Doing
the work of an evangelist is way beyond preaching the gospel. As a matter of
fact it is more of living it. The best way to learn about evangelism the right
way is through studying the life of Jesus.
I
reminisced on the life of Jesus here on earth.
As you study His ministry life on earth more
closely, you will begin to identify specific characteristics that were peculiar
to His ministry. He went about reaching people and touching lives as a
lifestyle. For Jesus it was a daily and consistent routine. He applied Himself
to do the work of the Father, as the scriptures says in
And
he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be
about my Father's business?
Luke 2:49
While
many of us are not called to full time ministerial work, we can always learn a
thing or two about effective evangelism from our Lord Himself.
--> Given
to Study and Learning; Jesus spent some time with the scholars at the temple.
He studied the Word. The Word of God is our sword in the battle field. It is an
error not to be armed with our full armory.
And
it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in
the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all
that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. Luke 2:46-47
There will be difficult tasks and
confrontations in the path of the evangelist. We can draw encouragement from
God’s Word, need I say more?
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Timothy 2:15
Learning is a lifeong and continual process.
We should never reach a point where we feel there is nothing more to learn with God. In fact it's not possible you fully know everything that pertains to the Kingdom while we are here on earth.
We know in part (1 Corinthians 13:9)
An evangelist should have a teachable heart. Remember, Apollos? (Acts 18:26)
--> Apt to Teach: have you ever been fully ready to
speak the gospel? It is true that sometimes whispers of inadequacy or thugs of not-ready-enough try to hold us back.
Always remember that the Holy Spirit is there to teach you and tell you what to say.
Aptness demand more of our willingness to share the gospel
than readiness
Go
ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even
unto the end of the world. Amen
Matthew
28:19-20
Jesus taught life transforming messages and spoke words that renewed minds. He was not sugar-coating the truth or compromising His standards to win more followers but in love and compassion He delivered the gospel.
As
I aforementioned, spend time in God’s presence. You can only give as much as
you have fed.
--> Discipleship: I find it odd when women of the
Word struggle with raising other younger believers. Jesus raised up disciples.
Apostle Paul did the same and encourages us as women to encourage those younger
in faith in the way of the Lord. (Titus 2:3)
An evangelist commits to the follow-up, raising up and tending
process
--> Retreating, refreshing and
replenishing: There are
moments when the table gets full and you are in over your head with faith-life,
marriage, being mom, family things, ministry demands, financial supplies and
everything else that needs to get done. Your energy gets depleted except you
have time to get nourished.
Time-outs
are necessary not only for us but for those we minister to. Fight for balance
and keep your physical and spiritual tunes sharpened.
Jesus
knew well when to withdraw, when to teach, when to stop and pray for those in need.
Which takes us to the next key habit, prayer.
--> Given To A Life of Prayer: can there be an effective ministry
without prayer? Can there be spiritual victories without prayer? Prayer is a
life wire for every Christian.
An effective minister prays for those the Lord
has put in His care. Pray for their welfare, their health, for their homes and
whatever challenges they are faced with.
Take
time to pray yourself as a minister.
Whether as an evangelist or not spending
time in the place of prayer gives us clear directions and instructions for the
work.
Never
head out without receiving strategy or specific instructions for the mission.
We
can do much more on our knees if we commit to it.
--> Meeting
Physical Needs: I once attended a program where the minister was upset the
people who came where fed. He had such a huge problem with it. His concern was that these people would only return for the food!
I get it, sometimes we try to rationalize and
justify our faith walk with human mind.
Jesus
gave food. He saw the people were obviously hungry. He didn’t make a quick exit
out of the situation like most of us would. Instead He saw it as an opportunity
for a miracle. (Matthew 15:32-34)
Do
you know God can use a meal to draw a soul to Himself?
Our kindness can be all that
is needed to break down the defensive wall.
I
have met a few believers who hoard food in meetings and gatherings despite
their affluence. And it makes me wonder what people we have become!
Jesus didn’t
send away the hungry or needy on an empty stomach. Jesus always fills the
stomachs and the souls! Matthew 25: 34-46
Here
is my take, as the Holy Spirit leads us, let us reach out to those who are
needy among us.
--> Humility: God calls us to the hard things
sometimes. The true test of our faith is when we do the very hard thing.
Anyone
can claim to be humble but humility is shown the littlest things as when you don’t choose people because
of the affluence, wealth, position or power. Jesus did no such thing!
His
disciples were everyday people. Some were professionals, others were laymen.
Every man Jesus called had a place and a purpose and they didn't need to fight for it.
No one was
less or relegated because of their social or political or religious
backgrounds.
The
gates of heaven is opened to us and the criteria is believe and follow Jesus. Whether
we are Jews or Gentiles, the Lord has given us a place in His glorious kingdom.
I
am very puzzled at the clique-ism, the preferential privileges, over the board
protocols given to a select ‘special’ few due to some worldly criteria. Jesus
never did that.
Always keep your heart and motives pure before God.
It is Him we should
please and not men.
Comment Prompt: Are
there any habits you have learnt from Jesus or from your personal experience as an evangelist or minister?
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Comment Update!
Dear friends, I have the habit of visiting you before I
respond here on my blog that way I can keep track of blogging friends I am yet
to visit.
To keep up with your latest posts, I changed my strategy. Now I visit your blog then respond to very few comments here.
In case you are wondering why I keep updating you on my progress, for me this is a wonderful community and I respect you all and finally it holds me accountable to you. Haha!! *smiling*
Thanks for your understanding and I appreciate your kindest comments
thus far☺
Labels: Devotions
