A further important quality of the pastor/leader is a love for the lost. He is to be a soul-winner, he is to have a heart for evangelism. What are our motives for evangelism, for spreading the good news of salvation in and through our Lord Jesus Christ? I would suggest the following:-

1. The Lord Jesus Christ Commanded It

I begin here, because I believe we must -- Christ commanded it! In the words of the Great Commission, Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) Our Lord was about to leave and return to His Father and these are among His last words to the disciples - a very clear and concise directive. He tells them to ‘Go’, and to ‘make disciples’. This means to make believers, to make Christians, to make saints, to make those who will be disciplined in their following of the Lord. But the word ‘disciples’ in the Greek means ‘learners’. Go and make those who will follow Christ and learn more and more of Christ day by day. Notice also that the command is to go to ‘all nations’. Compare with Mark 16:15. There is no place that we are not to go to. The good news is for the whole world. He commands us to go, and gives to us the power to be His witnesses. Look up Acts 1:8.

2. This is a Day of Good News – are we withholding it?

The bulk of the news today is bad news, sad news, depressing news and upsetting news! We hear of wars, insurrections, rebellions, murders, famines, earthquakes and so on. And modern media brings the graphic pictures into our homes. It is all pretty grim, and some people won’t watch the news, it’s too depressing. BUT this is good news!! Look up Luke 3:18; 4:18,43; 7:22; 8:1; 16:16. The word ‘gospel’ means just that, good news; the good news of the grace, the mercy and the love of God; the good news of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ alone. Our salvation is all of grace, there is nothing that we can do to earn it. Look up Ephesians 2:8,9. Shouldn’t we be passing on this good news?

Do you remember the story of the four lepers in 2 Kings 7: 3-9? Samaria had been besieged by the Arameans and these four lepers were at the city gate.

• Notice first of all their peril – verses 3,4. Whichever way they turned death stared them in the face.
• Notice secondly their decision – verse 4. They went to the camp of the Arameans to surrender, and presumably plead for mercy.
• Notice thirdly their discovery – verses 5-8. The Arameans had fled and the lepers found food, drink, silver, gold and clothes.
• Notice fourthly their resolve – verse 9. They realised that this was a day of good news and they were keeping it to themselves. They went back to the city with the good news. The siege is over, there’s plenty of food!

There is an application here. We were lost because of our sin, and death stared us in the face. In Jesus Christ we found forgiveness and the gift of everlasting life. We are not to keep this good news to ourselves, but to go forth and tell. Look up Acts 4:20.

3. Love For God and For Our Neighbours Demands It

In 2 Corinthians 5:11 – 6:2 Paul writes of the ministry of reconciliation. There are at least three things here which we know:-

• We know what it is to fear the Lord – verse 11
• We know the love of Christ – verse 14
• We know that one died for all – verses 14,15.

Paul goes on to remind us that God has given to us the ministry of reconciliation (verse 18), that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (verse 19), that He has committed to us the message of reconciliation (verse 19), and then Paul pleads, “Be reconciled to God.” (verse 20). This reconciliation is possible because of God’s love for man (John 3:16; Romans 5:8), and because of what Jesus Christ has done for us at Calvary. Recognising the fear, the terror of the Lord that is the coming judgment, we persuade men (verse 11). But Paul builds on this, for Christ’s love compels us, it drives us, motivates us, moves us to share the good news because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died (verse 14). Does the love of Christ compel us? Do we love God and our neighbour as we have been commanded? Look up Matthew 22:36-40

4. A Desperate Shortage of Time Requires It

How much longer have we got? None of us knows. Life is short. Christ is coming again. EVERY opportunity therefore is precious. In 2 Corinthians 6:2 Paul writes, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.” Compare Paul’s urgent appeal here with Hebrews 3:7,8,15; 4:7 and notice the repetition of the word ‘today’. Scripture has that sense of urgency (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are to make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5), and to remember that God’s Spirit will not always contend with man (Genesis 6:3).

5. A Dying Generation Needs It

People all around us are dying, going out into a Christless eternity. Our world, our generation, our people, our town, our neighbours, our relatives need to hear the message lovingly and clearly, Jesus saves, and He does. The nations hold their summits and congresses on numerous subjects, no doubt all very commendable, but the greatest message for a dying world is the good news of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ alone. There is no other way to God, no other way to Heaven, only through God’s Son. Look up John 14:6; Acts 4:12. This is our commission.

Did you miss one of the previous studies?
Study 1
Study 2
Study 3
Study 4