Lutheran Evangelism

Lutheran Evangelism
A Paraphrase of Matthew 28:19-20
The Giving of Authority and the Great Promise

Is there such a thing as Lutheran Evangelism? I say yes, especially when we understand the dynamics that we “practice what we preach.” In other words when we understand there is a direct link between what we believe and how that is lived out in our lives. Because of our Lutheran teachings, I believe we are taught to practice evangelism is a specific way. To that end, I want to paraphrase Jesus’ great giving of authority and promise at the end of Matthew’s Gospel as a summary of what I believe is truly Lutheran evangelism.

Jesus said, as you are going about your lives, in response to all the good gifts and blessings I have given and continue to give to you –the faith, forgiveness of sins, life and salvation– live in your vocations in such a way that your lives are offered as living sacrifices to me. And as you are living out your vocations, you will naturally make disciples of all nations (children included because a child is a citizen of the country in which it is born). Make disciples by always being ready to give an answer for the hope that you have, the hope that comes from the faith I have given you. The answer that you will give comes from your regular use of the means of grace, each and every Sunday and as often as offered, diligently, patiently and persistently, those external means through which I give you the gifts and blessings you are given, those means of grace offered in Divine Service, where you as a Christian are strengthened in order to go out into the world and do witnessing. The answer you give comes from your regular reading and hearing God’s Word, from your remembrance of your Baptism, from your confessing your sins and hearing the most beautiful words in the world, “Your sins are forgiven,” and from participating in My life, death and resurrection through eating and drinking My body and blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins in My Holy Supper. Do not be concerned about your confidence or your words because I will give you the very words and the courage to speak at the appropriate time, words which I have given you through My means of grace. I give you My authority and My promise that I will be with you in all these things even until the day of judgement. And please understand that none of this depends on you because I will send the Holy Spirit, and He will work faith when and where He pleases through My Word which you will speak on My authority and with My confidence. And I will greatly multiply according to My will.