Now What-Monthly Evangelism

 Now What?

Changed View-Monthly Evangelism

2 Corinthians 5:13-21

Question: Have you ever had your views changed?

Intro: Growing up as someone that has always enjoyed politics, law, and government, I have leaned conservative in those beliefs. It probably started in Third Grade in Mrs. Ford’s class when we did class elections and I ran on the Republican ticket for the office of Class President. I lost in the primary and was selected as the vice presidential running mate for the Republican candidate. We lost in the general election, but I was appointed by the Class President as the Treasurer of his Cabinet. Can you believe I remember all of this from Third Grade? I know some people are thinking that I am a nerd and I totally embrace that title. I also will admit that I tried to start the impeachment process on our class president because he was always in trouble. 

Now, you are probably wondering where the changed perspective is coming in? Well, as I have matured I have found that as a Christian it is hard to be either conservative or liberal. Jesus was not anti-political, he was anti-controlling. This is not meant to be a political devotional, but we are dealing with more and more people that dive into identity politics. We will find more people that identify with a political affiliation more so than any other status. We must learn to be compassionate, selfless, kind, and respectful. Evangelism requires the ability to be empathetic, to talk less, and encourage beyond what we are capable of doing. Evangelism is not about us, it is about others finding Jesus. It has to be about developing an identity that reflects Christ more so than any other entity we associate with in this life.

2 Corinthians 5:13-21: 13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Crazy Change, v.13-15: One of the biggest changes that happened in my life was when we accepted the call to foster children. The first placement that we had had little to no time for preparation. Morgan and I were getting ready to leave to go watch a basketball game when we received a phone call about a placement being needed for three boys. We made a decision in 30 minutes to open our home for 18 months to three pretty amazing little boys. Within a week of those boys returning home, we brought in a brother and sister who are now officially our own adopted children. 

Evangelism can be just like these scenarios. Short notice with no real time to think but only to react. This is why I believe that Paul writes in another epistle to ready in and out of season to proclaim the Gospel. Our preparation starts with having the mindset to always be looking to honor and glorify God in everything we say and do. When we submit to an obedient lifestyle before God, we should no longer reflect our old selves, but be a reflection of the new creation that we are in Christ. For lack of a better analogy, we are walking billboards for Christ. Furthermore, we are no longer our old persons, but we are God’s. The word declares that we are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to the authority of Christ. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives through me.

Re-evaluate, v.16-17: In a book I read called Lead Like “It” Matters, Craig Groeschel mentions that every leader must develop the ability to evaluate and re-evaluate programs and initiatives that they put into place. The understanding is that by taking an honest look at different plans it allows for leaders to understand why something may have: worked, didn’t work, partially worked, or just needs more time. Groeschel mentioned there can be various reasons why something worked or did not, so the evaluation process allows for true assessment. The re-evaluation process that we see here in Paul’s letter is the ability to navigate and understand how God views individuals.

When we submit to the calling of Christ in our lives, we should begin to develop a new perspective on people. As mentioned prior, we start to develop more empathy and understanding for people. Even though we may see the flaws, the “glasses” we start wearing allow us to see the potential of others through the blood of Christ. Furthermore, we will recognize that God gave us grace and mercy which is available to every person. Though God does not need us, He chooses to use us in His attempts to reach every person. We must begin to see that Christ died for every person, no matter how wicked a person may be in this life. God can redeem any person who is open to receiving His message of redemption.

We Have A Job, v.18-21: Every little kid wants to be a part of tasks that are being performed. They have a desire to help even if they cannot truly comprehend what is happening or are unable to physically provide any assistance. Still, they are eager to play a role in the project that is being performed. As believers, we need a willingness to participate in the expansion of God’s kingdom. Not only are we called to point others to Christ, we also play a role in the discipleship of new believers. This gift is available to all and we must be willing to share it with everyone.

The role of an ambassador is to represent the interests of their home country in a foreign land. As Christ’s ambassadors, we represent the interests of God in reconciling humanity back to Him. In this, we are acting not under the blanket of our own authority, but under the blanket of the authority established through the blood of Christ. Our job is to represent Christ well and to help others see the benefits of living a life under the covering of and submission to Christ.

The essence of this devotional is to encourage you to play an active role in evangelizing for the Kingdom of Christ. The design of “monthly evangelism” is to commit to one person per month to reach for the kingdom of God. Each one of us can probably think of a person right off the bat that we know that is not living a life committed to Christ. Now this person may not be our easiest conversion, but we can’t lose sight of the Great Commission. We must be willing to work to point others toward Christ, baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and make them disciples of the Lord. As we do this, we must be willing to be the reflection of Christ that promotes relatability and connection for each person.