Pastor Richard Asaolu
Message: Why We Should Evangelize
There are certain manifestations of the Holy Spirit you will not see in the house. Certain acts, He would rather perform when we choose to go out. Our aim is to make evangelism a lifestyle, not a program we put together once in a while. It must become a culture. Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of the One Who has called me.”
In Biology, we were taught the mnemonic ‘MR NIGER D’ for the characteristics of living things. We (the Church) are a living entity and the same principles apply. For example,
Nutrition – Hebrews 5:13-14
Irritability – Matthew 18:21
Growth – 1 Peter 2:2
Excretion – Romans 12:2
Reproduction (the proof of growth is reproduction). etc.
It is not natural for living things not to reproduce after their kinds. Some are Eunuchs by birth, some chose to be (Matthew19:12), and others by “environmental sterilization”. People who know the Truth and still live in sin are worse than terrorists because they use the Word to manipulate God. We are not just to get people born again. If we aren’t committed to discipling them, we shouldn’t bother getting them saved.
[biblegateway passage=”2 Timothy 2:2″ display=”2 Timothy 2:2″]; [biblegateway passage=”Hebrews 13:17″ display=”Hebrews 13:17″]
Discipleship is the heart of the Church family, not manifesting gifts. When you give birth to a child, you must put him in a home. You can’t feed children with party food. They need a proper diet. People can’t grow in an atmosphere where all you do is excite them. Discipleship is Jesus’ command to us, not “evangelism” (in the sense we have come to understand it).
Even mathematically, Jesus’ method is more successful. Initially, it might look like we are losing out but if you choose to disciple 1 person every 6months rather than win 1 soul every day, for example, the astounding results begin to show forth many years down the line.
Evangelism years ago meant standing on a platform and holding a crusade. That won’t work today. Methods may change, but principles remain.
Summary by Pastor Seyi Osanyinbi
You can’t remove discipline from discipleship. It takes time to groom a person. Ministry is a gift. It takes years to raise men. We must deal with laziness and self-centeredness.