PUBLIC AND PERSONAL EVANGELISM

(Luke 10: 1-16)

Shelby G. Floyd

The apostle Paul reminded the elders of the church in Ephesus in Acts 20: 20 that he had taught them "publicly and from house to house." This phrase conveys the idea of "public evangelism" and "personal evangelism."

Previously I presented a lesson from Mark 2:1-10 where out of the "city" of Capernaum a "crowd" was brought together in someone's house. Out of the crowd a "congregation" of believers was formed. And out of the congregation a "committed" group would follow Christ. This commitment would also produce a "core" group of leaders who would lead the way when the church was established on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2: 1-47.)

Bringing a crowd of people together in a house or place of worship is one type of "public evangelism." "Personal evangelism" is presenting the gospel in a "one on one" relationship. Christ and Paul both had many such encounters on a personal basis. The personal encounter of Christ with Nicodemus and the woman at Jacobs well are good examples of "personal evangelism." (John 3: 1-10; 4: 1-24.) Christ was also the greatest "public preacher" who ever lived. The Sermon on the Mount is the classic example of the power of "public evangelism." (Matthew 5-7.) "Public evangelism" is the most efficient method of presenting the gospel to the masses of people. And today, evangelism over the internet world wide web is the most efficient method of all.

Now let us take a look at another form of "public preaching" in which many different methods were employed:

Luke 10:1

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.

NIV

THE GOAL OF SENDING THE SEVENTY

We notice from the reading that the emphasis is upon reaching the cities or towns with the gospel. Here the emphasis is on Christ sending the seventy "to every town and place where he was about to go." Therefore, the goal and emphasis of this context is to evangelize the towns and villages with the gospel through public preaching. The word "city" or “towns" is found five times in Luke 10: 1-12. And five specific cities are mentioned in Luke 10: 13-16! Some "personal evangelism" was no doubt to be employed when they entered these towns, but the emphasis seems to be on the "public preaching" of the gospel in these towns.

These were not large cities as we have today, but were small towns and villages. This must also be our emphasis today. We must enlarge our vision to take the gospel to large and small cities by every efficient and lawful method of public and personal evangelism. As a congregation this means that our emphasis must be south Indianapolis, Greenwood, Center Grove, Bargersville and the surrounding areas.

THE METHODS OF PUBLIC EVANGELISM

Next, we observe the methods to be employed in public evangelism. The study of the different methods and instructions given by Christ on this occasion are very important and worthy of our attention. For the most part God has not bound specific methods of preaching the gospel to the whole world. We live in the 21st century and we must be creative as to what methods will work in our day and time. Our methods must fit our culture and way that people receive communications. Many of the methods that the seventy used will still work today. With the modern means of communication we must also seek to use all means and methods to proclaim the gospel to the masses. The Internet, e-mail, television, radio and telephone are just a few examples. We have freedom to use any method that does not conflict with plain New Testament teaching.

The Great Harvest

Let us notice the vision of Christ concerning the great harvest:

Luke 10:1-2

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

NIV

Christ saw a tremendous need for the gospel to be preached to the masses of people. Previously, Christ had taught that few and not many would go down the straight and narrow road that leads to salvation:

Matt 7:13-14

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

NIV

Also on another occasion he stated, "Many are invited, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14.) These Scriptures seem to teach that most people are going to be lost because they're going down "the interstate highway" with no bumps, no detours, no curves and no problems. One just enters this way, joins in with the crowd and it leads to destruction. In contrast there are few people that enter the straight and narrow way that leads to life. In this way there will be difficulties, but it leads to heaven.

How then can we reconcile Christ’s statement that "few" will be saved in Matthew 7: 13-14 and the statement in Luke 10: 1-2 that "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few?" Here the "few" are not those lost, but "the workers!"

Perhaps we can illustrate how these seemingly contradictory statements can be reconciled by the work of a farmer. Suppose a farmer desires an abundant harvest but the yield per acre is small. The only way he can have an abundant harvest is to sow the seed liberally on a larger number of acres. This will require "more seed," "more workers," "more reapers," and "more prayer!"

Even though Christ said few would be saved, he still could see an abundant harvest of souls who would obey the gospel if only more workers would enter the field of service:

John 4:34-38

Do you not say, `Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying `One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

NIV

Christ could see the potential great harvest and that is a reason he is now sending out seventy more workers. Later after the church was established the apostle Paul could also see this great harvest if the workers would not faint and give up:

Gal 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

NIV

Methods of the Great Harvest

In order to realize the goal of a great harvest let us notice the methods and instructions given by Christ to the seventy:

Teams of Two

1. First, Christ sent the seventy out in teams of "two by two."

Luke 10:1

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.

NKJV

Previously Jesus sent the twelve apostles out “two by two” and we even know which team they were on! (Mark 6: 7.) This is still a good method to use today, allowing mutual support to each worker. Also, in this way two or more witnesses can establish every word. The textual problem of whether Christ sent out "seventy" or "seventy-two" is really no problem at all. If the correct reading is seventy-two then that is even better. That would mean the harvest would be even greater with "two" more workers!

More Workers Needed

2. Second, Jesus saw a tremendous need for more workers. He said, "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few." (Lk. 10:2.) In order to bring in the great harvest many more workers would be needed. Or as we used to say on the farm, "there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians." The same is still true today!

Prayer Is Needed

3. Third, more prayer is needed:

Luke 10:2

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

NIV

We all have a work to do and that work is to pray. God has a work to do and his work is to send more workers into the harvest. If we do our part God will do his part. Then in cooperation with the creator of the universe, God will "give the increase."

An Antagonistic World

4. Fourth, Christ instructed the seventy that he was sending them out into an antagonistic world. They would be like lambs among wolves:

Luke 10:3

Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

NIV

We know what wolves do to lambs—they eat them! Therefore, we must be wise and we must have good shepherds to watch over the flock. Paul instructed the elders at Ephesus to guard the flock:

Acts 20:28-31

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

NIV

Let us remember that Christ is the good Shepherd who lay down his life for the sheep. Therefore follow him even into the midst of wolves and we will be safe.

Trust In God

5. Next, Christ taught them to put their trust in God, by instructing them not to take any provisions for their journey:

Luke 10:4

Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

NIV

We also must trust God and not ourselves. If we trust the weak arm of human flesh we will fail:

Ps 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the LORD

than to trust in man.

NIV

Faith and trust in the grace of God will make us strong even when we’re weak. This simply means that God must be first in our lives. (Matthew 6: 33.)

Time Is Urgent

6. Sixth, Christ emphasized the urgency of their mission by instructing them not to greet anyone on the road:

Luke 10:4

Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

NIV

Often we do not see the urgency of the great commission. Paul said to the Corinthian church: “what I mean, brothers, is the time is short.” (1 Cor. 7: 29.) If we are honest we will admit that our time is also short. I can feel my time rapidly passing through the hourglass of life. Christ realized his time was short and that he must urgently do God’s work:

John 9:4-5

As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

NIV

He urged the seventy not to stop and chat with every passerby or they would not reach their goal of evangelizing the cities. Let us also not waste our precious time! (Eph. 5:15-16.)

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS “WHEN YOU ENTER A HOUSE”

Now, let us look at some specific instructions given to the seventy, to be applied "when you enter a house." The keywords here are: "when you enter a house."

Luke 10:5-7

"When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”

NIV

This seems to indicate that they would already have entered a town and now they are looking for a place to stay while they are preaching the gospel.

The Message Is Peace

1. First, the subject of the message and messenger is peace. The message is a message of peace and the messenger is to be a messenger of peace. Neither the message nor the messenger is to be forced upon anyone. We cannot twist people's arms and force them to accept Christ and the gospel. That is not God's way. Our great God who created the universe does not force himself on anyone, though he has the power to do so. He desires that we choose him, but he will not coerce us to accept him and his son Jesus Christ. The basic message of the gospel is peace. First we should desire to be at peace with God, at peace with ourselves, and at peace with our neighbors, in that order:

Rom 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

NIV

Through faith we have spiritual peace with God the father and the son Jesus Christ.

Those messengers of peace symbolically have beautiful feet, because they bring the gospel of peace:

Rom 10:14-15

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

NKJV

Therefore every house and every town should receive this gospel of peace willingly and become a “house of peace.”

Accept the Hospitality of the House of Peace

2. Secondly, when one enters and stops in a "house of peace," that one should accept and enjoy the service and hospitality of the home as part of the wages for service to Christ. When a messenger of the gospel is invited in a house this is one way to know that they are not a wolf. Gospel preachers soon learn that those who share their home and hospitality are their friends and supporters. These homes are houses of love, houses of hospitality, and houses of peace! Jesus is instructing his disciples—the seventy, that in these towns there would be some who would provide them a "bed and breakfast." They would be favorable to their mission. Those who would be hostile would not invite them into their houses.

This also teaches that people should not take advantage of Christian workers. Both the Old and New Testament teach that the worker is worthy of his wages:

1 Cor 9:13-14

Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

NIV

Gal 6:6

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

NIV

Stay Put In One House

3. Third, when one enters a house, do not move around from house to house. Some workers might be tempted to go from house to house to gain all they could of worldly goods. Christ instructs them to stay put!

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS “WHEN YOU ENTER A TOWN”

Now let us notice Christ’s specific instructions and methods given to the seventy disciples "when you enter a town." This naturally breaks down into two parts: (1) first, when you enter a town and are "welcomed," and, (2) second, when you enter a town and are "not welcomed."

“When You Are Welcomed”

Notice what the disciples are to do when they are welcomed into a town:

Luke 10:8-9

"When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, `The kingdom of God is near you.'

NIV

The keywords here are "when you're welcomed."

Identify With the People

1. When this is the case the seventy disciples are to identify with the people by eating what is set before them. Even today sometimes a guest will come into your home and will be rude to you and say to you that they do not like the food that you set before them. This attitude will not endear anyone to the host or hostess. If a preacher or teacher displayed this type of attitude they would not get to first base in presenting the gospel message to their host. A modern-day example recently came to my attention in the October 18, 2001 newsletter from India written by Jerris Bullard who wrote:

"About 1986 I was working with brother Charles Scott in a very remote jungle area of Bangladesh. We were trying to establish the Lord's church in that place. This required that we go house to house in order to invite people to attend the gospel meeting, which we were conducting. The Bangladeshis and Indians are among the most hospitable folks one will ever find. At every house we visited, the host insisted on us having a cup of tea. One can drink a lot of tea in a door-to-door mission! As you may surmise we were working among very poor people who for the most part lived in thatched roof huts with mud walls and dirt floors. While the people were hospitable their cooking utensils and cups were not always clean according to the standards to which we are accustomed. At one house I found the tea and cup so dirty I just could not force myself to drink it. Brother Scott was also having a difficult time with his cup of tea as well. When the host stepped out of the room I began looking for place to pour out my cup. No place could be found were this could be done "graciously." Brother Scott, observing my dilemma, quickly downed his cup and handed his empty cup to me in exchange for my full cup. He just as quickly downed that dirty tea as well. I was so grateful for his act of kindness, and as we were walking along a wooded, grassy trail to the next house I thanked him. Brother Scott told me I should be thanking Brother J. C. Bailey. I asked, "What do you mean?" He then proceeded to tell me that several years earlier he and Brother Bailey had experienced a similar situation when they were working in India. Only in that situation it was Brother Bailey who had drunk Brother Scott's unsavory cup of tea. Brother Bailey simply said to Brother Scott, "Someday you can return the favor by helping some other preacher in need." Thank you Brother Bailey. Thank you Brother Scott. It may be of interest to you to know that I have continued this gracious service."

J. C. Bailey (September 13, 1903--July 2, 2001), missionary to India understood Christ’s teaching concerning, "When you are welcomed" in a town! The instruction of Christ envisions the gospel message being extended to the Gentiles, and Jewish messengers being offered food not in keeping with the dietary laws of the Old Testament. Peter discovered this in his vision before going to the house of Cornelius the Gentile. (Acts 10: 9-16; 10: 27-29.) If the seventy went into Jewish homes in these towns there would be no problem with diet, but this instruction presages the welcoming of the Gentiles into the church or kingdom of God. Jesus is instructing them to be accommodating and adaptable in matters of judgment. "When in Rome do as the Romans do, as long as the Romans do right," is the idea! Christian preachers and teachers must be accommodating and adaptive in matters of indifference as they take the gospel to the various cultures throughout the world.

Do Therapeutic Work with the People

2. Secondly, Christ instructed the seventy to heal and minister to the sick. (Luke 10: 9.) The term "heal" in the Greek text is the word from which we get our word "therapeutic." Today we cannot go out and heal people miraculously as Christ and the apostles did. These miracles were not accommodating, but were designed to confirm that the word preached was from God. (Mark 16: 17-20.) However, we can along with the medical profession do the same kind of therapeutic work with the sick. Many today are in need of physical, mental, emotional, and yes, spiritual therapy. The idea is that in order to reach people with the gospel one may need to do the work of therapy and help people to have "a sound body and a sound mind."

Preach, “The Kingdom Of God Is Near”

3. Third, Jesus said to the seventy that when they were welcomed into these towns they were to preach, "The kingdom of God is near you.” (Luke 10: 9.) Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached that the kingdom was near when they began their ministries. (Mt. 3:1; 4:17.) Today the kingdom is not near, but here. (Heb. 12:28.)

“When You Are Not Welcomed”

Next, Christ gives instructions to the seventy to heed when they go into a town and "are not welcomed:"

Luke 10:10-12

But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

NIV

What is one to do when "the door is slammed in-your-face," when one is rejected and the people are antagonistic? You walk away from the rejecter that is what you do! The gospel is not to be forced upon people who do not want to receive it.

Shake the Dust off Your Feet

1. First, the messenger is to go out into the streets of that town and say, "even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you." (Luke 10: 11.) We have a biblical example of this instruction being carried out. In Antioch of Pisidia, the people rejected Paul and Barnabas. After presenting a great sermon about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, Paul and Barnabas were persecuted. "So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.” (Acts 13: 51.) This was a symbolic act that the people there were not worthy to hear the gospel!

Today Preach, “The Kingdom Of God Is Here”

2. Second, the seventy messengers were to go out and affirm that the kingdom of God was near: "yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is near." (Luke 10: 11.) This part of their message is identical to the message to the people in towns where they would be welcome. (Luke 10: 9.) Jesus, John the Baptist, the twelve, and the seventy all preached, "The kingdom of God is near." (Matthew 3: 1; 4: 17; Acts 1: 3, 6.) After the day of Pentecost and the establishment of the church, the preachers always presented the kingdom of God as being in existence and the saved as being citizens. (Colossians 1: 13.) For example, those in Samaria were said to be in the kingdom. (Acts 8: 12.) The Colossian Christians had been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. (Colossians 1: 13.) Today as we go out with the gospel message we must preach that the kingdom of God is here, not near!

Warn Of the Coming Judgment

3. Third, Christ instructed the seventy to warn those towns that did not welcome them, that it would be more bearable for Sodom than for them at the Day of Judgment. In the last part of our text, Christ himself warned the cities where he had done most of his mighty works:

Luke 10:13-15

"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.

NIV

Today, the preachers and teachers who go forth to proclaim the good news must balance our message of salvation with the warning of impending judgment and destruction on all who know not God and who obey not the gospel. This is the “heavy artillery” of the gospel as J. W. McGarvey once described preaching on the judgment.

EXHORTATION

Finally Christ said to the seventy, "he who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." (Luke 10: 16.) Have you listened to God's Word today? Do not reject Christ and the Father who sent him to be the savior of the world. Obey the author of eternal salvation today! (Hebrews 5: 8-9.) *