Empowered to Evangelize: Sharing Christ's Love Daily
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the essence of our calling as followers of Christ, exploring the profound mandate to share the Gospel beyond the confines of our church walls. We are each an integral part of the body of Christ, with a unique role to play in the ministry of St. Helenus. Our vision statement echoes this call, urging us to boldly proclaim the saving gospel and lordship of Jesus Christ, to raise up servant leaders, and to establish worshiping communities in Buford and beyond.
The crux of our discussion centered on a word that often causes discomfort within the church: evangelism. However, I reassured you that this does not entail cold calls or knocking on doors. Instead, we focused on the directive from Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commands us to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations." The simplicity of the word "go" belies its power as a divine instruction to act, to share the good news with all creation.
We examined the 'ew' of evangelism in terms of who, where, how, and why. Who are we to share the Gospel with? We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing the message of God's love with those we encounter daily. Where are we to go? While some may be called to overseas missions, our mission field is also the everyday world of friends, family, and acquaintances. How do we evangelize? By trusting the Holy Spirit, praying for others, engaging in conversations about our faith, and living out our faith as an ongoing invitation to a relationship with God. Why do we evangelize? Because Jesus commanded it, and because we desire for others to know the love, forgiveness, and new life we have experienced through Christ.
Our God is a god of righteousness, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and it is our privilege to share His love and truth. We are reminded that we do not go alone in this mission; Christ is with us through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to be communicators of the cure for sin and brokenness, to spread the good news to all we meet.
Key Takeaways:
- Evangelism is not a burdensome task but a joyous sharing of the love and grace we have received from God. As ambassadors for Christ, we are entrusted with the divine mission to communicate the transformative power of the Gospel through our relationships and daily encounters. [30:51]
- Our mission field is not limited to distant lands but encompasses the very places we inhabit daily. Each interaction presents an opportunity to be a missionary, to reflect Christ's love, and to invite others into a life-changing relationship with God. [33:01]
- The method of evangelism is rooted in authenticity and love. We are called to pray, listen, and live out our faith in such a way that others are drawn to Christ through our example. It is not about coercion but about embodying the hope and peace that comes from a life centered on Jesus. [34:18]
- The motivation for sharing our faith stems from a deep desire for others to experience the same forgiveness and new life that we have found in Christ. Our evangelistic efforts are fueled by gratitude for the salvation and transformation we have received. [35:40]
- We are reassured that in our mission to evangelize, we are never alone. The Holy Spirit empowers and guides us, providing the words and courage needed to be effective witnesses of Christ's love and truth to the world. [37:44]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:19-20: "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."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:20: "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
3. Isaiah 6:8: "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What command does Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, what role do believers play in God's plan?
3. In the sermon, what is the significance of the word "go" as it relates to evangelism? ([28:46])
4. How does the pastor describe the "who" in terms of who should evangelize? ([30:51])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:20? How does this role impact our daily interactions?
2. How can the directive to "go" in Matthew 28:19-20 be applied to our everyday lives, not just in a missionary context? ([33:01])
3. Why is it important to trust the Holy Spirit in the process of evangelism, according to the sermon? ([34:18])
4. What are the motivations for sharing our faith as outlined in the sermon? How do these motivations align with the teachings of Jesus? ([35:40])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate the command to "go and make disciples" in your interactions with friends, family, and acquaintances? ([33:01])
2. Think of a specific person in your life who does not know Christ. What steps can you take to share the Gospel with them in a loving and authentic way? ([34:18])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living out our faith as an ongoing invitation to a relationship with God. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate your faith in your community? ([34:18])
4. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and courage in your evangelistic efforts? Share a time when you felt the Holy Spirit leading you in a conversation about faith. ([37:44])
5. The pastor mentioned that evangelism is not about coercion but about embodying hope and peace. How can you ensure that your approach to sharing the Gospel is rooted in love and authenticity? ([34:18])
6. Reflect on the reasons why you want others to experience the love and forgiveness of Christ. How can these motivations drive your actions and conversations this week? ([35:40])
7. The sermon reassures us that we are not alone in our mission to evangelize. How can you remind yourself of Christ's presence and the Holy Spirit's empowerment as you share your faith? ([37:44])
Devotional
Day 1: Joyful Sharing of Divine Love
Evangelism is often misunderstood as a heavy obligation, but it is truly a celebration of the divine love and grace bestowed upon us. As believers, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, carrying the message of the Gospel not as a burden but as a joyous revelation of the transformative power we have experienced. This divine mission is an extension of our gratitude, allowing us to connect with others through our relationships and daily encounters. It is in these interactions that the love of God can be most powerfully shared, as we reflect the hope and peace that have been instilled in us through our faith in Jesus Christ. [30:51]
"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." (2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate the joy of God's love in your interactions today?
Day 2: Missionaries in Daily Life
Our mission field is not confined to distant shores but is present in the ordinary spaces we occupy each day. Every conversation and interaction is an opportunity to be a missionary, reflecting Christ's love and inviting others into a transformative relationship with God. This perspective shifts our understanding of evangelism from a specialized activity to an integral part of our daily lives, where the mundane becomes sacred and every encounter holds the potential for divine appointment. [33:01]
"And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'" (Luke 10:2 ESV)
Reflection: Who in your daily life might be waiting to hear about the hope you have in Christ?
Day 3: Authenticity in Evangelism
The method of evangelism is deeply rooted in authenticity and love. It is not about coercion or scripted conversations but about living out our faith in such a way that others are naturally drawn to Christ. By praying for others, listening attentively, and embodying the hope and peace of a life centered on Jesus, we invite others to discover the same fulfillment we have found. Our genuine actions and words can serve as a beacon of light in a world searching for truth. [34:18]
"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 is one way you can live out your faith authentically today to draw others to Christ?
Day 4: Motivated by Gratitude for Salvation
The motivation for sharing our faith comes from a deep well of gratitude for the forgiveness and new life we have found in Christ. Our desire for others to experience this same redemption fuels our evangelistic efforts. As recipients of God's grace, we are compelled to share the good news, not out of duty but out of a heartfelt wish for others to know the love and freedom we have received. [35:40]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
Reflection: How has your life changed since embracing Christ, and how can you share this change with someone today?
Day 5: Empowered by the Spirit in Witness
In our mission to evangelize, we are reassured that we do not go alone. The Holy Spirit empowers and guides us, providing the words and courage needed to be effective witnesses of Christ's love and truth. This divine assistance ensures that our efforts are not in vain and that we have a constant companion in our journey to spread the Gospel. [37:44]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8 ESV)
Reflection: How can you rely on the Holy Spirit today to guide you in sharing your faith with others?
Quotes
- "We are ambassadors for Christ, sharing the message of God's love with those we encounter daily." [30:51](Download | Download)
- "The power of friendships and individual encounters is much more effective than any number of degrees we could have." [32:18](Download | Download)
- "Trust the Holy Spirit and trust the miracle of God who works in our lives in such a way that our lives are transformed into a living ongoing invitation to a relationship with God through Christ." [34:18](Download | Download)
- "Pray, listen, love, live your faith, be the example, practice a lifestyle that draws people to want to know what it is you've got going on because they want it for themselves." [35:02](Download | Download)
- "Our God is the god of righteousness, he is the god of the ages, he is the Lord of Heaven and Earth." [35:40](Download | Download)
- "We don't have a communicable disease; we have a communicable cure for sin, for loneliness, low self-esteem, lack of purpose, lack of direction, and guilt." [37:44](Download | Download)
- "If any of that is who he is for us, why would we not want to share this news with people we encounter every day?" [37:02](Download | Download)
- "We must go, that's part of being a disciple, but we're called to remember that we don't go alone. God is with us to the End of the Age." [37:44](Download | Download)
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