I hope the spiritual gift survey was helpful in giving you direction and assisting you in discovering your spiritual gift the Lord has blessed you with. All of these gifts work through the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, with the love of God in Christ Jesus. We will continue our study by looking at the evangelist.
Evangelist - One who announces or heralds the good news.
I Corinthians 12:28 "And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations and various kinds of tongues." (NAS)
I would like to begin our study by reading how Paul had admonished Timothy, who was like his son, with great authority and urgency. We find Paul delivering a high command and charge. He made Timothy aware that these words were not mere words of comfort, but were given before the thrown of Almighty God in the presence of Jesus Christ, who is and will judge the living and the dead, along with His kingdom bearing witness.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 "I charge you in the presence of God and Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and encourage with every form of patient instruction. For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from truth and turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of the evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (BSB)
What I would like us to notice is that, in verse 5, Paul tells Timothy:
- Preach the Word,
- Be prepared in season and out of season,
- Reprove, rebuke and encourage with every form of patient instruction,
- Be sober,
- Endure hardship,
- Do the work of the evangelist,
- Fulfill your ministry.
I really believe we have found the nuts and bolts of ministry basics right here. Now Timothy was apostolic in his call, however he served in a pastoral role to aid in the establishment of the early church in different regions. Timothy along side Paul was the over seer of the church of Ephesus for about four years. He continued there under the instruction and leadership of Paul. However, I think it interesting in this passage of scripture how Paul gave instructions to Timothy to "do the work of evangelist."
It is safe to say that though we may differ in motivational gifts, we may have gifts that do indeed over lap when the need presents itself. Remember we read in
I Corinthians 12:11 "All these are empowered by the one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills." He is the Lord and with the establishment of the early church we will find that many who raised the dead during the day, and waited tables at night were full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom and power!
Evangelists are traveling ministers or missionaries who bring the Word of God through preaching passionately with an anointing and urgency that leads people to recognize their need for Christ. Their preaching many times is accompanied by miracles and healings. There is a unique anointing that rests upon the evangelist. With compassion and charismata of the Holy Spirit, the word they preach stirs the hearts of men, women and children alike in such a manner, that many are moved to repent, and have a desire to drink the living water the Lord offers to them, by restoring their souls in God, through Christ Jesus. With fire and grace they explain to few or masses of individuals alike, how great a love the Lord has lavished upon them through the man of Jesus, and how this love can bring them peace of mind and heart, if they would only believe and receive Him in their hearts.
The evangelist expounds on the pending judgement of sin that will take place. How the repercussion of an unrepentant heart will suffer the consequence of eternal damnation and separation from Christ. They speak with personal conviction as if it were their last breath to others. They think it nothing to pour out their hearts until they find themselves spent for the gospel of Christ. They take their heavenly call very seriously. As should all of the gifts. They take it very personally. They are on a quest to "save the world, for the sake of Christ, before He returns." We are not promised tomorrow.
Being that they travel often and to different regions of the world, it is not uncommon for them to suffer much hardship and for go creature comforts where the Lord takes them. They do not stay long where they minister. This alone would give them reason to pour their heart out with all that they can in their preaching, to make sure they have given the message and they did not leave their hearers ignorant to receive Christ.
It is almost as if their moto is "NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION. IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS!"
We find these referenced in:
2 Corinthians 6:2 "For He says in the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation! (BSB)
Hebrews 3:15 "As it has been said: "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion." (BSB)
Referencing the above scripture verse in 2 Timothy we gain insight into the fervor Apostle Paul spoke to Timothy with. It was urgent. Time is of the essence. Paul was preparing to be poured out a drink offering unto the Lord, with his life. This was his last breadth and message that he was speaking with to Timothy. He knew his time was short. He delivered his message with authority and conviction. His last words of wisdom, exhortation, warning, command and love. All in the magnificent presence of the Lord God and Jesus, with all heaven bearing witness. Paul was a father in the faith and a spiritual father to Timothy. I appreciate how he put Timothy in remembrance of the great commission to reach the utter most parts of the world. "Do the works of the evangelist, fulfill your call."
Acts 6:6 They presented these seven to the Apostles, who prayed and laid their hands upon them. (NIV)
I Timothy 4:14 "Do not neglect your gift, which was given to you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. (NIV)
Whether we prophecy or work at the local food mart, whether we teach children in school or raise the dead, we must always do the works of the evangelist in some regard to reach the lost for Christ. After all, we were once dead in our trespasses and sin, separated from God, until we heard the good news as well. Thank God for that brother or sister who took the call of God seriously enough to step out in faith and act upon His word and share the love of Christ. Glory to God!
In His magnificent name and immeasurable love in Christ, God bless you and yours!
It is safe to say that though we may differ in motivational gifts, we may have gifts that do indeed over lap when the need presents itself. Remember we read in
I Corinthians 12:11 "All these are empowered by the one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills." He is the Lord and with the establishment of the early church we will find that many who raised the dead during the day, and waited tables at night were full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom and power!
Evangelists are traveling ministers or missionaries who bring the Word of God through preaching passionately with an anointing and urgency that leads people to recognize their need for Christ. Their preaching many times is accompanied by miracles and healings. There is a unique anointing that rests upon the evangelist. With compassion and charismata of the Holy Spirit, the word they preach stirs the hearts of men, women and children alike in such a manner, that many are moved to repent, and have a desire to drink the living water the Lord offers to them, by restoring their souls in God, through Christ Jesus. With fire and grace they explain to few or masses of individuals alike, how great a love the Lord has lavished upon them through the man of Jesus, and how this love can bring them peace of mind and heart, if they would only believe and receive Him in their hearts.
The evangelist expounds on the pending judgement of sin that will take place. How the repercussion of an unrepentant heart will suffer the consequence of eternal damnation and separation from Christ. They speak with personal conviction as if it were their last breath to others. They think it nothing to pour out their hearts until they find themselves spent for the gospel of Christ. They take their heavenly call very seriously. As should all of the gifts. They take it very personally. They are on a quest to "save the world, for the sake of Christ, before He returns." We are not promised tomorrow.
Being that they travel often and to different regions of the world, it is not uncommon for them to suffer much hardship and for go creature comforts where the Lord takes them. They do not stay long where they minister. This alone would give them reason to pour their heart out with all that they can in their preaching, to make sure they have given the message and they did not leave their hearers ignorant to receive Christ.
It is almost as if their moto is "NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION. IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS!"
We find these referenced in:
2 Corinthians 6:2 "For He says in the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation! (BSB)
Hebrews 3:15 "As it has been said: "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion." (BSB)
Referencing the above scripture verse in 2 Timothy we gain insight into the fervor Apostle Paul spoke to Timothy with. It was urgent. Time is of the essence. Paul was preparing to be poured out a drink offering unto the Lord, with his life. This was his last breadth and message that he was speaking with to Timothy. He knew his time was short. He delivered his message with authority and conviction. His last words of wisdom, exhortation, warning, command and love. All in the magnificent presence of the Lord God and Jesus, with all heaven bearing witness. Paul was a father in the faith and a spiritual father to Timothy. I appreciate how he put Timothy in remembrance of the great commission to reach the utter most parts of the world. "Do the works of the evangelist, fulfill your call."
Acts 6:6 They presented these seven to the Apostles, who prayed and laid their hands upon them. (NIV)
I Timothy 4:14 "Do not neglect your gift, which was given to you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. (NIV)
Whether we prophecy or work at the local food mart, whether we teach children in school or raise the dead, we must always do the works of the evangelist in some regard to reach the lost for Christ. After all, we were once dead in our trespasses and sin, separated from God, until we heard the good news as well. Thank God for that brother or sister who took the call of God seriously enough to step out in faith and act upon His word and share the love of Christ. Glory to God!
In His magnificent name and immeasurable love in Christ, God bless you and yours!
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