Text: Matthew 28:18-20
Topic: Why evangelism is critical to the church and to every believer.

Introduction
• Illustration: Anderson tells a lengthy joke about a monk who is terrified of public speaking yet is ordered to give a homily. The punchline: "Let those who know, tell those who don't."
• The simple definition of evangelism: Those who know, telling those who don't.

What does evangelism mean?
• A fully biblical definition is the making of more disciples for Jesus Christ.
• "Evangelism" is a transliteration of the Greek words for "good message."
• Evangelism is persuading a person to be a disciple, obeying Christ's commands.
• There is no distinction between evangelism and discipleship; it's all connected.
• Wooddale Church's mission is to "honor God by making more disciples for Christ."

Christians and non-Christians place very different values on evangelism.
• In many countries, it's against the law to persuade someone to become a Christian.
• Illustration: Anderson relates a news story of two Filipino men who were sentenced to death for evangelizing in a Middle Eastern nation.
• Illustration: In the People's Republic of China, members of the TSelf Church are not allowed to evangelize. Fifty million Chinese Christians have joined the movement because they believe evangelism is essential to Christianity.
• Many people today feel, "You believe what you believe; I believe what I believe; it's a private thing."

A Christian values evangelism for many reasons.
• Because God values evangelism, and we adopt God's values.
• Because we were evangelized; we thus want to spread the word.
• Illustration: Anderson tells how John Grisham's popularity came about not so much as a result of marketing or advertising, but word of mouth—resulting in millions of book sales. Grisham's work was thus "evangelized."
• Because we value other people and don't want them to be lost.

What to do if you value evangelism but don't know where to start.
• Pick three people and pray for them every day for a year.
• Illustration: Anderson tells of a concerted prayer effort at the Los Angeles Olympics and notes that the crime rate in Los Angeles County fell by 50 percent.
• Over a period of time, try to persuade someone to come to faith in Christ.
• Read a book on evangelism, such as Paul Little's How to Give Away Your Faith.
• Hitchhike on special opportunities at church, like holidays and big events.

Conclusion
• Let us be Christian in how we value evangelism, and in how we do it.