The Evangelistic Church
Are we making a difference?
The first-century church did not leave their world the same way they found it. This group of committed, Spirit-empowered followers of Jesus made a difference. They turned the world upside down for the sake of Jesus Christ (Acts 17:6).
How different that is from the church today. We are well into a new century, our numbers have never been greater, our opportunities are unparalleled, we have the greatest technology available to reach more people than ever before. Yet we have become increasingly distracted from the commission the Lord left with us: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15).
- While the world is going to Hell in a hand basket, we are having holy laughter.
- While people desperately need others to tell them about the hope of Christ, we are lamenting about how dysfunctional we are and how much we suffer from lack of self-esteem.
- Instead of spending our valuable time preaching the gospel, we argue about whether or not a person has been predestined to eternal life.
The distraction factor
The devil has always had his counterfeits and distractions for the church. Remember, Satan is a master-counterfeiter (2 Corinthians 11:14–15). Not only does he flood the market with these distracting issues, but he clouds the water with cheap imitations of the real thing.
For instance, what some are now hailing as a revival involves receiving some sort of blessing that is characterized by falling on the floor, laughing, and making animal noises. Yet, if it is truly a revival, where is the repentance (see James 4:8–10)? And, most importantly, where is the evangelism?
Still other churches seem fired up for social action. They are eager to participate in the latest boycott or protest, but they seem far less eager to preach the gospel message. While these activities may have a place, they only have a limited effect, at best. And Jesus never tells us to make these things a priority.
