Epaggelia

Read Mark 1:17, it is not coincidental that Jesus performed filling nets with fish miraculously at least twice, Luke 5:11, John 21:6. We cast the net; He puts the fish in!  Successful evangelism is not determined by how many baptisms we have in a year.  Good evangelism is determined by how we cast the net. 

Remember the parable of the weeds, where “the field”, had both wheat and tares, Matthew 13:24-30.

Peter used the sailor’s term for “casting” in 1st Peter 5:7, in reference to our personal anxieties.  The only thing Paul was anxious about in his prayers was the health of the church, 2nd Corinthians 11:28 and the salvation of lost souls, Romans 10:1. God teaches us that our aim is to be anxious for nothing, Philippians 4:6. So strictly speaking, scripturally, the only thing God may find pleasing about our anxiety, is directed in prayer for the lost state of other people. 

The method of learning how to catch people spiritually is to imitate Jesus as best you can. Jesus said, “Follow Me”.  What would Jesus say, if he met a visitor in the assembly? Some of us do not have a clue, and we do not feel confident enough about our faith, to put ourselves in the Master’s shoes, in order to try to emulate Him.  So we need to get to know our “net”, (The Gospel), in order to use it well. 

The Gospel of God, 1st Peter 4:17.  Is about how good God is and how bad we need Him.

The Gospel according to the power of God, 2nd Timothy 1:8, Is about how powerful He is and how weak we are.

The Gospel of the grace of God, Acts 20:24. Is about how God treats us like as if we had no sin!

The Gospel of the Kingdom, Matthew 24:14.  Is about how well God rules our hearts when we are in submission.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, Galatians 1:7, Romans 1:9, 16, 2nd Corinthians 2:12.  Is about how real and alive Jesus Christ’s Spirit is today!

The Gospel of the glory of Christ, 2nd Corinthians 4:4.  Is about how well Christ shines in the world and in the church through individual Christians that let Him shine through the expression of their faith.

The Gospel of your salvation, Ephesians 1:13.  Is about the many ways and means of His deliverance of our soul into eternal life.

The Gospel of peace, Ephesians 6:15.  Is about how God makes friends with us, even though we sometimes act like enemies.

The Gospel for the circumcised and the gospel for the uncircumcised, Galatians 2:7.  Is about how God never plays favorites and shows no partiality to race, nationality or culture. 

 How do we talk about Good News from God?