What does the Bible say about evangelism?

• Genesis 12:2-3, Abram made great so that he could be a blessing
• Psalm 96:3, evangelism tells of God's glory (declare the marvelous works of God)
• Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus' instruction to evangelize (the Great Commission)
• Mark 1:17, disciples will become evangelists (Jesus calls his disciples)
• Acts 1:8, the Spririt empowers evanglism (you will receive the Holy Spirit's power to be witnesses for God)
• Romans 10:14-15, the call to evangelism (how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news)
• 1 Corinthians 3:6, God makes evanglism fruitful (Paul planted, Apollos watered, God brough growth)
• 1 Peter 3:14-16, evangelize eagerly yet respectfully (always be ready to explain your hope, with gentleness and respect)

Sermon ideas about evangelism

The challenge of evangelism? 

Evangelism is generous faith facilitating a living encounter with the living God. Three observations highlight the challenge of this topic for a modern church: 

• First, Jesus clearly commands evangelism (Mark 1:17, Matthew 28:18-20). 
• The world clearly needs evangelism. According to the Pew Research Center, about two-thirds of the world's 6.9 billion people in 2010 were non-Christian. And according to the Barna Group, two-thirds of the 304 million people in the United States in 2008 did not know Jesus as a personal savior. 
• Even with those statistics, most churches struggle to effectively evangelize. According to Church Growth Inc., only 15 percent of the churches in the U.S. are growing, and 85 percent of that growth is from church hopping. 

Sermons on evangelism can help parishioners think clearly about the how, when, and why of evangelism today. 

Evangelism and divine election 

Some streams of Protestant theology struggle to reconcile a belief in divine predestination with a call for human proclamation. Such confusion leads to passivity in evangelism. A proper response observes that God has ordained both the ends and the means of salvation — evangelism is the means God has ordained to achieve the salvific ends God has determined (Romans 10:14-15; 1 Corinthians 3:6). 

Evangelism and social justice 

For many today, social justice is seen as a more appropriate way to love our neighbor than evangelism. We would rather demonstrate our faith in just actions than proclaim it in potentially offensive words. That is especially true in a North American culture that lionizes humanistic philanthropy and demonizes exclusivist truth claims.  

A response to this objection observes that both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment call us to give voice to the reason for the hope within us. We must show and tell. Theologian and author Ron Sider once said that without social action, evangelism is all talk, but without sharing the hope of the gospel, ministry lacks the Spirit's transformative power. Both parts are necessary. "People are both spiritual and material beings," he said. "Addressing only half the problem only gives you half of the solution." 

Evangelism and postmodernity 

Postmodernity and pluralism have privatized people's faith. As the researcher George Barna observed, "Given that more than 80 million adults contend that being on the receiving end of an evangelistic pitch is 'annoying' and knowing that several million born-again Christians refuse to describe themselves as born again for fear of becoming social outcasts, Christians and non-Christians alike opt for a nation in which people are free to practice their religion as long as it is done in secret (or quietly)."  

Yet, the gospel must be shared because it is historical (Acts 4:18-20) and exclusive (Acts 4:12). As a revealed religion centered on a historical event (the resurrection of Christ), Christian faith cannot be independently or rationally deduced. It must be shared and received in community. Sermons about evangelism can highlight this need.  

Evangelism and eternity? 

Part of our indifference to evangelism stems from an indifference to eternity. Over-realized eschatology on the left and right have dampened both our holy hunger for heaven and our healthy fear of hell. A proper response observes that to love like Jesus, we must warn like Jesus, grieve over the straying lambs, and sense the truth of hell. This is another topic that a sermon on evangelism can examine. 

Excerpts about evangelism 

Following are sample excerpts from Zeteosearch.org sermon resources about evangelism: 

• "Some Christians are better evangelists than others, no doubt, and there are various levels of calling. But don't be deceived—evangelism is for every Christian. Even those of us who are scared to death of it." Article about Worship and the Sacraments by Shane Raynor from Ministry Matters   

• "An underlying assumption of all evangelism models is the need to engage in positive witness that leads to genuine conversion." Article about Church Life and Leadership by Carlyle Fielding Stewart III from Ministry Matters