Evangelism, End Times: Stay Focused On The Task

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Jesus commanded us to be a part of the great commission. Evangelism is a must. We cannot take our eyes off this task. Lately, in Christian circles, topics focus on cryptocurrency (bitcoin), war with Russia and Ukraine, political freedom, personal rights, etc. We are steering way off track, headed for a huge ditch and many are not seeing it. Therefore, it is time for the church to awaken!

If many of your conversations have focused on the above-mentioned topics, you may want to keep reading. My goal is not to offend but rather to awaken each one to our main task which is and always will be evangelism.

Many people are too busy complaining about government decisions and personal freedoms that they have forgotten that Jesus spoke about all these things. If you think things are bad now there is much more to come. However, the Good News is we know that Jesus is the One who rules and reigns for all eternity.

Those who know me know that I am not a doom and gloom preacher. I do not want to frighten you. My desire is for every Christian to walk in the fullness of what Christ has for us. Jesus does not want us to become distracted, He told us to stay focused. The last blog I wrote called, Our Message is Jesus – Avoid Distractions, click here to read that blog.

1.      Evangelism not times and seasons

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8

Even the disciples lost focus until Jesus corrected them. They wondered if it was the time that Jesus was going to restore the Kingdom to Israel. Today, people are asking, are these the last days? Is Jesus going to return soon? Are we going to lose all our political freedoms? Should we worry about cryptocurrency?

To my surprise, many Christians are focusing on these things lately. I admit the last two years have been chaotic. Things have happened that I do not agree with. However, we cannot find a solution in rallies, debates, and insulting our Governmental leaders. Notice how Jesus did not answer their question directly, but rather, told them that there was something else more important.

The disciples were to receive power from on high and world evangelism was of utmost importance. They were not to focus on the times and seasons. Do you see this same thing happening today? As a result, people have become too worried about what is happening that all their conversations about these things consume them

The truth is we need the Holy Spirit for our everyday lives. We must arise and preach the Gospel like never before. The Harvest is ripe and so the devil wants to distract us from our task through what is happening around us. However, this should cause us to realize the need for the Gospel.

2.      Welcome to the last days

But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. Mark 13:7-10

Here Jesus talks about the end times. He tells us there will be wars and rumors of wars… I think we can admit we are living this. The list goes on about what we are facing today. For a long time, we have been living the last days. I believe we are just closer than we ever have been. I do not confess to know how long it will take. No one has any idea. We can, however, read the Bible and see we are near.

His statement in verse ten must burn in our hearts, “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” All the signs of the last days must take place at the same time as world evangelism. I understand we want to be relevant and speak about today’s events, but can we admit, that we have gone too far?

We probably cannot stop today’s political agenda. Instead, we hold the great privilege of preaching the Gospel!

3.      Pick your battles

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Many have forgotten this verse completely. Therefore, everyone is fighting the government’s decisions. For example, all want to give their opinions of what democracy is. People are trying to stop the fact of a cashless society. Many are unveiling the political agenda. Most want things to go back to normal. However, this will not happen.

If you are in any of those categories, you have lost focus! The time to preach Jesus is now! Stop fighting battles that are not yours to fight because you will grow tired quickly if you fight battles that you cannot win. Choose to focus on Jesus! Decide to preach the Gospel today!

4.      Your involvement in world evangelism

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19

With Jesus, we can declare these words over our lives. As Christians, we will not experience the fulness of Christ until we become involved with evangelism. Maybe you feel that your calling is not to preach to multitudes, but you have a neighbour or a co-worker that needs to know Jesus.

Notice that Jesus walked the earth at a time when there was a very evident political agenda, however, Jesus did not address it much. The Apostle Paul lived in a time of one of the most evil dictators of all time. His name was Nero, he burned Christians alive. However, Paul told us to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1, 2). If Paul could find a reason to pray for his leaders, I think we can as well.

Conclusion:

We have what it takes to make world evangelism possible. Today, like never before, we can enter nations where it is a crime to preach the Gospel. If we cannot fly to the nation, we can preach the Gospel through television and internet. God has many ways of seeing His plans fulfilled.

If we can take our focus off what is going on and look to Jesus we would see greater miracles, signs, and wonders. God is moving today. Share the Gospel with others and watch what God can do through you!

Steven Stoffelsen

Author of Trusting God’s Timing

Founder of House of Refuge Street Ministries