Embracing Our Call: The Urgency of Evangelism
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound call to evangelism and the importance of being obedient servants of God. We began with a humorous story about an elderly couple who cleverly ensured their children would visit for Christmas, illustrating the lengths we sometimes go to for connection. This set the stage for a deeper discussion on the necessity of being proactive in our spiritual lives, particularly in sharing the gospel.
Reflecting on a personal experience from my early days in ministry, I shared a poignant moment when I felt prompted by God to speak to a young man in Spain but hesitated. This missed opportunity underscored the urgency of being attentive and responsive to God's voice. We are designed to communicate with God, and our spirit is the conduit for this divine interaction. God desires an intimate relationship with us, as evidenced by His promise to dwell among His people and be accessible at all times.
We delved into the concept of servanthood, drawing from Jesus' parables that emphasize faithful and fruitful service. The parable of the unprofitable servant in Luke 17:7-10 was unpacked to highlight the attitude of serving God out of love and respect, not obligation. This love-driven obedience naturally leads to evangelism, as we are called to make disciples, not just converts.
The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 was emphasized as a command, not a suggestion. Making disciples requires time, effort, and a heart aligned with God's will. We celebrated members of our community who exemplify this through their consistent outreach efforts, demonstrating that evangelism is a lifestyle, not an event.
In closing, I encouraged everyone to be open to God's leading, sharing practical examples of how simple acts of obedience can lead to meaningful encounters. We prayed for those feeling called to evangelism, asking God to empower and guide them in their mission to share His love with the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The Urgency of Evangelism: We are called to be soul winners, and the time to start is now. God places people in our paths who need to hear the gospel, and we must be ready to respond to His promptings. Our obedience can have eternal consequences for others. [01:12:59]
- Designed for Divine Communication: God created us to communicate with Him, and our spirit is the means by which we connect with His Spirit. This relationship is foundational to our faith and empowers us to live out His will. [01:17:21]
- Servanthood Rooted in Love: True servanthood is not about mere obedience but stems from a deep love for God. This love naturally leads to a life of service and evangelism, as we seek to fulfill His desires. [01:23:23]
- The Great Commission as a Lifestyle: Making disciples is a lifelong commitment that requires dedication and love. It involves nurturing relationships and guiding others in their spiritual journey, reflecting the heart of the Great Commission. [01:35:23]
- Practical Obedience in Everyday Life: Evangelism doesn't require special skills; it requires a willing heart. By being open to God's leading in our daily routines, we can create opportunities for meaningful spiritual conversations. [01:39:47]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:12:59] - The Call to Evangelism
- [01:15:35] - A Missed Opportunity
- [01:17:21] - Designed for Communication
- [01:19:25] - God's Promise to Dwell Among Us
- [01:23:23] - Servanthood Rooted in Love
- [01:26:18] - Faithful and Fruitful Service
- [01:28:46] - The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant
- [01:32:10] - Serving Out of Love and Respect
- [01:35:23] - The Great Commission
- [01:37:53] - Practical Steps to Evangelism
- [01:39:47] - Everyday Obedience
- [01:42:08] - A Call to Action
- [01:44:00] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 17:7-10
2. Matthew 28:18-20
3. Genesis 2:7
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the unprofitable servant (Luke 17:7-10), what is the expected attitude of the servant towards the master? How does this relate to our service to God? [01:28:46]
2. According to Matthew 28:18-20, what specific command does Jesus give to His disciples, and what does this imply about the nature of evangelism? [01:35:23]
3. How does Genesis 2:7 describe the creation of man, and what does this imply about our ability to communicate with God? [01:17:21]
4. What personal story did the pastor share about a missed opportunity in evangelism, and what lesson did he learn from it? [01:15:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the parable of the unprofitable servant challenge our understanding of servanthood and obedience in our relationship with God? [01:28:46]
2. What does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 suggest about the long-term commitment required in making disciples, and how does this differ from simply making converts? [01:35:23]
3. In what ways does the pastor's story about the young man in Spain illustrate the urgency and importance of being attentive to God's voice in evangelism? [01:15:35]
4. How does the concept of being designed for divine communication, as mentioned in Genesis 2:7, influence our daily spiritual practices and relationship with God? [01:17:21]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt prompted to share your faith but hesitated. What held you back, and how can you prepare to respond differently in the future? [01:15:35]
2. The sermon emphasized that evangelism is a lifestyle, not an event. What practical steps can you take to incorporate evangelism into your daily routine? [01:39:47]
3. Consider the relationships in your life. Who might God be calling you to disciple, and what steps can you take to begin or deepen that relationship? [01:35:23]
4. How can you cultivate a heart of love-driven obedience in your service to God, rather than serving out of obligation? [01:23:23]
5. Identify one area in your life where you can be more open to God's leading. What specific action can you take this week to listen and respond to His voice? [01:39:47]
6. The pastor shared about simple acts of obedience leading to meaningful encounters. Can you think of a small act of obedience you can commit to this week that might open doors for spiritual conversations? [01:39:47]
7. How can you create opportunities for divine communication in your daily life, ensuring that you are attentive to God's voice and guidance? [01:17:21]
Devotional
Day 1: The Urgency of Evangelism
In our daily lives, we often encounter moments where we feel a nudge to share our faith, yet we hesitate. The urgency of evangelism is not just about spreading a message; it's about responding to God's call to be soul winners. God places people in our paths who need to hear the gospel, and our obedience can have eternal consequences for others. This urgency is a reminder that the time to start is now, and we must be ready to respond to His promptings. [01:12:59]
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" (Romans 10:14, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might God be prompting you to share the gospel with today? How can you take a step towards that conversation?
Day 2: Designed for Divine Communication
God created us with the unique ability to communicate with Him, and our spirit is the means by which we connect with His Spirit. This divine communication is foundational to our faith, empowering us to live out His will. By nurturing this relationship, we become more attuned to His voice and guidance, allowing us to respond to His call with confidence and clarity. [01:17:21]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper communication with God today? What practices can you incorporate into your routine to better hear His voice?
Day 3: Servanthood Rooted in Love
True servanthood is not about mere obedience but stems from a deep love for God. This love-driven obedience naturally leads to a life of service and evangelism, as we seek to fulfill His desires. When we serve out of love and respect, we reflect the heart of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. This attitude transforms our actions from obligation to joyful participation in God's work. [01:23:23]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you serve others out of love today? How can you shift your mindset from obligation to joyful service?
Day 4: The Great Commission as a Lifestyle
The Great Commission is not a one-time event but a lifelong commitment to making disciples. It requires dedication, love, and a heart aligned with God's will. By nurturing relationships and guiding others in their spiritual journey, we reflect the heart of the Great Commission. This lifestyle of evangelism involves consistent outreach efforts and a willingness to invest time and effort into the lives of others. [01:35:23]
"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 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the Great Commission into your daily life? What steps can you take to nurture and guide someone in their spiritual journey?
Day 5: Practical Obedience in Everyday Life
Evangelism doesn't require special skills; it requires a willing heart. By being open to God's leading in our daily routines, we can create opportunities for meaningful spiritual conversations. Simple acts of obedience can lead to significant encounters, and by being attentive to God's voice, we can make a difference in the lives of those around us. [01:39:47]
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: What simple act of obedience can you take today to create an opportunity for a spiritual conversation? How can you be more attentive to God's leading in your daily interactions?
Quotes
The time to begin to be a soul winner is now. Too many people are out there that need our help, that need Jesus. And, if we don't do it, who's going to? I remember, in my earlier career as a Christian, career as a Christian, whatever, I, um, I'm a career Christian, all right? Um, it's been a long time. I got saved in 1975. [01:13:18] (40 seconds)
Time to begin to be a soul winner is now. We need to be ready to be used by God. And in order to be used by him, we need to understand how to hear his voice. And be obedient when we hear his voice. Did you know that we were designed to communicate with the Father? [01:16:30] (31 seconds)
Dallas Willard is a Christian, kind of a philosopher, a theologian. Sometimes he's really hard to read. Takes a lot. You got to read it, then you got to think about it and meditate on what he's saying. But he said this, the watchword of the worthy servant is not mere obedience, but love from which appropriate obedience naturally flows. [01:21:57] (35 seconds)
The servant's obedience just comes naturally to the one who really loves God with his whole heart and whole soul. Now you're saying, okay, what's this all got to do with evangelism? Well, I'm going to get there. Hold on. I'm going to get there. I'm going to start off with being obedient, listening to God. [01:23:07] (22 seconds)
We have a couple people and there may be more than two, and I'm sure you'll correct me if there's one that I missed, but we have a couple of individuals in our body today that are constantly reaching out, constantly evangelizing. You know, Angela, that girl, man, I don't know how she does it. [01:24:20] (29 seconds)
Now, because of their willingness to obey God and go out into the streets of Bering County, there's several individuals in here that she brought to church today. Danny, same way. His car was full. Now, I have a truck. But I have a couple seats in the back. A lot of times when I'm coming to church, they're full. [01:26:07] (35 seconds)
It's called the parable of the unprofitable servant. This demonstrates the important attitude that we should be able to see in Jesus' followers. So let's unpack this parable. It's found in Luke 17, 7 through 10, and I'll read it. And which of you having a servant plowing or tending sheep will say to him when he has come in from the field, come at once and sit down to eat? [01:27:10] (36 seconds)
God, who is an excellent, wonderful, loving, kind, long-suffering master towards his people. He loves them. He encourages them. So the slave, naturally, if you had a master like that, your attitude might be a little different. Your attitude might be, I'm going to go to work. I'm going to work in master's fields. [01:30:02] (33 seconds)
He said, Go into the world as dutiful servants, as servants who adore the Father, who love the Master. That is our responsibility. Our responsibility is to go into the world and make disciples. Now, make disciples is an important statement. He didn't say, go into the world and leave them to the Lord and then leave them and then go somewhere else and leave them to the Lord and then leave them and go somewhere else. [01:35:19] (39 seconds)
And I was able, blessed, to be able to do that because I love my Father. I adore Him, and I'm going to do everything He tells me. And we all, as a church, need to start thinking maybe a different way. When you come to church on Sunday, maybe you shouldn't be thinking about, okay, what am I going to get out of it today? [01:36:30] (30 seconds)
So, gosh, I don't know, Lord. I don't know what to do. What do I do? How do I get a conversation? How do I do this? You know what God says? I'll take care of it. I'll handle it. Don't you worry about a thing. I will handle it. This is what I want you to do. Be obedient. [01:37:54] (21 seconds)
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