My Testimony
I am grateful for my salvation and God's grace in my life, an undeserving sinner saved by God's wisdom and grace. My grandfather, Raymond John Fredericks, was the epitome of an evangelistic pastor. He preached with passion from the pulpit, engaging with people of all backgrounds and settings when not in his pulpit. One of my cherished family treasures includes spiral-bound pocket notebooks of the evangelistic contacts made by him over the years of his ministry—dozens of such notebooks, representing hundreds of individuals to whom he proclaimed the gospel many of whom placed faith in Christ.

Additionally, I was privileged to have a godly father, Donald Grey Fredericks. He also came to faith in Christ by God's grace and was called into the ministry, devoted to pastoral missionary ministry. He was not the "evangelist" my grandfather was but one who faithfully did "the work of an evangelist."

By God's grace, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit of God at the teaching of the Word of Christ's death on the cross for sinners and was drawn to faith in Christ by grace. My evangelistic ministry has been very different from my grandfather and father, and yet similar in many ways. I can certainly identify with Paul's exhortations to Timothy. I am grateful for the evangelistic wisdom of God to which he calls all of us who know Christ as Savior and Lord.

Evangelistic Encouragement
“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. For this reason, I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." (2 Timothy 1:5-7)

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:1)

The words of wisdom to young Timothy by Paul are evangelistically encouraging. Timothy needed encouragement, and so do we. In Paul's final epistle to Timothy and the concluding epistle of his ministry, he exhorted and encouraged his young protégé to "do the work of an evangelist."

For reasons not specifically delineated, Paul discerned the need to exhort, and perhaps admonish, Timothy. He rehearsed the amazing grace of a godly heritage, and in light of this instructed him to stir up, “kindle afresh,” the realities of God’s grace gifting in his life. As we can become timid in ministry, perhaps through personal discouragements, ministry disappointments or difficulties, or even persecution, we must not give in to the weakness of self-reliance. Instead, we embolden our commitment to the ministry in the wisdom of God – His power, love, and discipline of the mind. This is evangelistic wisdom.

Second, Paul reminds Timothy of the nature of his salvation. His salvation is the product, not of familial heritage, but of God's wisdom in the sacred writings of Scripture. By the Word of God, the Spirit of God effectually worked in the heart of Timothy to bring him to salvational faith.[1] It is still how God brings men and women to faith in Christ alone. God so works through the faithful wisdom of the word, “that leads to salvation which is in Christ Jesus.” This is evangelistic wisdom.

“But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:5-8)

Thirdly, we see as Paul begins to draw his epistle to a close, another exhortation to Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist.” It may not come natural nor convenient, but it must be part and parcel of what we engage in as faithful servants of Jesus Christ. In a phrase, “Just do it!”

Here Paul reveals perhaps what he was referencing in his initial exhortation to Timothy, stating that "God has not given us a spirit of timidity…" Here Paul delineates, "endure hardships," and references his discipline as, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” We press on until the end. This, too, is evangelistic wisdom.

Evangelistic Wisdom Applied
Evangelism can be discouraging. Sincere efforts and aspirations to see people come to Christ are true of every true believer, but it can also become thwarted through personal discouragement and ministry-related difficulty. Rarely do we experience those times when people come to Christ at our first effort. We find it necessary to share the gospel repeatedly. At times we are tempted to give up. We did our part; we shared the gospel. Leave it with the Lord. Wisdom, however, would encourage us to "not become weary in well-doing." This is evangelistic wisdom.

[1] Rom. 10:17; Gal. 1:23; 3:2, 5