Introduction: Why is Evangelism Necessary?

When we think of an evangelist, we often think of some gifted preacher leading many people to Christ. We think of Billy Graham and others. Are those that fill the office of the evangelist the only ones responsible for others? Is it just pastors that should care for the lives of others? If we are called to lead others to Christ, is that all we’re called to do? Is there more that we are to do for people? Is there anything that needs to be done? What is all the concern about?

The first concern is that hell is real, people are going there, and we can prevent that. Hell is not a place you should want to go or want anyone else to go to. Hell is a place of judgment, torment, weeping, gnashing of teeth, and fire (Luke 16:23; Matthew 22:13; Hebrews 10:26-27; 2 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 6:2; Jude 7). Those who go there will suffer greatly. Hell is not a temporary sentence; it is forever. The Bible calls this judgment “eternal” Hebrews 6:2. Jesus indicated this in a parable. Those in heaven were declaring to those in hell that “between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us” Luke 16:26. Everyone only has one life to choose an eternal destiny, since we choose; we cannot blame God for our choice. The one who does not choose Christ will face eternal judgment in hell. We are warned that “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” Hebrews 9:27.

Have you ever noticed that at every funeral, we assume the person is in heaven? It does not matter who they are or how they lived, most people believe they’re in heaven. Especially if they were a “good person.” Does anyone go to hell? Not that I want anyone to go, but what is the truth. If no one goes to hell, then what is the urgency to witness and to live for Christ? The truth is that some will go to hell. In fact the Bible teaches that more will go to hell than to heaven. Jesus warned us that “the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” Matthew 7:13-14. Regarding attaining salvation to heaven, Jesus also told us “many are called, but few are chosen” Matthew 22:14. If so many are going to hell, who are they that are going?

The Bible tells us that those who do not fully believe in Jesus Christ as Lord will be condemned to hell. We are warned that “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” Revelation 20:15. The Bible also warns that the “unbelieving…their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone” Revelation 21:8. It is the unbeliever who goes to hell.

We must also understand that sin leads to hell. The “cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murders and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone” Revelation 21:8. Paul warns “or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. He also states that “the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” Galatians 5:19-21. Then Paul simply states that “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23. When we choose to sin we choose our eternal destiny, hell.

We may look at that list of sins and see some that we have committed or are committing. If that is the case for you, you are probably thinking, “how can I be saved or how can anyone be saved?” The disciples also had this concern. They heard some of Jesus’ teaching and asked, “Then who can be saved” Matthew 19:25? It can be a bit confusing, because we are told that sin leads to hell and yet told that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9. Notice that after listing sin above, Paul points out that those who are saved once participated in those sins “Such were some of you” 1 Corinthians 6:11, so we can be saved from them. What is the difference between the one who is forgiven and the one who is not?

The difference is three fold. First there must be faith in Jesus Christ, because His sacrifice provided for the forgiveness and we must identify with Him through faith. Jesus, himself, told us that “He who believes in Him [Jesus] is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already” John 3:18. The difference is that a believer is pardoned for his sin, but the unbeliever is not. Then it is pointed out in the Bible a visual difference between the believer and the unbeliever. The believer makes all attempts to leave the life of sin “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified” 1 Corinthians 6:11. This verse indicates that if we truly believe, we would be changed. It does not mean that we will not fail and sin at times after believing. If we do happen to sin we are to “confess our sins [and] He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins” 1 John 1:9. However, we must become a true believer in order to escape hell and accept heaven.

Once we have this understanding, it becomes very obvious that many around us have not become true believers and are endanger of hell. As long as we’re saved from hell, should we care that others are not? After all, it is their choice isn’t it? Well Jesus tells us that we should “love [our] neighbor as [ourselves]” Matthew 22:39. John, also, tells us that we “should love [our] brother” 1 John 4:21. We should do something about people being lost. In fact, we are commanded to. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” Mark 16:15. The very reason that we are filled with the Holy Spirit is that we would be “witnesses” Acts 1:8. We are warned in an illustration that if we know the danger others are in and do nothing, we are held responsible for them suffering that danger, Ezekiel 33:1-9. If we are commanded to reach the lost, then how do we do that? We will answer that question in the following lessons.