The Spiritual Discipline of Evangelism

By Pastor Chad

His unshod feet hurriedly clumped against the rocky ground. The terrain was uneven and arduous. Few easily treaded this mountainous pass; fewer did so quickly. Marcus had climbed these heights many times in his young life, but never had he climbed with such excitement and fervor. Something happened to him. He had a story to tell. He had been changed. More to the point, his life was transformed. He was no longer the man he had been when he left his village three weeks ago. Then, he was angry, uncertain, and lost. Now, he was found; renewed. Love may be patient, but developing patience was a slow process. In his new state, he could not wait to tell his village what had happened to him. 

He met someone in the city. Not just someone; he met a man with a message. This, however, was no ordinary message about national news or political comings and goings. No, this was an eternal message. A message meant for Marcus…and everyone far off. This message wasn’t simply a bit of information one simply accepted as true or false. This message…well, it had power. Power to change. Power to save. Power to renew. And this message wasn’t something one could (or should) simply keep to oneself. This message erupted within the receiver like a roaring volcano. 

No one forced Marcus to share this message. He just could not keep it to himself. It seemed impossible to keep this message quiet. Just as this message somehow had changed him, so it could change others. It could change everyone in his village. In fact, this message could change the world. Marcus’ drive to share this message overflowed from the way the message had awakened him to the meaning of life. 

This is but one example similar to thousands. A story of a man impacted by a message all believers know. What is this marvelous news Marcas was so eager to share? As you likely have deduced, it is none other than the good news of Jesus Christ. The message that God sent His Son to become a man and die for man. His death was a substitute for your sins and mine–and everyone who calls upon His name.   

Let me ask you a question: If every Christian evangelized like you do, how often would the good news of Jesus Christ be shared? How impactful would the Kingdom of God be if everyone focused on the gospel work like you do? These may seem like pointed and sobering questions, but they are good questions to ask ourselves. What are we doing for the gospel mission? 

My message Sunday morning focused on the spiritual discipline of evangelism. Perhaps you have never thought of this, but evangelism is a spiritual discipline. All of us would agree that the practice of evangelism takes discipline, but how is it a spiritual discipline? Believe it or not, evangelism is not only an overflow of a healthy spiritual life, it is also a tool that can better open our eyes to much needed gospel work. In many ways, the more we share, the more we see the need for evangelism. 

All Christians are commissioned by Christ to share the gospel message to all corners of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8). Omission of this commission is a dereliction of duty. God uses mankind to spread His heavenly message. Are you looking for opportunities to do so? Are you engaged in the gospel work?