DO EVANGELISTS NEED TO BE PERFECT?

DO EVANGELISTS NEED TO BE PERFECT?

BY DR. MERVYN ABREO

          One day a young man was brought to me with a problem. His wanted to leave the Church because his pastor had been rude to him.

          There are many such people who have turned their back to the Church just because their priest or pastor has hurt their feelings.

                                        

          I asked him, ‘If you had to receive a phone call from America, and the caller informs you, “You dirty Indian pig, you have won just 10 million dollars in the sweep stake.” What will you do? Will you refuse to collect your winnings because he insulted you? Or would you run and collect what is rightfully yours?’

          Do what the cow does. It initially swallows everything, only to regurgitate and spit out what is useless and swallow the useful stuff

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REJECT THE MESSENGER TO REJECT THE MESSAGE:

          This is what usually happens in most cases when an evangelical message is delivered, either from the pulpit, or personally on a one to one basis.

          It happened even to the great evangelist Paul. In Acts we read how the Governor Felix was afraid when Paul spoke about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come.

          So in order to appease his conscience, he sent for Paul on a number of occasions because he  “………was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.”           And this went on for two years. (Acts 24: 25 – 27).

THE EVANGELIST AND PERFECTIONISM:

The evangelist is under the scanner of three different persons!

1) THE PERSON BEING EVANGELIZED TO.                                                                                                                                                           

 

          
            As per ‘Isaiah 55:11. ‘’ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

               It either achieves conviction in the one who is receiving the Gospel message, which leads to repentance and salvation.

          Or it brings about rejection which leads to condemnation.

2) THE EVANGELIST:

           He should boldly evangelize, unaffected by what people think or say, always keeping in mind and often reminding himself: “I am not a sinner, but a saint who sins occasionally!”

3) GOD:

           The evangelist is His child empowered by the Holy Spirit to do His bidding. And it is the sole responsibility of God, and God alone to evaluate and judge his or her performance!

          In God’s eyes he or she is perfect: ‘………..For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.’ (Ephesians 1:4).

          So who is anyone to pass judgment on His servants?!

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Dear friend,

          I look forward to getting your feedback. Do write in to me at:

                                        drmervynabreo@gmail.com

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