The Sufficiency of Scripture in Evangelism
In church-planting ministry, too often we are focused on finding people who are looking for a church when in reality we should be seeking those who will allow us to get them into a study of God's Word. Remember our basic assignment is to “Make disciples.” When we introduce people to Christ and teach them to become followers of Him, local churches will naturally result.
Our first-century church planting mentor reminds us that “The Holy Scriptures … are able to make (men) wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). It was not the messenger’s persuasive preaching or innovative methods that brought Timothy to Christ; it was the Scripture. The Scripture is not just the TEXT of the gospel, it is our TOOL for evangelism. It is not just the MESSAGE of Christ which must be shared, the Word of God is itself the METHOD to be used in pointing men to Christ.
Many seem to believe that we must first convince people of the error of their religion and then persuade them of the truth. But why do need to talk about how sharp the Spirit's sword really is — we just need to use it. Listen to the Apostle Paul's testimony regarding the power of the message and the priority of biblical methods in the work of the gospel. "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1 Corinthians 2:1-4).
Some like to study using the proposition and proof text method. But this is not the best way to help people arrive at a firm conviction regarding spiritual truth. Indeed many use the Bible in this way to teach false doctrine and a different gospel. There is great advantage when someone finds God's truth for himself, instead of just hearing me tell him about it. His faith can then rest not "in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2:4). The unbeliever is most convicted and the doubter best convinced when we simply let the Word of God do it's work.
The best way to evangelize is to get folks into the Word for themselves - it is "living and powerful" (Hebrews 4:12-13). It will work! Many who have ministered in difficult places where one religion dominates the religious and cultural landscape, give testimony to the fact that getting people into the Scripture is what really works. People experience true conversion and are "Born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:23).
Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). God's Spirit brings forth new life "by the word of truth" (James 1:18) and people are "Born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:23)
If we would do effective evangelism that leads to churches being established, we must do it "By the Book!" We must use the Word of God. It is sufficient.
Do the Work of an Evangelist
God gives each believer spiritual gifts to be used for His glory and the good of the body of Christ. In addition, our Creator has designed each one with a distinct personality and unique temperament. Normally, there are aspects of ministry with which we feel more comfortable than others. We have more confidence and are seemingly more effective when our ministry assignment lines up with who we are and the way we are equipped.
In Scripture, God gives us some insight into the personalities of the characters He records. Take Timothy, for example – from the Bible record what can we conclude about his temperament? He was young (1 Tim. 4:12) and sickly (1 Tim. 5:23), and appears to have been given to timidity and fear (2 Tim. 1:6-7; 1 Cor. 16:10). He was not the temperament type that would seem to make a good evangelist. And yet his coworker and mentor tells him that he must “Do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5).
In a church, many aspects of ministry need to be taking place at the same time: contact making, relationship building, evangelism, discipleship, counseling, teaching, training of workers, orchestration of the work force, administration… and more. When a local church body is fully functional, there are a variety of spiritual gifts at work through multiple personalities. In such a setting it is easier for each believer to minister within his comfort zone. But in pioneer church planting, all aspects of the ministry have to be done by just a few. The church planter at best has to see that they all get done, and often must be able to effectively work at them all.
Has God gifted you to do certain things? Yes! But when the need arises, He is able to help you to do even more. As a church planter, don’t be content to stay within your comfort zone – it will result in a ministry that is imbalanced and ineffective. Like Timothy, allow God to stretch you and use you in ways you may not have thought possible. His work will move forward, and He will get the glory (1 Cor. 1:26-31).