The Biblical Mandate for Evangelizing in light of

GOD’S PURPOSE WITH HIS PEOPLE

 

 

I.  GOD’S PURPOSE WITH HIS PEOPLE

 

A. Old Testament:

1)  Be a blessing to all people on earth: Abraham (Gen 12:1-3), Issac (Gen 26:2-5), Jacob (Gen 28:13-16).

2)  Be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exod 19:5-6).

3)  Sanctify God’s name among the nations (Lev. 20:7-8).

4)  Be a light for the nations (Is 42:6, 49:6).

5)  Provide a place of prayer for all nations (Is 56:6-7; Mark 11:15-17).

 

B.  New Testament:

1)  Be witnesses at home and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8; Titus 2).

2)  Be a witness to the powers of darkness (Eph 3:10-11).

3)  Be ambassadors with a ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:11-21).

4)  Be a proclaiming people (Great commission 1 Peter 2:9).

 

II. GOD’S METHOD TO OBTAIN HIS PURPOSE WITH HIS PEOPLE

 

A. Old testament: Predominatly centripetal

1)  Be a light through obedience (Exod 20).

2)  Be a light through worship (Deut 6:13-15)

3)  Be a light through faith (2 Chr 20:15-30).

4)  Attract the nations through being a light (Is

1-4; Zech 8:23).

 

B.  New Testament: Prodominantly centrifugal

1)  Jesus: is always traveling around, preaching, teaching and doing signs and wonders. The Great Commission emphasizes the going to all nations.

2)  Apostles: at Pentecost they preach “to all nations” at Jerusalem.

3)  Paul: goes, preaches and teaches to all nations, trying to reach the unreached.

 

III.       GOD’S WAYS TO URGE HIS PEOPLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSE

   

A. Through drought and famine.

1)  Abraham, Issac and Jacob are “sent” to Egypt and Gerar (Gen 12:10-20; 26:1-35)

2)  Elijah is sent to Sidon, and the widow acknowledges his God (1 Kgs 17).

 

B.  Through slavery.

1)  Joseph in Egypt is a positive witness (Gen 39:3,5; 41:38).

2)  The slave girl: Naaman recognizes God as God (2 Kgs 5:17).

 

C. Through persecution.

1)  Persecution forces first Christians to leave Jerusalem and go to Samaritans (Acts 8).

2)  Persecution forces Aquilla and Priscilla to leave Italy (Acts 18:1-2).

 

 

What will God need to do TODAY to urge his

people to do the work of Evangelism!!!