There’s a psychologists game – what feelings come to mind when I use a particular word –
- try “Chocolate”
Now try “Evangelism”
Some time ago I went to park in a regular pay-and-display car park.
- I put my money in the machine and got a ticket.
- On the back was a deal – free meal at MacDonalds – just present this ticket when you buy a meal and get a second one free
- I showed this to a friend “are you serious?”
- “yes, I’m serious – I’ve tried it out – we’ve actually eaten one – it works!”
Now in essence, this is evangelism. It is, of course, the gospel according to MacDonald’s but the principle is the same.
- I am telling you something that I believe you will accept in the hope that you can experience the benefit of it too
- I’m sharing good news (assuming that you think meals at MacDonald’s are, in fact, good news!)
I think many of us feel that if only we could convey all that Jesus Christ means to us as easily as we can convey the good news of a free McDonald’s meal
- I think we’d be much more inclined to evangelise, naturally,
- to be naturally spiritual and spiritually natural.
- I think it would become much more of a normal activity of daily life – don’t you?
Can I level with you. Here I have a problem as a preacher
- I guess most of us have heard sermons designed to make us feel guilty about not evangelising
- probably most of us have wanted dearly to share our faith authentically and effectively with someone we know and respect, but somehow we didn’t feel capable, we didn’t have the words, or we just blew the chance when it came
- or am I the only person in this room who has been there?!
Some marketing men were talking on the radio recently about how to convince people to buy their products
- they talked about ‘relational marketing’ – one person telling another about the product
- they called it the ‘holy grail’ of marketing! – spontaneously self-generating advertising.
But for Christians that is almost the only way of effectively sharing our faith!
… and the wonderful fact is – we have Gods help in doing it!
I’m working with a couple of assumptions here
I am assuming that most of us have a faith to share in the first place
- I realise that’s not going to be true for everyone
- … it could be that you’ve never truly come to Christ yourself – so what I’m saying has a very different application for you –
- You need to hear what I’m saying – not with a view to passing it on to someone else, but with a view to receiving for yourself
- so begin a relationship with God – see how it goes – investigate and explore – If I can help, let me know!
I am assuming that most of us actually want to share our faith
- that given the right opportunity, given a receptive friend or friends, given a cringe-free way of explaining ourselves
- we know we’ve got something that we want to give away
Evangelism at its heart is not a hit-and-run raid by a travelling celebrity
- nor is it a subtle method of twisting someone’s arm without them being aware of it
- It is an honest, natural, open and intentional giving away of what Jesus has given to me
natural
The problem with some training courses on evangelism is they try to get me to do and be something that I’m fundamentally not.
In a market town I saw a man preaching in the market.
- I’m sure he was very earnest in what he was saying, but his body language unnerved me
- the words he used were true “You are going to hell!” “you must turn from your sinful ways!” “The wrath of God is soon to be vented on sinful mankind – so don’t delay!”
- What he was saying was entirely orthodox and entirely biblical. But the way he was saying it was loveless, cold and critical.
- So what was everyone doing? – avoiding him – walking past on the other side of the road!
- … and I did just the same
In contrast, only a few yards away in the coffee shop there were tables of people sipping coffee and eating snacks – and I’m sure there was a lot of secular evangelism going on in Starbucks
- friends telling each other about the good things that had happened to them!
Now let me ask you – if you want to communicate a message of life and peace and joy in Christ – which is the more natural way of going about it?!
- shouting it on a pavement or sharing it over a coffee?
This was Jesus’ method. So much so that the religious elite accused him of mixing with the rif-raf. And yet, with every Jesus-conversation, there was a direction of travel – and it was a direction of travel towards God’s will and work in our lives.
It wasn’t just a random chat.
Our friends and our family are Gods gift to us. And they are the most natural place to share God’s love and his good news.
Bottom line:
Using the friendships we already have as a springboard for talking about Jesus is the most natural way of telling others
it uses the way in which we’re wired up to be a vehicle for God’s love and release to other people
How does evangelism work?
It works best when it is
personal
When it comes to reaching people who need Christ, there are broadly two approaches, the personal and impersonal
E.g. Paul and Timothy.
When Paul was in Ephesus and looking for a colleague to travel with he encountered Timothy. Paul chose him because ‘everyone spoke well of him’
and from then on Paul took a very personal interest in Timothy’s spiritual progress.
When my father died a small filofax of his came into my possession. It was his prayer outline. And one thing that moved me greatly was a section he had, through which he prayed each day “people nearing Christ”
Every day he prayed for a small handful of people who he wanted to encourage to come to Christ and follow him.
Will you do the same?
Bottom line: the closer the proximity, the greater the impact.
How does evangelism work?
It works best when it is
verbal
When it comes to helping our friends find Jesus Christ, at some point we’re going to say something
- the way we relate and talk provides the context of God’s message
- the words provide the content of the message
When Paul was writing to Romans he said “How will they hear without someone telling them?”
Bottom like: so let’s break the sound barrier!
How does evangelism work?
It works best when it is
takes time
Just think about the changes that God has made in your life since you came to Christ
- I expect some of them are significant – even dramatic!
- But how long did ti take to get from where you were then to where you are now?
- weeks? months? even a couple of years?
As Christians we must respect the spiritual journey that we take to come to Christ
Imagine Eastbourne Ethan. Typical man >>>
- his spiritual journey can be likened to link in a chain
- one link is special – the link of coming to faith in Jesus
But every link is important
Links like
- being aware of spiritual search (often through crisis)
- being aware of sin
- understanding Grace
- discovering the power of the Bible and the Holy Spirit
- experimenting with prayer
So the journey we are helping our friends to take is no less that one we have taken ourselves!
E.g. Jesus on Road to Emmaus “explained all the scriptures about himself” – it took time
E.g. Paul – the road to Damascus experience was the climax of the Holy Spirit working in him over a period of years – lots of evidence in the NT about this.
Bottom line: Respect people’s spiritual journey and be the one who helps them take the next step
How does evangelism work best?
It needs a team
One of the myths of evangelism – it happens only when the big evangelist comes to town –
- Evangelism – especially friendship evangelism – is a team sport.
E.g Football – it may be the striker who scores most of the goals, but the mid-field players are essential to get the ball in position for him!
- if the whole team )were strikers the goal mouth would be undefended!
This is one of the motives behind our stepstone events and Christianity Explored and other events which introduce people to the claims of Jesus
you may not be the person to help your friend through every link of the chain
- but as a church we provide ourselves with key opportunities
A true revival is little more than an epidemic of infectious Christians!
If there were no obstacles in your way, who would you most like to see take significant and noticeable steps towards God on their spiritual journey?
think now about two or three people who come into that category – jot down their names
We’re not talking about revival here – just common friendships, just inviting people, just opening our hearts and our homes to people we know
(and I feel I can get my head round that!)
After all, the kingdom of God grows one life at a time!
Then Pray – about the people on your impact list
Pray
Lord each of us at this moment are calling to mind a few people we would like to help move on to the next link in the chain of their spiritual journey to discovering you
we pray that in the next few days you will give us the opportunity and the courage to invite them, or speak to them about you
to ignite spiritual sparks in them that will one day bring to faith in you
Amen.
