Do the Work of an Evangelist
A person doesn't waste his last words on trivial matters – the weather, sports, or the latest hit movie. A person uses his last words to communicate only the most essential things. In 2 Timothy 4, we have the apostle Paul's last words to his beloved disciple Timothy. The essence of these words is found in verse 2 – "preach the word." But then, in verse 5, we see this further exhortation – "do the work of an evangelist."
This work is obviously an important one given that its part of Paul’s last words. It’s also something that every pastor is being called upon to do. But what does it mean? What is the work of an evangelist? How exactly does one do that work?
We get a clue in Ephesians 4:11-12, “he gave…evangelists…to equip the saints for the work of ministry.” Rico Tice summarizes it this way: “Part of a pastors job is to help people proclaim Christ in whatever circumstances God has placed them.” Honest Evangelism, p. 47.
Let me suggest four things a pastor does to do the work of an evangelist:
He calls people to evangelism.
He repeats and explains Jesus's commissions to every Christian to do in passages like Matthew 28, Luke 24, and Acts 1.
CHARLES SPURGEON – “It is the whole business of the whole church to preach the whole gospel to the whole world.”
He equips people for evangelism.
He teaches them what they need to know to be an effective witness, the elements of gospel witness.
PAUL LITTLE - "Many Christians are ineffective ambassadors because they're not sure of the content of their message and are unable to communicate it understandably to others." How to Give Away Your Faith
He motivates people for evangelism.
Most people find evangelism, particularly consistent evangelism, hard. Without using guilt or manipulation, he helps people to gain a heart for evangelism.
J.I. PACKER – “There are, I fact, two motives that should spur us constantly to evangelize. The first is love to God and concern for his glory; the second is love to man and concern for his welfare.” Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, p. 73.
He deploys people in evangelism.
He helps them to see the ways that they can witness. He helps them to see and understand their particular mission field – the everyday places they live, work, and play. And he sends.
RICO TICE – “It’ no accident that you know the people you do. It’s no accident that they’re in your path…we need to understand that God has put people around us because he wants them to hear the gospel.” Honest Evangelism, p. 50.
Obviously, some men are specifically called and gifted in evangelism. But in 2 Timothy Paul calls all pastors to participate in this glorious work. C.J. Mahaney said it this way – “Cultivating evangelism in the local church is one of a pastor’s most important responsibilities and difficult challenges.” (in Dever, The Gospel, and Personal Evangelism, p. 12). So may each of us accept the responsibility and challenge and begin to faithfully “do the work of an evangelist” in our local church.
