The meaning of Evangelization - Sermon

July 6^th, 2025 4^th Sunday after Pentecost

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

“The meaning of Evangelization”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs to every town, instructing them,
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

As I reflected on this passage, I found myself pondering the meaning of “the harvest.” If our discipleship is truly about participating in God’s work, what exactly are we called to do?

The first thought that came to mind was evangelization. While I haven’t witnessed it much here in Canada, in Korea, it’s common to see evangelical Christians at the main train station in Seoul, handing out brochures.

These brochures often focus on Jesus’ redemptive work, the blessings that come with faith, or sometimes, warnings for non-believers.Their mission is clear: to convert people to Christianity, specifically to lead them to believe in Jesus. This approach is not unique to one group; throughout history, Christianity has grown through the evangelization of non-Christians.The mission has often been understood as: “Make Jesus known, and let the church grow.”

However, in recent times, this traditional mission seems to have lost momentum. This is partly due to the church’s failure to live out its identity as followers of Christ— not only by failing to do good, but sometimes even causing harm. Additionally, the world has changed dramatically. People’s values have become more materialistic and individualistic.

Today, many are less concerned with questions of salvation and more focused on material success. In the past, the authority of the church was rarely questioned. Now, people seek actual experiences—something that feels good and convincing that inspires them to follow Christ.

On the other hand, many are no longer interested in faith as a traditional set of beliefs about Jesus. Instead, they are committed to promoting the common good: While Helping the poor, Working for peace, or Caring for creation these individuals focus on making the world a better place and becoming better people.

This approach is appealing to many, as it feels more realistic and less dogmatic. Few would argue against the value of working for the common good. Yet, this movement sometimes lacks a strong driving force. We all know the importance of helping the poor, fighting for social justice, and protecting the earth, but it’s easy to become complacent and retreat into our comfort zones.

In such times, we need a clear sense of identity. Who we are is just as important as what we do or experience.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Why are we here? What are we striving for?

As I consider my own vocation, I wonder: Are we here as God’s stewards and followers of Jesus, called to make his name known and bring more people to church? Or are we here to do good works and help others?

The former view of Christian mission can feel too narrow and rigid, while the latter can seem vague and overwhelming. So, how should we understand our mission in today’s world?

Passages in Luke’s Gospel continue:

“Do not carry anything extra; do not allow yourselves to be distracted. As you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If anyone there shares in peace, your peace will rest upon them; if not, it will return to you.  Whenever you enter a town and the people welcome you, eat whatever is offered to you, heal the sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

These instructions remind us that our mission is both simple and profound: to bring peace, to heal, to accept hospitality, and to proclaim that God’s kingdom is near. But before we embark on this mission, we must first ask ourselves:

Are we bearers of peace? We cannot give what we do not possess. Only when we are rooted in a peace that endures threats, uncertainty, and chaos can we share it with others.

When Jesus entered the world, it was not so different from our own. There was injustice in the social systems, oppression from powerful neighboring nations, and little hope for the powerless. The powerful lacked vision.

At first, it may have seemed that Jesus would solve all these problems— perhaps by bringing down fire on those who abused their power, or by opening people’s eyes so they might see God’s sovereignty and obey.

Sometimes, I find myself daydreaming of such dramatic interventions. When I hear the news and see world leaders acting out of self-interest and self-righteousness while innocent people suffer and die,I almost wish someone with super power would punish them or make them perish or see the consequences of their actions—even if only in their dreams— so that they might change their ways.

I feel helpless watching children in war zones starve and struggle to survive. I feel angry at leaders who abuse their power as if they were playing a game to win. I worry about our future, seeing no sustainable vision for all.  And in the midst of these concerns, I cannot help but wrestle with anxieties about my own future.

Perhaps Jesus witnessed the same despair, pain, and disparity. He felt for the suffering, he felt with them. But the difference was that he carried peace within himself. His peace was not a mere relief that came as all the problems disappeared; rather, it sprang forth from within him as he faced the world’s deepest troubles.

Unlike the peace we often imagine— birds singing, tables overflowing with food, children’s laughter ringing out— Jesus’ peace was present even at the beginning of the path that would ultimately lead to the fulfillment of long-awaited peace.

As Christians, we know the source of this peace: Jesus’ loving and trusting relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. This was his wellspring of identity, power, and vision. In other words, Jesus himself lived already in the kingdom of God, and as he opened himself to others, he invited them into that kingdom as well.

Our calling is not merely to increase church in numbers or perform good deeds, but to dwell in God, to embody Christ’s presence through our faith. We are not just called to provide solutions to the world’s problems, but to renew the world— a world deeply connected with one another and rooted in the presence of God.

When we allow God to be present in us, to work through us, God’s kingdom grows among us, we carry this peace into the world, brokenness is transformed into wholeness, discord dissolves into fellowship, and doubt and despair are replaced by new hope. Then, as people see Christ in us, they will find God within themselves. God’s work will be done, and we will discover God’s kingdom among us.

Let us ask the Spirit to help us dwell in God, remain in God’s peace, and bring the good news to the world through our words and deeds.