The Master Plan of Evangelism

Robert E Coleman

The Master Plan of Evangelism

Robert E Coleman

6. DELEGATION

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Matthew 4:19

HE ASSIGNED THEM WORK

Jesus was always working to the time when his disciples would have to take over his work, and go out into the world with the gospel. This was gradually made clear - though at first nothing was mentioned about evangelism his plan was always that they should impact the world Once they had a living relationship with God, Jesus would show them how he worked, and then tell them they had to do it.

HE ASSIGNED THEM WORK

Jesus did not discourage the disciples from spontaneously bearing witness to their faith Andrew got Peter, Philip found Nathaniel, Matthew invited his friends to a feast in His house - Jesus responded to these new introductions with gladness. Occasionally Jesus specifically asked those who were helped by His ministry to say something about it to others.

At first the disciples helped in practical tasks such as getting food and arranging accommodation for the group - he also let them baptise some people John 4:2 Apart from this the disciples really did not do much more than watch Jesus work for a year or more.

Does the action of Jesus imply that preaching and healing ministry is more significant and (and possibly involves more dangers and privileges, or requires more faith) than a ministry of baptism (and other sacraments)?

He kept the vision in front of them by his activity and in the way he called them call e.g. 4 fishermen were reminded them that in following they were to be fishers of men Mark 1: 17; Matt. 4: 1 9; Luke 5: 10 Initially the disciples knew and understood little about God’s plan - even when they were made apostles Mark 3: 14-1 9; Luke 6:13-16 - and they still did no evangelism on their own. Maybe we should be more patient with new converts who follow us?

FIRST EVANGELISTIC MISSION OF THE 12

In Mark 6:6; Matt. 9:35 it appears that the time had come when the disciples could join Jesus more directly in the work. They had seen enough at least to get started and could now put into practice what they had seen So Mark 6:6-13 Jesus pushed His disciples out into the world to try ministering on their own.

FIRST EVANGELISTIC MISSION OF THE 12

In Mark 6:6; Matt. 9:35 it appears that the time had come when the disciples could join Jesus more directly in the work. They had seen enough at least to get started and could now put into practice what they had seen So Mark 6:6-13 Jesus pushed His disciples out into the world to try ministering on their own.

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. 8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Note the instructions for their mission - in effect he outlined what he had been teaching vb showing all the time. - He reaffirmed his purpose for their lives. -He emphasised the immediacy of their task, “‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.” (ESV, at hand) Matt. 10:7 - Matt. 10: 8 spells out the scope of their authority, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”

He went on to tell them who to see first. "Go not…to the Gentiles…or the Samaritans; but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 10: 5, 6). Probably he was telling his disciples to go where they would find people eager to hear their message. This was not a universal rule (Jesus did occasionally go to other groups) but his own people shared cultural and religious background, so it is only natural that they start with them.

A few months later, when the seventy are sent out, this command was not repeated, perhaps indicating it was time then to go beyond these natural ties in pressing the claims of Christ. Remember Paul and Barnabas went initially to Cyprus (home of Barnabas) on their 1st missionary journey

Their support came from trusting God to supply their needs. They were to serve freely remembering they had received freely, Matt. 10:8 Jesus instructed them not to take a lot of baggage and provisions, Matt. 10:9, 10; Mark 6:8, 9; Luke 9:3 As they were faithful to God, He would see to it that they were supplied their needs. "The laborer is worthy of his food" Matt. 10:10

Their support came from trusting God to supply their needs. They were to serve freely remembering they had received freely, Matt. 10:8 Jesus instructed them not to take a lot of baggage and provisions, Matt. 10:9, 10; Mark 6:8, 9; Luke 9:3 As they were faithful to God, He would see to it that they were supplied their needs. "The laborer is worthy of his food" Matt. 10:10

Use the method of Jesus

Jesus is specific telling the disciples to find some friendly person in each town they visited, and live there as long as they continued their work in the area, Matt. 10:11; Mark 6:10; Luke 9:4 In effect, the disciples were told to concentrate their time upon the most promising individuals in each town who would thereby be able to follow up their work after they had gone. This was a key priority.

Use the method of Jesus

If they could not find someone who would take them in, they were specifically instructed to shake off the dust on their feet as a testimony against them, Matt. 10: 14, 15; Luke 9: 5; Mark 6: 11 The principle of establishing a beachhead in a new place of labor by getting with a potentially key follow-up leader is important - Jesus had lived by it with the disciples, and expected them to do the same.

Expect hardship

Some men would refuse the disciples' ministry - Jesus' warned of the treatment they could expect to receive. "Beware of men: for they will scourge you; yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles" (Matt. 10: 17, 18). Matthew 10 gives plenty of warnings: 22,23 “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

24,25 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!” The way of Jesus was contrary to the accepted pattern of worldly wisdom! The Holy Spirit would enable them to meet emergencies, 19,20, “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

31, 32 “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Jesus was realistic and never let His disciples underestimate the strength of the enemy, nor the natural resistance of men to the Gospel. They were not looking for trouble. They should act properly and with tactfulness, but in spite of all their care, the fact remained that the world was not likely to receive the disciples with favour when they preached the Gospel. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matt. 10:16

Jesus reminded them of the decisive nature of the Gospel They could be no compromise with sin, and for this reason, and so people would be disturbed by their preaching. Jesus said: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matt. 10: 34-38 The disciples should not think that this was going to be easy work - they were going forth with a revolutionary Gospel, and when it was obeyed, it produced a revolutionary change in people and their society.

The point Jesus made in all these instructions was that the mission of his disciples was no different in principle or method from his own: He began by giving them his authority and power to do his work, Mark 6:7; Matt. 10:1; Luke 9:1 He assured them that what they were doing was as though he was doing it

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Matt. 10:40 This is a powerful identity! They were to be the actual representatives of Christ as they went. So clear was this association that “…if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matt. 10:42.

Jesus sent them out in pairs Mark 6:7 Why did he send them in pairs? - companionship along the way - they could help one another - when problems arose they could still find comfort among themselves Going out in pairs is seen in other places in the Gospels - the disciples sent to find the colt for Jesus to use in entering Jerusalem, Luke 19:29 - Peter and John getting ready the Passover, Luke 22:8

- Possibly James and John were together on their mission before Jesus into Samaria since they are the ones indignant at their reception Luke 9:52, 54 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. Luke 9:6 The disciples finally the active ministry of Christ on their own. At the same time Jesus did not rest, “After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.” Matt. 11:1

The mission of the 70

Not many months after this 70 others were sent out again in pairs to witness for their Lord Luke 10:1 It is not known for sure just who these other disciples were, probably they included the original 12. Maybe the larger group indicates that there had been increased interest after the activity of the 12 in witnessing. The instructions given to this group were essentially the same as those to the 12, Luke 10:2-16

One additional instruction was given to this group, After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. Luke 10:1 They were forerunners for their Lord, setting things up for His ministry. Luke 9: 52 show that this was something that had been done before, And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; We simply see that they all were to practice what they had learned to be Jesus’ evangelism strategy.

Post resurrection commands

The principle of giving evangelistic work to the disciples was demonstrated again after the crucifixion and resurrection. On at least four occasions as He met with His disciples He told them to go out and do His work. - 1st to the disciples (exceptThomas) in the Upper Room. Jesus showed the disciples his nail-scarred hands and feet, Luke 24:38-40.

Post resurrection commands

He then said John 20:21, Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” But note the next verses too, And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

- Later as Jesus had breakfast with His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, he told Peter 3x to feed His sheep, John 21:15-17 - On a mountain in Galilee he gave the great commission to, not only the eleven disciples, but to the whole church (about 500) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:18-20

Finally, before his ascension Jesus went over the whole thing for the last time, showing them how things had to be fulfilled while He was with them, Luke 24:44-46 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

Note that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his Name unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. To see this purpose of God fulfilled the disciples were no less a part than their Master - they were the human instruments announcing the good news as empowered by the HSp, Acts 1:8; Luke 24:48, 49

THE PRINCIPLE IS CLEAR

Jesus did not leave the work of evangelism up to us or our desires. The disciples knew it was a definite command. It was so then; it is so today. Disciples are sent people - doing the same work of world evangelism to which the Lord was sent, and for which He gave His life.

THE PRINCIPLE IS CLEAR

Evangelism is not an optional accessory to our life - it is the heartbeat of all that we are called to be and do - it is the commission of the church. Everything which is done and said in the name and purpose of Jesus - educational institutions, social programs, hospitals, church meetings etc. -everything done in the Name of Christ has its justification in fulfilling this mission.

The principle for today

But it is not enough to make evangelism like this an idea - we must live this out. Train people by giving them practical work assignments to be carried out Demonstrate it in your life and then there is no reason why the assignment cannot be completed. And having started you must keep people going in the right direction, give them encouragement and support. Jesus taught his disciples, let them do the work, and then trained them again.