Compelled by Love: Our Call to Evangelism
Summary
In today's gathering, we took a moment to honor Ken Dine, who has faithfully served our church as a custodian for nearly 30 years. As Ken transitions into retirement, we prayed for his upcoming knee surgery and for God's continued guidance in his life. This moment of gratitude and prayer set the stage for our exploration of evangelism as a crucial spiritual discipline.
Evangelism, at its core, is about communicating the person and work of Jesus Christ to non-believers with the intention of persuading them to follow Him. Despite being a fundamental responsibility for every Christian, evangelism is often neglected due to societal pressures, fear of rejection, and misconceptions about its necessity. In a world that increasingly challenges the exclusivity of Christianity, we are reminded that Jesus is the only way to salvation, as stated in John 14:6.
Our discussion centered on 2 Corinthians 5, where Paul emphasizes that evangelism is driven by the love of Christ and the fear of the Lord. The love of Christ compels us to share the gospel, as it did for Paul, who was convinced that Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient for all who believe. This love should control and motivate us to persuade others about the truth of the gospel.
We also explored the importance of seeing people through the heart of Christ, recognizing that every individual has the potential to become a new creation in Him. This perspective should motivate us to share the message of reconciliation, understanding that we are ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the task of spreading His message.
As ambassadors, we are called to represent Christ faithfully, delivering His message with urgency and sincerity. Our mission is not about personal comfort or success but about fulfilling the Great Commission. We are reminded that our time on earth is not for our own betterment but to serve as messengers of the gospel, bringing hope to a world in need.
Key Takeaways:
- The Love of Christ Compels Us: The love of Christ is a powerful force that should control and motivate us to share the gospel. It is not merely an emotion but a driving force that compels us to persuade others about the truth of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. [45:27]
- Seeing Through Christ's Eyes: We must view others not from a worldly perspective but through the heart of Christ. This means recognizing the eternal significance of every soul and being motivated to share the gospel with those who are lost. [56:28]
- Ambassadors for Christ: As believers, we are ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the message of reconciliation. Our role is to faithfully represent Him, delivering His message with urgency and sincerity, knowing that we are part of a greater mission. [01:05:09]
- Overcoming Fear in Evangelism: Fear often hinders us from sharing the gospel, but we must remember that the power of the resurrection assures us that God can overcome any obstacle. We are called to be bold in our witness, trusting in His strength. [01:09:56]
- The Urgency of the Great Commission: Evangelism is not optional; it is a command for all believers. We must take our role as ambassadors seriously, prioritizing the message of reconciliation and making it the focus of our lives. [01:12:00]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Honoring Ken Dine
[03:00] - Prayer for Ken and Others
[06:45] - Introduction to Evangelism
[10:20] - Challenges in Evangelism
[15:00] - The Exclusivity of Christ
[20:30] - The Love of Christ Compels Us
[25:45] - Seeing Through Christ's Eyes
[30:00] - Ambassadors for Christ
[35:45] - Overcoming Fear in Evangelism
[40:00] - The Urgency of the Great Commission
[45:27] - Controlled by the Love of Christ
[49:39] - Personal Evangelism Stories
[53:01] - The Heart of Evangelism
[56:28] - Seeing People Through Christ's Eyes
[01:05:09] - United in the Mission of Christ
[01:09:56] - The Blessing and Challenge of Evangelism
[01:12:00] - Closing Reflections and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "For the love of Christ controls us" in 2 Corinthians 5:14? How does this relate to his motivation for evangelism? [38:58]
2. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul states, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." What does this transformation entail according to the sermon? [56:28]
3. How does Paul describe the role of believers as "ambassadors for Christ" in 2 Corinthians 5:20? What responsibilities come with this role? [01:05:09]
4. According to the sermon, what are some societal challenges that hinder Christians from engaging in evangelism? [35:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the fear of the Lord motivate believers to persuade others about the gospel, as discussed in the sermon? [38:58]
2. What does it mean to see people through the heart of Christ, and how might this perspective change the way believers approach evangelism? [56:28]
3. The sermon mentions that evangelism is often neglected due to fear of rejection. How does understanding the power of the resurrection help believers overcome this fear? [01:09:56]
4. How does the concept of being an ambassador for Christ challenge the idea of living for personal comfort and success? [01:05:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt compelled by the love of Christ to share the gospel. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your faith journey? [45:27]
2. Identify someone in your life who you view from a worldly perspective. How can you begin to see them through the heart of Christ and what steps can you take to share the message of reconciliation with them? [56:28]
3. Consider the societal pressures that make evangelism challenging. What specific steps can you take to overcome these challenges and boldly share your faith? [35:45]
4. As an ambassador for Christ, what message of reconciliation can you share with someone this week? How can you ensure that your actions align with this message? [01:05:09]
5. The sermon emphasizes the urgency of the Great Commission. What practical changes can you make in your daily routine to prioritize evangelism? [01:12:00]
6. Think about a situation where fear has held you back from sharing the gospel. How can you remind yourself of the power of the resurrection to overcome this fear in the future? [01:09:56]
7. How can you create opportunities in your workplace or community to engage in spiritual conversations, even in environments that may not be openly receptive to the gospel? [49:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Compelled by Christ's Love
The love of Christ is not just an emotion but a compelling force that drives believers to share the gospel. This love, demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, is the foundation of evangelism. It is a love that transcends personal comfort and fear, urging Christians to persuade others about the truth of Jesus' work. The love of Christ should be the controlling force in a believer's life, motivating them to share the message of salvation with sincerity and urgency. [45:27]
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the love of Christ today, and how can you share it with them in a way that is both genuine and compelling?
Day 2: Seeing Through Christ's Eyes
Seeing others through the heart of Christ means recognizing the eternal significance of every soul. This perspective transforms how believers interact with the world, motivating them to share the gospel with those who are lost. By viewing people as potential new creations in Christ, Christians are encouraged to engage in evangelism with compassion and urgency. This mindset helps believers overcome societal pressures and fears, focusing instead on the transformative power of the gospel. [56:28]
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you begin to see the people around you through Christ's eyes today, and what practical steps can you take to share the gospel with them?
Day 3: Ambassadors for Christ
As ambassadors for Christ, believers are entrusted with the message of reconciliation. This role requires them to faithfully represent Christ, delivering His message with urgency and sincerity. Being an ambassador is not about personal success or comfort but about fulfilling the Great Commission. Christians are called to prioritize the message of reconciliation, making it the focus of their lives and understanding that they are part of a greater mission. [01:05:09]
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you better represent Christ as His ambassador in your daily interactions, and how can you make the message of reconciliation a priority in your life?
Day 4: Overcoming Fear in Evangelism
Fear often hinders believers from sharing the gospel, but the power of the resurrection assures them that God can overcome any obstacle. Christians are called to be bold in their witness, trusting in God's strength rather than their own. By focusing on the love of Christ and the urgency of the Great Commission, believers can overcome societal pressures and fears of rejection, confidently sharing the gospel with those around them. [01:09:56]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: What specific fears hold you back from sharing the gospel, and how can you rely on God's strength to overcome them today?
Day 5: The Urgency of the Great Commission
Evangelism is not optional; it is a command for all believers. The Great Commission calls Christians to take their role as ambassadors seriously, prioritizing the message of reconciliation and making it the focus of their lives. This urgency is driven by the understanding that the time on earth is not for personal betterment but to serve as messengers of the gospel, bringing hope to a world in need. [01:12:00]
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make the Great Commission a central part of your life today, and what steps can you take to actively participate in spreading the gospel?
Quotes
Evangelism, at its most elementary level, it's communication between believers and non-believers about the person and work of Jesus Christ. It's about the intention of coming into other people about Jesus with the intentions of persuading them to turn to him and serve him as Lord of their lives. Evangelism or making disciples, right? That was our memory verse a couple of years ago, to go and make disciples, right? That's our command. Evangelism, it is the core responsibility of every Christian which we'll see from our passes today. [00:30:05] (39 seconds)
The reason you have breath in your life right now, the reason you are still alive today and not in the presence of Jesus, it's because you have been given a great call and a great privilege to proclaim the greatest news that's ever been told, the good news of Jesus Christ. That is why you are here. That's it. That's why you were called for salvation. That's why you're still in this world today. It's all for the great commission. [00:37:05] (28 seconds)
For the love of Christ controls us. Because we have concluded this, that one has died for all, therefore all have died, and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. [00:39:38] (28 seconds)
Paul was so compelled by Jesus's love because he was convinced that one died for all. Of course, the one here, that's obviously referring to Jesus, who gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins, the all. It doesn't necessarily mean that all will come to know Jesus, that all will be saved. It just means that Jesus's death. It is absolutely sufficient for the salvation of all who would believe. [00:46:40] (26 seconds)
Paul's saying to his reader, you have to see the world around you through the eyes or through the heart of Jesus, which starts by regarding no one from a worldly point of view. Meaning we interact with the people around us and we relate with these people, not from a worldly perspective, but with our eternal destiny, faith in mind. Guys, if Jesus, during his earthly life, if he came and he saw people from a worldly perspective, he wouldn't have come and hang on a cross for us. [00:55:02] (32 seconds)
Guys, it is an ambassador's job to simply represent the one who sends him right if an ambassador is given a specific message and if he or she delivers a different message or fails to deliver any part of that message the ambassador has failed in their duty wouldn't you say an ambassador their spokesman for the person sending them and so if the u.s were to send an ambassador let's just say to the middle east to give a message from the president that could potentially stop a war but instead that ambassador takes a detour and they vacation with their family in the bahamas what's going to happen well that that war is going to rage on right their job's not going to get done hopefully they'll get charged with treason or something like that guys we've been called to be ambassadors for christ. [01:04:19] (52 seconds)
You were reconciled to God for a different place or to a different place. This isn't your home. This isn't where you're meant to be. We have to quit acting like it is, and we have to start treating it for what it is. It is a battleground. I know you don't like to hear that, but read the New Testament. Hear what Paul's saying. You are an ambassador sent by the King of Kings to offer a peace treaty to a dark and broken world. I don't know how much more he has to say to us. It's a battleground. [01:07:41] (31 seconds)
Jesus, the righteous one, He took our sins upon Himself while we, the sinful ones, received Jesus' righteousness. Through Jesus, we're able to be reconciled to God. That's the message of the gospel. That's the message of reconciliation. That's what we're called to evangelize and to communicate. It's a simple message. And so in closing, I want you to understand, there's all kinds of people around you that don't know the gospel. [01:10:32] (34 seconds)
Evangelism, it calls us to be intimate with other people. We got to really invest our lives into those people. Evangelism calls us to be honest when it's hard. It's not always easy to say, hey, Jesus is the only way. It's hard to tell someone to repent and turn. And believe evangelism calls us to be challenged, right? Evangelism calls us to give up things and to pursue things that we might not want to pursue. And so in a lot of ways, evangelism is very hard. [01:13:07] (33 seconds)
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