HOFC Sermon Archive: Gospel of Mark Part 31: Principles of Evangelism

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction

2. John the Baptist

3. The Baptism of Jesus

4. Temptation of Jesus

5. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus I

6. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus II

7. The First Disciples

8. A Teacher with Authority

9. At the Home of Simon and Andrew

10. Jesus Cleanses the Leper

11. Jesus Heals the Paralytic

12. Jesus and the Tax Collector

13. Jesus Questioned About Fasting

14. Of Wine and Wineskins

15. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath & Resurrection Sunday 2025

16. Hard Hearts and Hard Thoughts

17. Three Responses to Jesus

18. Jesus Appoints the Apostles

19. The Family of Jesus

20. The Unforgivable Sin

21. The True Family of Jesus

22. Parable of the Four Soils

23. How Well Do You Listen

24. Parable of the Growing Seed

25. Parable of the Mustard Seed

26. Benefits of Private Teaching

27. Jesus Calms the Storm

28. Who is Afraid of Jesus?

29. The Touch of Jesus

30. When Familiarity Breeds Contempt

31. Principles of Evangelism

Today is Sunday. August 24^th, 2025

INTRODUCTION

In Mark 6:7–13, we see Jesus sending out His twelve apostles to preach. This moment is often called “The Limited Commission.”

It is called limited because Jesus restricted their mission to the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:5–6). Yet even in this temporary assignment, the Lord gave His apostles instructions that would prepare them for the greater mission to come—the Great Commission in Mark 16:15.

From this passage, we learn four foundational principles of evangelism:

1. The Principle of Working Together

2. The Principle of Support

3. The Principle of Selection

4. The Principle of Subject

These principles guided the apostles, shaped the ministry of the early church, and remain vital for us today.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Mark 6:7–13
“And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for the journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— 9 but to wear sandals; and He added, ‘Do not put on two tunics.’ 10 And He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 11 Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a witness against them.’ 12 And they went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.”

Today we will be looking at the principles of evangelism.

I. THE PRINCIPLE OF WORKING TOGETHER

a. The Apostles were sent two-by-two

i. This practice mentioned in Mark 6:7 was continued on other occasions.

1. When Jesus sent out the seventy in Luke 10:1

2. When the Holy Spirit sent out Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:2

ii. This illustrates the principle of working together

1. This is often referred to as “synergy”

2. This means things that work together to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.

3. The specialist just prescribed two additional eye drops for me to take along with the steroid drops because they work better together.

4. Two or more working together can accomplish far more than working separately.

a. Working together, you can encourage one another (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

b. A plurality of witnesses lend credibility to their story (John 8:17)

iii. Working together, we can accomplish more than we ever could separately.

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

“I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:19-20

“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

“let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;” Hebrews 10:24

“…comfort one another and build up one another…” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can stand against him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

iv. It is clear that two are far better than one.

1. One of the many reasons I love being married to Terri.

2. I tell her all the time that it’s because of her love and support that I can do all the things I do.

b. Applying this principle today

i. The practice of two or more evangelists working together should be encouraging.

1. Especially if you are an evangelist/missionary working in difficult areas or foreign fields

2. Applying these principles allows you to accomplish more in a shorter time, freeing you to explore other areas of ministry.

3. Too often, we see ministers, preachers, working alone, struggling for years by themselves, pressing on without much, if any, support

ii. We may not all be called to be evangelists (because it is a spiritual gift), however, we are all called to minister the gospel to others and share the message Jesus shared in His ministry, which is Repent, and put your trust in the gospel.

1. If you need, seek out another congregation member or friend to minister with you.

2. Many times over the years, when I have had to minister to the sick or dying, I have taken a deacon, a congregation member, or my wife with me to minister to others. It makes a difference!

Find a co-worker in the name of the Lord!

Perhaps much of the slow growth in evangelism today is a failure to appreciate the principle of synergy, which was applied by the Lord and the early church. Another principle to consider is the principle of support.

II. THE PRINCIPLE OF SUPPORT

a. The Apostles were allowed support

i. It is necessary for ministers of the gospel, missionaries, and evangelists to rely on the support of others.

“and Jesus instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only—no bread, no [beggar’s bag] bag, no money in their belt— ⁹but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.” ¹⁰And He was saying to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.” Mark 6:8-10

ii. Don’t beg (no beggar’s bag), travel light, no bread, no money, not even extra clothes.

iii. When invited to stay at someone’s home while evangelizing, it’s best to stay until you leave town. No house jumping.

1. The false doctrine of prosperity preaching would have you believe that ministers, preachers, missionaries, and evangelists are supposed to get money from people for mansions, expensive cars, private jet planes, houses around the world, gold rings, and watches.

2. Jesus tells the Apostles the opposite.

a. Take nothing

b. Eat what is given to you

c. Wear what is provided

d. Sleep where you are invited

e. And never ask for a thing. (no beggar’s bag)

3. As far as what preachers, ministers, etc, are supposed to receive for compensation for their work, it comes from the church. But what does Jesus allow here?

a. The basic necessities of survival. What is to be provided is food, clothing, housing, the basics for humble-lifestyle.

Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 9:4-14

“For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing.”

Is God merely concerned about oxen? ¹⁰Or is He speaking altogether for our sake?

Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.

¹¹If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

¹²If others share this authority over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this authority, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

¹³Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar?

¹⁴So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”

b. Preachers are supposed to receive a livelihood from the church they serve.

c. This is not meant to be an over-abundance of lavish lifestyle, fancy cars and caviar, rather, what is necessary to live without being a burden to the church.

“The worker is worthy of his sustenance.” Matthew 10:10

“Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.” Luke 10:7

“For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:18

1 Timothy 5:17-18 Paul said the Elders of the church (which the pastor is one) who rule well are worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and doctrine (the pastor). And they are worthy of their wage.

vi. Paul had another principle I follow. If the church cannot afford to care for you, take care of yourself.

1 Corinthians 9:12
If others share this right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we bear all things so that we cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:18
What then is my reward? That, when I proclaim the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

2 Thessalonians 3:8

Nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

We see many scriptures where Paul only took support when the church could bear it, even though he was owed it, he never demanded it.

b. Applying this principle today

i. Preachers may rightly receive support for their labors

1. It allows them to concentrate their efforts in matters of the gospel

2. This support should come from Christians, and not as a means to accumulate wealth

ii. Churches have a great responsibility in supporting evangelists and missionaries worldwide.

1. Much foreign evangelism goes undone today, not because preachers are unwilling to go, but because churches have not been willing to send and support.

Romans 10:15 “And how will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim good news of good things!”

If you are unable to preach or teach, at least we have the ability to support those who do!

Now let us examine the proclamation of the Good News!

III. THE PRINCIPLE OF SELECTION

a. The Apostles were to be selective

i. Preaching to those willing to listen - Mark 6:10

ii. But they were to “shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” when leaving a city that would not receive them or hear their words - Mark 6:11

iii. This illustrates the principle of selection.

1. We’re told not to “cast your pearls before swine” - Matthew 7:6

2. People judge themselves unworthy of the gospel by their lack of interest

a. Paul was willing to preach again if people were interested- Acts 13:42-44

b. But when people rejected the gospel, he turned elsewhere – Acts 13:45-46

People judge themselves unworthy of eternal life by their disinterest.

b. Applying this principle today

i. We are to preach the gospel to every creature

1. But once people display a lack of interest, we are not obligated to keep trying

2. Rather than “cast our pearls” before those who don’t appreciate it, we should move on.

ii. Admittedly, there is room for judgment...

1. As to how long we try to reach someone before going on

2. Some may not show much interest at first, but do later on

At some point, we need to turn to souls who show more interest!

And the most essential principle of all…

1. Preachers need to avoid certain things...

a. Church tradition, rather than sound doctrine

1. Based more upon the ideas of men, rather than the Word of God

2. Text-based, expository preaching can help keep preachers in the Word

2. Churches should consider what message they are presenting to the lost...

a. Is it the gospel of health and wealth, or the gospel of Christ?

b. Are we calling for people to become just church members, or disciples of Jesus?

3. In one’s own evangelism...

a. Do not get sidetracked on various (emotional/political/social) issues

b. While many subjects may have their place, they may be “second principles” rather than “first principles” like REPENTANCE and the Gospel.

The lost need to know “repent” and the Gospel of Christ and His Kingdom, first and foremost!

CONCLUSION

The principles of evangelism (working together, support, selection, and subject) were all learned from the Lord, and these principles were later employed by the early church. The use of these principles may explain the rapid spread of the gospel in the first century, and why we should consider using these same methods today in the church.

NEXT WEEK: “Part 32: Weakness in the Seat of Power”

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Thursday, August 28, 2025

Gospel of Mark Part 31: Principles of Evangelism

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