The Gospel of John-25 – True Evangelism

John 4:35–42

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

 

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” Amen.

 

The Essence of Harvest: Settlement and the Proclamation of the End

Today’s text, as we have read together, speaks of the "time of harvest." The word "harvest" itself signifies a settlement that concludes an era. The fact that the Lord described the event of evangelizing the Samaritan woman as a "harvest" provides significant insight into the essence of the ministry of Christ, as well as the nature of the evangelical life that the disciples were to undertake.

 

We live in an age overflowing with evangelism and missions. Perhaps since the early church, there has rarely been a time when interest in missions and evangelism was as intense as it is now. This passion is certainly welcome, but on the other hand, there are points of concern. In truth, missions and evangelism share the same essence. While people often distinguish "missions" as going abroad and "evangelism" as sharing the gospel with neighbors, they can practically be understood as the same term. If one must divide them, they could be called "overseas evangelism" and "domestic evangelism."

 

The Light and Legacy of the Great Awakening

In the history of American Christianity, we find two crucial events. The first is the "First Great Awakening" in the 18th century. During this movement, which began before American independence and continued thereafter, the renowned English preacher George Whitefield visited America to ignite the fire of the gospel. Additionally, Jonathan Edwards, an outstanding man of God in America, was used greatly according to God’s will and purpose.

 

Jonathan Edwards was inaugurated as the president of Princeton University at a young age, but tragically, he died young after volunteering for a smallpox vaccination trial. Because of this, he left no complete books in a finished form, and only a few volumes of his dissertations remain; yet, those alone have exerted a profound influence on countless Christians to this day. Edwards' lineage has been studied by many scholars, and among his line was David Brainerd, whom we know well. He dedicated himself to missions among Native Americans and ended his life at the age of twenty-seven due to pneumonia.

 

The Diary of David Brainerd, which contains his spiritual journey, is worth reading at least once for any believer. It is an excellent spiritual guidebook showing how the life of a young man who loved God was transformed and how that breathtaking life unfolded. Through the Great Awakening, a historical work occurred where numerous people accepted Jesus Christ and returned to the gospel.

 

True Christianity Sustained Through Times of Crisis

We often perceive America as a Christian nation built on Puritan spirit and blessed by God. However, a close examination of historical facts suggests this interpretation is somewhat overly optimistic. In truth, a "Christian nation" in the truest sense does not exist in this world. America, too, does not operate its state or establish policies solely on Christian principles; like other nations, it moves strictly based on its own national interests. This is a natural characteristic of a state.

 

If we look at the religious state shortly after American independence, we can see how serious the situation was, despite having experienced the First Great Awakening. A record from 1789 describes the scene of that time: “We behold with painful and anxious hearts the neglect of religious principles and worship among our fellow citizens. Irreverence and a contemptuous attitude toward the laws and institutions of religion are prevalent, and in many cases, an infidelity bordering on atheism is rampant. In proportion to the decline of religion, morality is decaying and drifting toward debauchery.”

 

This record creates the illusion of hearing a story of today. We often speak of the crisis of modern Christianity, but in fact, Christianity has faced numerous crises throughout history, sometimes feeling the threat of extinction. However, through it all, the "true Christianity" testified by the Bible has always maintained its lineage. When Christianity declined, a "new" Christianity did not suddenly emerge. "True Christianity" has existed unchanged from the beginning, guarding the center of history and leading its flow through every moment of adversity.

 

The Introduction and Corruption of Artificial Evangelism

In the late 18th century, as things seemed to be heading toward such spiritual ruin, God allowed the Second Great Awakening. The early movement saw powerful works where God’s remarkable intervention was clearly visible. Records state that the meeting places were filled with solemn hymns, passionate preaching, and sincere prayer. However, in its later stages, this movement was systematized by various revivalists and began to deviate from its essence, taking on a different appearance. Entertainment elements began to infiltrate the meetings.

 

People started singing songs they could enjoy sensually instead of solemn hymns. They began to prefer dramatic sermons, and evangelists preached accordingly to suit the audience's tastes. Notably, during this time, the element of the "artificial decision" was introduced on a large scale for the first time in Christian history. Methods familiar to us, such as "Those who believe in Jesus, please raise your hand" or "If you truly believe, please come forward," originated here. This Second Great Awakening became the prototype for modern revival meetings and formed the basis for the order and form of today’s services.

 

Cultural Conflict and the Excess of Testimony

For Americans, this act of "making a decision" held significant meaning as it aligned well with their pragmatic and rationalist tendencies. However, when this method was introduced to Korea, it conflicted with our unique national sentiment. When early missionaries asked, "Raise your hand if you will believe in Jesus," they were overjoyed to see everyone raising their hands, thinking the hearts were ready. But months later, they found the same people raising their hands every time they were asked. When a missionary asked why they raised their hand again, they replied, "You came from far-away America and suffered so much; how could we refuse your request to raise our hands? How could we not come forward, even if just out of sympathy?"

 

For the Koreans of that time, who prioritized "saving face" and "feeling sorry" over the essence of the gospel, this method of "decision" was not entirely suitable. Consequently, some repeatedly decided to believe but felt anxious upon leaving, thinking, "I guess I’m not a believer; I might go to hell," only to return to a meeting and "decide" yet again.

 

In this flow, "testimonies" naturally overflowed in the church. People became fascinated by dramatic narratives: "A person who used to be like this met Jesus and was miraculously transformed." While testimony itself is not worthless, a problem arose as it became an excessively important element. Those who emphasized how they turned around and decided increased, and eventually, they began to judge others' faith based on their own decision experience. They claimed, "I decided and turned away; what are you doing? Is that any way to believe? If you believe in Jesus, there must be a sudden and clear change," thus driving those without such experiences into being treated as non-believers.

 

The most serious danger lies in the artificial "creation of atmosphere." Methods that create a certain "mood" according to a set program are like this. By heightening emotions with hymns and stirring the atmosphere with drums, people react passionately. In this process, the phrase "Open people's hearts with hymns" spread like a fad. However, this is essentially an attempt to stimulate human psychology with music, a concept with no biblical basis. The hymns taught by the Bible are a supremely reverent and beautiful act of worship toward God, not a means to open hearts or prepare an audience. Praise itself must be the essential act of worship and adoration.

 

The Limits of Emotional Stimulation and the Loss of True Evangelism

"Opening the heart with hymns" eventually means opening the heart through musical stimulation. In principle, this is not much different from teenagers cheering and losing their senses at a famous singer's concert. Simply because it happens in the church, we easily think it is holy. However, misusing this only results in an artificial atmosphere, risking people becoming more preoccupied with how high their emotions have soared rather than seeking God.

 

When we hold praise meetings, we must be most wary of this. Ironically, it is for this reason that some youth or praise leaders attempt to heighten emotions by relying on substances, much like secular singers. This is a very concerning matter, and it is a point where church elders must think more seriously and guide their children correctly.

 

Even within the church, voices were raised against such artificial methods. But the bigger problem lay elsewhere. Those who criticized these trends began to give up on evangelism altogether simply because they disliked the artificial elements. While pointing out the errors in the method, they fell into the paradox of ignoring the mission of the gospel itself. It is truly a regrettable trend that they lost the mission of spreading the gospel while being buried in criticism.

 

Evangelism: Proclaiming the End and the Will of God

Today, through the conversation between the Samaritan woman and Jesus, and His dialogue with His disciples, we seek to examine the principles of evangelism and harvest. Today's church is at a moment where the Word of God, prayer, and missions are desperately needed. It is profound that the Lord spoke of the "harvest" before defining evangelism. Harvest signifies the end of farming. Describing the moment the woman came to know Christ as a "harvest" teaches us that the fundamental nature of evangelism is the "end." That is, to evangelize is to proclaim the end and announce the finality.

 

Telling someone "Believe in Jesus" is not a casual suggestion made in a leisurely time. That moment is a spiritual end and a final opportunity. The Word of God is proclaimed like a final ultimatum. The reason I strive to deliver God’s Word faithfully is that I fear being disqualified after preaching, but more so, I am concerned that any one of you might misunderstand evangelism or salvation by learning the Word incorrectly.

 

You must always remember this gravity of evangelism. We often say we were blessed by seeing those in need during short-term missions. However, the essence of evangelism is not in what we do, but in announcing that the "end" has been proclaimed by the coming of Jesus Christ. There are no more opportunities. God’s work of salvation is already complete, and He will never send another Jesus to give a second chance. This is the end. Therefore, when we hear the gospel, we must focus on this fact: "This is the end!"

 

The Core of Evangelism: Fulfillment of God’s Kingdom and Will

In John 4:34, Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” Here we see that the evangelism Jesus speaks of not only has an eschatological nature but also aims at "finishing God’s work" rather than merely saving an individual soul. We usually limit evangelism to the "act of saving a soul." However, in the text, Jesus placed more significance on the implementation of God’s kingdom and the fulfillment of His will than on the fact that an individual soul was saved. This is the core of evangelism as witnessed by the Bible.

 

Therefore, evangelism is not an act of rescuing a soul in danger and cleaning them up. Rather, it is boldly proclaiming the kingdom of God that has arrived there, allowing the listener to enter the historical moment where God’s holy will is being fulfilled.

 

True Salvation: Restoration to God’s Character

While simply saying "Believe in Jesus and be saved" is easy to understand, Jesus calls the "fulfillment of God’s will" evangelism. Therefore, when we speak of evangelizing, there is almost no room for our own merit. This is because the premise is that God Himself fulfills His will. Furthermore, the salvation of a soul does not stop at the passive meaning of not going to hell but going to heaven. It contains the grand meaning that God’s holy will is fulfilled in my life, causing that holiness to overflow in every area. The confession that "the Kingdom of God is coming into my life" goes beyond the individual to include society, family, and our entire character.

 

Thus, the first purpose of evangelism is not merely rescuing a soul but fulfilling God’s work and will. True salvation means that we now live with God within His plan, receiving His kingdom and guidance. Why is this important? What benefit is there in just keeping people like us alive? We are still fragile beings who argue and hurt one another. Truly being saved means God’s presence inhabiting my life with glory and holiness. It is being resurrected into "God’s character" beyond biological survival. Evangelism and salvation contain this broad and deep meaning.

 

The Essence of Evangelism: Witnessing God Beyond Personal Experience

If evangelism aims at fulfilling God’s will, its content must also possess a different dimension. We often misunderstand that personal testimonies or experiences of how we changed are the whole of evangelism. While it is wonderful to be transformed after believing in Jesus, the essential content of salvation and evangelism must not stay solely on the fact that a person changed.

 

The core of evangelism is not about how we came to believe or how we changed, but rather about 'Who Jesus Christ and God are.' This must be the true content. Evangelism can never have your personal experience as its primary subject. While you may use your experience to explain Jesus Christ, it cannot be the essence. Evangelism is the act of testifying what the Bible says about Jesus Christ. Thus, evangelism includes not only your lips but also your body, family, and business. Every area of our lives must be used to witness the Jesus Christ revealed in Scripture.

 

The Core of Evangelism: Knowing Jesus Christ Directly

Look at verses 40 to 42. The Samaritans came to Jesus and urged Him to stay, and as He stayed for two days, many more believed because of His word. They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ.”

 

The reason they asked Him to stay is clear. They did not want to rely on someone else's subjective experience but wanted to know directly who Jesus Christ was. We must remember: if we do not clearly know who Jesus Christ is, we cannot reach salvation through others' experiences alone. True evangelism is dwelling with Jesus Christ and knowing Him firsthand.

 

Therefore, before evangelizing, we should not check how strong our faith is, but whether we clearly know the One we believe in. This does not mean possessing vast knowledge like a theologian. It means realizing who is behind all the things you experience and who is the One performing those works. "I was healed" or "I became peaceful" are precious personal experiences, but they are not the essential content of evangelism. Rather, explaining "Why I became peaceful, who is the One I met, and what kind of person He is" should be the content. Evangelism must go beyond the invitation to "come to our church" and show who the God you know is through your life and character.

 

The Starting Point of Evangelism: The Joy of Participating in God’s Zeal

Looking at John 4:35, another important characteristic of evangelism is that this ministry does not start from us. The Lord said, “The fields are already white for harvest!” This means that the time of harvest has already arrived because the Messiah has come. The starting point of evangelism is not us, but Jesus Christ.

 

Evangelism is not about me leading and God sending the Holy Spirit to help me. It is the opposite. God Himself plans and carries out the work, and we are simply called to participate in His burning zeal. Therefore, the true motive of evangelism is to deeply realize what the "Father’s love" is. When we know we are being used as tools under God’s plan, evangelism becomes a thrill beyond duty.

 

The Reward of Evangelism: Enjoyment with God

In verse 36, it says, “He who reaps receives wages.” The reapers are the disciples and us today. We have already received the gift of salvation, the "wages," and have been called into this reaping ministry. The purpose behind this is clearly revealed: “That both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” Evangelism is not a means to fill church seats or a competition to see who evangelizes more. The true purpose is for God, who sowed the seed, and us, who reap, to share that joy together.

 

The essence of evangelism is not raising my own performance but joining the joyful process of reaping the seeds God has already sown. Through that process, we realize how great God’s love and grace are. To measure the size of faith by whether someone evangelized a hundred people or one person is unbiblical. Evangelism is a holy feast where God and we rejoice together.

 

Therefore, when you share the gospel with neighbors or family, your attitude must be clear. Approaching them with the mindset of "I will change them with my power" only leads to conflict and makes them feel a rejection toward the church. Instead, enjoy this process as the Lord said. Look forward with expectation to how the seeds God sowed will work, and rejoice with God. The fact that you can share the gospel is an opportunity for you to learn patience and evidence that God’s character is being formed in you.

 

Evangelism: Grace in Participating in the Lord’s Labor

A common weakness for those who evangelize is forgetting that this work started strictly from God. Verse 37 says, “One sows and another reaps.” The One who sowed is Jesus, and the reapers are us. In verse 38, “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored” carries a literal meaning.

 

In fact, we have not performed the essential labor for the seeds of the gospel. Our efforts in treating someone to a meal, making a phone call, or striving to make them believe are merely "expressions of love." That labor itself is not the cause of the fruit. We are those who go to reap what we did not labor for. When He says "others have labored," these "others" include Jesus Christ and the many figures of the Old Testament who witnessed Him. We have entered the harvest field that Jesus Christ already achieved and started. Evangelism is a grace-filled event where we are invited to the feast of the salvation history the Lord completed.

 

New Creation: The Grace of Re-creation, Not Repair

In this context, the salvation we proclaim is not a begging request. God’s salvation cannot be a cheap plea. God is not a weak being who must unconditionally grant all our demands in the name of love. God planned our salvation Himself and is the One who does not rest until it is completed, pouring in His love, holiness, justice, and His only life. That is our God. Do not regard God as a friend or a servant who complies with your demands. He is our King, our Savior, and our true Fortress.

 

God is not one who merely repairs or polishes a "slightly better life." He is the One who re-creates us as a completely "new creation" to overcome the fundamental problem of sin and all life's situations. Only He can do this. He does not patch us up; He makes us into a new being like none before. Therefore, the Bible declares, "Behold, the new has come!"

 

You might have doubts because you feel you are still the same. But that is because you put your subjective consciousness before God’s Word. At the moment we believe in Jesus Christ, the Lord made us be born again as a new creation. You and I are now essentially different beings. This means we have become citizens of a completely different country with heavenly citizenship. Of course, all lifestyle habits will not change at once. We must learn the duties of our new citizenship. The clear fact is that the Lord does not stop at healing the sick; He raises the dead. He has granted us the life of resurrection and leads us to the eternal kingdom.

 

The Lord Christ and Incarnational Evangelism

As seen in the text, the moment the Samaritan woman realized who Jesus Christ was, she left her waterpot and ran. She willingly left behind her old habits, old self, and the thoughts she cherished. This shows that her faith was not just an intellectual agreement. Having come to know who Jesus was, she responded with her whole person—her heart, her thoughts, and especially her body. She did not sit still; she threw down the waterpot and ran to the village. To her, Jesus was the Lord (Master) who governed her entire life.

 

When we confess that we believe in Jesus, He is not someone who takes a part of our soul to lead us to heaven later. He is the One to whom our whole personality must respond. The event where that Sovereign came directly to us is the Incarnation, and that was the start of evangelism. Thus, we often call Jesus the "First Missionary." Because He left His heavenly throne to come to us and personally experience our pain and suffering. Therefore, our evangelism must also be "incarnational evangelism." There is no such thing as evangelizing because we are better and they are lacking. In fact, there is no greater sinner in this world than ourselves.

 

A Biblical Attitude Toward Sin and a Heart of Compassion

Today, the issue of homosexuality has emerged as a hot debate within the church. The Bible clearly states that homosexual acts are sin. However, there is a more fundamental issue: our attitude of thinking that those who commit homosexuality are more severe or heinous sinners than we are. Looking at their sins as dirty while thinking our hidden sins are better is a truly serious problem. In fact, we are no better than them and might even be more wicked in the sense that we hide our sins. We are all the same sinners without exception. That is why we all need Jesus Christ and the grace of the cross. Only when we realize this can we treat them with true love.

 

Do you hate your non-believing parents or spouse? No, you love them. Then why can’t you hold a heart of love for those struggling with homosexuality? Why can’t you embrace those who cannot yet believe and are trapped in the frustration of sin? This is a question we must ask ourselves. Knowing an act is sin and remembering that I am the same sinner are not separate issues. This attitude reminds us of how deeply Jesus Christ entered into the miserable state of sinners.

 

The Completion of Evangelism: Living with the Mind of Christ

Let us read Philippians 2:5–11. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who... emptied Himself, by taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men... He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” This is the core of the evangelism Jesus personally showed us.

 

To evangelize means to have the mind of Christ in us. It is to know how to weep and ache where Christ wept and felt pity. It is to sincerely repent, asking, “Lord, am I truly a person who believes in Jesus?” looking at our hardened and dry hearts. It is to live with that yearning heart of the Lord who embraced lost souls like a hen gathers her chicks. Having that heart is itself evangelism and missions.

 

Therefore, we must not be obsessed with the formal act of "I am evangelizing." Our concern should not be "how much performance have I achieved." Rather, we must pour our hearts into how much we possess God’s heart, how deeply we understand His will, and how much we are proving His holiness through our lives. That is the true achievement of biblical evangelism.

 

Evangelism: A Feast of Blessing, Not a Burden

When we live with God’s heart, true evangelism occurs. If the act of evangelism itself becomes the goal, it is putting the cart before the horse. It is a work God started, where He sowed the seeds and will eventually reap; for us to argue over the results is embarrassing. The fundamental reason God called us to this ministry is to rejoice with us. Therefore, how joyful is evangelism? Evangelism is not a heavy burden we must carry, but a wonderful blessing God has granted us.

 

Do not approach others as if you are grading the salvation you received for free, saying, "You are lacking, so I will teach you." Do not treat them as if an all-knowing person is lecturing an ignorant one. With the most humble attitude, face a soul with the mind of Jesus Christ. Deeply realize the right truth and pass on that gospel of life.

 

Evangelism is not complex. It is clearly understanding the right gospel, proving that gospel with your life, and making it heard and seen by your neighbors through the confession of your lips and the practice of your actions. Everyone, let us now evangelize. Because evangelism is not hard labor, but our privilege and blessing. Let us make Jesus Christ known to our neighbors. It is a wonderful plan of God to make us experience His glory and participate in heavenly joy. Let us praise and worship God together. Experience what it is to live by God’s Word. When we do what the Lord desires, we will finally participate in the heavenly feast where the sower and the reaper rejoice together. I bless you in the name of the Lord that this wonderful grace may overflow in your lives.

 

Prayer

Loving God, we thank You for letting us realize that as those indebted to the gospel, evangelism is not a heavy burden but a holy joy to be enjoyed with You.

 

Lord, pour into us the mind of Christ Jesus. Transplant into us the heart of the Lord that wept for souls, so that our words and lives may become a channel witnessing the incarnate Jesus.

 

Help us trust in God who works ahead of our zeal, and let us humbly participate in that feast of glory. Thus, let the heavenly joy, where the sower and the reaper rejoice together, overflow in our daily lives.

 

We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.