Outreach vs. Evangelism

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 1 Corinthians 1:17- 19

Outreach. This is an interesting word that is used in the church these days. It’s meaning is very secular, however, where organizations give benefits and services to a particular community – they “reach out” to the people with “things” that should help the lives of those they serve.

So is this the correct word that the church should use? I don’t believe so. The word the church should use is EVANGELISM. The action should be preaching Christ.

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:20-31

Our brother, Paul, wrote to the Corinthian church with an intensity regarding the focus of the message he preached to them. The message was the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul did not do anything special for the people except give them the words by which they may find life. He did not come with a band, a grill, and bags of giveaways. He went, not in his own strength or his own wisdom, but in the grace and strength of God. Paul simply gave them the gospel.

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Why did Paul simply give them the gospel? So their “faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Today’s “outreach” wants to give people more than the gospel. Instead of casting out our net (the gospel) and watching the Lord draw men unto Him, we use a fishing pole and “bait” people with free food, music, and gifts. Then, we “hook” them in with an outreach that looks like any other secular offering (you know, Christians can have fun, too). Lastly, we try “reel them in” with a gospel message.

Paul says that he was “determined not to know anything…except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” We, too, should go amongst the people knowing nothing “except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Why? For “Christ is the POWER of God and the WISDOM of God.” We must depend upon the Lord and let go of the extras, being “in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” so that God’s power may be shown. We are to evangelize. The mandate is to go and make disciples, teaching them all that the Lord has commanded, and baptizing them. Then they are to go and make disciples, teaching them all that the Lord has commanded, and baptizing them. And so on…

Let us get back to the simplicity that is in Christ. We need to strap on our tennis shoes, grab a bottle of water, put some bibles and some tracks in a backpack, and knock on doors. Discipling is personal and intimate. It is not a person raising a hand or saying a prayer, and then you get a phone number to “follow up.” Discipling is spending as much time as necessary with someone to teach them the way of the Lord and to teach them to look to Christ for everything.

6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Do away with outreaches and take up evangelism. Preach on the street. Give nothing “except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Strip yourself of everything that will “soften up” the audience and put on Christ. It is the Holy Spirit Who pricks hearts and the Lord Who draws men. Sure, we can feed people and help people. We should care for the poor, the widows, the orphans, and our brethren in need. But to unbelievers, we must depend on God's word. The best we have to give is Christ.