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Dictionary: Evangelism: 1) Zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work. 2) Militant zeal for a cause.
I. You're Going
Matthew 10:5-7
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'
As You Go! The thing that stuck out to me as I began reading this passage was Jesus decisiveness. First he tells them who to go to: the Jews. Second, he tells them who not to go to: the Gentiles. But most importantly he tells them that they are going! Notice with me the phrase, "As you are going." He does not say "if you go," or "when you go," but "as you go!" In other words, "You are going!" For any Christian evangelism is not an option: It is a command!
II. Meet People's Needs
Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
More Than Just Preaching Notice that Jesus tells them to do more than preach, but they are also to meet people's needs. He tells them to do it freely. We Must Meet People's Physical As Well As Spiritual Needs. We cannot just tell people to get saved when they don't see you caring for them. It is hard to hear the gospel when you hide Jesus love, instead you should reflect Jesus love. We are meeting people's physical needs. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
III. God Will Meet Our Needs
Matthew 10:9-10
9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;
10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
Jesus tells the disciples not to take anything extra with them. He did this in order for them to realize that He will meet there needs.
2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.
(Are you worried that we don't have enough chairs in our church hall?) Our God Will Supply. There is no situation that God cannot supply the need. We need not worry that there are not enough funds for us to reach out to the lost, because our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. In evangelism as in anything else, we walk by faith and not by sight. There is no need so big God cannot handle it.
IV. Results Are Not Our Responsibility
Matthew 10:11-15
11 "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.
12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting.
13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
"If They Don't Receive You", Jesus tells his disciples that if people don't receive them or the message to shake it off. He tells them this because it is not the messenger that they are rejecting it is the message. If they reject the message they reject Jesus and His offer of salvation. Remember that it is Jesus they are rejecting. Our job is to deliver the message. We are not responsible for how they accept our warning, but we are responsible to give them the warning.
V. There May Be Dangers
Matthew 10:16
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Like Sheep Among Wolves Notice the irony here: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, sends his flock among the wolves. So Jesus tells them to be as "shrewd as snakes." Snakes in ancient culture were looked on as being sly and cunning. But he also tells them to be as "innocent as doves." The word "innocent" means "unmixed," and indicates that the disciples are to be pure in morals and motive. We must be clever and creative in our efforts. But we must also be people of integrity. Evangelizing is not always easy, but it is our call.
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