The church has been afflicted with a very confused message on evangelism. Evangelism is, in the minds of many, work done by a select group of freelance Christians we call evangelists, who in their own quaint way go out to reach the lost and bring them to the local assembly for teaching and fellowship. After all, we are told, did not the Lord command the disciples to “Go”? Evangelism has been regarded as an extra-curricular activity in which we have only a passing interest.
But the truth of the matter is that the local assembly needs to be heavily involved in evangelism. This was the practice of first-century Christians. Twenty centuries have not changed the need or the command.
Some might argue that if we become too occupied with reaching the lost we will neglect other vital ministries of the local church such as worship, teaching, fellowship, and prayer. It must be understood that any call to evangelize is not intended to crowd out these other vital ministries. All are to be included.
How can we recapture spiritual enthusiasm and interest in the gospel?
1. Let’s have a real gospel meeting. We have been lulled into thinking people will be more interested in attending a meeting if we soft-pedal the message. The “Family Bible Hour,” a less confrontational, less focused title, has replaced a gospel meeting. Not that a mere name change will bring spiritual power. But the point is, we need to sharpen our focus and people should know it.
Montague Goodman writes, “Don’t wonder that sinners are so little concerned for themselves when they see so little concern evinced for them by the church. Concern begets concern and conviction spreads conviction. Under present conditions it is not surprising if the world not only doesn’t believe, but doesn’t believe we Christians believe. Otherwise how could we show such indifference to their unbelief and its terrible consequences?”
People selling vitamins and long-distance phone service make a better case for their wares than we do with the gospel. And they are doing it for mere money.
2. Let’s hear some testimonies from all walks of life. The blind man had it right: “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” (Jn. 9:25). There is something about a personal testimony that makes people think. An unbeliever might try to dismiss a preacher, but it is tough to easily dismiss a person just like them.
3. Sing gospel hymns. It is no use inviting the unbeliever to sing songs of spiritual aspiration or general praise. Let’s pay attention. Gospel hymns let people know what this meeting is about. Song leaders should do their preparation well. It prepares the audience for the message to be preached. It is a help to the speaker.
4. Pray. What? No prayer meeting? Are we serious? You really think we can wander into a gospel meeting with a cup of coffee and expect to do serious business for God? It’s not fair to the speaker to allow him to step onto the platform unprotected by prayer. The lost are saturated in ungodliness all week. At your assembly, if you have no other legitimate duties prior to the meeting, be at the prayer meeting. Pray for the lost. Pray for the speaker. Pray during the meeting. Pray when disturbances occur. Pray at the closing hymn. Be engaged. This is a battle.
5. Encourage the gift of the evangelist. It was to the church the gift of the evangelist was given (Eph. 4:11). Give opportunity for that gift to be discovered and developed. Pray for evangelists and their families. Support them. Evangelists can be discouraged easily; they face the battle for souls at the sharpest point of conflict. They are one of God’s instruments in rescuing the perishing.
6. View other ministries as serious gospel outreach. The gospel meeting is not the only place to reach the lost. Children’s work, Bible studies, Coffee Hours, Young People’s, tract distribution, open air preaching, door to door work–all of these and more are vital efforts in spreading the gospel. Planting seeds of truth in the minds of children in a hostile world can compare with few other endeavors in this life. Pray, support and encourage one another in all these things.
7. And finally, preach the gospel. Learn John and Romans. Herald the message in all its glory. Its power has not diminished. Preach it with love and truth and tears. Not a little gospel, the gospel in its fullness. It still has that “turn the world upside down” quality to it. It still rescues men and women, boys and girls from hell.