6. BE AN EQUIPPING EVANGELIST

2 Timothy 4:5 "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. "

Timothy was to be the very opposite of those who were turning away from the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Paul was very concerned about the watering down of truth, and the substitution of myths, causing people to be diverted from the true gospel. Interestingly, Paul referred to truth five times in his first letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 2:4,7; 3:15; 4:3; 6:5), and in his second one six times (2 Timothy 2:15,18,25; 3:7-8; 4:4).

"But you" Timothy are to be different, watchful, sober, serious in the work of proclaiming the truth. Ready to face up to the hardships and difficulties that come when you stand for God's truth.

Present day inclination to turn away from healthy doctrine must not stop you proclaiming all the council of God, no matter what it costs you personally. Like Timothy, you must do the work of an evangelist in seizing every opportunity to proclaim the whole gospel. Even if your gift ministry is one of the other kind named in Ephesians 4:11, apostle, prophet, pastor teacher, you are not exempt from the work of an evangelist. You need to be encouraged that you can be all that evangelists should be.

Bringing people to Christ is the work of every gift ministry. For example, a teacher should so teach Christ that sinners will repent and accept Him as Saviour and Lord. As a pastor, shepherd, you should, like the Good Shepherd you serve, be willing to leave the safe 99, and go and find the lost sheep. There is no greater joy in the shepherding ministry than finding the lost and bringing them home to Christ.

Fulfilling your ministry means equipping others. You should be devoting your God-given abilities to the demands of equipping others in evangelism. You should make sure that by sound teaching, all your people know how to lead a soul to Christ, and can instruct them in the basic truth, so that they grow, and in turn can share the faith.

	Do you believe that the best way to confront substitutes for truth is to provide sound teaching?
	Are you vigilant in testing the latest trends and emphases with the Scriptures?
	Is it your passion to excel in the best method of teaching truth?
	Are you more influenced by the present than by eternity?
	Are you patient and persistent when you are opposed for teaching the truth?
	Are you active in winning souls to Jesus?
	How would you explain the work of an evangelist?
	How can you best equip others in the work of evangelism?
	Are you leaving nothing undone to fulfill your ministry?
	Do you think it wrong to use your major gift as an excuse for opting out of the work of an evangelist?