many people dedicated themselves to rescuing people from the rubble of the collapsed building. Some of them were public rescue workers who were compulsory for their jobs, but there were also many who volunteered. I've seen people sweating profusely to rescue them despite the risk of further collapse. I've seen people jumping into the scene, irrespective of the air polluted with asbestos powder that it can cause cancer in the human body. Those volunteers were not unemployed. Although he had his own job, he thought of the suffering of the victims and jumped into it with the hope of being of a small help. When they discovered that there was one survivor, I could see them cheering and rejoicing as they rescued them. They were delighted!
The joy they enjoyed was different from that of ordinary people. Their joy was not the joy of receiving, but the joy of giving. Their joy was not the joy of resting, but the joy of working. Their joy was not from their own work, but from the work of others. Their joy was not the joy of pleasure, but the joy of saving lives. Their joy was not the joy of making money, but the joy of self-sacrifice. When there are many such people, our society becomes healthy, compassionate, and a good society to live in. Christians are worthy and worthy of this higher level of joy. Evangelists can enjoy such joy. How ecstatic must be the joy of saving the souls of unbelievers who slide down into the fiery lakes of hell. Such joy can only be experienced by those who have saved the souls who are running toward the lake of fire by evangelism.
Evangelists not only receive this joy, but also receive the joy of spiritual growth through evangelism. When you cry out the name of the Lord according to the words of Jesus, you will experience the demons subduing and you will be happy.
2. The joy of a decision maker
If the target clearly understands the gospel and is saved, he will be very happy to know that he has passed from death to life. The characteristics of those who have been saved are emotion and joy. Remember the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well? The woman left her water jar and went into the town and cried out in a loud voice to the people. “Come and see the man who told me all that I have done, is this not the Christ?” (John 4:29) Can you imagine a woman struggling with overflowing joy?
Seeing the 70 disciples rejoice that the demons had surrendered, Jesus made a meaningful statement.
“But do not be content with the demons surrendering to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (verse 20).
“The one who overcomes will also be clothed in white robes, and I will not blot out his name in the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels” (Revelation 3:5).
Be thankful that the gospel is so simple that even a child can easily understand and believe. If it requires philosophical thinking, who can be saved, except for a few who are particularly intelligent? Be grateful that salvation is freely given. Otherwise, who can be saved except the rich and wealthy? Be thankful that you are not saved by good works. Otherwise, who can be saved, except for some who are naturally good and strong-willed?
3. The joy of Jesus (verse 21)
When Christians evangelize, the Lord is pleased. If one sinner repents as a result of evangelism, the Lord is pleased. As the Good Shepherd, you feel the joy of recovering a lost sheep. Also, as the Lamb who took away the sin of the world, he rejoices because he feels rewarded for what he has done. Although He already suffered on the cross and accomplished salvation, He sits at the right hand of God's throne, but He never rejoices if sinners are not preached and saved.
Among the masterpieces written by British author Oscar Wilde, there is a fairy tale called [The Happy Prince].
Since the title of the fairy tale is called the happy prince, in a way
It seems to be a story about a prince, but it is thought that a swallow in the story is more important than the prince. In reality, the prince in this fairy tale is a statue of a prince standing tall in the middle of a village. The statue's two pupils are made of velvet stones, and the prince's sword hilt is studded with public information stones. And the statue of the prince is always apologetic to the poor people of the village. People called the prince a happy prince because the statue looked happy, but the prince was never happy. Because there are so many poor people in this world, the kind heart that looked at them could never be happy.
A stray swallow accidentally flew by the prince's statue.
The swallow became a corpse frozen to death on a winter morning and fell under the feet of the statue. And the prince's heart was shattered when he saw it. But the true happiness of this prince and swallow was unknown.
Who, like this swallow, will uphold his will, the Prince of Peace? Those who evangelize receive joy through evangelism, and they give joy to those who are evangelizing and please Christ.