Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Building the Local Church - part 4

   We've been talking about building the church, and I said the first thing you need is a team of intercessors. I refer you to 1 Timothy 2:1, "I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;" The next element I said you need is a good evangelist or two. Why?
What are the benefits/ Why does it matter?
   Evangelism is the Prime Directive of the church; if your church isn't about fulfilling the Great Commission, what is it there for? Again, the Pastors can't do everything, and they shouldn't have to. The evangelist will not only reach out to the lost himself, but will train, motivate, and mobilize others in the assembly. Let's say he wants to head out to the Town Green for street witnessing. Send a couple college aged kids out with him; they don't have to do or say anything at first, just observe a master soul-winner in action! They'll catch the fire after they see a few sinners come to the Lord! Thus he will multiply his ministry.
   As Paul closes his epistle to the Romans, he gives instruction concerning a Sister Phoebe (no, silly, not the ditzy blonde from Friends ), and tells them, "assist her in whatever business she has need of you". She served in the church of Cenchreae---doesn't say she was an evangelist, doesn't say she wasn't- but Paul lists her ahead of Priscilla and Acquila- and says basically, give her whatever she needs. And I'm saying to you, give your evangelist whatever he needs: Bibles, tracts, transportation, people, money, whatever!
   He says, "Pastor, I want to do a prison outreach, can I borrow the Music Team?" You know what you do? You drive the worship team down to the Department of Corrections office and get them registered for visitation! Remember Jesus told us to pray He would send laborers into His harvest; ask Him to raise up an evangelist from within your flock or to send one from outside. Grace and peace...thanks for stopping by!

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