Evangelists and Evangelism: The Church That Fishes

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Evangelists and Evangelism The Church That
Fishes

• Jon Wright
• 5th March 2006

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Second in a Series of Sermons from Ephesians 411
12

• 11It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to
  be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to
  be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's
  people for works of service, so that the body of
  Christ may be built up
• 11 ????,???,???,?????, ??????, 12
  ??????,????,???????,

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What is an evangelist?

• From the Greek word meaning announcer of good
  news
• Generally used to describe someone who proclaims
  the gospel in places or to people who have not
  heard it before
• But its also someone who should be teaching, Ep
  412 to prepare Gods people for works of
  service

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Philip The Evangelist Acts 826-40, Acts 217-9

• Prompting of the Holy Spirit (v29), but Philip
  was only lead one step at a time but they were
  specific
• Boldness (v30), Philip approached the Ethiopian
  this was a person of great standing
• The importance of the Bible (v30), Isaiah is
  about prophesising the crucifixion of Jesus - so
  our question to people can be similar Do you
  know Jesus?

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Philip The Evangelist II

• Working from a body of believers, Philip was a
  member of local body of believers - all
  evangelists should work from within a local body
  of believers
• Jesus Christ is the son of God (v37), the
  evangelist takes people to the place where they
  can recognise and believe in Jesus
• After the Ethiopians acceptance Philip left
  (v39), the role of the evangelist is now done, at
  this point he starts to be the responsibility of
  the Pastors/Teachers

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Philip - The Holy Spirit was in charge

• He inspired the book of Isaiah,
• He caused the calling of Philip
• He spoke to Philip to go down to the road
• He arranged for Philip to be beside the chariot
• He told Philip to talk to Ethiopian
• He convicted the Ethiopian about his need for
  water baptism,
• He took Philip away for his next appointment

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Standing Up Sitting Down

• Time for something a little different

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Thats the evangelist - what about us?

• 90 of people are saved not through evangelist
  meetings or events but through their family,
  fellow workers, friends thats you and me!
• All are called to evangelize - The Great
  Commission Matthew 2818-20
• Jesus has all the authority in heaven and earth
  and he is with us Matt 2818-20

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So why are we not doing it (enough)?

• One word SHAME
• Many Christians are embarrassed or hesitate to
  say they are Christian to their friends/worker
• Many Christians are ashamed of where they came
  from their own testimony
• Many Christians use the lie about the Evangelist
  is the only person to evangelize to cover up
  their shame

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What does the Bible say about being ashamed of
Jesus?

• Harsh words really Mark 838, Luke 926
• Lk 926If anyone is ashamed of me and my words,
  the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he
  comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father
  and of the holy angels.
• LK 926 ????????????,????? ????,???????????????
  ?,??????????
• Disowning Jesus is even worse (Matt 1032-33)

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God is the God of 2nd chances

• If you are ashamed of Jesus today, you can repent
• Psalms 107 repeats the words 15Let them give
  thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his
  wonderful deeds for men,
• 15 ?????????????????? ?????
• Your testimony is yours, its a gift from God to
  you, it is one of the best evangelism tools you
  have - use it wisely and never be ashamed of it.