“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5 NKJV
As editor of the Nelson Study Bible, Earl Radmacher wrote, “Watchful means ‘sober.’ Endure afflictions refers to the hard toil of ministry, which will have its own reward.”
“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:12-13 NKJV
Do the work of an evangelist. Radmacher continued: “Evangelist is one of five offices mentioned by Paul in Ephesians. An evangelist equips and encourages believers to share the Good News.”
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” Ephesians 4:11 NKJV
Realizing that God was calling me to be an evangelist was in many ways surprising. And as doors consistently opened, the joy of sharing God’s Good News, and seeing Him change the tomorrows of new believers, especially youth, has been thrilling.
Getting to know and help people be invited to attend evangelistic outreaches has been very meaningful. R.A. Torrey, in his book “How to Work for Christ,” said, “The advertisement that gets a man out to hear the Gospel is just as important, in its place, as the message through which he hears the Gospel.”
While a student at Bob Jones University, I heard evangelist Bill Piper speak about the need for quality advertising. He challenged my Dad and me to produce bumper strips and posters for his meetings, and encouraged us to help many other God-called evangelists. We produced materials for over 100 evangelists conducting over 1,500 campaigns, where hundreds responded to the invitation to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
As doors opened for me to personally “do the work of an evangelist,” God guided to establish TTT Christian Youth Ministries – “Telling The TRUTH to/through teenagers.”
Dwight L. Moody, called to do the work of an evangelist, was taught many things about the Bible and the Christian life by Andrew Bonar. He taught: “Let us be as watchful after the victory as before the battle.”
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13 NKJV
Warren Wiersbe wrote: “We Christians do face battles. We fight against Satan and his wiles; we also fight against this world system that has turned away from God. And we have a battle with the flesh, too; our old nature wants to lead us into disobedience. The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battleground … ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour’ (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV). But sometimes Satan doesn’t come as a roaring lion; he comes as a deceiving serpent, and we must be able to detect his traps and avoid them. ‘Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall’ (1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV). The most dangerous time – the time that requires the most vigilance – is when we have won a victory. For some reason, after a victory, we let down our guard, we get overconfident, and this gives the enemy a chance to get in and defeat us.”
Wiersbe continued: “Jesus said, ‘Watch and pray.’ Keep your eyes open! Put no confidence in the flesh, no matter how good you may feel. Most of our losses don’t take place during the battle; they take place after the victory.”
Fulfill your ministry. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 NKJV
July 13 is to be, God willing, TTT’s 3,050th consecutive Saturday night, and “JESUS CHRIST Changin’ the World Summit” (3 pm through TTT Saturday night). This special Saturday will include Fair Share peer evangelism training and reports from around the world, the nation, and the Tri-state. We’re praying that this will be an effective day for God’s glory; praying that each of the students and adults who participate will grow in their faith tremendously as they receive evangelism training and then put it into practice, personally sharing the Gospel. The key verse: “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5 NKJV
When you “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” will you invite others?