And He said to them. "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation." --Mark 16:15
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you..." -- Matthew 28:19-20
This is about evangelism: what it is, how to do it, when to do it, and why. We all know to do it, but we all struggle to carry through on this aspect of our Christian walk.
What are some legitimate excuses that cause Christians to be uncomfortable with evangelism?
fear, embarrassment, hypocrite, ...
When you hear the word "evangelism," what other words come to mind? (Think emotions, tools, process, synonyms, and perceptions)
sidewalk preachers, religious leaflets, ...
More often than not, we believe evangelism means finding a gospel formula and using it to explain what we believe to lost people.
The Four Spiritual Laws
(Bill Bright, Campus Crusade for Christ)
God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life (John 3:16, John 10:10)
Man is sinful and seperated from God. He cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life. (Romans 3:23, 6:23)
Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives. (Romans 5:8, I Cor. 15:3-6, John 14:6)
We must each receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives. (John 1:12, Eph. 2:8-9, John 3:18, Rev. 3:20)
We sense that if we are not sharing a similar plan to evangelize the lost, we are doomed to failure.
The Scriptures challenge our meager definition of evangelism, but we rarely study what they say about this task.
First, recognize that the term lost, though Biblical, in today's world means something different to the world today.
What does the world hear when we use this term? unsaved, bad, not wanted, ...
Because we think of people this way, we tend to believe the church's main goal is to win.
What is our version of success?
Winning the debate.
Changing their minds about God.
Changing their sinful ways.
What is God's version of success?
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotton Father, full of grace and truth.: --John 1:14
Notice, Jesus was full of grace and truth, not full of facts and arguments.
Jesus asked questions before He provided answers. He wanted people to discover the truth.
John 5:6-9, at the pool of Bethesda.
Matt 16:13-20, Peter's confession.
Mark 10:17-27, rich young ruler.
Luke 7:36:50, parable of two debtors.
Evangelism is not winning an argument. It is a way of living beautifully and courageously and opening one's web of relationships to include those who are far from God.
God's love is declared in Scripture, demonstrated at the Cross, but displayed in the body. We have been concerned about our methods, but God is concerned about people. Mark 9:38-41.
The truth is, your neighbor may agree with your theology. They just think you're weird. Why? Because you don't fit into their current culture.
At the center of a culture is an understanding of the universe and man's place in it. This will dictate a person's values and conducts.
When we are serious about their salvation, we must be willing to invade their culture.
Conversion happens when someone decides to transfer from their current culture and current community to a new culture and a new community.
The message of the four spiritual laws stays the same, but wouldn't it be great if we could use who we are (culture) to attract others (conversion)? That is exactly what God asks us to do.
Evangelism is done in three ways.
Proclamation --impersonal, to crowds, done by preachers, Billy Grahams.
Confrontational --one to one, but with strangers, done by street evangelists.
Relational --personal presence in the life of another. ANYONE CAN DO THIS.
Relational Evangelism means living your life in a missional way. It means being intentional in your relationships, being examples in your world, and being passionate about people who are far from God. It has been called, "Practicing the Presence of Jesus." Here at FCC, we call it "Vinedressing".
HOMEWORK
All things of God begin, continue, and end with prayer. Pray God shows you how to practice the presence of Jesus and keep a count of these:
And he was saying, "The Kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows -- how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head." -- Mark 4:26-28
We ended last session with the understanding that there is more to evangelism than a "formula." At FCC, we call it "Vinedressing." Before we can understand the difference, though, we have to understand ourselves and the world.
How do people feel about God today?
generally they like him
What responses have you received when you have brought God into a conversation?
some shy away
some change the subject
some join in and share their views
some get angry
Jesus called himself "The True Vine" (John 15:1). In that same passage, He calls the Father the "Vinedresser." We as Christians are then called branches of the vine.
The first thing I must learn to effectively reach those who are far from God is that I am not responsible for the salvation of anyone. I am only a branch of the True Vine.
This relieves the stress and guilt we put on ourselves when we consider how to talk to others.
Christ does not end with this statement, however. He continues, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit."
Pruning is the cutting away of a branch in order to make it more productive. God will continue to work on us. We should pray for this.
After recognizing Who is the source of our life, we will be compelled to go about our Father's business.
What is the first thing required for a vine to grow well? Our understanding of the soil where we will be doing our planting.
Matthew 13:3-9 tells us the parable of the sower. Here, the seed is delivered, but the growth of that seed depends upon the soil where it is thrown.
Who is the sower in this story? Many people suppose Jesus is the sower, but that is not said in the explanation (Matthew 13:18-23).
Is the sower a good representative for the vineyard workers union? Or is it God's way of letting us know THIS DOES NOT WORK? What if the message is this: "My Word will be more fruitful in prepared soil."
We have to understand the deficiencies in the soil. In our world today, the soil looks like this:
Ignorance of the Biblical.
Prejudice against Christian stereotypes.
Personal distractions.
Self-centered world view.
Cultural differences.
Skepticism
Resistance to Persuasion
Relativism
High value on tolerance
Diversity
Insistence on privacy
Personal cost
Religious
Friendship
Family
Marital
Lifestyle
Business
If we go back to our first session, most of our excuses and emotions about evangelism come from our recognition of the soil.
The truth is, church used to be a place to go if you needed answers. Now, most people believe it's a place you go if you don't have answers.
The result? People not only stopped going to church, they stopped listening to Christians. What do we do now?
We begin to CULTIVATE the SOIL using what one author calls ORDINARY ATTEMPTS.
Every day opportunities for every day people to do every day things to draw others nearer to God.
(See Colossians 3:17 and 4:5-6).
Hold a door for someone.
Look people in the eye.
Help people when they need it.
Talk as if the person your are talking to matters.
Ask questions.
What? You are already doing these things? Praise God! Are you doing them for a "thank you" or for God's glory? Do you find out people's names? Are you recognizing how God values them?
If so, couple those events with these suggestions:
Pray for people as you approach them.
A. Ask God to bless your kindness
B. Ask God to help you relate to them
Count these acts as evangelism.
A. We have to change our mindset
B. We must let God encourage us
Look for opportunities for conversation; DO NOT look for opportunities to talk about God.
A. They aren't ready yet, as the soil has some deficiencies.
B. You aren't ready yet, as it is not time yet for the harvest. You're sowing, not reaping.
HOMEWORK
Continue to pray, and keep count of the following:
Evangelism encounters this week:__________
Stranger whose name you discovered: __________
Penny Prayers: __________ (Each time you find a penny on the ground, pray for someone who needs Christ.)
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”
--Matthew 25:35-36
We ended last session with redefining what counts as an evangelistic encounter. Part of the process, against our natural assumption, is that we do not talk about God.
When Paul talks about drawing others to God, he says "I planted, Appollos watered, but God was causing the growth." I Cor. 3:6
He goes on to say that we are God's fellow workers. What does our work look like?
Planting is done by relational evangelism.
This fresh, Biblical approach is the easiest and most effective way to reach those far from God..
Doesn't require advanced Bible scholars.
Deals with people we know.
Allows me to use my unique gifts.
Frees me from unnecessary pressure.
Creates a context for the Gospel.
Leads me to ask the right questions.
Creates immediate follow-up.
The Gospel is always relevant. We must be, too.
How do we plant the Gospel without mentioning God yet? Jesus often did this. Some of his conversations never directly mention God. Notice, however, God always gets the glory.
(Matthew 8:5-13, 9:20-22, Mark 3:1-5, John 5:6-9)
Jesus shows us in Matthew 25:35-36. We can plant the Gospel by serving as if we're preaching and then preaching as if we are serving.
You must learn how to BE:
Real
Human
Normal
Yourself
Intentional
But especially the last. Many people will tell you that the world can be a better place if we commit random acts of kindness. God says, "No, we need intentional acts."
Jesus got into people's hearts before He got into their heads.
Ask "How are you?" and listen to the answer.
Ask someone's opinion or advice, and then choose not to give yours unless asked.
Take note of answers and pray.
Notice ordinary victories in their lives.
Use God's tools for planting:
A. Questions
B. Agreements
C. You life. Won't you HAVE to talk about Jesus if you share this?
Do these things intentionally but not as if you have an ulterior motive.
Let God convict, convince, and convert.
Questions show interest, agreements show common threads, and your life introduces your culture. Now you are ready to nurture the seeds you have planted. Remember, though, that nurturing must be done through the entire process, as should cultivating and planting.
Therefore, the first two steps in nurturing are:
Continue to cultivate.
Press on in your planting.
Now that you have proven trustworthy, you will be allowed into their culture. But didn't God say not to yoke with unbelievers? A challenge for the skeptics of spending time with sinners: Read Matt. 9:10-13, Eph. 2:17, Acts 13:47-49, I Cor. 9:22
St. Patrick understood "avoiding the appearance of evil" did not mean becoming monks. So he instructed his monastery to do things differently among the Celts.
They treated outsiders like insiders.
They talked about every day issues.
They looked for the good in people.
When Christians show genuine interest in people, those people actually begin to think God actually likes them. It's almost as if Jesus understands what they're going through!
We have to remember that our reward, our goal for caring is CONVERSATION, not making a point.
Speaking and feeling are closely related. We don't have to be emotional, we just have to be intentional about sharing our hearts.
Thy these free attention giveaways:
Be intentional about making a phone call.
Thank them for their kindness.
Don't voice all of your opinions.
Don't lose your sense of humor.
Let God steer the conversation toward Him. You are wearing down a person's will to resist God by being someone who cares DESPITE the fact that you are "religious."
Water the Garden"
Prayer and the Holy Spirit work on the hearts of those far from God.
Conversion is always God's work.
Prune and Care for the Vine:
Watch for bugs and parasites; world views and negativity and doubts.
Don't get hung up on side issues. Jesus is the primary, if not only, religious discussion.
HOMEWORK
Continue to pray, and keep count of the following:
Free attention giveaways this week: ______
How often I only listened to someone: ______
Questions asked: ______ Agreements made: ______ Life shared without ulterior motives: ______
"...Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows and another reaps.' "
--John 4:35b-37
We ended last session with our friend's will to resist God wearing down and waiting for God to steer the conversation toward Him.
What does it take for someone to make a decision?
the right information, the right opportunity, courage to do something even if they are afraid, the right frame of mind
What are the key components of the Gospel?
He died
He rose again
He loves us
His blood saved the sinner
He is the son of God
He is coming again
The Lord's bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
--II Timothy 2:24-26
Paul pours out his heart to Timothy in this passage. I believe God is, as well. To recognize the power by which God must save man from his sin, we must first understand where man is without Him.
The Bible says that a man is without Jesus is:
Blinded
--II Corinthians 4:4
Hardened Heart
--Ephesians 4:18
Without sure footing
--Matthew 7:26
Slave to sin
--John 8:34
A prisoner
--Romans 7:23
In darkness
--John 1:5
Dead
--Ephesians 2:1
No wonder your friend would not listen to you. He hasn't had the capacity. Now, however, things have changed.
You allowed yourself to be his friend.
You cultivated the soil of his heart.
You planted seeds to that fertile soil.
You nurtured as he learns he is valuable to God.
How do you know when to tell him about Jesus?
Don't sweat it. You've been preparing him to make a decision the whole time:
You prayed for the spirit to work in him.
You asked God to help you relate.
You intentionally shared your life.
You proved that Christians do not have horns or halos.
Your friend may even say, "I wish more Christians were like you." (And to tell the truth, I would pray for that, too.)
Remember the barriers that my still be in the way.
God is not necessary to explain the universe.
Christian terms will still cloud the issue.
The person must sense a need for the Gospel.
The person may not yet be looking for an answer to life's questions.
Conviction/guilt in today's society is often demonized or explained away. "I feel this way because you're making me."
As missional Christians, we pray and watch for opportunities as they are presented by God. We can't force the issue unless God presents us with absolutely unmistakable opportunity.
It may be, during this time, that another form of evangelism will capture your friend. Remember, each form of evangelism is valid (Proclamational, Confrontational, as well as Relational). If that happens, rejoice with your friend and promise to be there for future questions.
As some point, your friend will ask his form of the age-old question, "What must I do to be saved?"
"How can God ever love me?"
"So what's up with this God thing?"
"How do you handle this so well?"
"What drugs do they sell in your cult?"
The first response should be some form of "It's not easy. I just know I am spoken for." From this point, your friend has given you the right to share your beliefs.
Don't say, "This is what you should believe." God handles that. Begin your testimony with "Well, I believe..." At this point, your may use the four spiritual laws. You may also use this:
"Well, I believe that there is a God and He knows better than I do how life should be lived. When I measure myself to that, I realize I'm often doing things wrong. God noticed, too, so He sent His Son Jesus to take the punishment for me."
Notice the only "church" words in the sentence are "God" and "His Son Jesus." Save the rest of the theology for answering your friend's thousands of questions. Remember, only answer questions about Jesus. Anything else, go back to nurturing response, "What do you think?"
WHAT IF I FAIL?
You might have a false start with someone, or they may be ready and then back out. Don't be hard on yourself. God isn't smacking His forehead and thinking, "What am I going to do after he blew it?" People sometimes need several dry runs to accept the truth. Go back to the relationship and wait.
HOMEWORK
Continue to pray, and keep count of the following:
