Prayer Journal

Thursday, November 13, 2003

This morning I'm reading the account of Dr. Luke, the faithful Gentile physician who often accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys. Luke wasalso responsible for writing about the Acts of the Holy Spirit (some call his writing, "The Acts of the Apostles" or simply "Acts," but I personally think their actions were overshadowed by the Spirit's work through them.)

When was the last time you visited a local Christian bookstore? I did so recently and was amazed to find shelf after shelf dedicated to the subject of evangelism, or witnessing to the lost. There is no doubt a book for people of all walks of life that equips and encourages them to share their faith with others.

Evangelism is Jesus' instruction given to his disciples when He ascended into heaven: "Go therefore and make disciples..." (Mt 28:19-20) Those who saw the disciples at Antioch called them Christians, short for "little Christ(s)," meaning people who emulate Jesus' life. Since discipleship can be defined as practicing the life of Christ, evangelism might be considered the act of presenting the gospel of Jesus to someone who is lost and destined for eternal separation from God.

More times than not, evangelical preachers, or those who believe evangelism should be the dominant activity in the life of a Christian, get the issue askew by failing to recognize that evangelism is the call of a disciple to make disciples rather than verbal commitments from converts. The method Jesus employed in Luke was simply to encourage a convert to tell what God had done for him. This action is what we call "witnessing."

Are you faithful to Jesus' commission?

Evangelism is actually sharing the good news of salvation found in the Lord Jesus by doing these three things:
1) Witnessing - telling others what God has done in your life;
2) Sharing the Gospel - giving them assistance is knowing their spiritual condition and what God's word says about it and
3) Discipling them - Being available daily to assist them, encouraging them to be holy and honor their commitment.

Have you shared the gospel with someone? Have you told them what God has done in your life? Are you checking on converts daily, encouraging them to stay strong in the faith through prayer, Bible study and fellowship? Remember... Our Lord's great commission was not to just witness to the lost around the world. It was to make them a disciple. It's just like us to put a spin on what Jesus said and redefine salvation as profession more than possession.

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2003 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved

Prayertower
Past Devotions
Pray4me
PrayerRm

I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers

* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans

* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself