BCC Weekly Email

As You Go...(pt. 2)

Pastor Jim Harper

3/27/2025 

Last weekend, I wrapped up our 'Healthy Church' series with a message on Evangelism.  A 'Healthy Church' is a 'Sharing Church'.  I stressed that Evangelism isn't just a 'program'.  Matthew 28:19ff gives us the strong impression that Jesus meant it to be a 'process' that is a lot like breathing: 'As you go'...as you're living out your daily lives in the churched and unchurched world - make disciples.'  However, as quickly as I typed in those two words, I realized I needed to qualify something very important.  It's not us - believers in Jesus Christ - who do the disciple-making.  We are only the 'seed-spreaders'...the 'gospel-sharers'.  We are called to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) to an otherwise clueless world of the spiritual transformation that's happened in us through salvation found in Christ.  But here's the key.  What happens with that message in the lives of those upon who the 'seed falls is TOTALLY up to God.  The Bible is clear that nobody comes to God (accepts His gospel) unless the Father (through His Spirit) draws them to Himself.  (John 6:44) I don't fully understand all that, but I don't need to.  This is God's plan, not mine.  Paul was equally clear in his letter to the Ephesian church that all humanity starts out 'dead' spiritually.  (Eph. 2:1ff)  Maybe a reminder is appropriate here.  Dead people are totally lifeless - they know nothing and are powerless to do anything about their hopeless condition - physically or spiritually.  Paul's clear that the only hope for any human being is when the love of God graciously, mercifully draws them to a place of receiving new life in Christ, (Eph. 1:5) gloriously transforming them - by His Spirit - and saving them from the penalty and power of sin.

So, why is all this important to know - especially as it relates to the Evangelism process?  It's simple.  We have one part and part alone - albeit an important one.  We are called to 'tell our story', as we go, in as simple and natural way as we possibly can.  Beyond that, the rest is up to God.  Whether or not someone receives His gospel is completely between them and God.  The big question in all of this is simple but vital: Are we, as a born again believer in Christ, doing our part?