By: Bro. Stephen Iluman (Bishop)
Download Lesson
It is my prayers that God should use me to speak about the importance of His word (evangelism) and the definition has this say, belonging to a Christian group that emphasizes the authority of the bible and the importance of personal salvation through faith. Jesus Christ Himself brought the importance of evangelism. Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at [a]Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And [b]Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.
Dear brethren, the action taken by Mary and the response from Christ is an eye opener to all of us, especially to get understanding of the importance of evangelism. More to this, the apostles that were sent out by Christ for this mission of evangelism also proved to us. Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,[a] because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 6:1-7. The apostles of Jesus Christ also followed the pattern of their master not to serve tables. Today, I want to make my personal confession that the Lord may forgive me and the church collectively; in the setting up of the welfare committee that is now comprising men and women. I personally kicked against it, immediately sisters names were mentioned among those to be members. And very unfortunately I was the one that was asked to pray for those appointed or ordained.
My dear brethren, since then I have not been comfortable in spirit with God. I have been searching the holy bible with reference to what we had done. Please everybody should try as well to study the bible as part of evangelism – 2 Timothy 2:15. There is nothing wrong if correction could be made according to the inspired word of God – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. I fear the word of God a lot – Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. I was very happy when this topic was given to me because of James 4:17 –Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. The importance of evangelism is to alert the entire world of their errors and mistakes since God is longsuffering – 2 Peter 3:9 – 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward [a]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Paul on his personal evangelism corrected Peter or rebuked him – Galatians 2:11-20 – 11 Now when [a]Peter had come to Antioch, I [b]withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing [c]those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, [d]why do you compel Gentiles to live as [e]Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not [f]justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; 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 in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
We in the local congregation must spread the good news of Christ who died for the entire world – 1 Corinthians 15:1-6. That the world need faith – Romans 10:17. That the conditions are there – Mark 16:15-16. That repentance is necessary as was preached on the day of Pentecost – Acts 2:36-47. That the church Christ promised to build came into existence – Matthew 16:18. That God through Christ is still seeking for those to worship Him in Spirit and truth – John 4:23-24. That baptism is the final stage – John 3:1-5. Evangelism is important because of the truth it requires – John 8:31-32. You who is a disciple must speak the truth about the only one church revealed – Ephesians 4:4-6. We have to point to corrections made by Paul while preaching because of increase of denominationalism – 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. That nobody has right scripturally to laid another foundation – 1 Corinthians 3:11. Peter the apostle during evangelism told the entire world that names given by men under heaven as church today cannot give salvation – Acts 4:12. Paul also gave the information that it is only in the church of Christ human beings are to worship God from generation to generation – Ephesians 3:21. There is need also to speak on personal evangelism which is also important as individuals – 2 Timothy 2:2 – And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. The importance of evangelism has declared that everybody should be passing this message of salvation through Christ to others even with your languages. Christ had given the directives to all Christians in reality according to Matthew 28:18-20 – 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen. There is always question from those who were baptised into denominational churches; tell them that they need to be baptised into the church of Christ because their church is not in the bible – Acts 19:1-5. Those who sprinkled with water to also be baptised through burial – Romans 6:3-4. Those who are still paying and receiving tithes to now understand – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. Since we no longer under the law of the Old Testament for those who worshipped on the Sabbath days. Evangelism is very important since we are to correct all errors that will make people not to worship in vain not to become blind leaders and blind followers – Matthew 15:8-14. Where they are dancing, clapping with instrumental music to change to the new testament doctrine since the old had been blotted out – Colossians 2:14. We are only to sing and make melody from our hearts even when Christ was alive – Matthew 26:26-29 vs 30 especially. Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 13:15, 1 Corinthians 14:15. There is prediction concerning departure from the faith which we all should be careful about – 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Acts 20:27-31. Women are not left out since God is not the author of confusion – 1 Corinthians 14:33-35. We should not compromise as a church – Revelation 2:15-17. The corrupt church – Revelation 2:20-23. The dead church – Revelation 2:4-5. It was only two out of the seven (1) the persecuted church – Revelation 2:10-11, the faithful church – Revelation 3:10-13, the lukewarm church – Revelation 3:15-17, The Loveless Church – Revelation 2:4-5.
Conclusion
We all individually or collectively should be vigilant and watchful as we use the word of God authoritatively, powerfully, carefully without human suggestions and additions through Jesus Christ – Amen.
Hymn 663.
Download Lesson
