When the church first began, the Lord added to it daily (Acts 2:47).  Things have certainly changed since then.  Most churches have gotten smaller over the years.  There are many reasons for this, several that are out of our control.  The world itself has changed and most people have a different attitude towards God than in times past.  People today are turned off by what they call “organized religion.”

Still, it would be wrong to conclude that the reason local churches are not growing as they used to is solely due to outside sources.  God’s people contribute to the problem by having a lack of interest in evangelizing the world.  We must remind ourselves that a model church that is pleasing to God is evangelistic.

Before Jesus ascended back to heaven, He gave His apostles a command.

Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
¹⁹  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Mark’s account says, “…preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).  These are the Lord’s marching orders to His church.  There is nothing that we do that is more important than preaching the gospel to the lost and every member of the church is commanded to participate.  Sadly, most congregations have dropped the ball when it comes to spreading the gospel.  The first-century church had this commandment indelibly planted in their minds.  

Acts 8:3-4 (KJV)
³  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. ⁴  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

These Christians were not ashamed of Christ or His gospel.  Even though they were forced to leave their homes because of their convictions, they did not leave those convictions behind when they left.  How many today take the Word of God with them wherever they go and share it with others?  Could it be a sign that we do not believe in the gospel and its power as much as we should?  Paul believed it and, therefore, he preached it.

2 Corinthians 4:13 (KJV)
¹³   We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Paul preached the gospel because he had so much confidence in it.  He knew it was the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), and it has not lost its power.

Let us do what we can to rekindle the spirit of evangelism in our local churches.  It starts with us as individuals, but just a few preaching the gospel does not make evangelistic churches.  We need every member to realize how important it is.  The gospel message is the greatest message in the world, but people cannot believe it without hearing it (Romans 10:13-14).  Let us all do our part in helping our local churches be evangelistic.  Let us follow the example of the church at Thessalonica and sound out the Word of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:8).

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.