Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare, Mentor's Guide, MG08

1 8 8 /

E V A N G E L I S M A N D S P I R I T U A L W A R F A R E

While these kinds of discussions are relegated or dealt with under a different umbrella of concern, I believe that we cannot understand the nature of the Good News if we fail to understand it first and foremost as good news for the poor. Frankly, this is how Jesus first communicated the Good News at his inaugural sermon in Nazareth: Luke 4.18-19 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. It only makes sense that those who engage in evangelism do so under the very same rubric that Christ himself articulated in his very own ministry of evangelism. Jesus placed no dichotomy between his proclamation of the Good News to the poor and the confirmation of that Good News by acts of justice and mercy to them, right in the context of their own lives. It was key to his entire self-identity and proclamation: Matt. 11.5 - . . .the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Luke 6.20 - And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” James 2.5 - Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? Underscore this connection of evangelism to the poor in your discussion with the students in this segue’s discussion questions. Matt. 5.3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Page 75 Outline Point III

Underscore in this discussion the foundation of evangelism and spiritual warfare. Mere pretension and crass imitation of authentically called ministers will result not only in no fruit but in public humiliation and pain. Remember the lesson of the sons

5 Page 77 Student Questions and Response