SSB Evangelism?

I have often been accused of being weak on evangelism and missions – even just recently.  When comparing SSB with other churches, we are often and easily so accused.  But that is only true if what other churches are doing lines up with Scripture.  Also, to compare ourselves with others, per Scripture, is unwise (II Corinthians 10:12).  Rather, the comparison needs to be against Scripture.  Doing that, how do we stack up?  Some things to consider before answering. (Some of these thoughts spring from an article by Greg Koukl of reThink – the conference some of our high schoolers attended in MN in November).

First, why is there no harvest and why is there a harvest in these two verses?

Matthew 13:19, When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.  13:23, But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

The answer?  “Understanding”!  Before there is harvest there needs to be understanding.  That is, we just can’t press them to a decision if they don’t understand what the issues are.  Too often, in Koukl’s language, we are all about a harvest but we don’t do the work of gardening first.  Gardening is spading, sowing, watering, weeding, watering, fertilizing and weeding and time – then the harvest!  We, desperate for fruit, seek to press people to accept a salvation when they don’t have an understanding of the holiness of God, the death of Jesus, their sinfulness and thus God’s justified wrath.  When they do understand, per Acts 2, they will cry out, “What must we do to be saved?”  There needs to be understanding if a genuine harvest is to happen.

The idea of generating questions and imparting answers to their questions shows up in these verses:

Colossians 4:5-6, Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

I Thessalonians 1:5, As you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

I Peter 3:15, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you

John 4:9, Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

Lives lived for God cause questions and conversation which give opportunity for sharing about truths.  Thus gardening (which is all about the harvest).  And then what should be expected?  A harvest by God’s work because God is the Lord of the harvest (Matthew 9:38).

And one more point made by Koukl:

John 4:38, For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’  I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.

Two groups are noted here – gardeners and harvesters.  Too often we have been pressed to be harvesters when we need more to be gardeners who have differing contributions.

Now about SSB… Church life sought that God might cause second birth:

John 13:35, By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 17:21, That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Acts 4:13-14, Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Matthew 5:14, You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Isaiah 55:11, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void.

Acts 2:47, And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. 

[The word “And” moves us to consider the previous verses (they are the basis for our GOT A B) which describe, what I call, “hot church”.  Note, there is nothing about evangelism or missions – but a passion for God, truth, obedience and the church family and God willed to save people.]

So, SSB is keenly aware that people are dying and in need of salvation, so we seek to be a church that God might use to draw men to be saved by God.  May our light shine that the world might ask questions and we talk about God, truth, Jesus, sin, and judgment.  May God be pleased to bring forth a harvest.  Thus SSB is passionate about new birth but not by programs, trips, systems, or numbers.  It is about diligent gardening, anticipating and asking for a harvest!