Monday 27th January 2020 Devotion
Scripture:- Matthew 28:9-20
Topic:- What Jesus Teach About Evangelism [1]
Text:- Matthew 28:19
Instead of retreating, isolating ourselves, and condemning unbelievers and our culture, Jesus calls us to something very different.
He desires that we give ourselves to the understanding of the culture around us; he urges us to stop condemning the world and unbelievers; his passion is for us to listen to his prayer for us, that we might be in the world as he was in the world; he is eager for us to imitate him and to give our lives gladly to love and to serve non-Christians.
His desire is that we be like Him, and that we commit ourselves to developing intimate relationships with non-Christians.
He wants us to teach our Church members and our children to do the same—no matter what the belief system and the lifestyle of the people around us.
Jesus, the Son of God, shows us the way to be in the world. It is my deep conviction that our evangelism, both in theory and practice, must be shaped not only by the general teaching of Scripture but also, indeed most of all, by imitating the pattern of Christ.
Now, it is no simple matter to say: “Imitate Jesus.” We are not all called to be celibate like him. Nor are we all called by the Lord to be itinerant Evangelists.
Nor is every Christian commanded by our Father to be healers of all who are sick with every kind of disease (though we often wish we could do this when someone we love is sick or dying).
It is not our place to turn water into wine at every wedding celebration we attend (though we might wish we could!).
Nor is every believer asked by the Lord to die in early maturity as a martyr. We are not called to imitate Christ in every aspect of his life—so much is evident. But, in what ways are we to imitate Him?
A. Learning Evangelism From Jesus:
1. Jesus’s Moral Perfection:
We are to observe the way God’s moral perfection shines forth from him. We see how he lives a human life that is fully conformed to the image of God.
2. We hear him committed to speaking only the words the Father wants him to say, and to say every word in a manner that delights the Father’s heart.
3. We see him waking up each morning eager to listen to his Father’s voice and to do whatever pleases him. We learn that he does everything set before him in the power of the Spirit.
4. As we observe this perfection in his life and in his words we can draw ethical teaching for the lives of all believers. We can also draw principles to govern our practice for all our relationships with others, both believers and unbelievers, and for all our communication of the truth.
5. These lessons that we can learn by considering the example of Jesus will apply to all Christians—including those who have the particular calling to be teachers and evangelists.
Prayer Point:- Oh Lord God, make me a better soul winner like You henceforth by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Have A Lovely Monday!
