HOW JESUS DID EVANGELISM

Jesus taught, commanded, and practiced evangelism.  The evangelism of Christ was a ministry of preaching AND deliverance.   Jesus and His disciples invited people to repent and become part of the Kingdom of God.   Jesus and His disciples healed people and helped people, but not as a condition of conversion. 

Jesus’ approach to evangelism was powerful, that is it was full of power; but never coercive. 

Jesus cared when people didn’t believe Him, but He never made, legislated, or begged anyone to believe.   Jesus taught His disciples to take “No” for and answer and then move on.

He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

[And He said to them] And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.   (Luke 9: 2, 5-6)

But Jesus’ disciples then, like His disciples now, sometimes took themselves far too seriously.  They became personally offended when their message was rejected.   They, like we, wanted to “defend” the gospel against unbelievers with the force of their power. 

But they did not receive Jesus, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

How did Jesus teach His disciples to respond when people in the larger culture rejected the person of Jesus Christ, the Christ who died for them?!

But He turned and rebuked them, and said,  “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.  For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.  (Luke 9: 53-56)

Jesus taught His disciples to take “No” for an answer.

Teach the Truth.  Offer the gospel.  Help the people. 

And if they reject  the message?

Dust yourself off.  Move on.  Repeat.

That is BIBLICAL evangelism.  That is what real church looks like on the street.

If you want to be a part of real church in 2014, I invite you to meet me at Hall Memorial CME Church.  The address is below.

---Anderson T. Graves II   is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church in Montgomery, Alabama, executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO) and director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).

Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
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To hear sermons, read devotions, and learn more about the ministry at Hall Memorial CME Church, visit www.hallmemorialcme.blogspot.com .

You can read more on Pastor Graves's personal blog at www.andersontgraves.blogspot.com  .

If this message helps or touches you, please help support this ministry. Send a donation of any amount by check or money order.
Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road
Montgomery, AL 36116