Sermon: Brand Evangelist
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5
ICE BREAKER: What is the last product/fad/musician/show/etc that you could not stop telling people about?!
REVIEW:
This Sunday, we discovered that everyone is an evangelist for SOMETHING! Whether it is Apple products you swear by, the beautician you can't stop recommending, the Netflix show you tell everyone about, or the diet your friends are tired of hearing about - everyone evangelizes!
To evangelize is to spread the good news of something or someone. In Paul's second letter to the young pastor named Timothy, he gave him a straightforward charge for how he should live his life:
2 Timothy 4
1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus…
5 …do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Paul is not talking about Instagramming your latest obsession; when Paul says "evangelist," he is talking about spreading the good news of Jesus! In verse 2, he gives Timothy three instructions on how to do that!
1. PREACH THE WORD
Timothy is to "study to show himself approved." In other words, to preach the Scripture, you have to know the Scripture! Imagine a friend who always gave you marriage advice but had a terrible relationship in their own marriage - or a coworker who always preached about a specific diet, but they had never tried the diet themself!
To be an evangelist for Jesus, we have to be familiar with His life and teachings. We should be ready, in any situation, to share the good news of Jesus and to give a reason for our faith. When someone is a "brand evangelist," they will squeeze their topic into every conversation! In the same way, when we are living with an awareness of Jesus, we will find ways to share his message with everyone!
2. BE READY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON
Not only does an evangelist preach the word, but they do it whether it is convenient for them or not! In-season and out-of-season is about opportunity and ease. Sometimes, a conversation about Jesus feels easy and natural. Other times, it can be quite intimidating. Paul, near death, when he wrote this letter, assures his young friend that it is worth telling others about Jesus, no matter what!
3. CORRECT, REBUKE, AND ENCOURAGE WITH GREAT PATIENCE
Timothy lived in a place and time where they did not want to hear the truth. They had traded the search for purpose with the constant need for pleasure. Once an evangelist has led someone to Jesus, there is a loving and gentle process of helping people leave behind broken ways of thinking and behaving and embracing the truths of God.
APPLY:
We all will be evangelists for SOMETHING! If we want to live out our God-given purpose, we will be Evangelists for Jesus, spreading the gospel as far and wide as possible!
WE ARE ALL CALLED TO BE AN EVANGELIST FOR JESUS!
What keeps you from telling others about Jesus consistently?
Why is it so easy to spread the good news about media, trends, diets, etc - but often so hard to engage people in spiritual conversations?
In what ways do you think it brought Paul clarity to be so close to death when he wrote this letter to Timothy?
What is ONE WAY you will be an evangelist for Jesus this week (Be specific and allow your team to hold you accountable)?
PRAY:
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see the opportunities around you to tell others about what Jesus has done in your life.
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