TOPIC:“Let the Fire of Evangelism Spread”
“Then Phillip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them”
Nearly two thousand years ago a small band of men were set aflame with the world-wide ministry of evangelism. These men were swept off their feet and carried away by the glory of such a task. And within a short time, the fires of evangelism burned within the heart of almost every Christian. We read of them: “they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Under one banner, with one passion, with one aim, with one love, they set out to evangelize the world for Christ.
But let us face it - the evangelism of today is a long sea-mile from that which characterized the early apostolic church. This, naturally, is what Arthur Archibald was driving at when he wrote in his classic book, New Testament Evangelism, these words: “The alarming thing is that evangelism is dying inside the church, not merely out of it.”
Is he not right? Of course he is! God alone knows how many churches there are and ministers too who have no real concern for the spiritual welfare of lost men. Shame on us as ministers. Shame on us as Christians. Shame on us as representatives of Christ.
To be sure, the hour has struck when the church must be awakened as to its evangelistic responsibility of evangelizing the lost outside of Jesus Christ. Much too long has the flame of evangelism gone out in many of our churches. It's time for a change. Once again evangelism must spread like prairie fire through our churches. Once again the high tide of evangelism must come rushing in like a mighty flood. To put it in words for all to understand - we need a revival of evangelism.
Let us begin with this truth: Evangelism is something ESSENTIAL. Let me set forth what I . . .