Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Romans 10:13-17 (KJV)
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV)
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
... We are to let our light shine there is no doubt but there is more to "life style evangelism" than life style. Evangelism involves declaring the Gospel, speaking the Word of God to people who don't know Him.
... People are not born again by watching you and I live good lives. What we do certainly can and does effect our ability to speak to people. There is a standard to maintain as believers, as ambassadors for Christ and a Love command to obey.
... But, people are born again by the Word of God, which is imperishable and incorruptible seed. They are born again, saved by hearing the Word and then acting upon it in faith.
... The account of the rich man and the beggar demonstrates the importance of preaching, declaring, sharing, telling, speaking (you choose which verb you like) the Gospel. People need to hear what Jesus has done, why He did it and how to receive it.
... Miracles, signs and wonders are wonderful we should believe for and expect them but they are not more important than the Word of God. The Word first, always. Consider ... the greatest miracle of all is the New Birth and it is based solely on the Word ... The New Birth doesn't happen without the Word ... Salvation in any aspect is based on the Word.
... We are supposed to "be ready" to give an answer for the hope that we have.
... We are to be witnesses unto Him, in our world ... a witness is someone who tells what they know, or what they have seen.
... We are all to be ministers of reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (KJV)
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us (all of us) the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Praise God ...WE CAN DO THIS ... Because we can do all things ... all means all ... through Christ who strengthens us. God has given us this ministry. Whenever God gives us something to do He also gives us the ability to do it.
... Have you ever "accepted" the Commission He gave you? ... Have you ever "accepted" the ministry He has given you? ... Have you embraced His call?
Jesus told us to, ask the Lord of harvest for laborers to be thrust into the harvest. I am sure we have all made that request at some time. Have you added, as Isaiah did, "here am I Lord send me"?
Father ... Thank you for working in us the willingness and the ability to be workers together with you in the harvest. Thank you for equipping us through the Holy Spirit and for giving us your Word and life to share with others. We ask for open doors of utterance for ourselves and for the workers we ask you to send. Thank you for sending the right people, at the right time, with the right Word to those in our world that need You. Thank You Lord for Your Word and Thank You Holy Spirit for confirming Your Word in Jesus Name.
SELAH