Orwell Bible Church

Why should we witness for Christ?

First, because Jesus Christ commanded us to, Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 20:21. In light of Christ’s command,

Evangelism requires taking the initiative–”go therefore and make disciples.” We cannot wait for the lost to come to us; we must make a concerted, determined, intensive, and aggressive effort to win the lost to Christ.

Evangelism results in making unbelievers into followers of Christ–”make disciples.” This involves instruction and persuasion from their present position to a radically different one. A disciple or follower of Christ believes, obeys, and promotes Jesus Christ.

Evangelism results in public profession–”baptizing them…” The only way a follower of Christ can be identified is if he/she has made a public profession of faith, and the first step of obedience that Jesus set forth for making that public profession is through baptism. If someone maintains that they are a disciple but will not be baptized, he/she is not following Christ!

Evangelism results in training–”teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” The new convert must be taught how to live right, recalling the lifestyle they are coming out of (Col 1:13; 1 Pet 2:9). All training must be centered on the Bible and focused on Jesus Christ.

From Jesus’ commands in Luke 24:46-49 and Acts 1:8 we learn additionally the following about evangelism:

Evangelism involves a message–”repentance for forgiveness of sins” (Luke 24:47). We must inform unbelievers of their state before God and Jesus Christ as their only hope of deliverance.

Evangelism involves an activity–”proclaimed in His name” (Luke 24:47). This is the means that God has established by which the message is brought to sinners.

Evangelism involves a plan–”to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8). This is the scope and object of executing the means of bringing the message to sinners. There are no exceptions, whether racial, social, political, economic, or geographic.

Evangelism requires empowerment–”clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). Apart from God’s enabling power it is a hopeless task. With God’s strength and enabling help you can have real confidence in evangelism.

Pastor Greenfield taught this lesson during the Wednesday Bible study, September 12, 2007

What does it mean to be a witness for Christ?

Why is defining evangelism important? After all, everyone who is a Christian knows the importance of it. But that is exactly the point: there is a great deal of difference between knowing that evangelism is important and knowing what evangelism is. Knowing the character and purpose of evangelism helps determine how it is to be done and whether or not one has been successful in it.

First, we need to consider some wrong ideas about what evangelism–what it isn’t.

Evangelism is not “getting someone saved.” This puts the emphasis on conversions rather than content (2 Cor 2:17; 1 Thess 2:3-4). It puts the focus on results instead of our responsibilities (Acts 18:5-6; 20:26-27). It puts our confidence in our persuasiveness instead of God’s power (1 Cor 2:1-5; 2 Cor 4:1-7).

Evangelism is not helping people be better people by “meeting their real needs.” This puts the emphasis on us transforming the culture rather than God transforming sinners. It requires the church to be involved in unequal yokes with unbelievers rather than holy separation to the Lord. It removes the need for repentance and faith and replaces it with moralism. Lastly, this is the social gospel that leads to apostasy, rather than the Savior’s gospel that leads to eternal life.

Evangelism is not “living a good life.” This puts the emphasis entirely on my lifestyle rather than telling others the gospel. This is a wrong application of a good passage such as 1 Peter 3:1.

What is evangelism, then?

Evangelism is an activity: a Christian tells the gospel to a sinner.

The activity is preaching, proclaiming, telling the good news (Acts 8:4, 12, 35).

The subject matter is the gospel; Jesus as the Christ; the Word; the good news; Jesus; resurrection; the faith (Rom 1:15; Acts 5:42; 8:4; 17:18; 1 Cor 1:23; Heb 4:6; Gal 1:23).

The objects are people; cities; villages (Acts 8:40; Luke 3:18; 4:43; Acts 8:25).

The aim is that those who hear would turn from paganism to God; to make disciples (Acts 14:15, 21).

The manner is plainly, not in cleverness of speech; without charge; truly (1 Cor 1:17; 2 Cor 4:1-2).

Here, then, is a proposed definition of evangelism: Earnestly proclaiming the gospel to sinners so they can turn to Christ and follow Him.

Biblical evangelism is God centered, not man centered. It trusts the message, not the messenger. It relies on God’s power, not persuasiveness. It seeks to save the lost, not transform the culture.

Thus, we must concentrate on knowing the content of the gospel. Believers already know it, but often lack an organized plan of communicating it. We must thus commit ourselves to speaking the truth, going through doors God opens, and seeking opportunities to speak the message.

Is it possible to know a lot about God, have a special ministry from God, experience the amazing grace of God and yet be angry with God?

Is it possible to believe that God is all-powerful (omnipotent) and sovereign, and yet imagine that you can actually keep God from doing something?

Is it possible to believe that God knows everything (is omniscient) and is perfectly wise, and yet think that God has made a mistake?

Is it possible to understand the difference and significance between material things and the human soul, and yet be more concerned about material things?

The book of Jonah answers all these potential scenarios with a definite “yes!” Jonah was a prophet who knew God, received but rejected God’s special commission, experienced God’s grace in the sea, and proclaimed the Lord’s message to Nineveh. It seems that Jonah has learned his lesson. Does he now recognize and welcome God’s sovereignty over all things?

How did Jonah respond to the sovereign mercy of God? Well…

Jonah Pitched a Fit, 4:1-4

In 4:1 Jonah demonstrates our own thick-headedness: he just refuses to get it. His attitude toward the repentant Ninevites is the complete opposite of God’s (cf. 3:10). Jonah took no joy in the outcome – he sank (“became angry”) into a selfish mind-set and missed the joy of serving the Lord.

This chapter reveals several different evidences of sin harbored in the heart, and here is the first one: festering anger.

The object of “pitching a fit” is to get your own way. While we often think of children as those who throw a fit, there are many adults who do a fine job of it! Jonah’s prayer expresses his presumption that God’s mind should match up with his own! We read in chapter two how Jonah was delivered from death; what does he ask for in 4:3? Death!

These two verses (4:2-3) reveal several more evidences of sin in the heart: disobedience to God, unreasonable desires, and selfish demands.

The Lord’s response to this prophet’s tantrum is a rhetorical question (4:4). Note that no answer from Jonah is recorded; we read instead of how…

Jonah Threw a Pity Party, 4:5-8

Think back to Jonah’s first response to the word of the Lord in 1:3—what did he do when God commanded him to go and preach? He went the opposite direction! Here Jonah refuses to answer God’s question in 4:4—he refuses to examine himself in light of the Lord’s question. Instead, Jonah goes outside Nineveh to see if God would come to His senses!

During the hottest time of day in that area, the temperature can average 110 degrees. If we were in God’s shoes, we’d probably let Jonah go his own way and suffer in the heat: “you deserve it buddy.” As God is holy, he does not respond as we do. Instead, he miraculously caused a tree with large leaves to grow 8-10 feet high—and Jonah is thrilled! The result: for the first time in the book we read that Jonah is happy!

Another evidence of sin in the heart: refusal to rejoice when others are blessed. Jonah refused to think that the Ninevites should experience any of God’s mercy.

God’s sovereign power and will is abundantly clear in this passage, and he exercises his power to set the stage to make his point. God appointed a plant to shelter Jonah from the heat (4:6). God appointed a worm to destroy the plant (4:7). God appointed a scorching wind to make Jonah miserable (4:8).

Amazingly, Jonah was displeased when something important to him was destroyed. Jonah’s sinful response was shown in his selfishness and refusal to love what God loves.

Thus far, we have seen how this “man of God” has responded to God’s sovereign display of mercy toward the Ninevites: he threw a fit because he didn’t get his own way. When he refused to answer God’s probing question, God sovereignly appointed events to make his point clear to Jonah.

God Makes His Point, 4:9-11

The last exchange between God and Jonah goes something like this: “So Jonah: you feel you’re justified in your response?” “Absolutely. In fact, it’s such a conviction to me that I’m willing to die for it.”

Jonah was upset when God removed his personal air conditioning unit because something good for him was taken away. In essence the prophet says “I had a right to that!” Jonah demonstrates one last evidence of sin in the heart: misplaced values.

How skewed were Jonah’s values? In practically the same breath Jonah called for the death of the Ninevites while demanding his own personal comfort: “I want them dead! Now, where’s my gourd???”

God makes his point in 4:10-11—“Jonah, your values are way out of line. You’re concerned about a thing, and absolutely unconcerned about people. You’re obsessed about something that’s here today and gone tomorrow, but dismiss those who will live for eternity. You’re passionate about material objects and completely indifferent about moral creatures made in my image.”

“Jonah, as God I have the right to show mercy to whomever I want to. You’re response—as one who has experienced that mercy—is to submit, get on board, and rejoice in my mercy.”

When God does something, you too must recognize and accept his sovereignty and rejoice in his mercy. When you elevate your plans and expectations to the level of “This is what God should do,” you are no longer humble before God.

Remember the marks of sin in the heart that Jonah demonstrated in this chapter:

• Festering anger
• Disobedience to God
• Unreasonable desires
• Selfish demands
• No joy when others are blessed
• No desire to love what God loves
• Misplaced values

Have you learned your lesson? What is your attitude toward God’s plan and purposes today? Where are your values and priorities?

Pastor Greenfield preached this message Sunday morning, September 9, 2007