Evangelism Lessons From the Seventy

He sent them out “two by two” (10:1).  There may be wisdom in going with an evangelism partner as we evangelize a lost world.  Sometimes, our partners may provide an alternative approach or have an ability we do not have enabling them to be more effective.  For example, when I went door-knocking on a preaching trip to Barbados recently, my partner spoke French.  It was helpful so we could communicate with those who had immigrated from French-speaking islands to Barbados.  Without the aid of my traveling partner, I would have been nearly useless in communicating with others.  Furthermore, traveling in numbers may provide protection.  There is safety in numbers especially as we speak to those who may not be receptive.  Additionally, working together with another person provides accountability.  When James and John wanted to blow up a Samaritan village, it was good Jesus was there to reason sense into them (Luke 9:54-55).  If we are accused of some wrongdoing, it may be helpful if “by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matthew 18:16).  This accountability is especially important due to the danger of sexual temptation.  Just the accusation of sexual misconduct in a one-on-one study can ruin one’s reputation and those encounters should be avoided.

He asked for pre-evangelism work in “every city and place where He Himself was about to go” (10:1).  Perhaps one of the greatest forms of preparatory evangelism is prayer.  As Jesus noticed the harvest ahead, he said, “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38).  Before we open our mouths to speak with the lost, may we open our mouths to seek the Lord’s wisdom in prayer.  A second form of “pre-evangelism” may just be the inviting we do prior to evangelism opportunities.  Cornelius, for example, had “called together his relatives and close friends” prior to Peter’s arrival to share the gospel (Acts 10:24).  Effective gospel preaching needs an audience.  Jesus sent out the seventy to generate an audience and the Lord needs us to do so prior to organized evangelism opportunities.  Do you share announcements of upcoming sermons to prepare the crowd whether it be in-person, through mass mailings, or through social media invites?  Do not underestimate the importance of this type of preparatory work in organized and planned evangelism opportunities.

He was optimistic saying “the harvest truly is great” (10:2).  Sometimes a pessimistic approach to evangelism is like pouring water on hot coals.  Saying things like, “People just don’t want to hear the gospel anymore” or “Evangelism just is not as effective these days” are discouraging, untrue, and symptomatic of a deeper faith issue.  When the twelve spies were reporting on the promised land to Israel it was Joshua and Caleb who admitted there were challenges but courageously said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30).  Yet, it was the ten cowardly spies who brought a negative report and said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we” (13:31).  Only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the promised land forty years later!  They were commended for their faith in God who is able!  God is pleased with those who trust in His power to accomplish His will.  Be positive and pray.

Jesus was also realistic saying “I send you out as lambs among wolves” (10:3).  There will be opponents, enemies, and hurdles to climb.  So, do not be naïve as you do this work.  Kingdom work is not always sunshine, rainbows and unicorns.  There will be gray clouds, thunderstorms, wolves, and lurking lions.  Paul spends a great deal of his second letter to Timothy reminding him of the challenges of doing “the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5).  He calls him to avoid “a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7).  He tells him he “must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).  He warns him “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).  Yet, while Paul is realistic with Timothy he also optimistically speaks of “the crown of righteousness” ahead for the faithful and “to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).  Yes, there are real challenges, but they are buoyed by real hope.

He wanted them dependent upon his provision as they carried “neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals” (10:4, 7-8).  God will “give the increase” and provide (Matthew 6:33).  Perhaps one of the most difficult lessons to learn in evangelism is the lesson of contentment as we do our work.  The apostle Paul had to learn this lesson too.  He would write, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.  Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13, NKJV).  God will provide for those who do His work.  It may not always be an abundance.  It may even be through the strength He gives us to work with our own hands, when needed, as Paul demonstrated (Acts 20:34-35).  Nevertheless, the Lord will provide “our daily bread” so we might keep doing His work.

He taught them to go into “houses” (10:5-6).  They would change hearts one conversation at a time.  The best evangelistic work is not always done in pulpits, but often in living rooms.  The early church at its height of growth would follow this same template.  They were successful, in part, because of their consistent habits of evangelism.  Acts 5:42 says, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (NKJV).  Could it be the comfort of one’s living room might be a better starting point for a conversation about Jesus than the cold formality of a church assembly full of strangers?

He encouraged helping people (10:9).  He says, “heal the sick there.”  This miraculous ability would have a drawing power.  Yet, behind this miraculous ability was an endearing compassion and love for fellow man.  Our open doors to evangelism will increase as our reputation for good deeds abounds.  It is amazing how many conversations we generate with those outside of the body of Christ, when we are willing to step outside of the building and do good deeds.  How many nurses and doctors can we impact when we visit those in rehabilitation facilities or in hospitals?  How many family members might we meet when we just take the time to stop by someone’s house and bring them a home-cooked meal or dessert in a time of need?  When brothers and sisters work together to help meet individual needs it generates a good reputation and goodwill amongst others.  The opposite is true as well.

He knew there would be a time to walk away (10:10-11).  Not all will hear or receive the message.  So, when that occurs, we must not keep forcing it but know when it is time to go and “wipe off” the “very dust of your city” and move on (Luke 10:11).  We can do great damage by not just respecting the wishes of our audience.  In Acts 24:25 Felix says to Paul, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you” (NKJV).  We do not see another word spoken by Paul after Felix’s statement of rejection.  There are no rebuttals.  Paul made his case.  Felix made his decision.  Paul left.  When the message is rejected, then it is time to move on to a new city, a new house, or a new person.

He reminded them not to take rejection personally (10:16).  “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”  One of our biggest mistakes in evangelism is when we blame ourselves as the gospel does not take root.  The greatest leaders of the Bible, including Jesus, faced the disappointment of rejection.  The rejection of God’s leaders is a constant theme throughout the Scriptures and is even pointed out by Jesus (Matthew 23:32-35).  Yet, in the Luke text, Jesus reminds us they are not rejecting the messenger as much as the God we serve.  This is, indeed, the most disappointing part of a rejected gospel appeal.

After the seventy went out and obeyed the instructions of Jesus, they “returned with joy” (10:17).  This is the great news about the good news.  When we go out and live the mission of Jesus then we will enjoy success as we see the gospel of Jesus grow in the hearts of hearers.  Yet, even better, we ourselves will experience great joy knowing of our own great hope.  Jesus would say to those same seventy disciples, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).  Are you sharing the joy of the Lord’s salvation with the lost world?