Ev-“angel”- ism
-Introduction
-In last week’s lesson, we reflected on the time when the I-40 bridge over the Arkansas
River collapsed.
-We used that as a backdrop for several spiritual applications.
-At the end of the lesson, I talked about the fishermen who helped by pulling several
people from the river and warning & stopping the oncoming traffic on I-40.
-I stated, “That’s who we need to be – fishermen. We need to rescue the perishing
and warn people of the dangers of sin.
-To do so, we must take the Gospel of Christ to others around us.
-We must be evangelists!
-Now, please, don’t close your ears or hearts and say, “Yes, yes, I know. We need
to share the Gospel around us. I know, I know. It’s a personal responsibility and
we need to do a better job with it. Go ye means go me.”
-Yes, these things are true. Yet, there are a number of topics that I think are
important to re-visit from time to time. Evangelism is one of them.
-To address this topic this morning, I want to talk a little bit about the topic of angels.
-The Topic of Angels
-The topic of angels is very interesting and intriguing.
-Angels are referred to quite often in the scriptures; yet, we are told little about them.
-We know that they are created, spiritual beings – Col 1:16.
-We know they are servants of God that carry out His work.
-Gen 19:12-13; Acts 12:23
-They were not always sent to carry out punishment.
-Dan 6:22; Acts 12:5-7
-Angels have been utilized in a number of ways:
-guarded the Garden of Gethsemane – Gen 3:24
-ministered to Jesus following the temptations of Satan – Matt 4:11
-carried Lazarus to paradise – Luke 16:22
-In the New Testament, angels aren’t only spoken of in the past tense but also in
present and future tenses – Heb 1:14; 2 Thess 1:7-9
-Angels, Messengers and God’s Word
-When we think about the work of angels, we need to look at the word which describes them.
-Both the N.T. (angelos) and the O.T. (mal’ak) mean “a messenger.”
-Angels, by the very definition of the words used to describe them, are messengers.
-Heb 2:2 (Gal 3:19, Acts 7:53)
-The Law – God – angels – Moses and the prophets
-Now consider the Gospel of Christ:’
-John 12:48; 14:16, 26; 16:12-13
-Notice the progression: God – Jesus – Holy Spirit – Apostles and Inspired Writers
-Heb 1:1-2; 2:1-4; 4:12 (1 Cor 2:9-11; 2 Tim 3:16-17)
-We now have the will of God in its completed form – the full Gospel of Christ.
-So, whose hands is the Gospel in? - ours
-The Great Commission
-I want to take a look at a passage that I’m sure you have heard many times – Matt 28:18-20.
-First of all, let’s notice how we can discern that this command extended beyond the
apostles to whom Jesus was speaking and continues to this very day.
-After all, in Luke’s account of the Great Commission and Jesus’ ascension (Luke 24:
46-53), he included words of Jesus (vs 49) that applied specifically to the apostles –
words that were fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).
-So, how do we know that the Great Commission is still in effect for us?
-Matt 28:20 – “even unto the end of the world” – This shows the ongoing application
of the Great Commission.
-So, yes, “go ye” means “go me.”
-Sharing the Gospel should not be viewed as an option but as an obligation & an opportunity.
-Simply put, it is a command.
-But, here is something that you might not have realized. Consider this: Where is the
command in the Great Commission? “Go?” – no.
-The imperative (command) in the original Greek is not the “go.” It is the “make
disciples” (NASB). If you are going to “make disciples” then you are going to “go.”
-Here’s where I’m afraid that we have developed an improper mindset.
-Often times, our goal is to invite somebody to services (and certainly that isn’t bad).
Yet, I’m afraid that when we invite somebody we tell ourselves, “Well, I’ve gone to
to that person. That’s what I’m obligated to do.”
-We then hope that the person will come to services, enjoy their experience in
worshipping and studying with us, will continue to do so and that something will be
done or said that will spur them on to obedience to the Gospel.
-Yet, consider the command of the Great Commission – make disciples. Obviously,
that goes beyond an invitation.
-It is the teaching of the Gospel of Christ. That’s what we need to strive for.
-We need to look for and even create opportunities to share God’s word with others.
-Summary
-When we share the Gospel of Christ we are messengers for God – angels.
-Now consider the word “evangelism.” What is at the root of that word? – “angel”
-So, in this sense, when we share the Gospel of Christ, we are “angels” of God.
-Let me close with this: If God gave you a ticket into heaven and then several more for
you to give to others, who would you give them to?
-Now, think about this. Have you taken the Gospel to those people? The Gospel, if they
will receive it, obey it and abide in it is their “ticket” to heaven.
-At times, we need to renew our focus and commitment and re-energize our efforts.
-Are you willing to do that regarding evangelism to the saving of souls?
-What about your soul? Have you obeyed the Gospel? If not, believe in Jesus (John 3:16,
8:24), confess your faith (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10); repent of your sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts
17:30), be baptized into Jesus for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38).
-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel but haven’t remained faithful, you can confess your
shortcomings, repent and pray for God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).