Fervent in Spirit: 

Rekindling Our Zeal for Evangelism and Discipleship

Nathaniel Winslow, Lay Elder Nansemond River Baptist Church

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." - Romans 12:11

Renewed Resolve: Advancing the Gospel in a Hurting World

As we pass through the gateway of 2025, we find ourselves staring down the rusted, old, double-barreled shotgun of time. It confronts us, compelling us to reflect on where we've been and where we're heading.

These past years have been tumultuous. The news cycle moves faster than ever, our lives grow busier, and the world accelerates into chaos. We feel it weighing heavily upon us. Even as I write these words, a tragedy arrives on the heels of the new year–a terror attack in New Orleans claiming the lives of at least a dozen image bearers. We live in a world that is hurting and groaning under the weight of sin and brokenness. It is all too easy to become discouraged, to allow the darkness around us to dim our hope and distort our perspective.

And yet, the turning of the calendar offers new beginnings, a chance to reflect, resolve, and refocus. But here lies a temptation, subtle but potent, to shape our resolutions and aspirations around the trivialities of this world or to allow the sin around us to frame our perspectives in an unhelpful way. As Christians, we must ensure our lives, goals, and aspirations are rooted in the eternal truth of the Gospel. 

So, as we turn toward the future, our aim should not be confined to perfecting the Pinterest-worthiness of our homes or losing the few extra pounds we've acquired since last November. While not inherently wrong, these goals are far too small for those who are called to something greater. So, I'd like to encourage you, dear friends. This year, let us be resolved to a higher, more glorious, and perilous pursuit. 

Let us storm the very gates of Hell together, armed with nothing but the Gospel of Christ and the sustaining grace of our Lord. Let us resolve to live boldly as Christians in a world steeped in sin. Let us rekindle our passion for our Lord and Master and commit ourselves to evangelism and discipleship, not as mere obligations but as joyful duties to the grace we've received.

Now, I can almost hear the objections forming in some minds:

"Oh, here we go again," someone mutters. "Another plea to tell my neighbors about Jesus. Doesn't he realize I'm not good at that? Why does he think I need to be told this again (or that it will change anything)? I do my part—after all, I support missionaries financially. Isn't that enough?"

Let me answer simply by pointing out that our King has not issued a suggestion for us to consider at our convenience. He has given us an order: to evangelize and disciple the nations. (Matt. 28:18-20) This is no optional exercise or extra credit assignment for the particularly pious—it is the sacred calling of every follower of Christ. And it's not about checking the box as if the work gains you anything you don't already have; it's about embracing a mission with eternal consequences.

If we find that these holy tasks—proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples—have become atrophied, routine, or dim in our hearts, then now is the time to implore the Spirit to revive our zeal. These are no small matters, nor are they tasks we can outsource entirely to others.

May we join Charles Spurgeon in declaring with urgency and compassion:

"Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, if sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies; and if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay, and not madly to destroy themselves. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for."1

Let these words challenge and convict us. Can we truly say we have this kind of fervor for the lost? Are we exhorting our neighbors, coworkers, and family members to turn to Christ?

This is not about guilt, dear friend, as Christ has released us from guilt and shame. No, this is about vision. Imagine the joy of being used by God to bring someone from death to life, from darkness to light, through the simple act of sharing the good news that's been shared with you. This is the mission we are called to—a mission worthy of all our effort, passion, and prayer. Let us embrace it with all our hearts.

Can we, dear Christians, recover such a fervor and resolve for the Gospel's advance? Can we be known for how we love the lost and seek to bring the light of the good news delivered to us to a world wandering in sinful darkness?

The Message That Shakes the Cosmos

In his sermon, The Weight of Glory, C.S. Lewis reminds us that every person we encounter is an eternal being destined for either everlasting joy or unspeakable loss.

"…remember that the dullest and most uninterested person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations."2

Or he says even more simply:

"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal."3

This truth presses upon us the urgency of proclaiming Christ. The stakes are not just high but infinitely high, eternally significant. There is no neutral ground one might stand on, we are either Christ's or we are not. The Gospel is not a self-help program or an option among many. It is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members need the Savior, and God has chosen to use His people as the instruments of that proclamation (Rom. 10:14-15).

Every single person you meet this year will spend eternity somewhere.

The new year is an opportunity to resolve afresh that our mouths will not remain silent. While we are not responsible for the souls saved, we are responsible for wielding the power of the Gospel that saves. 

The Long Game of Building the Kingdom

Remember, friends, evangelism, and discipleship are not options in the grab bag of Christian obedience. They are integral components of the singular command to "go and make disciples." No one prepares a meal, only to leave it unseasoned and uncooked. Evangelism is the front door to the kingdom, but discipleship is the wondrous architecture inside. 

The work of discipleship is slow and intentional–the kind of labor that builds cathedrals, not the kind that pitches a tent. In the words of the late R.C. Sproul, "We are called to make disciples, not converts. A church full of people who profess Christ without being discipled is like a house built on sand–it will not stand." Discipleship strengthens the foundation of the church, ensuring it will endure through every storm.

The Gospel marches forth on these two legs: discipleship and evangelism. They are part of a continuous cycle—evangelism opens the door to the Gospel, while discipleship nurtures and equips believers to grow in faith. These disciples, in turn, go forth to evangelize and disciple others, fulfilling the mission of "disciples that make disciples." This ongoing pattern reflects the exponential growth of the early church as new believers carried the light of Christ to those still in darkness. Our mission today is no different.

Let us learn from Jesus. Discipleship is walking with people, teaching them to obey what God requires of them through the law. It is a process that takes years, builds relationships, and strengthens the faith. It is not just about stuffing their head with Bible trivia; it's shaping lives around the Word of God until their default settings are oriented to obedience to King Jesus.

Discipleship is not something (unfortunately) that the church can program into fruition. It's living life like Christians. It's raising spiritual children (especially your own physical children!) by letting them watch how you follow Christ and then teaching them to do the same. Let's be a people that disciple. That means opening your Bible, opening your home, and opening your life.

The Power of Christ Compels You

Jesus didn't just save us from something; He saved us for something. He saved us to His glory, His Kingdom, and His Gospel. Spread the good news and raise disciples who will carry it further still. You'll burn out fast if not motivated by Christ's love. But when driven by the joy of your salvation, Christian, nothing can stop you. As we sing, "If our God is for us, who can stand against us?!"

A New Year's Battle Plan

Now that your heart is stirred and your resolve is set, let's not spin our wheels. Our efforts must be purposeful. The battle plans are laid, but everyone must report to their post. Where will you bolster the front lines, Christian soldier?

Pray for the Lost:

The mission begins and ends on our knees. Pray for the salvation of those around you—family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and those you encounter as you move through the daily rhythms of life. Ask God to open their hearts to the Gospel and give you boldness to share it. Pray for the barista at your coffee shop, the mechanic who changes your oil, the young girl serving you at the restaurant, and every other image-bearer God places in your path. Remember, no encounter is accidental, and every person you meet is in need of the Savior.

Proclaim the Gospel Boldly:

Evangelism is not reserved for the gifted few. Speak the truth of Christ wherever you are placed. Do not dismiss the power of your testimony! Every Christian has a miracle to share; you were once dead in your trespasses and sins but born again to new life. Do not dismiss the power in that story. The efficacy of the Gospel does not depend on your eloquence but on God's ability to save (Isa. 55:11, 1 Cor. 2:1-5).

Commit to Discipleship:

Evangelism opens the door; discipleship paints the walls, hangs the paintings, and prepares the meals that fill the rooms with the pleasing aroma of God's love. Walk alongside others in their faith, teach them to obey Christ, and grow in grace. Invest in lives that will outlast you, whether it's your children, friends, or a new believer.

Reorient Your Priorities:

Let the Gospel shape your calendar, your commitments, and your love. Make time for the things that matter eternally. Restructure your life to reflect that Christ and His Kingdom come first.

Encourage your Church:

The Christian life is not a solo mission. Build up your fellow believers (and humble yourself enough to be built up by your fellow believers) with words of encouragement, acts of service, and a spirit of unity. A healthy church is the greatest conquering force on earth.

Be a Christian mentor and evangelist like the one who brought the saving power of the Holy Spirit to bear in your life. Fight for Christ's Kingdom. Pray, proclaim, disciple, prioritize, and encourage. The victory belongs to the Lord, but the call to battle belongs to you. Step forward boldly.

The Stakes are Eternal

Let us not forget what we're fighting for. Sharing the Gospel is not just inviting someone to church or trying to change their worldview. You're pulling them out of the fire (Jude 1:23). When you intentionally disciple someone, the effect ripples through the generations, and spiritual children yield spiritual grandchildren and so on to a thousand generations. You are the continuation of a long line of saints that ensure the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham that his offspring will be uncountable, as the stars in the sky (Gen. 15:5). We will stand in eternity with a multitude of people, all there because God is good to save and the faithful were obedient in the proclamation of His goodness (Rev. 19:6-8).

This is war, folks! And wars are not won by those who serve half-heartedly. Do not be so easily distracted. Renew your focus, temper your resolve, and gird your loins. Let's resolve to live as men and women who believe that Christ is King and that His Kingdom will not fail.

And one day, when we stand before the throne, we will see the faces of those who heard the Gospel because we proclaimed it and who grew in grace because of faithful discipleship. On that day, it will all be worth it.

Run the race well this year, Christian. Your King is worthy. 

Notes

1. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, "The Wailing of Risca," The Spurgeon Library, accessed January 3, 2025, https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-wailing-of-risca.
2. C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses (New York: HarperOne, 2001), 45.

Ibid., 46.