Sermons Based on the Lectionary of the Syrian Orthodox Church

Sermon / Homily on Mark 6:7-13

Principles Of Evangelism

by Mark A. Copeland

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

INTRODUCTION

1. In Mk 6:7-13, we have Mark's account of "The Limited Commission"...
a. A charge given to the apostles during the earthly ministry of
Jesus - cf. Mt 10:1-5
b. So-called because He limited their work to the house of Israel
- Mt 10:5-6
c. In which the Lord gave them instructions for fulfilling their
mission

2. From the instructions of Jesus, we can glean some "Principles Of
Evangelism"...
a. Principles that helped them later carry out "The Great Commission"
- cf. Mk 16:15
b. Principles that can help us be more successful in evangelism today

[From our text, I want to point out at least four principles that Jesus
applied in sending out His apostles. They are principles that I believe
can prove successful today. The first one is...]

I. THE PRINCIPLE OF SYNERGY

A. THE APOSTLES WERE TO GO TWO-BY-TWO...

1. Mark's account is the only one to mention this - Mk 6:7
2. A practice continued on other occasions...
a. When Jesus sent out the seventy - Lk 10:1
b. When the Spirit sent out Paul and Barnabas - Ac 13:2
c. When Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways - Ac
15:36-40
3. This illustrates the principle of synergy
a. Synergy: "The working together of two things (muscles or
drugs for example) to produce an effect greater than the sum
of their individual effects"
b. Two or more working together can do more than by working
separately
1) They encourage one another, and help each other - cf. Ecc
4:9-10
2) A plurality of witnesses lend credibility to their story
- cf. Jn 8:17
-- Indeed, two are better than one

B. MAKING APPLICATION TODAY...

1. The practice of two or more preachers working together should
be encouraged
a. Especially in foreign fields or difficult areas
b. Through the principle of synergy they can be effective in
one area more quickly, and then move on to the next
c. This is better than preachers working alone, struggling for
years by themselves
2. In one's own personal evangelism...
a. Seek out a companion in the congregation with similar
interests
b. Go together in visiting, teaching home studies, etc.
-- Whenever possible, find a co-worker!

[Perhaps much of the slow growth in evangelism today is a failure to
appreciate the principle of synergy which was applied by the Lord and
the early church. Another principle to consider is...]

II. THE PRINCIPLE OF SUPPORT

A. THE APOSTLES WERE ALLOWED SUPPORT...

1. They were to depend on others - Mk 6:8-10
2. Supported by those who willing to provide for them - cf. Lk
10:7-8
3. This illustrates the principle of supporting workers
a. Defended by Paul in 1Co 9:4-14
b. Applied to elders who rule well - 1Ti 5:17-18
c. Encouraged by John many years later - 3Jn 5-8
-- This is how the gospel spread throughout the first century
world

B. MAKING APPLICATION TODAY...

1. Preachers may rightly receive support for their labors
a. It allows them to concentrate their efforts in matters of
the gospel
b. This support should come from Christians, and not as a means
to accumulate wealth
2. Churches have an important role in such support
a. Churches can provide support of preachers - 2Co 11:8-9
b. Much foreign evangelism goes undone today, not because
preachers are unwilling to go, but because churches have not
been willing to send and support - cf. Ro 10:15
3. In one's own efforts...
a. There is nothing limiting an individual from helping to
support preachers
b. While one might help support a local congregation's effort
to send and support, one can also help through direct
support
-- If we are unable to teach, at least we can support those who
do!

[Turning now to the actual proclamation of the good news, we read of
the...]

III. THE PRINCIPLE OF SELECTION

A. THE APOSTLES WERE TO BE SELECTIVE...

1. Preaching to those willing to listen - Mk 6:10
2. But they were to "shake off the dust under your feet" when
leaving a city that would not receive them or hear their words
- Mk 6:11
3. This illustrates the principle of selection
a. We're told not to "cast your pearls before swine" - cf. Mt
7:6
b. People judge themselves unworthy of the gospel by their lack
of interest
1) Paul was willing to preach again if people were
interested- Ac 13:42-44
2) But when people rejected the gospel, he turned elsewhere
- Ac 13:45-46
-- People judge themselves unworthy of eternal life by their
disinterest

B. MAKING APPLICATION TODAY...

1. We are to preach the gospel to every creature - Mk 16:15
a. But once people display lack of interest, we are not
obligated to keep trying
b. Rather than "cast our pearls" before those who don't
appreciate it, we should move on
2. Admittedly, there is room for judgment...
a. As to how long we try to reach someone before going on
b. Some may not show much interest at first, but do later on
-- At some point, we need to turn to souls who show more interest!

The next principle is most essential...]

IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBJECT

A. THE APOSTLES WERE GIVEN A SUBJECT...

1. In "The Limited Commission", the subject was "repent" - Mk 6:12
2. It also included the kingdom of heaven - cf. Mt 10:7
3. In "The Great Commission", it was expanded to include the
gospel of Christ - Mk 16:15
a. So Philip the evangelist preached when he went to Samaria
- Ac 8:12
b. So Paul preached in synagogues and from house to house - Ac
19:8; 20:18-21,25; 28:23,30-31
4. This illustrates what our subject should be
a. It should always be the Word of God, the Gospel - Ro 1:16
b. As Paul instructed Timothy: "Preach the word!" - 2Ti 4:1-5
-- The apostles faithfully proclaimed their subject

B. MAKING APPLICATION TODAY...

1. Preachers need to avoid things...
a. Which entertain, rather than provide sound doctrine
b. Based more upon the ideas of men, rather than the Word of
God
c. Text based, expository preaching can help keep preachers in
the Word
2. Churches should consider what message they are presenting to
the lost...
a. Is it the gospel of health and wealth, or the gospel of
Christ?
b. Are we call for people to become just church members, or
disciples of Jesus?
3. In one's own evangelism...
a. Do not get sidetracked on various issues
b. While many subjects may have their place, they may be
"second principles" rather than "first principles"
-- The lost need to know the gospel of Christ and His kingdom,
first and foremost!

CONCLUSION

1. The apostles fulfilled their limited commission with great
confirmation - Mk 6:12-13

2. "The Principles Of Evangelism" gleaned from our Lord's include...
a. The principle of synergy
b. The principle of support
c. The principle of selection
d. The principle of subject

3. These principles were later employed by the early church...
a. Which may help explain the rapid spread of the gospel in the first
century
b. Which can still be useful to the Lord's church today

Could it be that failure to implement any of these may be reasons why
the church is not growing like it did then...?

See Also:

Sermons and Bible Commentaries for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost

-------
Malankara World
A service of St. Basil's Syriac Orthodox Church, Ohio
Copyright © 2009-2020 - ICBS Group. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer
Website designed, built, and hosted by International Cyber Business Services, Inc., Hudson, Ohio