Last post spoke of authentic,
biblical corporate worship as a time for believers to gather together to celebrate
God, to be inspired by who He is, and to be sent set out for His glory. So, as one contemplates the second fundamental
task of the church, that of evangelism, it must be seen as a continuation of
the first. Why? For a church that worships, truly worships
will want to see others brought to the point of worship. The third chapter of Ephesians, in the tenth
verse states, “… that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known
through the church…” A church that
worships God does so because it knows the truth found in scripture, the truth
of God’s great love and of Jesus great sacrifice. Consequently, a worshiping church will be an
evangelizing church.
The word used
in the New Testament for evangelism can literally be translated from the original
language as Good News or Gospel.
As one looks to the Bible for understanding, it will become quite clear
that a biblical church and each true, converted believer in its midst will be
known as those who spread the gospel message… not because they want to grow the
numbers of the church or because they want to spread the influence of the
church but because the good news is the only message that really matters. In Romans, Paul affirms this principle when
he states, “For whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on Him in whom they
have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And
how will they hear without a preacher. (Romans 10:13-14)” The church, the
believer, both are an integral part of the spreading of the message of Jesus
Christ, so that all may hear the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
Seeing that the
church is tasked with spreading the good news, then it is a logical conclusion
that the church and its members should desire to see Kingdom growth. Jesus clearly asserted that on Peter’s
confession, that Jesus was Lord, He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). Thus, it is clearly the will of God that the church
grows. Furthermore, Jesus spoke of the need
to call all to Him… to reach out into the unlikely places, to “…Go out into the
highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may
be filled. (Luke 14:23)”
Taking all
things into consideration, an authentic, biblical church will not only worship
but will be witness to all of the Good News (Acts 1:8) and of the great,
patient love of God for all to know (2
Peter 3:9). Whatever one thinks of
evangelism, it is unmistakable that Scripture explicitly regards evangelism as essential
in the life of those who are Christian.
So, whether we speak of an individual or of the corporate body, the expectation
is that evangelism will take place among those who are true, authentic believers.
Let me... let us be those known as those who evangelize.