Title: We Are Evangelists
Contents
“We Are Evangelizers”
Paul, who persecuted those who believed in Jesus in the past, lived a life of preaching the gospel only after meeting Jesus. (Acts 20:24, 2 Tim. 4:7) The same mission of preaching the gospel is required of us today. I hope today will be a time of grace to reorganize the justification for preaching the gospel that Paul wants to convey to us and the attitude of life as an evangelist.
1. What is the Gospel?
「Gospel」 means 'good news', 'good news', 'tidings of salvation', and 'tidings of life'. That is, it is the good news that God announced through Christ for the salvation of mankind (Luke 1:10-11). That is, Jesus Christ Himself. (John 10:10b, John 14:6, Matthew 11:28, John 4:14, 7:37-38) It is also the power of God. (Romans 1:16b, Mark 1:15)
2. Evangelists don't brag about themselves
It is because the salvation of the saints who preach the gospel is only through Jesus Christ.(16) Therefore, the evangelist should boast only in Jesus and preach only Jesus. He has raised us up to be evangelists. (Acts 9:15, Acts 1:8) Not voluntarily, but the Lord has called us to be life-saving workers! Therefore, we must lay down ourselves to preach the gospel. You must be humble (Philippians 3:7-8), and sacrifice and dedicate yourself according to the grace you have been called to (1 Corinthians 15:10b). Jesus, who became the gospel, was the person of God, but he emptied himself and became like men, and humbled himself and was crucified on the cross. He obeyed even to the point of death. (Philippians 2:6-8) The disciples also left everything they had and followed only Jesus, looking at Him (Matthew 4:18-22).
Evangelists who have been called by grace in this way are those who lay down themselves and look only at Jesus and preach.
3. Evangelism is our mission
「Mission」 means 'an entrusted task' or 'command received by an envoy' (2 Corinthians 5:20a). The meaning of 'work that must be done' in verse 16 of the main text also indicates an absolute duty. In other words, a mission is not something that can or cannot be done, it is something that must be done. The mission of preaching the gospel was entrusted to us by Jesus, and it is Jesus' will and the Great Commission. (Acts 1:8, Acts 20:24, Matt 29:19-20, Philippians 2:20b, Romans 1: 14) Therefore, you will receive blessings when you faithfully carry out this mission. (2 Tim. 4:8, Romans 10:14~15, Dan 12:3b) Why did Livingston, a pioneer of African missions, devote his life to exploring such rugged remote areas? Did you preach the gospel? It was because we knew that this gospel preaching was the command of Jesus left for us, that is, the mission we should be faithful to for the rest of our lives.
4. If you do not preach the Gospel, you will be rebuked.
Preaching the Gospel is our mission. Therefore, if you do not fulfill your mission, you will be rebuked.(16b) The word “woe” in verse 16 is the original word meaning “curse, disaster, suffering.” In the New Testament, the terrifying rebuke of “Woe to you” appears 6 times (chapter 11) in Luke and 7 times (chapter 23) in Matthew, all of which were Jesus’ rebukes against the Pharisees and scribes. But Paul is categorically saying that this dreadful word of ‘woe’ will come when the gospel of salvation is not preached. Ultimately, not preaching the gospel is disobedience to God, neglecting one's duties, and refusal of mission. Since this mission is a precious task to preach the good news of salvation, save lives, and to announce God's judgment in advance, there is no way to avoid God's rebuke if we do not fulfill the mission (Ezekiel 33:6). You must do your best to spread the gospel, with the awareness that you will be angry with me if you neglect it.
Paul did everything for the sake of the gospel (23a).
We, too, should do our best in worship, offering, almsgiving and evangelism, faithful to our duties and faithful to the service and ministry entrusted to us.
Paul also participated in the preaching of the gospel (23b). We also must do our best to send out missionaries, support with donations, intercede with prayer, and evangelize and build churches.
As a person indebted to the gospel, I bless you to live a blessed life by faithfully fulfilling your mission this week.