God’s Goal—Matthew l6:l8
I. God wants His church to grow (Dan. 2:35; Matt. l3:32; Acts 2:47).
II. True church growth is by conversions, not by transference.
The Problem: Matthew l5:2,6,9
EVANGELISM
|
TRADITION |
THE BIBLE |
|
|
Who? |
The pastor is supposed to do it. | Every believer and every member
(Matt.28:l8-20; Acts.l:8; 8:l-4; I Thess l:7-l0) |
| Why? | He is paid to do it. It is his job. | Christ commands all His disciples to reproduce themselves by converts (Matt. 28:l9). |
| Where? | Within the walls of the church building by the pastor in his sermons. | Outside the walls of the church building in homes, at work i.e., everywhere (Acts. 2:homes; 8:roadside; l6:market place |
| The people’s responsibilities? | Invite sinners to church to hear the pastor’s sermon. | To lead sinners to Christ and to disciple them in the things of God (Matt 28:19,20) |
| The pastor’s responsibility? | To make the church grow. | To equip the saints that they will make it grow (Eph. 4:11-13) |
| If few are converted? | The pastor is at fault. Trade him in for a new man. | The people are at fault if the pastor has taught them the truth. |
| Origin and motivation? | The duty, responsibility and salary of the pastor. | Maturity and growth (Eph. 4:15-15; Heb. 5:11-14; I Pet. 2:1-3 |
| How is it to be carried? | The pastor is to preach, teach and visit. | The believers are to witness, teach and visit (Acts 8:4; Matt. 25:34-40; James 1:27; 2:14-26 |
SUMMARY
The goal of the church’s evangelistic program is to equip all believers to be faithful evangel priests. While the word “preaching” is almost always used to describe the evangelistic activities of all believers, the church’s primary responsibility is summed up in the New Testament by the word “teaching.”
While sinners are called to receive Christ as an aspect of the teaching ministry of the Church, evangelism is not the “Alpha and Omega” of the mission of the Church. Evangelism needs to be viewed as a responsibility of all Christians and not just the task of “paid” professionals.