Do The Work Of An Evangelist

EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Mike Stephens | Wellandport, Ontario

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:1-2, NKJV)

What would we say when either by divine revelation or just being aware of circumstances, we knew our time on earth was soon over? That was the perspective of the Apostle Paul as he wrote 2 Timothy. Can we hear the passion when Paul said, “I CHARGE YOU…” that commands Timothy to pay attention to his words?

Paul contrasts the faithful preacher with someone who wants to please the people (v 3-4). He then comes back to his charge in v. 5 when he says, “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Do the work of an evangelist? Is that a single job? Is there one long list with boxes to check? Is there a finish line? What did Paul intend to include in doing the work of an evangelist? The answers are broad, and we will only scratch the surface.

As in most of Paul’s writings, he had a way of stating and re-stating his points. Each phrase in his long sentences can be woven together to get a more precise meaning. Preach the Word by being ready. Preach the Word to convince, rebuke and exhort. Preach the Word with all longsuffering and teaching.

Similarly, do the work of an evangelist by being watchful. Do the work of an evangelist by enduring afflictions. Do the work of an evangelist and fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s example in preaching can explain many of these job descriptions. “In season and out of season” contrasts two different times when the evangelist must preach. The evangelist must be ready to preach when it’s easy and convenient, and when it’s difficult and unwanted. The message will bring a mixed reception. Every day will be different. Consider Acts 16. One day Paul celebrated open hearts obeying the gospel; days later, he was beaten with rods and locked in the stocks for preaching the same message. Then late that night, still wounded and sore, the penitent jailor gathers his family for Paul and Silas to teach them. I wonder if those “stripes” were open and throbbing while Paul was teaching? Being ready to preach the Word included times when it was “not a good time” for the preacher. Be ready anyway. Longsuffering will occasionally be rewarded with “same hour of the night” studies that finish with baptisms.

Paul’s description in 2 Timothy 4:2, “Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” also illustrates the ‘ready for all occasions’ attitude an evangelist must possess. With this command, Timothy was to preach what was appropriate. The use of sound and careful judgment in our approach is essential. If someone knows what they are doing is wrong, then a rebuke may be needed. If someone is un-taught on a matter, then appeal to the correct way (such as Aquilla and Priscilla with Apollos) may be more appropriate. If someone is discouraged and vulnerable to stumble, then patient, gentle encouragement may be what is needed. The New Century Version says, “Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching.”

The way Paul lived also illustrates the work of an evangelist. Every epistle has some reference to Paul’s “night and day with tears” concern for all the churches. In Acts 20, he reminds the Ephesian elders, “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

Of course, Paul’s example always pointed back to Jesus. “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). The apostle Paul, like Jesus, never taught anything that he was not willing to do himself. Paul’s words to Timothy are powerful. He wrote, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed” (1 Timothy 4:6). Also, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Preaching without love leads to noise instead of being preachers of the Word.

Paul’s work as an evangelist focused on clinging to the Word, holding fast the pattern, practicing what you preach, instilling it in faithful men, and continuing to do these things.

After Paul’s first missionary journey was complete, Acts 15:36 reads, “Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.'” This example may be the most exceptional display of the work of an evangelist. It includes teaching the gospel to the lost as well as doing what we can to maintain those saved souls. Even after being stoned and left for dead by the Jewish mob, Paul said, “Let’s go back and see how our brethren are doing.” Paul’s letters show this also, as he wrote the church in Philippi, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you, it is safe” (Philippians 3:1). Repeat, repeat, repeat.

It should also be noted that without that, “Let’s go back” spirit, Paul may not have ever met Timothy in Lystra on that second journey.

The final part of Paul’s charge, “Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry,” begs the question, when does that happen? When is ministry fulfilled? It is evident in Paul’s letter by the next paragraph that the evangelist’s work is never over. it is only completed after he is “poured out,” “departed,” finished with “the good fight,” and “finished the race.” While there is still breath in our body, there is still a job to fulfill. There are still souls to teach; there are still scriptures to study. There are still brethren “to see how they are doing” and encourage them.

Going by the dates in my study Bible, Paul met Timothy early in his second journey around AD 52. Acts 16:1-2 says Timothy was “a disciple … well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.” From that point, Timothy is a traveling companion of Paul, a messenger, and an evangelist. Paul gives Timothy and others responsibilities. Paul left him at local churches to help the brethren, and even appoint elders where they were lacking. By AD 62 (10 years and two journeys later), Paul writes, “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel“ (Philippians 2:19-22).

Paul wrote Second Timothy around AD 67. At this point, Timothy had been serving in some capacity as an evangelist for fifteen years. While younger than Paul, “young Timothy” wasn’t that young anymore. And yet Paul’s final charge to him (2 Timothy 4:5) is so similar to all the other words of admonition Timothy had heard for years. “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:15-16).

IT WAS STILL TRUE! And others need it too. And Paul still had the same passion in his last letter to encourage Timothy.

Stick to the Word, hold fast the pattern, practice what you preach, instill it in faithful men, and repeat, repeat, repeat. “Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

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April 2020 | GROW magazine