“Now the one planting and the one watering are one in purpose, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:8 HCSB
What is the purpose of the evangelist, and disciple maker? I do believe it is two fold for both. First is to bring salvation (plant) to those we come into contact. And second it is to bring discipleship (water) to those who are saved. Yes both the evangelist and the disciple maker have to do both. The evangelist will be better at winning souls to Jesus, and the disciple maker will be better at making disciples.
We can see this in Jesus’s ministry: On Thursday of the Holy Week during the Passover supper Jesus prayed: “I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.”
John 17:4 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.17.4.hcsb
And then on the cross on Friday Jesus cried out: “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished! ” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
John 19:30 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.19.30.hcsb
It is finished! Jesus completed His work on the earth by getting his 11 men ready to carry on the ministry of disciple making and by being the Passover lamb for our sins.
Paul exemplifies the need to evangelize and disciple people.
“On the contrary, after we had previously suffered, and we were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.”
1 Thessalonians 2:2 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/1th.2.2.hcsb
And
“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
2 Timothy 2:2 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/2ti.2.2.hcsb
Yes even Paul had men He would train up, Timothy, Titus. Aquila and Pricilla, and others.
But want about us is this true for us today? Yes!
“Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Mark 16:15-16 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/mrk.16.15-16.hcsb
And
“Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:18-20 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/mat.28.18-20.hcsb
So then if we have a responsibility to witness and to make disciples, then is there a reward for each action? Yes!
First our fruit comes from God.“Ephraim, why should I have anything more to do with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing pine tree; your fruit comes from Me.”
Hosea 14:8 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/hos.14.8.hcsb
“So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”
Galatians 6:9 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/gal.6.9.hcsb
I know there is a reward for obeying God.
How about a reward for helping those who do this work as an evangelist and a disciple maker?
““The one who welcomes you welcomes Me, and the one who welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple — I assure you: He will never lose his reward! ””
Matthew 10:40-42 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/mat.10.40-42.hcsb
Keep up the good work you are doing and pursue more good works so that way in the end you will have a reward waiting for you. Oh and by the way some rewards come to us in this life as well.
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