Author: petebeck3

Pete Beck III ministered as a pastor and Bible teacher in Burlington for over 34 years. He is married to Martha, with whom he has four children, ten beautiful grandchildren, and four amazing great grandchildren. He ministers in his local church as a Bible teacher and counselor. He has published two books - Seeing God's Smile and Promise of the Father - as well as a wide variety of Bible-related articles which he has compiled into books in PDF form.

Man’s Ongoing Quest to Escape Our Assigned Habitation, the Earth

In this article, I will attempt to describe what I believe is mankind’s ongoing attempt to escape our assigned physical habitation, the earth. In my previous one, I wrote about humanity’s quest to escape the spiritual and intellectual limitations assigned to us by God in his Word, the Bible. The two are closely linked.

The Bible teaches us that Satan wished to go beyond his assigned place and role and usurp God’s throne.

But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. 14 ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ Isaiah 14:13–14 (NASB95)

The essence of sin lies in our refusal to accept God’s authority as the Creator to “make the rules” and assign to us our roles and limitations.

We see this being played out all around us in our culture. People are not happy with their assigned sexuality or gender. Some women despise the perceived limitations of being wives and mothers. Some men do not want to carry the weight of responsibility connected with the roles of husband and father. In both cases, sometimes people feel as if the sacrifice of freedom is too great.

Apparently Satan had a privileged status prior to his rebellion, but he wanted more. Although a created being, he considered himself to be God’s equal and had the audacity to attempt to overthrow God’s rule. The result was his defeat and ouster from heaven.

And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Luke 10:18 (NKJV)

Having failed, Satan did not give up. Apparently, he determined to seduce the humans God created and placed in the garden. He tempted them to join in his rebellion against God. It seems that the lure of god-like self-determination is quite strong. Adam and Eve took the bait hook, line, and sinker.

God created us to be perfectly fulfilled and satisfied dependent beings.

We were not designed or intended to go it alone. Our Lord’s desire has always been to be with us and live his life in and through us. That is the only pathway to peace and joy, but Adam and Eve threw that away for an empty promise from the tempter that they could be like God, knowing good and evil for themselves. Jesus came to restore us to the abundant life God originally intended.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 (NLT)

Not only did God intend for Adam and Eve and their descendants to enjoy a happy and fulfilled life of partnership and dependence upon their Creator, he also provided them with the perfect environment.

The earth God created was a paradise with more than enough capacity to provide for a vast number of people. Before they rebelled against God’s rule, the earth worked with them to provide their needs. After their sin and the consequent judgment, the earth worked against them to some degree.

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. 18 “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; 19 By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:17–19 (NASB95)

Now it is more difficult to extract the blessings from the ground, but not impossible. God’s command to be fruitful and multiply still stands. God still wants the earth to be full of people, something the devil works hard to prevent.

Satan, the father of lies, consistently lies to us about God and the earth.

He works hard to get us to believe and accept his version of reality in place of God’s truth. The earth God created is huge with plentiful resources. The Bible says that it is safely enclosed and protected in a solid firmament. This crystalline structure separates us from the third heaven where God’s throne is located.

Our assigned abode is on the earth below the firmament.

God reserved heaven for himself, his angels, and all who put their faith and allegiance in his Son, our Lord Jesus the Messiah.

After Adam’s and Eve’s rebellion and expulsion from the garden, almost from the beginning, their descendants, like Satan, were not content to remain in our assigned place.

The Bible records that residents of Mesopotamia constructed a giant tower whose purpose was to reach into heaven.

They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11:4 (NASB95)

Tradition has it that Nimrod wanted to penetrate the barrier of the firmament in order to kill God with his bow and arrows. Regardless of whether there is any truth in that, God took note of this attempt to escape our assigned domain and frustrated their efforts. By dividing them into many different language groups, God slowed down mankind’s technological development. But the drive to test the limits of our habitation and escape its confines persists.

The quest to breach the firmament was delayed but not stopped.

Now I ask you to permit me space to conjecture a bit, with the full understanding that I am making what I consider to be an educated guess. When our own government blocks access to crucial information and propagates what is false, we are left trying to piece together the resulting puzzle. Thankfully, the Bible gives us much solid information.

The Bible tells us that the solid firmament rises from the earth where it is securely anchored. I wrote more about this in previous articles in this series. A 1958 version of The Encyclopedia Americana reported the presence of a dome. This was prior to the Antarctic Treaty and before censorship regarding that area of the world. We are “fenced in” by this structure. At this point, the general public does not know where the firmament connects to the earth, since that area of the world is now “off limits,” but quite possibly Admiral Richard E. Byrd found it, having made several expeditions to that region before and after WWII (1928-30, 1933-34, 1939-40, 1946-47, and 1955-56). He gave a televised interview in which he made some remarkable claims.

During and after Byrd completed his assignments there, several very interesting things took place.

  1. The United Nations was created in 1945.
  2. Walt Disney, who majored in fantasy, and Werner Von Braun partnered to produce a documentary on outer space travel in 1955.
  3. NASA was formed in 1958. Werner Von Braun, a former Nazi, brought to the US under the auspices of Operation Paperclip, was put in charge of our space program, or at least became one of its major spokesmen.
  4. The Antarctic Treaty was signed, cordoning off the area beyond the South 60th parallel, December 1, 1959. The signing nations were each assigned a segment to guard and protect against independent exploration. Interestingly, despite all our international conflicts since then, no one has violated this treaty? Why?
  5. Operation Fishbowl was part of a series of high altitude nuclear explosions conducted by the US and Russia. Operation Starfish exploded a 1.4 megaton bomb in 1962 at a reported altitude of 400 kilometers or 240 miles.

If I am correct in speculating that Byrd and his associates discovered the wall of the firmament, then the formation of NASA and subsequent rocket launches were part of a plan to probe and perhaps penetrate the firmament. Operation Fishbowl likely was designed to test the strength and nature of the firmament. Numerous videos of rocket launches show them apparently skimming through water and sometimes coming apart at very high altitudes. Many of NASA’s launches take an arc that would dump them into the Bermuda Triangle.

If the firmament is what the Bible says, outer space is a fantasy. The firmament cannot be penetrated, and pretty much everything NASA produces is part of a Disney-like magical kingdom.

It is apparent to many that NASA exists to maintain the illusion that we live on a globe while making ongoing efforts to break through the firmament.

Whatever is the actual case, no one will deny that many people are genuinely obsessed with space travel and the idea of leaving the earth and exploring, and maybe even establishing colonies, beyond the earth. Hollywood, which is known to hide the truth in plain sight, has given us many clues regarding the firmament and humanity’s inborn desire to escape our assigned habitation. Here are a few examples.

The Matrix movie describes a world where humans are enslaved by convincing them that the lie, with which they are all brainwashed, is actually reality. Wanting to escape the lie, is very different from trying to deny the truth and pursue the lie. Neo was encouraged to take the “red pill” that would open his eyes to the truth, which he did, embarking him on a dangerous adventure toward freedom.

Sinful rebellious humankind wants to escape the limitations of our God-imposed habitation. The controllers, those in power who are serving Satan, hide the true nature of our world from its inhabitants in order to enslave us under false pretenses. They tell us that the world we live in is more or less doomed and that we need to find somewhere else. All the while they hide how amazing and plentiful is God’s provision.

Almost everything about our world as presented by our government is contrary to the truth.

Consider the following.

  • We are told that we live on a “fragile” planet.  We are in danger from climate change, asteroids, disease, aliens, and over crowding.
  • Resources are limited and running out.
  • Our population needs to be reduced, resources rationed, and energy conserved.

But what does God say?

  • We live on a firmly secured earth enclosed by a solid firmament. Climate change, aliens, and asteroids are not real. Demons, yes, but not aliens.
  • God created the earth with more than enough resources to support a massive population. Otherwise, God would not have commanded us to fill the earth.
  • God said to be fruitful and multiply. Efforts to reduce the population through wars, starvation, abortion, vaccines, etc., like everything else Satan suggests, are in direct violation of God’s commands.

Jesus was not joking when he said the devil came to kill, steal, and destroy.

If we would accept that the earth God created is a perfectly designed habitation and seek to bring it more and more in line with God’s original intention under his rule, we would see our lives prosper in a greater way. Instead, inspired by Satan and our own rebelliousness, we refuse to tell the truth, listen to the truth, or accept our God-imposed limitations. Instead, we try to escape, not realizing that all the while Satan is working his plan to subjugate and enslave the inhabitants of the earth. Thankfully, we know from the Bible that God wins! Eventually he will create a new heaven and earth in which only righteousness exists. Hallelujah!

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The Gospel and Deliverance

The gospel provides deliverance from demonic oppression.

And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Matthew 10:7-8 (ESV)

Everywhere Jesus went he manifested the reality of the kingdom of God by setting people free from demonic oppression. He commissioned his disciples to do the same. This commission is still in effect.

Deliverance from demons, like healing, is clear indicator of the presence of the King and the advance of his kingdom.

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:28 (ESV)

The Bible teaches us that evil spirits are real, not some remnant from a per-scientific worldview. Demons seek to capture, torment, and destroy people. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who came to set captives free and provide peace and protection. One of Jesus’ names and roles is Redeemer. A redeemer is one who purchases the freedom of another in order to set them free. Jesus paid for our freedom with his blood.

And they *sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Revelation 5:9 (NASB)

His death and resurrection through belief in the gospel sets people free from everything that wishes to enslave them, so that they might serve God freely, joyfully, and wholeheartedly.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20  that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21  Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22  God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.Ephesians 1:19-22 (NLT)

All power and authority was transferred to the risen Messiah King at his resurrection, which he uses to liberate Satan’s former captives. Jesus gave authority over evil spirits to his disciples, which is backed up by the unstoppable power of the Holy Spirit.

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 18  And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19  "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Luke 10:17-19 (NASB)

Evil spirits must obey when followers of Christ command them to leave. The Holy Spirit enforces our commands when we operate in the authority of Christ. When disciples of Christ cast out demons, it is a clear demonstration of God’s power and Christ’s authority.

Like healing, deliverance confirms the authenticity of the gospel message.

The early church carried forward this practice as part of its gospel message.

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13  None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14  And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15  so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16  The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Acts 5:12-16 (ESV)  

And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7  For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. Acts 8:6-7 (ESV)

Today people in the secularized West, where so-called science is worshiped, often try to explain away demonic activity as being some form of mental instability or other medically defined disease. However, if we maintain that Jesus actually knew what he was talking about and that the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, we must take demons seriously. Conversely, many people are terrified by the demonic, having gotten all their information from horror movies which glorify evil.

The reality is that demons exist, but they are under the authority of Christ and must obey Christ’s representatives.

(You can read more about our authority to cast out demons by clicking here.) Please keep in mind that demons are real, Christ has already defeated them, followers of Christ have authority over them, the Holy Spirit backs up that authority, and casting them out is a sign of the presence and power of God’s kingdom. When we preach the gospel, we should expect to encounter demonic oppression in people and be prepared to use Christ’s authority to handle the situation. When we do that properly, it confirms the truth of the gospel.

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How Well Can You Share the Gospel Story?

God wants us to be fluent enough in the gospel to share it like a story. Jesus frequently used stories because they are such a powerful way to communicate.

The gospel is the true story of Jesus Christ set in the context of Israel’s history with God.

Each of the four Gospels are presented in story form. We learn about Jesus from seeing how he was born, lived, died, rose again, and later ascended into heaven, where he now rules, waiting for the Father’s set time for his return to judge all people. In the Gospel story, we see how our Lord Jesus interacted with God the Father and those who lived around him. We listen to his words and marvel at his deeds.

In the gospel, we encounter the Creator and Sustainer of the universe who became a human being.

Each one of us has a personal story to tell, too. Our life stories are set in the context of the history of our families, when and where we have lived, what we have gone through, decisions we made, opportunities we received, victories we won, battles we lost, and any number of factors that make us unique and interesting.

Being a witness for Christ involves telling our own stories, with a special emphasis on how Jesus intersected our lives and the difference he made and is making. Ideally, our story should enable us to share His story, so that Jesus can become a major part of our listener’s story, too.

If we familiarize ourselves with the gospel message, we can learn to present the Jesus story in our own words. Through practice we can get more and more proficient and confident. When we are able blend our own story with the story of Jesus, it can be very effective. The Apostle Paul was a master at telling his own story and going right to the punch line of the gospel message – Jesus’ death for our sins and resurrection as the Lord who will come again as the judge of all the earth.

The Gospel can be presented in a variety of ways, depending on the leading of the Holy Spirit and the need and openness of the hearer. Below are some of the essential elements of the Gospel story. It is a good idea to study these in order to be able to share from the heart. If you can mix in a few relevant Bible verses, it will be even better.

The Essential Elements of the Gospel

  • Creation. This is where it all started for us. The creation story includes acknowledging that the Creator has always existed and reigns supreme. Creation means we owe our very existence to God, upon whom we were meant to rely. John Chapter One reveals that Jesus is the Creator. (John 1:3)
  • Mankind’s Rebellion. Adam and Eve chose to believe the devil’s lie that God cannot be trusted. They disobeyed him in an effort to become like God in order to be able to navigate life on their own. The essence of sin is self rule apart from God. Adam’s sin brought death to the human race and separated us from God. (Isaiah 53:6) This rebellion against God’s rule has permeated all of humanity and is the basic sin for which we need forgiveness and restoration. People are unable to save themselves because we are all sinners under judgment. Salvation would have to come from elsewhere.
  • Promise of a Savior. God took the initiative to provide amnesty and forgiveness to all those who want it. He promised Abraham, who became the father of the Jewish people, that one of his descendants would be a blessing to the entire earth. (Genesis 22:18) He later promised King David, one of Abraham’s offspring, that one of his descendants would rule on God’s throne forever. (2 Samuel 7:12-13) God also promised that he would establish what is called a New Covenant, which would provide people with a “new heart” toward God and forgiveness of sins. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
  • Birth of Jesus. The four gospels show how Jesus’ birth fulfilled these prophecies and promises. As prophesied, Jesus was born to a virgin through the supernatural activity of God. (Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:22-23) The eternal and pre-existent Son of God became a human in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. (John 1:14) This enabled him to be a perfect sacrifice for our sins, in accordance with John the Baptist’s announcement that Jesus was the Lamb of God. (John 1:29) He lived and died in complete obedience to his heavenly Father, undoing the rebellion of Adam, and became the progenitor of a new race of humans through what is called the “new birth.” (1 Corinthians 15:45)
  • Jesus’ Itinerant Ministry. Jesus spent three years announcing and ushering in God’s kingdom on earth. (Acts 10:38) As the Messiah King designate, Jesus preached the Good News of God’s kingdom rule and performed the works of that kingdom – healings, miracles, deliverances, resurrections, and forgiving sins. He befriended those who were humble enough to admit they needed him. He elevated the worth of women by including them in his traveling band of disciples. He taught with authority about God’s kingdom and his loving, but just, Father. Jesus claimed to be the one God had promised – the long awaited Messiah and eternal Son of God. In doing all this, he made the religious authorities jealous and angry; so much so that they put him to death as an act of supreme defiance against God’s rule over them.
  • Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection. As part of God’s eternal plan, Jesus was put to death on a cross as God’s Lamb, who took away the sins of the world. (Isaiah 53:7) He was buried, and after three days he rose again. His resurrection validated his claims to be God’s Messiah and the Lord of Lords. (Romans 1:1-4) His resurrection also proved that his Father accepted his sacrifice on our behalf. After appearing to his disciples and teaching them for forty days, he ascended into heaven where he now sits at God’s right hand as Lord of lords.
  • The Sending of the Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to fill and empower his disciples to be bold and effective witnesses to his resurrection. He told them to go and make disciples throughout the world. (Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18)
  • Second Coming, General Resurrection, and Final Judgment. Jesus promised that he will come again to raise the dead and sit in judgment upon every human being who has ever lived. (Matthew 16:27) He will assign them their eternal reward, good or bad. He will reign forevermore as God’s King of Kings with his church at his side. (Colossians 3:1-4)

This is the Gospel.

The Desired Response

We share the Gospel to help people come face to face with Jesus’ claim to absolute sovereignty over all creation and his magnanimous offer to pardon all rebels who will accept his rule in their lives. Allegiance to Jesus is the desired response.

People need to know that only Jesus can provide forgiveness for our rebellion against the rule of God. They need to understand that they will be held accountable to him at the last judgment for how they lived and responded to the gospel message.

As part of our surrender terms, we are able to receive all the benefits of his death and resurrection: forgiveness, reconciliation to God, being set free from all that enslaves us, having our guilt permanently removed, and receiving eternal life, the indwelling Spirit, and all the benefits and privileges of being God’s child.

The true story of the gospel has the power to save people and set them free. (Romans 1:16) Let’s make a habit of sharing it regularly with as many as we can. If we work at it, we will become very good at sharing it. There is no telling how many people will one day thank us for this service.

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Is the Wrath of God Part of the Gospel?

Even though it is not heard very often today, the wrath of God is actually part of the gospel message.

Most people know what “fire and brimstone” preaching is. The preacher focuses on God’s wrath against sin in an effort to motivate people to repent and accept God’s provision of forgiveness. It is sometimes viewed negatively as an attempt to scare people into the kingdom of God. However, Jesus was not averse to warning people of impending judgment.

I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5 “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Luke 12:4–5 (NASB95)

In contrast, many present day preachers portray God as a merciful and kind dispenser of good will and blessings, who wants everyone to experience the best that life has to offer, without ever calling people to acknowledge and repent from their sins. We used to call this kind of preaching “greasy grace.” The general idea about God that results is that he is a “smiley face” who doesn’t get “bent out of shape” if we break his commandments. The only thing he really hates is intolerance. Churches who hear this kind of message are encouraged to embrace the latest trends of  “morality” and lose touch with Biblical standards of morality.

Mercy without repentance is foreign to the Bible.

Forgiveness with Strings Attached

Jesus died as God’s Lamb, taking upon himself the just penalty for our sins, in order to offer forgiveness and reconciliation with God. This gift of God is freely given; however, it comes with “strings attached.” Jesus does not simply offer us a “get out of hell free” card with nothing required of us. He calls us to acknowledge his lordship over every area of our lives. (Romans 10:9-10)

Humanity’s root sin is rejection of God’s right to rule over us. It is only by acknowledging Jesus’ lordship that we prove we are genuine about repentance.

God’s Wrath: The Other Side of Forgiveness

It is good to emphasize forgiveness in our presentation of the Gospel, as long as we include the necessity of repentance.

The cross was necessary because God’s wrath against sin is real.

If, as some suppose, God does not really care whether we sin or not, forgiveness has no real meaning and the Gospel no has no significance. But, if God’s wrath against sin is real and his judgment is waiting for us at the end of our lives, forgiveness becomes extremely meaningful!

The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day utterly rejected his claim that he was their messianic king descended from David, the one about whom the Scriptures spoke. (Matthew 26:63-68) They condemned the Lord of lords to death, mocked and spat upon him, and had him nailed to a cross to die the horrendous and torturous death of a criminal. This was the sin for which Jerusalem was subsequently annihilated by the Romans in 70 AD, just as Jesus warned would happen. (Matthew 23:37-39)

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, he poured out the Holy Spirit upon his disciples, empowering them to announce the good news that those who turn to Christ and acknowledge his lordship will be forgiven for their treachery. Many took advantage of this magnanimous offer and were saved. Others, however, turned their backs on God’s offer of mercy. God’s wrath awaited those who rejected Jesus’ lordship. The same is true for us today. Will we accept Jesus as the Lord and the coming judge of all humanity, or will we reject him and his rule, just as did the Jews so long ago?

If we acknowledge Jesus’ lordship, we will be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God, become part of God’s family, and receive eternal life. If we refuse, however, God’s wrath abides on us and awaits us.

This is the clear teaching of scripture. Jesus said:

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 (NASB)

Therefore, it is altogether proper and necessary to impress on our listeners and readers the certainty of their running headlong into God’s wrath one day, unless they accept and declare allegiance to the one who absorbed that wrath for us on the cross.

Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica:

…you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10  and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (NASB)

It is clear from this passage that Paul majored on the need for us to be “saved” from the coming wrath of God. We should do the same.

Peter said that Jesus “ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this [He] is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.” (Acts 10:42 NASB)

Jesus emphasized and “ordered” that his disciples tell everyone that he is coming back as the Judge! Jesus will judge us for how we lived.

Did we dedicate our lives to him, or did we, like so many others, reject his claims of lordship, throwing away our opportunity to be forgiven?

How about you? Have you accepted or rejected God’s offer of mercy? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus’ rule, or do you persist in trying maintain self-rule, living independently from him? Have you made the choice that will enable you to encounter God’s mercy at the Last Judgment, or does God’s wrath await you? The choice is ours. Choose wisely.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I now realize that I have until now rejected your mercy. I have changed my mind and ask you to forgive me for my rebellious ways. I acknowledge and surrender to your lordship over my life and all creation. Thank you for dying for me on the cross. Thank you that, after you rose from the dead, you did not hold our sins against us, but offered us a chance to be reconciled to you and your heavenly Father. I am grateful that I am now included as one of God’s family. Thank you for eternal life. Thank you for sending your Spirit to live in and through me. Help me to be your disciple and tell others about this amazing good news. Amen

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The Second Coming Is Fundamental to the Gospel

Christ’s Second Coming is an important tenet of faith for Christians and is fundamental to the gospel.

1971. That was the year that the Holy Spirit opened my spiritual eyes and allowed me to see that Jesus is who the Bible says he is. The result was that my life was fundamentally altered. Everything changed inside. My purpose for living became entwined with Christ’s plan for my life, which resulted in pastoring a small church for thirty-four years and teaching the Bible for many more. I have written a few books, too. When God reveals Christ to us, the impact is dramatic. Just ask Paul the apostle.

You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus. 18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie. 21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me. Galatians 1:13–24 (NLT)

During the sixties and seventies, God orchestrated a gigantic in-gathering of people into his kingdom. Some called it the “Jesus Revolution,” during which thousands of so called “hippies” and others from that generation of “Baby Boomers,” as well as people from other age groups, became followers of Christ. Concurrent with that “awakening” was another “movement” called the Charismatic Renewal, in which thousands, if not millions, of people across a wide range of denominations and “non-denominations” received what many call the baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit, complete with speaking in tongues, prophecy, and other manifestations of God’s Spirit. Many of those who came to Christ during that time became leaders in the church. What God did during that decade still impacts the church more than fifty years later.

One of the hallmarks of that ingathering was a profound interest in Christ’s Second Coming. People were fascinated with trying to piece together a proper sequence of future end-time events. Those who professed to know all about it worked out all kinds of charts showing their predicted scenarios. Many of us expected that Jesus would come very soon, just as did the early church.

The Gospel is the good news about a person named Jesus, who is the promised Messiah King of Israel. His grand mission is to reclaim and transform all creation under God’s rule. Jesus began his public ministry by proclaiming that “the kingdom of God is at hand.” The reason he could say that was because the King himself was then present on earth. Wherever king went, the kingdom was at hand. He introduced his kingdom rule into the lives of those who followed and believed in him by releasing them from the power of the devil and sin and calling them to follow him without reservation or hesitation.

His new way of living asks us to renounce all competing allegiances and surrender to his lordship in every area of life. This is what it means to follow Christ.

While he was here on earth physically, he was the epicenter of the kingdom of God and the focus of the messianic expectations of those around him. These expectations reached a crescendo when he entered Jerusalem on a donkey to the shouts of the crowd: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Those present proclaimed that he was the long promised successor to David’s throne – the Messiah!

Believing that Jesus was a spiritual and political threat, the religious and civil authorities put him to death, apparently dashing the hopes of his followers. But this was all part of God’s eternal plan to redeem us from our sins. The Messiah King first had to suffer and die in order to pay the penalty for our sins. Three days later our hope was restored when Jesus emerged from the tomb! For forty days he instructed his band of faithful followers in the things related to his kingdom. Then Jesus ascended to heaven to sit at his heavenly Father’s right hand upon the throne of God, waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool and for the appointed time for his return, this time as the victorious and glorious King of Kings, the Son of Man prophesied by Daniel, who will judge the living and the dead and put an end to every other rival kingdom. He will permanently install God’s long awaited rule over all creation!

The Second Coming will be the culmination of God’s grand plan to redeem and restore all things to himself through his Son.

On Pentecost the Holy Spirit was unleashed to baptize and empower Christ’s followers. The apostle Peter, filled with the Spirit, preached the first sermon in this new age of the Spirit-filled church. His conclusion is quoted below.

“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:36 (NLT)

Peter’s listeners responded, “What should we do?” Why would they feel the need to do anything? It was because they realized that they were answerable to God for rejecting and murdering his Son, who, amazingly, was still alive and sitting on God’s throne!

Jesus’ resurrection made him the de facto ruler of the universe to whom everyone must answer.

Behind Peter’s words is the understanding that Jesus will come again as the glorious Son of Man to judge every human being and punish those who choose to reject his benevolent rule.

The gospel is an invitation to all who have previously rejected the Messianic King to finally get right with God by confessing that Jesus is indeed the LORD, who has risen from the dead and who will come again one day to judge those who reject his kingly authority.

In Acts Chapter Three, Peter again preached.

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. 21 For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.  Acts 3:19-21 (NLT)

The Gospel preaching of the early church was completely focused on the person named Jesus Christ, his lordship, and the Second Coming, which included the resurrection of the just and the evil, the last judgment, and the restoration of all things under God’s rule. It is no wonder that when this Gospel is preached, whether then or today, that those who hear and believe will become intensely interested in Jesus’ Second Coming!

The faith that saves is based on the Gospel revelation that Jesus is the Messiah King who is coming again to firmly establish God’s rule on planet earth.

Sadly, if all we do is present this glorious coming Lord as a “personal Savior” who rescues us from the consequence of our sin, it is no wonder that some people are not greatly moved and changed when they believe in him. A “personal savior” requires little or nothing from his adherents, but the glorious Lord of lords expects complete surrender from those who follow him!

Have we yet seen him for who he really is? Have we surrendered to him? Until we do that, we have not really known him.

Ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and heart, just as he did for those who heard Peter’s sermon so long ago.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I ask you to reveal Jesus to me so that I may properly surrender my life to him. My desire is to know Jesus to the greatest degree possible and serve him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

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How to Present a Concise Gospel Message

Understanding the basic elements of the gospel message will enable us to share the good news in a concise way when we have limited time.

The gospel is the true story of Jesus Christ, who he is, what he did, and what he will do when he returns, which deserves a response of repentance and faith from the hearer. The gospel or good news is found in the four New Testament books that carry that name, the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Being able to summarize the Gospel is very important. Its core truths provide a framework for any presentation we have the opportunity to make.

The following passage from Peter’s first sermon on Pentecost in Acts Chapter Two is a great example of a brief gospel presentation. 

"People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23  But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24  But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip... "This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33  "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. 34  "For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, 35  UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET."' 36  "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified." Acts 2:22-24, 32-36 (NASB)

Now, let us break apart what Peter said.

  1. Jesus died as the Lamb of God for the forgiveness of our sins. This ministry was prophesied by John the Baptist (John 1:29). After his death, he was buried.
  2. Jesus rose from the dead in power (Romans 1:4), which was witnessed by many people, and was exalted to the right hand of God’s throne as the Lord. He now has all authority (Matthew 28:18) and currently reigns in heaven. He sits at God’s right hand, and his church is spiritually seated with him (Ephesians 2:6 & Colossians 3:1), waiting for his enemies to be brought into submission. Jesus is both Lord and Messiah. He is the Son of God, the messianic King of Israel, who was introduced through prophecy by John the Baptist (John 1:34).
  3. Jesus ascended into heaven and “poured out” the baptism in the Holy Spirit upon the church to equip his followers to be his witnesses and fulfill the Great Commission. This fulfilled his role as the Baptizer in the Spirit and Lord of the Harvest, just as John the Baptist prophesied (John 1:33).
  4. A fourth point, which is implied in John 1:35, is that Jesus is the Son of Man (Matthew 25:31-32), who will return to earth in glory and triumph over his enemies. He will judge the living and the dead and rule over a new heaven and earth.

These gospel pronouncements, if understood and believed, will elicit a response of repentance, faith, and and allegiance to Jesus.

Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38  Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39  This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40  Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 41  Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. Acts 2:37-41 (NLT)

Declaring allegiance to Christ and coming under God’s sovereign and benevolent rule is what saves us. (Romans 10:9-10) When we do this, our sins are forgiven and Jesus will send his Spirit to equip and empower us to be his disciples and witnesses.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NLT)

Let me recap the four main points of the gospel.

  1. Jesus is the Lamb of God.
  2. Jesus is the Lord.
  3. Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, and
  4. Jesus will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.

If we include these four points in our gospel presentation, we will have included the core truths that people need to understand. We can go into as much depth as we want relating to each part. You may wish to ask yourself, have I ever really understood the gospel and made this transaction with God? If not, why not now?

Prayer

Jesus, I realize that you are very great and deserve my worship and allegiance. I believe that you died for me and rose again as the Lord of Lords. Thank you for forgiving my sins and making a way for me to be right with Father God. Thank you for giving me eternal life. Thank you for setting me free so I can live for you. I receive you into my life to live through me. Baptize me in your Spirit and help me to live the rest of my days for you. Amen.

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Healing and the Gospel

Physical healing is part of the good news about Jesus the Messiah King.

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2  and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal… 6  And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. Luke 9:1-2, 6 (ESV)

As proof of Jesus’ authority and ability to set prisoners free, he regularly healed people when he walked the earth. After his resurrection and ascension, his disciples also healed people through the power of the Holy Spirit to demonstrate the reality of God’s rule. Healing is linked to the gospel message.

Jesus launched his public ministry in a synagogue in Nazareth by sharing his messianic mission statement from the prophet Isaiah.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 (ESV)

The Father in heaven sent Jesus to planet earth to release those who under the oppression of the devil. This oppression manifests itself in many ways, including sickness and disease, which is sometimes caused by demonic oppression.

The gospel is not limited to the forgiveness of sins. It provides liberty to the entire being – body, soul, and spirit.

When Luke wrote his gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, he included this marvelous summation of Christ’s ministry, which was spoken by the apostle Peter:

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 (NLT)

The anointing of the Holy Spirit, mentioned in Luke 4:18, empowered Jesus (and us today) to heal those who oppressed by Satan by overcoming sickness, demonic oppression, and even death, not to mention the spiritual and psychological oppression related to sin, guilt, and condemnation.

Paul also operated in healing and miracles when he presented the gospel.

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NLT)

Was this a peculiar operation of grace for those early days, or does it continue? Some theologians have proposed that the gifts of the Spirit ceased after the deaths of the twelve apostles and the completion of the New Testament. This is a human theological construct designed to account for the lack of the miraculous today by claiming signs and wonders were only for the early days following the resurrection, before the church came into possession of the New Covenant scriptures. According to this theory, now all we need to do is to proclaim the truth without having any confirming signs of Christ’s reign over the oppression of the devil.

It is always a bad idea to build our theology around our experience instead of around the Word of God.

Nevertheless it is a common practice, since we all tend to explain away that which makes us uncomfortable. It’s what psychologists call denial. We don’t want to be confronted by the truth; so, we build walls and fences to keep it at a distance.

The truth is that Jesus never stopped setting the captives free, body, soul, and spirit. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

If the early disciples needed the confirming signs of God’s presence and power in their presentation of the gospel, how much more do we need it? Evil and deception is just as strong today as ever, perhaps even more so.

We need both God’s truth and his power to be effective witnesses.

Denying the power of God to heal is a serious error which deprives our gospel presentation from being confirmed by the Holy Spirit the way God intended.

When Jesus sent out the seventy-two disciples in Luke Chapter 10, he told them:

Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ Luke 10:9 (NLT)

When we engage those who do not yet know Christ, it is a divine strategy to pray for their healing. When we do so, we give God the opportunity to reveal himself to the hearer in a way that confirms his existence, power, and love. Healing is a function of God’s divine compassion for our predicament.

Healing reveals God’s love in a way that anyone except the most hardened religious people can understand and accept.

Healing confirms the words of the gospel and opens the heart to believe that Jesus is both Lord and Savior. Some call miracles the “dinner bell” to salvation. Evangelists in third world countries know the importance of signs and wonders. Have we become so intellectual that we no longer require God’s power? How foolish!

We do well to take Jesus’ commands to those early disciples to heart.

We should look for any and every opportunity to pray for the sick in order to open the door to sharing the gospel of grace with people we know and love.

It is not up to us to actually heal anyone: that remains under God’s jurisdiction. However, as Christ’s representatives, we have an amazing opportunity to open the door for God to work. If we pray for the sick, we may see a miracle with our own eyes! More importantly, we may open the door for our hearer to receive eternal life through faith in Jesus!

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The Evangelist: Part 4 – Front Line Soldiers

Evangelists are not only fishers of men; they also are God’s front line soldiers in a clash between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness.

The gospel is the most powerful weapon we have been given to bring down the kingdom of darkness. (Romans 1:16) Satan recognizes this and resists those who preach it in order to try to stop the advance of the kingdom of God.

Because evangelists carry the heavy weaponry of the kingdom of God and are targeted by the kingdom of darkness, they must be fearless front line soldiers.

Even though persecution is mediated through human beings who oppose the gospel, Paul made it clear that the real battle is a spiritual one.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

Where evangelists preach the gospel, it opens the door for God’s kingdom to break through.

This happened in Samaria when Philip took the good news there. (Acts 8) Conversely, it is not uncommon for all hell to break loose, too, in a counter attack, as happened when Stephen preached to the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 7) or pretty much anywhere Paul preached. It has been my experience as a pastor that the devil usually gets riled up any time an individual or group starts sharing the gospel.

The evil one will tolerate unopposed many church activities, but not the preaching the gospel or actively making disciples, the two chief components of the Great Commission.

If we are easily intimidated, he will push back against us and try to crush our resolve. Satan knows how powerful the gospel is. The bigger question is, “Do we?”

Jesus said that he was sending his disciples out as “sheep among wolves.” (Matthew 10:16)

It takes great courage from the Holy Spirit to go up against the powers of darkness to preach the gospel.

This is one of the chief reasons we need the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8) When the first apostles were threatened and told not to preach the gospel any more, they prayed the following prayer, which should be ours, too.

And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30  Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31  After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31 (NLT)
Conclusion

I hope that what I have shared in this series on the five-fold ministry gift of evangelist inspires all of us to become more dedicated fishers of men. May we all apply ourselves to becoming gospel fluent so that we are able to present Jesus from any and every angle, from Genesis to Revelation, depending on the need of the moment. May we all receive the baptism in the Spirit and enroll in the Great Commission army of disciples under the command of the Lord of the Harvest. Let us become proficient in listening to the Spirit’s voice and operating in the spiritual gifts. Let us determine to spend time in fishing for people. Lastly, let us also spend time in prayer for the lost, asking God to give us his heart for them. May the Lord open doors of opportunity for us to herald the gospel to individuals and great crowds. May he work in the hearts of those who hear to enable them to understand and receive the good news by faith. May the Lord give us great success as his ambassadors of reconciliation and may he raise up many more fishers of men and true evangelists. Amen.

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The Evangelist: Part 3 – Fishers of Men

Jesus told his disciples that he would make them into fishers of men.

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Matthew 4:19 (NLT)

Jesus’ disciples fished for a living using boats and nets. There was nothing fun or romantic about it, but I imagine it was something that at some level they loved. Otherwise, why not find another occupation? Today we still have commercial fishermen, but most are recreational anglers who love the sport. They invest in acquiring the proper equipment, sometimes spending far more than what they could ever recoup in the value of the fish caught. Fishermen have to go to where the fish are. They cannot be passive just waiting at home for fish to show up. Avid fishermen learn as much as they can about fish, so they will not waste their time using unproductive techniques. They use all their creativity and expertise to catch as many as they can. For those who truly love to fish, it is almost an obsession. You will find them at the lake or the coast whenever they can find the time. If that is how you think of evangelism, you just might be a true evangelist.

Evangelists are deeply motivated to “catch” people with the gospel.

They dedicate significant amounts of time and effort in this pursuit. They invest in becoming fluent in the gospel by much study. We should allow ourselves to fall into the rut of using simplistic formulas and trite sayings or only sharing our personal testimony.

As seen in the four books called “gospels,” the gospel is the true story of an amazing Person that demands a response.

Evangelists practice presenting the gospel to refine their abilities.

They listen to the Holy Spirit to learn how to reach the hearts of lost people, just as Jesus did.

They work at becoming proficient in allowing the Holy Spirit to operate through them via the spiritual gifts, just as Jesus did.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Matthew 10:8 (NLT)

Evangelists use the spiritual gifts as “dinner bells” for salvation. God heals people and does miracles to reveal that he is real and cares about them.

Such demonstrations of power validate the message and the messenger, creating openness to the gospel.

Evangelists use the authority of Jesus to cast out demons when necessary, giving proof of Christ’s authority over the kingdom of darkness. (Luke 11:20) Evangelists are careful to keep themselves free from the corrupting power of money, freely giving away the good news.

There are evangelists who fish for people with huge nets, such as Peter in Acts Chapter Two, speaking to massive crowds, and there are those who go after individuals, such as Jesus at the well in Samaria or Philip sharing with the official from Ethiopia.

Evangelists listen to the Holy Spirit to learn how to present Jesus to people in a way that meets their deepest longings to be forgiven, to know God, and to experience his life and love.

Examples of Fishing for Individuals and Crowds

At the well in Samaria, Jesus showed us how to fish for the single individual. He addressed a very unlikely person, a Samaritan woman coming to the well alone in the middle of the day to draw water. Jewish rabbis did not talk to women, especially not Samaritan women or those who probably were being shunned by the other women in town. That did not matter to Jesus. He saw her as a lost sheep who would be open to him and his message.

Evangelists are not restricted by what people think.

They are not held back by man-made customs and rules. Their love for the lost overcomes traditional barriers. Evangelists engage least likely people that many in the church might choose to avoid, just as did Jesus.

[Jesus said]...“Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17 (NLT)

As a good fisherman, Jesus invited this woman into a conversation, hoping she would “take the bait,” so to speak. Unless we engage people in conversation, how will we ever be able to share the gospel with them?

Evangelists learn to use the art of conversation as a springboard for sharing the gospel.  They understand how to present Jesus in a way that arouses their curiosity and interest.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” 15  “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” John 4:13-15 (NLT)

She did not grasp all that Jesus communicated to her, but she understood enough to make her want to find out more. This set up what became the turning point for the entire interaction.

When Jesus instructed her to go get her husband, which was the proper thing to do, it set the stage for him to operate in the spiritual gift of the word of knowledge. When he told her things that only God would know, it revealed to her that God and he knew about her sordid past and present, but loved her anyway.

Her encounter with God’s power and amazing love opened her heart to Jesus, instantly transforming the conversation.

She believed in Jesus, and God used her to win an entire village – all because Jesus loved the least likely, overcame cultural barriers, engaged her in conversation, and demonstrated God’s power and love to her. This is the way evangelists fish for individual people.

Peter used a huge gospel net to catch 3000 in a single message. He explained that Jesus, whom the Jews had just put to death, was the long awaited Messiah King. When they showed remorse and asked for help, he showed them how to escape God’s judgment for their recent horrendous crime of killing their own Messiah. Peter met a very real felt need in those guilty people by offering them forgiveness through the gospel, if they would pledge allegiance to the One they had previously rejected.

The evangelist helps people understand their sin of rebellion against God and offers a way of escape from God’s judgment through repentance and faith in Christ.

Fishing for people with the gospel under the direction of the Holy Spirit is most rewarding and exciting. There is nothing like it. Those who make a regular practice of praying for the lost, preparing their minds through studying the gospel, practicing their presentations to refine their abilities, learning how to operate in the gifts and power of the Spirit, and devoting significant amounts of time to the pursuit of lost people fulfill the call to be fishers of men. Who knows, the call of evangelist might be on your life, too!

One thing is for sure: we are all called to “go and make disciples.”

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The Evangelist: Part 2 – Shepherds of the Lost

Evangelists seek the lost in a similar fashion as good shepherds go after lost sheep.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

Love for those without hope motivated God the Father to send his Son to die on a cross as the Lamb of God to rescue us from the consequences of our sin. Love for his Father and a desire to be part of this great salvation plan were the primary motivations for Jesus to voluntarily lay down his life for those who were his enemies.

Love for the God who loves the lost is the first and greatest motivation for the evangelist. Such love for God translates into love for his lost sheep.

Jesus, who is the perfect image and representative of the Father, came to the earth to “seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

His love was and is most amazing because it extends to his enemies.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9  And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10  For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11  So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:8-11 (NLT)

When Jesus began his public ministry, the Bible says that his own people rejected him and his message.

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11  He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12  But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:10-12 (NLT)

Although many accepted his message and believed that he was indeed the Messiah, the Jewish leaders hated him and eventually put him to death. Jesus knew beforehand that this would happen but was undeterred.

His love for his Father and those who were at that time God’s enemies gave him the strength lay down his own life to rescue them.

Sharing the gospel causes those who are open to it to be saved, but those whose hearts are antagonistic toward God become angry.

Inspired and empowered by God’s Spirit, evangelists are willing to risk their own lives in order to show love to those who are still God’s enemies by sharing the gospel with them.

Jesus taught that his shepherd’s heart was behind his willingness to die for lost sheep.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 (ESV)

The evangelist is a shepherd at the core, who is sent to those outside the church rather than to those who are already saved.

Whereas shepherds of those who are already in the church are willing to lay down their lives to protect the sheep, the evangelist is willing to lay down his to go after the ones who do not yet know Christ.

Jesus explained that the evangelist experiences more joy over one lost sheep being rescued than he has for a hundred already saved people. (Luke 15:7)

The evangelist is motivated to leave the safety and comfort of the local church to go into the world after the lost, thus fulfilling Christ’s command to “go and make disciples.” (Matthew 28:19)

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37  He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:36-38 (NLT)

Evangelists see people with the eyes of the Good Shepherd.

Their hearts go out to the lost, confused, and helpless all around them. They know when they are in the presence of people who need Jesus. Their hearts are pulled toward them. Compassion for the lost not only propels the evangelist into the harvest field of the world, but it motivates him or her to pray for God to raise up more shepherds of the lost.

Evangelists equip others to do the work of evangelism, in fulfillment of the Great Commission mandate to make disciples.

We are able to give away what we have. Through the Holy Spirit, evangelists are able to impart to others their love for the lost.

Prayer

Jesus, I ask you to give me your heart for the lost. Holy Spirit, motivate and empower me to lay down my life for those who are still your enemies. Father God, let me fall so deeply in love with you that I become totally immersed in your will. I want to be someone who puts your glory and honor above all else. Amen.

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