Ideally, evangelism is not something to be undertaken in isolation. Of course, if opportunity presents itself, the gospel word should be spoken clearly and sensitively in conscious dependence upon the Holy Spirit – whenever, wherever, and to whomever. But evangelism is best done out of the context of a gospel community whose corporate life demonstrates the reality of the word that God her life.
Christian community is a vital part of Christian mission. Mission takes place as people see our love for one another. We all know that the gospel is communicated both through the words we say and the lives we live. What Jesus says is that it is the life we live together that counts. Jesus prays that those who believe in the gospel “may be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:20-23). The world will know that Jesus is the Son of God sent by God to be the Savior of the world through the community of believers. “No one has ever seen God,” says John in his Gospel, “but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, had made him known” (John 1:18). The invisible God is made visible through the Son of God. “No one has ever seen God,” says John again in his first letter, “but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1John 4:12). The invisible God is made visible through the love of the people of God. The life of the Christian community is part of the way by which the gospel is communicated.”
(Total Church, Tim Chester & Steve Timmis, p. 58-59)
The boat capsized. One person drowned. The other is shown here being rescued by a gutsy construction worker who was lowered on a crane. What a powerful image…
…and a powerful metaphor. To what lengths would you go to rescue the perishing? What risks will you take for gospel and kingdom today?
As we’ve been mentally preparing for our next trip to Peru, I’ve been thinking a lot about this quote from Ralph Winters. Dr. Winters was a missiologist who passed away this month after spending most of his 88 years pursuing the great commission.
“I coined the phrase, ‘You do not evaluate a risk by the probability of success but by the worthiness of the goal.’ We were willing to fail because the goal we sensed was so urgent and strategic.” HT: Ray Ortland, Jr
How challenging and refreshing! As we work among, the YQ, let us treasure the goal of God’s glory among every nation. Pray for the YQ and for God’s work among them, and do not be disheartened. For our hope is in God, and He will not fail.
You can hear more from Dr. Winters on JT’s blog. I look forward to seeing you after we return.
“Faith is not believing in yourself. You will not be a Christian until you stop believing in yourself.” Kevin DeYoung, speaking at Next
In ESL (English as a Second Language) this morning, I departed from my customary devotion and asked the group to teach me. My question to this roomful of unbelievers (mainly) from a dozen countries around the world, was, “Why do you think people don’t believe in Jesus?” Here were their answers:
- We can’t see him. (I think this was a reference to unbelief in God rather than in Jesus.)
- Some people don’t know about Jesus.
- My parents were Buddhist and didn’t teach me about Jesus.
- Many people think that they have no sin.
- People are too busy.
- Bad things happen to Christians just as much as to non-Christians.
- I believe in Jesus but not that he was the Son of God. God can’t have children.
- Christians don’t love their enemies. Look at America, it is at war in the Middle East.
What can we learn from these answers?
