Week 6: Evangelism

Spiritual Discipline: Evangelism

A tradition held by many Christians on Ash Wednesday is to approach the altar and to receive ashes on their foreheads. Sometimes the mark is in the shape of a cross, other times it is just simply a smudge. Ashes represent death (ashes to ashes and dust to dust). The meaning behind this tradition is by receiving the ashes and keeping them on for the day, you are publicly showing your desires to die to your worldly desires and instead live for Christ. Many people keep the ash on their foreheads for an extended period of time—what an amazing witness tool this could be! Every time someone tells you that you have a bit of dirt on your forehead, or gives you a sideways stare, you have the opportunity to be a witness for Christ, to share your faith!

As we focus on the spiritual discipline of evangelism, having an ash mark is not the only tool we have to be a witness for Christ. Have you ever considered your worship as an act of evangelism? John Piper wrote in his book, Let the Nations Be Glad, about how evangelism and worship are so intimately connected. He says:

The ultimate goal of God in all of history is to uphold and display his glory for the enjoyment of the redeemed from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. His goal is the gladness of his people, because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Delight is a higher tribute than duty. The chief end of God is to glorify God and enjoy his glory forever. Since his glory is magnified most in the God-centered passions of his joyful people, God’s self-exaltation and our jubilation are one. The greatest news in all the world is that God’s ultimate aim to be glorified and our aim to be satisfied are not at odds.

The goal of missions, therefore, is the gladness of the people in the greatness of God. “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!” (Psalm 97:1). “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy!” (Psalm 67:4). The missionary command to be happy in God is simply a command for the consummation of praise. Professed praise of God without pleasure in God is hypocrisy. Therefore, worship is the fuel and the goal of missions. Worship is the goal of missions because in missions we aim to bring the nations into the white-hot enjoyment of God’s glory. It is the fuel of missions because we can’t commend what we don’t cherish. We can’t call out, “Let the nations be glad!” until we say, “I rejoice in the Lord.” Missions begins and ends in worship.

Spend time in true worship this week. Read scripture, pray from your heart, sing songs to your God. May your hearts rejoice in the Lord. May you delight in him and find joy, comfort and peace in his great love for you. Worship him with gladness, come before him with thanksgiving. Be satisfied in him and your joy will be evident to all.

—Lynn Stob

Selections from Our World Belongs to God

42. In a world estranged from God,

where happiness and peace are offered in many names

and millions face confusing choices,

we witness—

with respect for followers of other ways—

to the only one in whose name salvation is found:

Jesus Christ.

In Jesus, God reconciles the world to himself.

God loves all creation;

his compassion knows no bounds.

43. Jesus Christ rules over all.

To follow this Lord is

to serve him wherever we are

without fitting in,

light in darkness,

salt in a spoiling world.

Songs of Reflection

Let Them See You (Lyrics)

Overwhelmed (Lyrics)

House of the Lord (Lyrics)

Made to Worship (Lyrics)

For Kids: Practicing Evangelism

Inviting: the Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. (Psalm 145:8)

Stilling: In the silence, ask the Holy Spirit to help you pay attention to God.

Bible Reading: Luke 15:1-10

The tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were whispering among themselves. They said, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told a story. He said, “Suppose one of you has 100 sheep and loses one of them. Won’t he leave the 99 in the open country? Won’t you go and look for the one lost sheep until he finds it? When he finds it, he will joyfully put it on his shoulders and go home. Then he will call his friends and neighbors together. He will say, ‘Be joyful with me. I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, it will be the same in heaven. There will be great joy one one center turns away from sin. Yes, there will be more joy than for 99 godly people who do not need to turn away from their sins.

“Or suppose a woman has 10 silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the house? Won’t she search carefully until she finds the coin? And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors together. She will say, ‘Be joyful with me. I have found my lost coin.’ I tell you it is the same in heaven. There is joy and heaven over one sinner who turns away from sin.”

Dwelling: I wonder why the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus? I wonder what makes you joyful?

Praying: God, thank you that you light the lamp and sweep the house in your search for us when we are lost. And thank you that you throw such a party when you find us! You love us so much! May we join in your search for other lost people. Thank you that your love never quits. Amen.