THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST.

THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST
2 Tim. 4:5; I Cor. 16: 10 - 11.

Donald Townsley

Introduction.
1. There is a woeful lack of understanding among brethren as to the WORK of an evangelist.
2. One reason is, we have allowed denominational concepts to mold our thinking instead of searching the
Scriptures to find out what the Lord has said on the subject.
3. Denominationalism has its "clergy-laity" distinction which is unknown to the New Testament -- Matt.
23:8.

I. WHAT THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST IS NOT

1. It is not the duty of (nor the right) of an evangelist to "take over the work".
(1) The elders are to have the oversight of the work -- Acts 20:28.
(2) The evangelist simply labors in the gospel, preaching and teaching publicly and privately -- Acts
20:20; 5:42.
(3) He must give much of his time to reading and studying to do this work -- I Tim. 4: 13; 2 Tim.
2:15; I Tim. 4:16; Heb. 5: 12 - 14.

2. It is not his work to help the church "climb the social ladder".
(1) Some brethren put great store in what they call a "good mixer".
(2) They want the preacher to be the "man around town".
(3) They want the preacher to be a "social butterfly", flitting here and there to satisfy all the social
aspirations of some untaught members.
(4) The preacher should try to know as many people as possible and not withdraw himself from
people.
(5) He is to use contacts to spread the kingdom in the community.

3. It is not his work to be a "church coach", planning and executing recreational activities for the young
or older members.

4. It is not the work of an evangelist to be the "official visitor" of the sick as a bona fide representative of the congregation.
(1) The preacher as a Christian shares with all the other Christians a responsibility toward the sick --
Matt. 25:36.

II. WHAT HIS WORK IS:

1. He is to "PREACH THE WORD" -- 2 Tim. 4:2; I Cor. 2:1 - 2; Acts 8:4; I Thess. 2:2,4

(1) He is to be an INSTRUCTOR -- 2 Tim. 2:25.
(2) He is to commit the gospel to faithful men who will teach others -- 2 Tim. 2:2.
(3) He is to put the brethren in remembrance of dangers they face -- I Tim. 4:6; Acts 20:28 - 31; I
Tim. 1:3.
(4) He is to warn, reprove, rebuke and exhort-- Col. 1:28; 2 Tim. 4:2.
(5) His service of proclaiming and instructing is to be done both publicly and privately as
opportunity arises -- Acts 20: 20; Acts 5:42.

2. In order to "PREACH THE WORD" it is necessary to "give attendance to reading" to "meditation", and
"study" -- I Tim. 4:13, 15; 2 Tim. 2:15.

(1) He cannot properly do his work without much study.
(2) He has many lessons to present each week.

3. He is to OPPOSE and EXPOSE false teachers -- I Tim. 1:3; Gal. 2:11; Jude 3; Phil. 1:17

4. He is to be an EXAMPLE to the believers -- I Tim. 4:12; I Thess. 2:10.

(1) His preaching has no power without an example.

5. He is to guard the FAITH -- I Tim. 6: 20 - 21; 2 Tim. 2:16, 23.

6. He is to WATCH for souls -- 2 Tim. 4:4; Acts 20:31.

7. He is to take heed to his OWN personal life -- I Tim. 4:16; I Cor. 9:27; I Tim. 5:22; 5:2; 2 Tim. 2:22.

8. He is to take heed to what HE TEACHES -- I Tim. 4:16.

(1) He is to speak only as the oracles of God -- I Pet. 4:11
(2) Col. 3:17; Matt. 28:18

9. He is to complete the organization of the church -- Tit. 1:5.

10. He is to INDOCTRINATE the church -- Tit. 2:1; I Tim. 1:3.

11. He is to BAPTIZE those that believe -- Acts 8:12, 38

12. He is to be ABLE TO TEACH -- 2 Tim. 2: 24; Acts 20:20

13. He is to have COURAGE -- Eph. 6:19.
(1) Courage to stand against the crowd.
(2) Courage to stand alone.
(3) Courage to stand for the truth in a hostile environment.
(4) Courage to stand against Apostasy.
(5) Courage to stand against the world.
(6) Courage to stand against worldliness in the church.
(7) Courage to stand against compromise.
(8) Courage to declare the whole counsel of God.

III. A LOOK AT SOME THINGS PAUL SAID IN FIRST AND SECOND TIMOTHY ABOUT THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST AND HIS MANNER OF LIFE:

1. The Evangelist must be an EXAMPLE -- I Tim. 4:13
(1) In Word
(2) In Love
(3) In Spirit
(4) In Faith
(5) In Purity

2. The gospel preacher has a great influence out of the pulpit as well as in it.

3. People have a right to expect a preacher to practice what he preaches.

4. The Evangelist must take heed to himself -- I Tim. 4:16.

(1) Lest after he has preached to others he becomes a castaway -- I Cor. 9:27.

5. He must take heed to the Doctrine of Christ -- I Tim. 4:16.

(1) He must not shun to teach any part of it -- Acts 20: 26 - 27.
(2) He must abide in it -- 2 John 9 - 11.

6. He must give himself wholly to his work.

(1) I Tim. 4:15
(2) 2 Tim. 2:4
(3) Some preachers dabble in too many other things.
(4) It takes much time to read and meditate.
(5) It takes hours of study in preparation to preach and teach.
(6) When the church assembles you have a right to be fed.
7. He should be "a good minister of Jesus Christ" -- I Tim. 4:6.

(1) A good minister puts the brethren in remembrance of dangers before them -- I Tim. 4: 1 -6.

8. The evangelist should rebuke those who are sinning in the presence of all -- I Tim. 5:20.

(1) 2 Tim. 4:2
(2) Too much preaching is in pleasing generalities.

9. He is to do nothing with partiality -- I Tim. 5:21.

10. He is to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ -- 2 Tim. 2:3.

(1) A soldier is a FIGHTER -- Jude 3; Eph. 6:12
(2) A soldier is not expected to have it easy.
(3) The good soldier of the cross knows his job is not an easy one.

11. He is to war a good warfare against the Devil and his AGENTS -- I Tim. 1: 18.

(1) Eph. 6:12
(2) Jude 3

12. He is to "give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" -- I Tim. 4:13.

(1) No man can preach long without a lot of reading.
(2) He must read some every day.
(3) Much exhortation must be given to Christians and sinners.
(4) He is to teach nothing but the doctrine of Christ.

13. He is to STUDY -- 2 Tim. 2:15.

(1) He must study daily.
(2) It takes time to study.
(3) He will never get to the place where he won't have to study.

14. He is to avoid foolish and unlearned questions.

(1) 2 Tim. 2:22, 16; Tit. 3:9

15. He is to "reprove, rebuke, exhort" -- 2 Tim. 4:2.

(1) This is well-balanced preaching.

16. He is to "endure afflictions" -- 2 Tim. 4:5.

(1) At times the going will be mighty hard.
(2) All kinds of affliction will be heaped on a true servant of God.

17. "Do the work of an evangelist" -- 2 Tim. 4: 5.

(1) He has a lot of work to do.
(2) His work is not 8 hours a day.
(3) His work is 7 days a week.

18. He is to guard the faith -- I Tim. 6: 20.
(1) 2 Tim. 4:7

19. He is to preach the Word -- 2 Tim. 4:2

(1) Only the word will save men -- James 1:21.

Conclusion:

1. For a congregation with elders to employ (use the services of) an evangelist in the work of the Lord,
preaching the gospel among them does not make him "their errand boy", "their pastor", nor a
"hireling" who will preach what they want to hear.

2. The preacher's charge is from HEAVEN -- 2 Tim. 4: 1- 2.

3. He is among them to do "the work of the Lord" -- I Cor. 16:10.

4. He cares for their spiritual state -- Phil. 2:20.

5. They have fellowship with him in his work of preaching the gospel -- Phil. 1:5.

6. He is to keep back nothing that is profitable to the brethren or sinners, and is to teach publicly and from house to house the whole counsel of God -- Acts 20: 27; 2 Tim. 4:1 - 5.

Preached at River Bend 1994; Hebron Lane 1993