Bailey and I were talking together about evangelism as we returned from ministering at a large church here in Antanarivo.
She asked me about a message I shared 7 years ago at Oral Roberts University, long before we knew each other. A mutual friend that was there that day had told her about it.
It was my first time to ever speak at Oral Roberts University in front of several hundred college students. I remember being so nervous that I could hardly stand up. Yet, I also knew that God had given me a message for my generation. A message and a passion for seeing other people's lives changed.
Much of this message on evangelism developed from my time as a student at ORU. The founder of the school, Oral Roberts, believed that God had given him a mandate for combining academics and misssional living. He articulated this idea in the school's founding mission statement that is displayed in the chapel:
"Raise up your students to hear My voice, to go where My light is dim, where My voice is heard small, and My healing power is not known, even to the uttermost bounds of the earth. Their work will exceed yours, and in this I am well pleased."
During my four years at ORU I often reflected on this statement as I studied the Word of God and sought His face. I found myself mesmerized by the idea of living a missional lifestyle where the end result would be to see other people's lives transformed by the power of God. The more I studied the life of Jesus the more I discovered that His purpose for coming to earth was to see this same spiritual transformation in people. The Gospel message, embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, wasn't simply a nice philosophy, doctrine, dogma, or creed. It contained power. It contained authority. It demanded radical surrender. It confronted sin. It brought God's presence and rule to earth.
This multi-faceted idea can best be encapsulated with one word, "Kingdom." Jesus referred to it continually throughout his life. He was obsessed with making this reality simple enough to grasp. Multiple parables start with the same phrase: "The Kingdom of God is like...." Jesus ministry centered on the idea that the Kingdom of God was breaking into the realm of humanity through His life, death, and resurrection.
This powerful Kingdom had come to earth in the person of Jesus, the King. A faith-filled response to the King would establish the Kingdom deep in the invisible realm of the human heart. From here the Kingdom works its way outward transforming every aspect of our lives: spiritual liberation, physical healing, emotional restoration, relational reparation, financial insight, and wisdom for every other area of life.
I saw a direct parallel between Oral's mission statement and Christ's teaching on the Kingdom:
Oral articulated several clear components of the the Kingdom of God in his commissioning statement. I believe each has clear principles as well as implications for our lives as Christ-followers.
1) The capacity to hear the voice of God: The Kingdom of God restores our relationship with Christ so that we can now hear His voice clearly in every matter of life, ministry, and calling. it is a relational Kingdom where we have communion restored to God.
2) A transmission of the Light of God: The Light of God exposes the evil work of satan's darkness and confronts humanity's blindness. Nothing is hidden. Yet, it goes one step further than mere exposure; It provides a remedy for depravity by offering an invitation for restoration and freedom. We walk in the Light of His presence.
3) An experience with the healing power of God: Jesus isn't just a nice teacher, philosopher, or religious figure. He claimed to be the Son of God. As such, He has the power and authority to demonstrate the veracity of His claims through signs and wonders. These signs point to Jesus as the Son of God and make people wonder that God would take such a direct and personal role in humanity's salvation. Healing verifies the King's power.
4) A commission to communicate it globally: The Kingdom was never meant to be kept to ourselves; hidden away in some secret chamber of our heart, never to be shared with others. Instead, it is a global message. An international commission. A charge to share it openly and freely with the nations of the world. God has a heart for the planet not just one specific group of people.
5) A partnership with Christ in announcing it: The Kingdom isn't humanity's idea; it is God's. Jesus is actively working through the person of the Holy Spirit to convict humanity of the reality of Christ's rule and reign. This work is advanced through partnership between us and Him. He speaks, we obey. His light pushes back darkness as we go to share it with others. The message is confirmed through the messengers by demonstrations of God's power. We communicate it globally so the nations- every people, tribe, and tongue can experience Jesus' transformation personally.
This is Good News! In fact, evangelism comes from the Greek word Evangel which means just that, "good news" or "really good news".
So when we touch on the idea of Evangelism, we are really talking about sharing Jesus' love in such a way that others can take the first step into the Kingdom. Evangelism then becomes a means to an end rather than a goal in and of itself. I think this is where so many people get tied up.
They are trying to make something happen through evangelism without realizing that something has been happening and continues to happen- all around us, everyday. Evangelism isn't an invitation to join a church, denomination, or ministry. Rather, we are inviting people to get in on what God has already started through Jesus the King.
