June 2010

We know commonly an evangelist (Greek = euaggelistēs) as someone who is a witness for Jesus Christ.

• Ephesians 4:11-12 says, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ"

In this passage we see that an evangelist is someone who equips the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. So what is the Biblical definition of an evangelist? Strong's Concordance says that an evangelist is someone who brings the good news of Jesus Christ, and heralds salvation through Jesus Christ. But we just read that an evangelist is someone who equips the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. So what are we missing?

Evangelism is for ALL Believers because we are ALL called to witness, it's either obedience or disobedience on our part. "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching... do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:2-5). 

To get your feet wet in witnessing, an easy first step is learning to be friendly and talking with people. This may seem obvious, but make a habit of talking to your family members and friends regularly. Then practice being friendly with people at the park, at the gas station, or at the grocery store. If you tend to be a shy, introverted person, try to regularly open up a little and start talking with people.

A simple "Hi, how are you?" isn't difficult. Or say, "Nice day, isn't it? My name is so and so ... " With a bit of practice, anyone can learn to be friendly. Most people respond warmly to warmth. Then kick it up a notch by handing out some ice breakers (gospel tracts are for people not places). Then ask someone if they've had a Christian background. You can do it. God will help you.

God has saved multitudes through ice breakers (gospel tracts are for people not places), so always carry them with you, and take a moment to encourage other Christians to do the same. Let them know that Christian literature can be used as a conversation opener. One of the most difficult things about witnessing is starting up a conversation about God.

An ice breaker (gospel tracts are for people not places) can do that for you. It can be left with the person you have spoken to, so that he or she can read further about the way of salvation. Tracts can be given to people when it's not convenient to speak to them. Simply say, "Did you get one of these?"

Whatever you do, never let a day go by when you don't do something to reach the lost while you still can.
Seek and save that which is lost and press on in Love,
Tim Molter

November 2009

November was a very interesting month for me, and allowed me to submit to God in all areas of my life declaring him as the Leader. I had the privilege to lead an 8-week Bible study on evangelism at my church and use the Way of the Master basic training videos to show some real one-to-one witnessing. It was such a great time to grow closer to the Lord even in the midst of my constant fear of public speaking.

Matthew 9:37-38 says "Then said he to his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest." And I was so blessed to be able to see God raise up some more workers for His kingdom and see them pass out tracts, and get into some really good conversations with strangers. It was the 'Prince of Preachers', Charles Spurgeon, who said the words, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that."

Did you know that an evangelist is any Christian who explains his or her beliefs to a non-Christian and thereby participates in Evangelism? This is someone who preaches the Gospel, who is spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 4:5 says "But watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry." So, this is the name given to all believers who herald the message of salvation through Christ.

After America celebrated Thanksgiving (for the Christian, every day should be a day of thanksgiving) my Dad and Stepmother stayed an extra week and I got to hand out tracts with them at the Saturday morning market. I was so blessed to be with my Dad and I had a great time as we passed out Gospel tracts to strangers. We all went for a walk too and I got to give a pocket Bible to a lady who is going through a divorce, and my wife and stepmother both got to pray for her also. Please take the time to pray with people, it means to so much to them.

At the Saturday morning market I got to pass out about 200 Gospel tracts, and take some new believers out to witness. I got to encourage a few guys who stated they were believers, and even got to pray for a girl who was fighting her way through cancer. Remember that you have the sobering responsibility of speaking to other peoples' loved ones. Luke 6:46 says "And why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" The love of God in us will motivate us to seek and save that which is lost.

I got to help out with a project called "Origin in to Schools" on the University campus.We passed out one-thousand books of Darwin's "Origin of Species" with a special introduction on Intelligent Design and the Gospel.On that day also hundreds of pocket Bibles were passed out thanks to the Gideons being on campus too and we got to hand out about a thousand Gospel tracts also. A small group of us went downtown to do some more witnessing at lunch time.



I had several great conversations, but I think my most interesting one was with a displaced individual who was a believer. He wanted some Gospel tracts to give out to others, and since then I've run into him three other times, and been able to give him hundreds of Gospel tracts. I got to witness him pass them out to each vendor at the Saturday morning market one booth owner at a time.We should even be thankful in the midst of problems. The Apostle Paul said, "Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." (2 Corinthians 7:4). He knew that God was working all things together for his good, even though he was going through trials (Romans 8:28).

Please remember that there is no task more important than to be entrusted with the Gospel of Salvation and to be working with God for the eternal well-being of dying humanity. It was Charles Finney the minister who became an important figure in the Second Great Awakening who said "If you do not make it a matter of study, how you may successfully act in building up the kingdom of Christ, you are acting a very wicked and absurd part as a Christian."

Seek and save that which is lost and press on in Love,
Tim Molter