The Master

Plan
of The
Evangelization
SUMMARY
Robert E. Coleman
SUMMARY |
The Evangelization Master Plan
By Robert E. Coleman

Chapter 1

Selection
"He chose twelve of them" (Luke 6:13)

Men were their method

It all began with Jesus calling a few men to follow him. This
immediately revealed the direction his evangelistic strategy
was to take. Their concern was not programs to reach the
crowds, but men whom the crowds will follow. Noteworthy is
the fact that Jesus began to gather these men before
organizing an evangelistic campaign or before preaching a
sermon in public. Men would be his method of winning the
world to God. The main objective of Jesus' plan was to enlist
men who could bear witness to His life, and continue His
work after He returned to the Father. John and Andrew were
the first to be invited as Jesus left the scene of the great
revival of John the Baptist in Bethany, on the other side of
the Jordan (John 1:35-40). Andrew brought his brother
Peter (John 1:41,42). The next day Jesus met Philip and
walked to Galilee and Philip met Nathanael (John 1:4351).
There is no evidence of haste in the selection of these
disciples, only determination. James, John's brother, is not
mentioned as one of the group until the four fishermen are
called back several months later, by the Lake of Galilee
(Mark 1:19; Matthew 4:21). Shortly thereafter, Matthew is
called to follow the Master as Jesus was passing through
Capernaum (Mark 2:13,14; Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:27,28).
The details concerning the calling of the other disciples are
not recorded in the Gospels, but it is believed that they all
occurred in the first year of the Lord's ministry. As one
might expect, these early soul-winning efforts had little or
no immediate effect on the religious life of his day, but that
didn't matter much. As it turned out, these first few converts
of the Lord were destined to be leaders of His church, which
would go with the gospel to the whole world, and from the
standpoint of its fundamental purpose, the meaning of their
lives would be felt for all eternity. And that's the only thing
that counts.

Men eager to learn

What intrigues us most about these men is that at first

glance they do not impress us as key men. None occupied
prominent places in the synagogue, and none belonged to
the Levitical priesthood. They were mostly common laborers,
probably without professional training beyond the rudiments
of the necessary knowledge of their vocations. Perhaps some
of them came from families of considerable means, such as
the sons of Zebedee, but none of them could be considered
wealthy. They did not possess academic degrees in the arts
and philosophies of their time. Like his Master, his formal
education most likely consisted only of the formal schools
most likely consisted only of the synagogue schools. Most of
them grew up in the poor section of the country around
Galilee.

One wonders how Jesus could use them. They were

impulsive, temperamental, easily offended, and had all the
prejudices of the environment around them. These men
selected by the Lord to be his assistants represented the
most common of the society of their time. They were not the
kind of people you would expect to win the world for Christ.
Jesus saw these simple men as having leadership potential
for the kingdom. They were indeed "unlettered and of the
common people" according to the standard of this world
(Acts 4:13), but they were eager to learn. Although they
were often mistaken in their assessments and slow to
understand spiritual things, they were honest men, always
ready to confess their need. Their mannerisms may have
been clumsy and their skills limited, but with the exception
of the traitor, they all had a big heart. These men were
looking for someone to guide them in the way of salvation.
Such men, docile in the Master's hands, could be molded to
reflect a new image-Jesus can use anyone who wants to be
used.

Concentrated in a few

The world cannot be transformed unless individuals are

transformed, and individuals cannot be changed except as
they are molded in the hands of the Master. The need is
clear not only to select a few helpers, but also to keep the
group small enough to be able to work effectively with them.
Jesus "called his disciples, and chose twelve of them, whom
he also called apostles." (Luke 6:13-17; see Mark 3:13-19).
It is clear that Jesus intended to give these men unique
privileges and responsibilities in the work of the kingdom.
This did not mean that Jesus' decision to have twelve
apostles sculpted others to follow him. The seventy (Luke
10:1); Mark, the Gospel writer; James, his own brother (I
Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 2:9,12; see John 2:12 and 7:2-
10)-The same rule may be applied to the reverse, for within
the select apostolic group Peter, James and John seemed to
enjoy a more special relationship with the Master than did
the other nine. Only these privileged few are invited to the
sick daughter of Jairus' room (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51); only
they go with the Master and witness His glory on the Mount
of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2; Matthew 17:1; Luke 9:28).

The Observed Principle

The more concentrated the size of the group being taught,

the greater the opportunity for effective instruction. Jesus
devoted most of the rest of his life on earth to these few
disciples. He literally risked his entire ministry with them. He
could not allow his closest disciples to lose sight of his
purpose. They were to understand the truth and be
sanctified by it (John 17:17). He prayed "not for the world,"
but for the few that God had given him "out of the world"
(John 17:6,9). Everything depended on their faithfulness if
the world was to believe in Him "at their word" (John
17:20).

Without neglecting the masses

Jesus did everything that could be asked of a man and even

more to reach the multitudes. He preached to the masses
who followed his miracle ministry. He taught them. He fed
them when they were hungry. He healed the sick and cast
out demons among them. He blessed his children. In every
possible way, Jesus manifested to the human masses a
genuine concern. These were the people He came to save-
He loved them, wept for them and finally died to save them
from their sins.

Only a few seemed to understand

Few people were converted during Christ's ministry. Perhaps

the total number of his devoted followers, at the end of his
earthly ministry, reached a little more than five hundred
brethren to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection (I
Corinthians 15:6), and only 120 were left waiting in
Jerusalem to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts
1:15). Although this number is not small considering that his
active ministry extended only for a period of three years, if
at this point one were to measure the effectiveness of his
evangelism by the number of his converts. Jesus would
certainly not be considered among the church's most
productive mass evangelists.
Your strategy

Jesus was not trying to impress the masses, but to introduce

a kingdom. He needed men who could lead the crowds. Of
what benefit would it have been to his ultimate purpose to
incite the masses to follow him if these people would have
no further supervision or instruction regarding the Way? His
only hope was to inspire leaders through his life who would
do it for him. He focused on those who would be the
beginning of such leadership. Although he did what he could
to help the multitudes, he had to devote himself first to a
few men, rather than to the masses, so that the masses
could be saved in the end. This was the genius of his
strategy.

The principle applied today

Most church evangelistic efforts begin with the crowds,

assuming that the church is qualified to preserve whatever is
accomplished. The result is our spectacular emphasis on
numbers of converts, candidates for baptism, and more
members for the church, with little or no genuine concern
manifested toward the establishment of these souls in the
love and power of God, much less the preservation and
continuation of the work. The first task of church leadership
is to make sure that the foundation is laid at the beginning,
upon which an effective and ongoing evangelistic ministry to
the multitudes can be built. This will require a greater
concentration of time and talent in fewer people in the
church, without neglecting the passion for the world. It will
mean raising up trained disciples "for the work of the
ministry" along with the pastor and his ministry team
(Ephesians 4:12). A handful of people with this dedication
will, in time, impact the world for God. Victory is never won
by crowds. All that is done with the few is for the salvation
of the multitudes.
It is time to act

It places priority on winning and training those who are

already in leadership positions. Let's train a few of those at
the bottom to become the greats. Anyone who is willing to
follow Christ can become a great influence on the world. It is
now necessary to see how Jesus trained his men to carry out
his work.
 Chapter 2
Partnership
"Behold, I am with you all the days" (Matthew
28:20).

He was with them

Having called his men, Jesus practiced being with them. This
was the essence of his training program-simply letting his
disciples follow him. Knowledge was not communicated by
the Master in terms of laws and dogmas, but in the living
personality of the one who walked among them. His disciples
were recognized not by external conformity to certain
rituals, but by having been with Him and as a consequence
having participated in His doctrine (John 18:19).

To know was to be with

It was by virtue of this fellowship that the disciples were

allowed to "know the mysteries of the kingdom of God"
(Luke 8:10). Knowledge was acquired through association
before it was understood through explanation. This simple
methodology was revealed from the beginning by the
invitation Jesus gave to the men He wanted to lead. John
and Andrew were invited to "come and see" the place where
Jesus was staying (John 1:39). The approach to Philip was in
the same way: "Follow me" (John 1:43). Evidently
impressed by this simple method, Philip invited Nathanael
also saying "come and see" the Master (John 1:46). Later
when James, John, Peter, and Andrew were found mending
their nets, Jesus used the same familiar words: "Follow me,"
"and I will make you fishers of men" (Mark 1:17; Matthew
4:19; Luke 5:10). In the same way, Matthew was called
from his place as a tax collector with the same invitation:
"Follow me" (Mark 2:14; Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:27).

The principle observed

By responding to this initial call these believers in effect

enrolled in the Master's school, where their understanding
could be broadened and their faith established. This principle
was articulated when Jesus chose from the group around
him the Twelve "to be with him" (Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13). In
fact, this personal designation to be in constant association
with Him was as much a part of His ordination to the
commission as was His authority to evangelize.

Closer to the end of training

He increased the time given to the chosen disciples, instead

of reducing it. Jesus felt the need to be alone with his
disciples. When He prayed alone in Gethsemane His disciples
were only a stone's throw away (Luke 22:41). The time
Jesus invested in these few disciples was immensely greater
in comparison to that given to others. He spent more time
with his disciples than he did with the rest of the world. He
ate with them, slept with them, and talked with them for
most of the time of his active ministry.

Requires time

Such close and constant association meant that Jesus had

virtually no time for himself. Like children clamoring for their
father's attention, the disciples were always at the Master's
feet. He wanted to be with them. They were his spiritual
children (Mark 10:24; John 13:33; 21:5), and the only way
a father can raise a family is to be with it.
The foundation of following "And you also will bear
witness, because you have been with me from the
beginning" (John 15:27). Jesus was saying that He had been
training men to be His witnesses after His departure, and His
method was simply to be "with them". Jesus focused on
these few chosen men, but he also expressed concern for
others of his followers. For example: He went to Zacchaeus'
house after his conversion in the streets of Jericho (Luke
19:7), and spent more time with him before leaving the city.
After the conversion of the woman at the well of Samaria,
Jesus stayed two more days in Sychar to instruct the people
of that community who "believed in him because of the word
of the woman who bore witness," and through that personal
association with him "many more believed," not because of
the woman's testimony, but because they heard the Master
himself (John 4:4).through the word of the woman, who
bore witness", and through that personal association with
Him "many more believed", not because of the woman's
testimony, but because they heard the Master Himself (John
4:39-42). All these believers received special attention, but
it cannot be compared to the attention that was given to the
Twelve. Jesus did not have the time to give constant
attention to these people, men or women. He had to
dedicate himself first to the task of developing leaders.

The church: a place of continuous communion

The problem of giving personal care to each believer is only

solved by a complete understanding of the nature and
mission of the church. The church was the means by which
all those who followed Jesus would be followed. The group of
believers became the body of Christ, and as such they
ministered to each other individually and collectively. Each
member of the faith community had a part to play in this
ministry. While Jesus was with them in the flesh He was the
leader, but later it was necessary for the church itself to
assume this leadership.
Our problem

Preaching to the masses, though necessary, can never

satisfy the work of preparing leaders for evangelism.
Building men and women is not that easy. On the contrary,
it requires constant personal attention, similar to that which
a father gives to his children. There is too much talk in the
church about evangelism and Christian teaching, but little
concern for personal association. With such casual follow-up
to new believers, it is not surprising that about half of those
who make profession and join the church eventually fall
away or lose the luster of Christian experience, and very few
grow in knowledge and grace enough to give real service for
the kingdom. If the new believer follows the same example
of laziness, in the end it may do more harm than good.
There is no substitute for spending time with people. If
Jesus, the Son of God, found it necessary to remain almost
constantly with his few disciples for three years, even one of
whom was lost, how can a church expect to do this work,
working a few days a year? Some system must be found
whereby each convert is assigned a Christian friend to follow
until he or she can lead another. The counselor should stay
with the new believer as long as possible, studying the Bible
and praying with him or her, while answering questions,
clarifying the truth, and together seeking to help others.
 Chapter 3
Consecration
"Take my yoke upon you" (Matthew 11:29).

He required obedience

Jesus expected the men He was with to obey Him. They

were not required to be very intelligent, but they had to be
loyal. They were called his "disciples", meaning that they
were "apprentices" or "pupils" of the Master. They
recognized that Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:41,45 ,49;
Luke 5:8). All that was asked of them for the time being was
to follow Jesus. In his initial invitation was clearly a call to
faith in the person of Christ and obedience to his Word.

The way of the cross

A disciple of Christ involved much more than a joyful

acceptance of the messianic promise: it meant surrendering
one's entire life to the Master in absolute submission to his
sovereignty. There could be no other loyalties. No servant
can serve two masters," Jesus said, "for he will hate the one
and love the other, or he will esteem the one and despise
the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (Luke
16:13). There was to be a complete denial of sin. The old
way of thinking, habits, and pleasures of the world were to
be conformed to the new disciplines of the kingdom of God
(Matthew 5:1-7; 29; Luke 6:20-49). Perfect love was now
the new standard of conduct (Matthew 5:48), and this love
was to be self-manifested in obedience to Christ (John
14:21,23) and expressed in devotion to those for whom He
died to save (Matthew 25:31-36). This love had a cross -
voluntary self-denial on behalf of others (Mark 8:3438;
10:32-45; Matthew 16:24-26; 20:17-28; Luke 9:23-25;
John 12:25,26; 13:1-20).

Considering the cost

Luke 9:62- Jesus had no time or desire to spend on those

who wanted to impose their own terms on discipleship (Luke
14:28); (Luke 14:33; see Mark 10:21; Matthew 19:21; Luke
18:22).

To obey is to learn

This does not mean that the disciples quickly understood

everything the Lord said. Not at all. Jesus patiently endured
these human failings of his chosen disciples, for in spite of
their shortcomings they were willing to follow him. They had
not understood the purpose for their lives in leadership. With
such men Jesus was willing to endure many of the things
that came from their spiritual immaturity. He knew that they
could master these defects by growing in grace and
knowledge. Obedience to Christ, thus, was the means by
which those in his company learned more truths. Jesus did
not insist that his disciples dedicate their lives to a doctrine,
but rather to a Person who was the doctrine, and only by
continuing in his Word could they know the truth (John
8:31,32).

The proof of love

Supreme obedience was interpreted as the expression of

love. (John 14:15, 21,23,24; 15:10,12).

Demonstrated by Jesus

Absolute obedience to God's will, of course, was the principle

that controlled the Master's own life. "My food is to do the
will of him who sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34);
"I seek not my own will, but the will of him who sent me"
(John 5:30; see 6:38). In Gethsemane, Jesus said "Not my
will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42; see Mark 14:36;
Matthew 26:39,42, 44). The cross was the climax of Jesus'
dedication to doing God's will. This required absolute
obedience to the Master's will, and meant complete
abandonment of self. There is no place in the kingdom for
the lazy, for such an attitude not only makes all growth in
grace and knowledge impossible, but also destroys all
usefulness on the world battlefield of evangelism. It is time
that the requirements for church membership be interpreted
and enforced in terms of true Christian discipleship.
 Chapter 4
Imparting
"Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22)

He gave himself

By receiving His Spirit they would know God's love for the
lost world. His was a life of giving and giving to others what
the Father had given to Him (John 15:15; 17:4, 8, 14). He
gave them his peace. He gave them the keys of the kingdom
against which the powers of hell would not prevail (Matthew
16:19; see Luke 12:32). He gave them their own glory. He
gave everything he had-he withheld nothing-not even his
own life. (John 3:16) The meaning is that God gave all he
had to those he loved, even "his only begotten son". And for
the Son, by incarnating this love, it meant renouncing his
own right to live and give his life for the world. Only in light
of this-when the Son is put in place of the world-can one
even begin to understand the cross.

The obligation of evangelism

He did not miss an opportunity to impress upon his followers

the mandatory passion of his own soul burning with the love
of God for the lost world. Everything He did and said was
motivated by this consuming passion. They saw how their
Master denied Himself many of the comforts and pleasures
of the world, and became a servant among them. They saw
how the things that were most precious to them-physical
satisfaction, popular acclaim, prestige-all were rejected by
Him; while the things they sought to avoid-poverty,
humiliation, pain, and even death-He willingly accepted for
their sakes. As we watched him minister to the sick, comfort
the afflicted and preach the gospel to the poor, it was clear
that the Master considered no service too small, no sacrifice
too great when it was done for the glory of God.

Their sanctification

The constant renewal of his own consecration to God

through his loving service to others constituted the
sanctification of Jesus (John 17:18,19). His sanctification
was in the area of dedication to the task for which he had
been sent into the world, and in dedication to that purpose
of evangelization, he gave his life continually "for them". His
sanctification, then, was not for His own benefit but for that
of His disciples, that they might be "sanctified in truth."

The work of the Holy Spirit

Jesus made it quite clear that his life was directed only by
the power of the Holy Spirit (John 6:63). Corrupted human
nature must be regenerated by the Spirit of God before it
can be conformed to its true purpose of existing in the divine
image. It is the Spirit that sustains and nourishes the
transformed life of a disciple in grace and knowledge (John
4:14; 7:38,39). By the same Spirit one is cleansed through
the Word, and set apart to God for His holy service (John
15:3; 17:17; see Ephesians 5:26). It is only the Spirit of
God that enables the person to carry out the redemptive
mission of evangelization. Jesus spoke to them of the Spirit
as "another Comforter," an Advocate, one who would be at
their side, a person who would take exactly the same place
with them, in the invisible sphere of reality that Jesus had
filled in the visible experience of the flesh (John 14:16). Just
as He had ministered to them for three years, now the Spirit
will guide them into all truth (John 16:13). He would show
them things to come (John 14:16). He would help them to
pray (John 14:12, 13; 16:23, 24). In short, He would glorify
the Son by taking the things of Christ and making them real
to His followers (John 16:14,15). It was better for Jesus,
having finished His work, to return to the Father and send
the blessed Comforter to come and take His place (John
16:7).

The secret of victorious living

Evangelization was to become an inner compulsion, purifying

their desires and guiding their thoughts. The disciples, by
confessing their pride and enmity rooted in complete
surrender to Christ, were to come by faith to a new and
purifying experience of the filling of the Spirit.

A truth hidden from non-believers

Jesus purposely reserved for his chosen few disciples, and

particularly the Twelve, his most revealing things (Luke
10:22; Matthew 11:27; see 16:17). Jesus was deliberately
investing everything he had in these few men, so that they
could be properly prepared for this work. The whole thing
revolves around the person of the Master. His method was
his life.

Chapter 5
Demonstration
"For I have given you an example" (John 13:15)

He showed them how to live

Jesus took care that his disciples learned his way of living for
God and man. He recognized that it was not enough just to
bring people into spiritual communion with Him. His disciples
needed to know how to maintain and share their experience
with Him.

The practice of prayer

We can be sure that it was not by accident that Jesus often

let his disciples see him praying to the Father. They could
see the strength this gave to life. They surely understood
that this was part of the secret of their life. He explained to
them some of the basic principles of prayer, and then before
finishing he illustrated what he meant by saying a model
prayer in front of them (Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13). He
emphasized time after time the life of prayer. Unless they
understood the meaning of prayer well, and learned to
practice it consistently, not much would be achieved in their
lives.
Using the Scriptures

Another aspect of Jesus' life that he was vividly

communicating to the disciples was the importance and use
of the Holy Scriptures. This was evident in his personal
devotional life and in winning others to the Way. In all there
are at least sixty-six references to the Old Testament in his
dialogues with the disciples in the four Gospels, not to
mention his more than ninety references to the Word as he
spoke to others. Jesus' ability to quote Old Testament
passages so easily must have impressed the disciples with
the need to memorize the Scriptures, and let them be the
authority. The scriptures, together with his own word,
became the objective basis of his faith in Christ.

Winning souls as a priority

Everything Jesus said and did had something to do with the

work of evangelization. He did not have to create
opportunities to teach, but took advantage of natural
opportunities.

Teaching naturally

Jesus was such a teacher that he did not let his method
obscure his teaching. He was his own method. All the
disciples had to teach them was a Teacher who practiced
with them what he expected them to learn. Evangelism was
brought to life before them in spirit.

Continuous teaching sessions

The disciples were always there to observe his deeds and

words. He spent three times as much time explaining the
story to the disciples as he did giving the lesson to the crowd
originally (Matthew 13:10-23;).

The principle applied today

We must be prepared to have them follow us, just as we

follow Christ (I Corinthians 11:1). We are the example
(Philippians 3:17; I Thessalonians 2:7, 8; 2 Timothy 1:13).
They will do what they hear and see in us (Philippians 4:9).
If time is available, it is possible to impart our lifestyle to
those who are constantly with us, through this style of
leadership. This makes us vulnerable, of course. We are not
perfect like our Lord, and those before whom we open our
lives will see our imperfections. But let them also see a
desire to confess our sins. Let them hear us ask forgiveness
of those we have offended. Our weaknesses need not hinder
discipleship, when through it shines a transparent sincerity
to follow Christ. Knowledge alone is not enough. Action is
necessary. Knowledge not applied to life can become a
stumbling block to learning even more.
 Chapter 6
Delegation
"I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19)

He assigned them work

Jesus was constantly building his ministry for the time when
his disciples would take up his work, and go into the world
with the gospel of redemption. He never prematurely
insisted that they do anything. In the first invitation made to
the disciples to follow him, nothing was mentioned about
going and evangelizing the world. His method was to lead
his disciples to a vital experience with God. He used his
disciples in other ways to help in his work, such as taking
care of the practical needs of finding food and arranging
lodging for the group that followed him. He also let them
baptize some who responded to his message (John 4:2). The
early disciples didn't really do much else besides watch
Jesus do his work for a year or more. He reminded them
that by following him they would be fishers of men (Mark
1:17; Matthew 4:19; Luke 5:10). The time had come when
his disciples could help him more directly in the work. Now
they needed to put into practice what they had seen their
Master do.

Orders and instructions

Jesus gave them some orders and instructions regarding

their mission. He first reaffirmed his purpose for their lives.
They should go and "preach the kingdom of God, and heal
the sick" (Luke 9:1,2; see Matthew 10:1; Mark 6:7). He
went on to tell them who to go to first. "Go not into the way
of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritan enter not,
but go rather to the lost sheep of the cause of Israel"
(Matthew 10:5,6). It was as if Jesus was telling his disciples
to go where they would find the audience most likely to hear
the message. As for their support, they were to rely on God
to provide for their needs. They were asked to render their
services freely, remembering that they had also received
freely from the Lord (Matthew 10:8). As they were faithful to
God, He would see to it that their needs were provided for
(Matthew 10:10).

Follow his method

(Matthew 10:11; see Mark 6:10) The disciples were told to

focus their time on the most promising individuals in each
town who could continue their work after they left. This
principle of establishing a beachhead in a new workplace by
establishing rapport with a potential key leader for follow-up
should not be minimized. Jesus had practiced it with his
disciples, and he expected them to do the same. His whole
plan of evangelization depended on this, and those places
that denied the disciples the opportunity to practice this
principle, brought judgment upon themselves.

Expect adversity

They would be hated by all men (Matthew 10:22,23). God

would never leave them. And although their testimony could
endanger their lives, the Holy Spirit would enable them to
face every situation (Matthew 10:20,21). Jesus assured
them that whoever confessed Him before men would be
remembered before His Father in heaven (Matthew 10:32).
The world will not receive the disciples graciously when they
faithfully preach the gospel.

A gospel that divides

Matthew 10:34-38 They would go forward with a

revolutionary gospel, and when obeyed, the gospel itself
effected a revolutionary change in the people and society in
which they lived.

United with Christ

Jesus' main message in all these instructions was that the

mission of the disciples was no different in principle or
method from his own. He began by giving them His own
authority and power to do His work (Mark 6:7; Matthew
10:1; Luke 9:1). The disciples would be the representatives
of Christ as he went. So clear was this association that if
anyone gave them a cup of water just because they were
disciples, such an act of mercy would be rewarded (Matthew
10:42).

Two by two

These were the instructions Jesus gave to his disciples. But

before they left, He organized them into groups of two (Mark
6:7). This plan was intended to provide for the disciples'
need for fellowship on the road. The small group of disciples
was finally initiated into the active ministry of Christ, and
this time they went alone.

The mission of the seventies

A few months after this "other seventy" were sent out two
by two again, to testify of their Lord (Luke 10:1). It is not
known for sure who these other disciples were, but
everything seems to indicate that the Twelve were included.
The size of the group also indicates an increase in the
activity of the Twelve in witnessing to Christ. They were to
practice what they had learned about the Master's
evangelism strategy.

Commandments after the resurrection

The principle of assigning evangelistic work to his disciples

was conclusively demonstrated before Jesus returned to
heaven after his crucifixion and resurrection. On at least four
occasions when He met with His disciples, He commanded
them to go and do His work (Luke 24:38-40; 24:41-43).
John 20:21 While eating breakfast with His disciples by the
lake of Tiberias, He told Peter three times to feed His sheep
(John 21:15-17). This admonition meant for the fisherman
the proof of his love for the Master. On a mountain in
Galilee, He gave His Great Commission, not only to the
eleven disciples (Matthew 28:16), but to the whole church
then composed of about five hundred brethren (I Corinthians
15:6). It was a clear proclamation of his strategy to conquer
the world (Matthew 28:18-20; see Mark 16:15-18) (Luke
24:44-47) (Acts 1:8; see Luke 24:48-49).

The principle is clear

It is clear that Jesus did not leave the work of evangelism

subject to human impression or convenience. For his
disciples it was a specific mandate, perceived by the impulse
at the beginning of their discipleship, but progressively
clarified in their minds as they followed Jesus. Christian
disciples, men and women, are sent - sent for the same task
of world evangelization to which the Lord was sent, and for
which he gave his life. Evangelization is not an optional
accessory to our lives. It is the commission of the church
that gives meaning to all that is undertaken in the name of
Christ. Clearly focused on this purpose, everything that is
done and said is a glorious fulfillment of God's redemptive
purpose.

The principle applied today

But it is not enough to make this an ideal. It must be given

tangible expression by those who follow the Savior. The best
way to be sure of what is to be done is to assign practical
tasks and carry them out. This gets people moving. When
the church takes this lesson seriously, and truly gets to work
on evangelism, those in the pews will soon begin to mobilize
in the name of God. The task given by Jesus to his followers
did not mean that they had already finished their training in
his school. They still had much more to learn before they
could be considered ready to graduate, and until then He
would not let them out of the reach of His personal
instruction.
 Chapter 7
Supervision
"Don't you understand? (Mark 8:17)

He supervised them

Jesus gave importance to meeting with his disciples after his

tours of duty, to listento their reports and share with them
the blessings of his ministry. His teaching alternated
between instruction and assignment. Your questions,
illustrations, warnings, and
admonitions were planned to bring out what they needed to
know in order to fulfill their task, which was the
evangelization of the world (Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10). After
the disciples were sent out to work they were to share their
experiences with the group. After the seventy were sent out,
Jesus summoned them to report on their work (Luke 10:17).

Continuous review and application

As He reviewed some of the disciples' experiences, He made

practical applications of them to their lives.

Lessons on patience

One of the most penetrating right lessons of the Lord

following an activity of the disciples was in relation to their
attitude toward others in the work who were not members of
the apostolic company. It seems that in the course of their
travels they had encountered some casting out demons in
the name of Jesus, but since these were not of their
"denomination," the disciples severely rebuked them for it
(Mark 9:38; Luke 9:49). When this was said to the Master
he felt compelled to give them a discourse on the danger of
discouraging any sincere work carried on in his name (Mark
9:39-50; Matthew 18:6-14; Luke 9:50-56).

The principle observed

Many illustrations could be cited to show how Jesus

supervised the actions and reactions of his disciples when
faced with various difficult situations. He stayed close to
them constantly, giving them more attention as his earthly
ministry came to an end. He would not let them rest in
success nor would he let them rest in failure. There was
always more to do and learn. He was collected in their
success, but his goal was the conquest of the world and
nothing less than this, and he always supervised their efforts
toward that end. Jesus would let his followers gain
experience or make some comment of their own, and then
use this as a starting point to teach a discipleship lesson. His
encounters with real-life situations allowed Jesus to address
his teaching to specific needs, and to express it in practical
terms. We always appreciate an education better after we
have the opportunity to apply what we have learned. The
important thing about this supervisory work of Jesus was
that it kept the disciples moving toward the goal He had set
for them. He did not expect more from His disciples than
they could do, but He did expect the best from them, and He
expected them to improve always as they grew in grace and
knowledge. His plan to teach by example, the assignment of
hands-on projects, and constant supervision was all planned
with the purpose of bringing out the best in them.

The principle applied today

Today, equal patience and determination are needed among

those who wish to train others for evangelism. We dare not
assume that the work will be done, simply because we have
shown a willing worker how to do it and then send him out
with high expectations of unrealistic results. It is therefore
crucial that those involved in the work of world
evangelization have personal supervision and guidance until
they are mature enough to go it alone. We must also always
remember that the goal is the conquest of the world. We
must not allow any minor concern to distract us from our
strategy. The potential ability in the worker is not
developed, and in a short time a promising leader fails due
to lack of supervision. Success is lost at the gates of victory.
When will we learn the lesson of Christ, not to be satisfied
only with the first fruits acquired by those who are sent as
witnesses? Disciples must be brought to maturity. There can
be no substitute for total victory, and our field is the world.
We have not been called to fight on the defensive while
protecting the fort, but to take the initiative in the attack. It
is in light of this that the final step in Jesus' strategy can be
understood.
 Chapter 8
Reproduction
"That ye may go and bear fruit" (John 15:16).

He expected them to reproduce

Jesus intended His disciples to produce His likeness in and

through the church around the world. His ministry in the
Spirit would be duplicated many times over through his
ministry in the lives of his disciples. Through them and
others like them, the gospel would continue to spread in an
ever-increasing circumference, until multitudes could
similarly know the opportunity they had had with the
Master. By means of this strategy the conquest of the world
was only a matter of time, and of his fidelity to his plan.
Jesus had built in his disciples the structure of a church that
would defy and triumph over all the powers of death and
hell. He had started small as a mustard seed, but would
grow in size and strength to become a tree (Matthew 13:32;
see Mark 4:32; Luke 13:18,19). Jesus did not expect the
whole world to be saved (He actually recognized man's
rebellion in spite of grace), but He could foresee the day
when the gospel of salvation in His name would be
convincingly proclaimed to every creature. It was not going
to be an easy conquest. Many would suffer persecution and
martyrdom in battle. But no matter how great the trials
through which his people would pass, and how many battles
were lost in the war, the final victory was certain. His church
would win in the end. Nothing could permanently prevail
against it (Matthew 16:18).

The principle observed

Everything is again focused on the disciples (John

17:21,23). His entire evangelistic strategy-indeed, the
fulfillment of his purpose in coming into the world, dying on
the cross, and rising from the dead-depended on the
faithfulness of his chosen disciples to this task. It didn't
matter how small the group was when they started, as long
as they reproduced and taught their disciples to reproduce.
This was the way his church would win-through the
dedicated lives of those who knew the Savior so well that
their Spirit and method prompted them to tell others.
However long it seemed this was the way the gospel would
conquer. He had no other plan.

The proof of your ministry

This was the acid test. Jesus could not be sure that his
investment in their lives would pay dividends for the
Kingdom. If the disciples failed to impart His Spirit and
method to others who would continue this work, then His
ministry to them all those years would quickly fail. An
illustration of this was the parable of the life and the
branches (John 15:1-17). In one of the Lord's simplest but
most profound analogies, Christ explained that the purpose
of the vine (Himself) and the branches (the believers in Him)
was to bear fruit. Hence, every branch that did not produce
fruit would be cut down by the farmer - it was useless.
Moreover, the branches that produced would be pruned by
the farmer so that they would bear more fruit (John 15:2).
It was clear that the life-giving power of the vine would not
be wasted on lifeless branches. Any branch on the vine had
to produce in order to survive, for that was its purpose for
being. Jesus then made the application to his disciples. As
surely as they were partakers of His life, by this same
relationship they would produce His fruit (John 15:5,8), and
furthermore, their fruit would remain (John 15:16). A
Christian without fruit is a contradiction. A tree is known by
its fruits. That of reproducing the life of Christ in the human
personality, first in ourselves and then in others, practically
everything Master said and did pointed toward this principle.

The Great Commission

Christ's Great Commission given to his church sums it up in

the command to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew
28:19). The word here indicates that the disciples were to
go into the world and win others who would become what
they themselves were - disciples of Christ. This mission is
further emphasized by studying the passage in the Greek
text, and seeing that the words go, baptize them and teach
them are all participles that draw their force from the
controlling verb "make disciples". This means that the Great
Commission is not simply to go to the ends of the earth
preaching the gospel (Mark 16:15), or baptizing many
converts in the name of the triune God, nor teaching them
the precepts of Christ, but "making disciples"-building up
people like themselves who were so constrained by Christ's
commission that they not only followed but also led others
to follow this way. Only to the extent that more disciples
were produced could the other activities of the commission
fulfill their purpose.

Praying for workers

The emphasis was on leadership. The masses were ready for

the harvest, but without spiritual shepherds to guide them,
how would they be won? "Pray therefore the Lord of the
harvest," Jesus reminded his disciples, "to send out laborers
into his harvest" (Matthew 9:37-38; Luke 10:2). These
words almost have a tone of desperation - a desperation
produced by the great need the world had for workers with
them who cared for their souls. The world is lost and blinded
by sin. The only hope for the world is for workers to go to
them with the gospel of salvation, and in winning them to
the Savior, not to leave them, but to labor with them
faithfully, patiently, though painfully, until they become
fruitful Christians, flavoring the world around them with the
love of the Redeemer.

The principle applied to our lives

It is here that we must finally evaluate the contribution that

our lives and testimony make to the supreme purpose of the
Savior of the world. Are those who have followed us after
Christ leading others to Him, and teaching them to make
disciples like us? What really counts in the end for our work
to continue is the faithfulness with which our converts
become leaders of their converts and not just another
follower. We certainly want to win our generation to Christ.
Our work is never complete until its continuation in the lives
of those who have been redeemed by the gospel has been
assured. The test of any evangelistic work is not what is
seen at the moment, or in reports at conferences, but in the
effectiveness with which the work continues into the next
generation. The yardstick by which a church should measure
its success is not how many names are added to the
register, nor how much the budget is increased, but how
many Christians are actively winning souls and training them
to win the multitudes. The final extent of our testimony is
what counts, and for this reason values can only be
measured in eternity. Consider what it would mean for the
future of the church if we had only one true disciple as the
fruit of our labor. Wouldn't this immediately double our
influence? And suppose we produce another disciple like
ourselves, with the same success as the first. Wouldn't this
multiply our life by four?

Testing for the church

We should be thankful that this was done in the first

disciples. They gave the gospel to the multitudes, but at the
same time they were building the fellowship of those who
had already believed. As the Lord added to the church each
day those who were to be saved, the apostles, like their
Master, developed men in order to reproduce their ministry
to the ends of the earth. The early church proved that the
Master's plan for world conquest works. So great was the
impact of their witness that before the end of the century,
the pagan society of the time had been shaken to its
foundations and growing churches had been established in
most of the population centers.

Shortcuts have failed

The costly principles of developing and reproducing leaders

seem to have been submerged under the easier strategy of
mass recruitment. Jesus' plan has not been repudiated; it
has just been ignored. It has been used to venerate the
past, but not to be taken seriously as a standard of conduct
in the present.

The issue today

This is the methodology problem we have today. The well-

meaning ceremonies, programs, organizations,
commissions, and crusades of human inventiveness are
valiantly attempting to do a job that can only be done by
people in the power of the Holy Spirit. Unless the personal
mission of the Master is vitally incorporated into the policy
and development of all these plans, the church will not be
able to function as it should. Evangelization cannot be done
by something but by someone. It is an expression of God's
love, and God is a Person. The work itself is done by people
reaching other people for Christ. E.M. Bounds said, "men are
God's method." Until we have such people imbued with His
Spirit and dedicated to His plan, none of our methods will
work. We don't need better methods, we need better men
and women who see their vision and feel their passion for
the world. Men and women who only want Christ to produce
His life in and through them according to their good will. The
gates of hell cannot prevail against the evangelization of the
world.