Four Categories of Evangelism Programs - Evangelism Unlimited

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1018 Evangelizology 2) And in Luke 22:35, once Judas Iscariot had left, the apostles shared that they lacked nothing when they were sent out: “And He said to them, ‘When I sent you out without purse and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?’ And they said, ‘No, nothing’” (Luke 22:35) 3) Now what would these traveling preachers [cf. Medieval Wanderprediger, Poor Men of Lyons, etc.] have needed? (1) food, (2) a place to sleep, (3) his clothing washed, (3) a place to clean up: a) Without these necessities what would life be like? (1) “To this present hour we are both hungry, thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless,” 1 Cor 4:11 (2) “In sleeplessness, in hunger,” 2 Cor 6:5 (3) “Through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure,” 2 Cor 11:27 b) Without these necessities, they would receive the curse of Deut 28:48 (as Paul did, Acts 9:16) for those who disobey the commands of God: “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things; therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD shall send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in the lack of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you” (Deut 28:47-48) c) Therefore: (1) “Bless those who curse you,” Luke 6:28 (2) “For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men,” 1 Cor 4:9 c. Now, as mentioned above, Jesus specifically addressed and changed this command in Luke 22:35-36, when Judas Iscariot was not among them: “And He said to them, ‘When I sent you out without purse and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?’ And they said, ‘No, nothing.’ And He said to them, ‘But now, let him who has a purse take it along, likewise also a bag, and let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one’” (Luke 22:35-36) 1) It seems like they can have a little more for their journey: a) A purse—for some money, which Judas was want to have, John 12:6 b) A bag—for some extra clothing c) A sword—for protection—was urged upon them as more important than a robe! 2) They were still sent out, meaning: a) They had no long term reputation in the village, town, or city—there goes the basis for Lifestyle Evangelism! b) They were strangers, unacquainted with local lore and customs, and possibly even language (see Acts 14:11-12) d. Why did Jesus send out His disciples as paupers? 1) Did not God say of the poor man: “All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone” (Prov 19:7)? 2) Why would Christ set up His disciples for such a fate? a) Was this because they are men of whom the world is not worthy, Heb 11:38? b) Was this so that the power was in the message and in nothing else, 1 Cor 1:17- 21?
Thomas P. Johnston 1019 3. Paul, in the context of evangelism, even spoke of the right of the evangelist to earn his living from the Gospel, 1 Cor 9:11-14: a. While this principle is often applied to pastoral ministry (and not without other Scripture, 1 Tim 5:17-18), in 1 Corinthians 9 it is directed to the person who was privileged to lead the person to Christ b. There are examples of people who extended the ministry of hospitality to Paul in Acts: 1) Lydia from Thyatira took in Paul and his team, Acts 16:15 2) The Philippian jailer took in Paul and Silas into his house after his conversion, and fed them, Acts 16:34 3) Jason took in Paul and Silas during their evangelistic ministry in Thessalonica, Acts 17:6-7 4. Reverse Servant Evangelism in the History of the Churches: a. The Waldenses or “Poor Men of Lyons” specifically followed the admonitions in the sending passages of Matthew, Mark, and Luke: b. As noted in Chapter 7, the Dominicans were specifically commanded to adopt the lifestyle of their “enemy” [the Albigenses and Waldenses]: 1) Their method of following Matthew 10 was so effective that when the Roman Catholic Dominican order was founded, Dominic and his companions were given the mandate by Bishop Diego to “imitate” the Waldenses, by living a lifestyle of “voluntary poverty,” begging for their food—which, by the way, the Waldenses did not do! 2) Herein, by the way, we have an example of imitating a method without the message Some Servant Resources: A. Servant Evangelism (Sjogren, 1993) History: Steve Sjogren, Conspiracy of Kindness (Ann Harbor, MI: Servant, 1993) Steve Sjogren, Dave Ping, and Doug Pollock, Irresistible Evangelism (Group, 2003) Theology: The difference between Sjogren and Atkinson/Roesel Methodology—individual service B. Ministry Evangelism (Atkinson and Roesel, 1995) History: Donald A. Atkinson and Charles L. Roesel, Meeting Needs—Sharing Christ (Nashville: Lifeway, 1995). Theology: The difference between Sjogren and Atkinson/Roesel Methodology—social service C. Servanthood Evangelism (Reid and Wheeler, 1997): Definition: Alvin Reid and David Wheeler, “Intentionally Sharing Christ by Modeling Biblical Servanthood” Methodology—individual service D. Operation Angel Food (2005): Definition: Low cost food is provided to needy families once-a-month. The families must come to church to receive the food, and initial contacts are made through church members. Involved churches can share the Gospel either in the church or at the homes of those who receive the food. E. AERDO—or the Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations all promote and raise funds among Evangelicals assuming the premises of Servant Evangelism, which were earlier
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