Answering the Call: Embracing Our Evangelism Mission
Summary
God is doing a new thing among us, and today we focus on the call to evangelism, a call that echoes from the heart of God and resonates through the ages. This call is not just a historical echo but a present reality, urging us to embody the missional calling of Jesus Christ. As Jesus walked the earth, He called for laborers to join Him in His mission, a call that remains urgent today. We are positioned in the body of Christ to engage with the gospel and proclaim the name of Jesus in our daily interactions, whether at work, school, or in our communities. The name of Jesus is not just a collection of letters but the embodiment of salvation, the name under which all humanity must be saved.
The call for laborers is not for any ordinary task but for the divine purpose of making known the salvation of God. Ephesians 4:11-12 reminds us that God has equipped us with various gifts to fulfill this mission. The nations are being brought to us, and we are called to make known the name of Jesus to all. Evangelism is not an afterthought but a foundational aspect of our faith, rooted in the very beginning when God promised restoration to humanity. Salvation is the heartbeat of the new covenant, and every believer is called to be a witness to this truth.
Jesus modeled evangelism by teaching, preaching, and healing, showing compassion for the harassed and helpless. His heart was moved by the condition of the people, and He calls us to share in this compassion. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. The real issue is not the lack of harvest but the scarcity of willing workers. God’s heart cries out for His sons and daughters to be brought back to Him, and He looks to the church to fulfill this mission.
The mission of Jesus was to seek and save the lost, and this must be our mission as well. The church is empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out this commission, moving beyond comfort zones to reach the lost. Every believer is chosen to carry this missional calling, and the gospel is meant to be carried, not contained. Eternity is real, and souls are slipping into a Christless eternity. Heaven awaits the harvest, and the question is not if we are called, but if we will answer the call.
Key Takeaways
- The call to evangelism is a divine mandate that echoes from the heart of God, urging us to embody the missional calling of Jesus Christ in our daily lives. This call is not just historical but a present reality, inviting us to engage with the gospel and proclaim the name of Jesus wherever we go. [01:15:08]
- The name of Jesus is the embodiment of salvation, the only name under which humanity must be saved. As believers, we are called to make this name known, not just through words but through our actions and interactions with others. [01:19:56]
- Evangelism is foundational to our faith, rooted in the promise of restoration given to humanity from the beginning. Salvation is the heartbeat of the new covenant, and every believer is called to be a witness to this truth, carrying the message of salvation into every sphere of life. [01:21:51]
- Jesus modeled evangelism through teaching, preaching, and healing, showing compassion for the harassed and helpless. His heart was moved by the condition of the people, and He calls us to share in this compassion, recognizing the plentiful harvest and the need for willing workers. [01:21:51]
- The mission of Jesus was to seek and save the lost, and this must be our mission as well. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church is called to move beyond comfort zones to reach the lost, carrying the gospel into every corner of the world. Eternity is real, and the question is not if we are called, but if we will answer the call. [01:21:51]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:01:15] - The Call to Evangelism
[00:02:30] - The Name of Jesus
[00:04:00] - God's Heart for Laborers
[00:06:15] - Equipping the Saints
[00:08:00] - Evangelism: A Foundational Aspect
[00:10:00] - Jesus' Model of Evangelism
[00:12:00] - Compassion for the Lost
[00:14:00] - The Plentiful Harvest
[00:16:00] - The Mission of the Church
[00:18:00] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
[00:20:00] - The Urgency of Eternity
[00:22:00] - Answering the Call
[00:24:00] - Closing and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
2. Ephesians 4:11-12 - "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
3. Matthew 9:35-38 - "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
Observation Questions:
1. According to Acts 4:12, what is the significance of the name of Jesus in the context of salvation? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the name of Jesus? [01:15:08]
2. In Ephesians 4:11-12, what roles are mentioned, and what is their purpose in the body of Christ? How does this relate to the call for laborers in the sermon? [01:15:08]
3. What actions did Jesus take in Matthew 9:35-38, and what was His response to the condition of the people? How does this model evangelism for us today? [01:21:51]
4. How does the sermon describe the current state of the harvest and the need for workers? What does this imply about our role as believers? [01:21:51]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the urgency of evangelism in light of eternity? What does this suggest about the priorities of the church today? [01:21:51]
2. The sermon mentions that evangelism is foundational to our faith. How does this foundation impact the way we live out our faith in daily interactions? [01:19:56]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church is empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the mission of evangelism? How does this empowerment manifest in practical terms? [01:21:51]
4. How does the sermon’s portrayal of Jesus’ compassion for the harassed and helpless challenge our own attitudes towards those in need? [01:21:51]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily interactions at work, school, or in your community. How can you intentionally embody the missional calling of Jesus in these settings? [01:15:08]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of making the name of Jesus known through actions. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate the love and salvation of Jesus to others? [01:19:56]
3. Consider the gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-12. Which of these gifts do you feel called to develop further, and how can you use it to equip others in the church? [01:15:08]
4. Jesus showed compassion for the harassed and helpless. Identify a person or group in your community who might be feeling harassed or helpless. How can you extend compassion to them this week? [01:21:51]
5. The sermon calls us to move beyond our comfort zones to reach the lost. What is one comfort zone you feel God is calling you to step out of, and what steps will you take to do so? [01:21:51]
6. Reflect on the urgency of eternity mentioned in the sermon. How does this perspective influence your priorities and decisions in life? [01:21:51]
7. The sermon challenges us to answer the call to evangelism. What is one practical step you can take this week to respond to this call? [01:21:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Embodying the Missional Calling of Jesus Christ
The call to evangelism is a divine mandate that echoes from the heart of God, urging believers to embody the missional calling of Jesus Christ in their daily lives. This call is not just a historical echo but a present reality, inviting individuals to engage with the gospel and proclaim the name of Jesus wherever they go. The urgency of this call is underscored by the fact that it is not merely a task but a divine purpose, a mission that aligns with the heart of God for humanity. As followers of Christ, believers are positioned in the body of Christ to engage with the gospel and proclaim the name of Jesus in their daily interactions, whether at work, school, or in their communities. The name of Jesus is not just a collection of letters but the embodiment of salvation, the name under which all humanity must be saved. [01:15:08]
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you embody the missional calling of Jesus Christ in your daily interactions this week?
Day 2: The Name of Jesus as the Embodiment of Salvation
The name of Jesus is the embodiment of salvation, the only name under which humanity must be saved. As believers, the call is to make this name known, not just through words but through actions and interactions with others. This involves living a life that reflects the transformative power of the gospel, demonstrating the love and grace of Jesus in every sphere of life. The call to evangelism is not just about speaking the name of Jesus but living in a way that others can see His presence in the believer's life. This is a call to authenticity, to live out the faith in a way that draws others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. [01:19:56]
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can your actions today reflect the saving power of Jesus to those around you?
Day 3: Evangelism as a Foundational Aspect of Faith
Evangelism is foundational to the Christian faith, rooted in the promise of restoration given to humanity from the beginning. Salvation is the heartbeat of the new covenant, and every believer is called to be a witness to this truth, carrying the message of salvation into every sphere of life. This foundational aspect of faith is not an afterthought but a core component of what it means to follow Jesus. The call to evangelism is a call to participate in God's redemptive plan for humanity, to be a part of the story of restoration that God is writing in the world. [01:21:51]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to make evangelism a more foundational aspect of your faith journey?
Day 4: Compassion for the Harassed and Helpless
Jesus modeled evangelism through teaching, preaching, and healing, showing compassion for the harassed and helpless. His heart was moved by the condition of the people, and He calls believers to share in this compassion, recognizing the plentiful harvest and the need for willing workers. The call to evangelism is a call to see people as Jesus sees them, to be moved by their needs and to respond with the love and grace of Christ. This involves stepping out of comfort zones and being willing to engage with those who are lost and in need of the hope that only Jesus can provide. [01:21:51]
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life is harassed and helpless, and how can you show them the compassion of Jesus today?
Day 5: Answering the Call to Reach the Lost
The mission of Jesus was to seek and save the lost, and this must be the mission of every believer as well. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church is called to move beyond comfort zones to reach the lost, carrying the gospel into every corner of the world. Eternity is real, and souls are slipping into a Christless eternity. The question is not if believers are called, but if they will answer the call. This is a call to action, to be intentional about sharing the gospel and making disciples, to be a part of the harvest that heaven awaits. [01:21:51]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to answer the call to reach the lost in your community?
Quotes
There is a message that burns in the heart of God, a cry from heaven that echoes across the earth, a desperate call for laborers. It is the same call that Jesus voiced as He walked the shores of Galilee, the dusty roads in Jerusalem, the hills, the synagogues. There was a cry in His heart calling for laborers, calling, follow me, and I will make you. [00:47:51] (30 seconds)
God has revealed the name Jesus to us, and He wants us to embody that missional calling in our lives, in our workplace, in our place of study, within our families and relatives. So while God is calling for laborers, yet this cry going out for laborers, but why call the laborers? It is not merely for laborers who will make known any other thing but accept the salvation of God. [00:49:46] (34 seconds)
He's calling us to be equipped so that we will embody the missional calling. And we will go and preach the gospel, making it known to all nations. And God is bringing the nations to Christ. He's bringing the nations to our workplace. He's bringing the nations to our schools. He's bringing the nations into our highways and byways in our malls. And they're all over the place. [00:51:36] (24 seconds)
Evangelism is not an afterthought that was left behind and somebody needs to be picked up. It was there right from the beginning when Jesus stepped up. out from the water, John the Baptist said, behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. It was there right from the beginning when God spoke to Adam and Eve that he will come and will crush Satan under your feet. [00:52:46] (24 seconds)
And the calling is upon the church. It's a mandate that has been lowered and passed on to the church. There's a cry from heaven. There's a cry from the Father that he wants humanity to be restored to him. So evangelism brings about salvation. And salvation is the heartbeat of the new covenant. If there's anything that we need to carry in our heart about the new covenant, it is salvation. [00:53:28] (30 seconds)
Every believer is called to be a witness. That is our call. And the next one, please. Yep. Salvation is the heartbeat of the new covenant. So if there's anything that we need to understand about the cross, it's about salvation for humanity. And this is what God has called each and every one of us for. And every moment we look at the cross, it's not about anything else. [00:54:32] (30 seconds)
Jesus himself modeled evangelism. Matthew 9, 35 to 38, tells us that he went through towns and villages, teaching, preaching, and healing. I like these phrases. He went through towns and villages. And what was he doing? Teaching, preaching, and healing. He went around teaching, preaching, and healing, proclaiming the father's love. Proclaiming mercy and grace, calling the Jews, the Gentiles, the Samaritans, the Romans, calling all people to himself. [00:55:31] (35 seconds)
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He didn't just see people. He saw their condition, their needs, their brokenness, and their eternal destiny. And he wants humanity to be restored back to him. And he's calling many to come. And his response, he turned to his disciples. [00:57:32] (31 seconds)
The problem has never been a lack of harvest. But the world is full of lost sons and daughters waiting to be brought home. The real problem is the lack of workers willing to go. This is not a new problem. About 700 years ago, before Jesus, the prophet Isaiah had the heart of God crying out. Isaiah 43, verse 6 to 7, I will say to the north, give them up and to the south, do not hold them back. [01:21:03] (32 seconds)
God wants us to be on the move to bring this good news every believer has been chosen by god to carry this missional calling and god has chosen us before we were born he has placed that placed that into our lives that we may know him and make his name known and in the gospels we can see that salvation is not just a doctrine it's the mission that drove jesus to the cross. [01:22:14] (32 seconds)
The gospel is meant to be carried not contained he has chosen the church therefore he has chosen you and he's sending us into the harvest field throughout christians new Zealand and beyond and i'd like to finish with this part eternity is for real every day we are part of the eternal life souls are sleeping into a christless eternity and jesus has expressed his passion in many ways. [01:25:22] (26 seconds)
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