Evangelism

You hear the word 'evangelism' and this might conjur up all kinds of images and ideas.   Today, as I hear the word 'evangelism', I immediately think of Billy Graham who for almost 60 years held evangelistic crusades all over the world.   Or those who hand out gospel tracts at community events.   Or the people that knock on your door and ask you all kinds of questions.  Your might think of sandwich boards draped over somebody or a billboard on a pole somewhere -- each proclaiming a message or quoting a verse from the Bible.   

We have been looking at the Biblical values that shape the culture of the CRCA, a contemporary, Reformed, gospel-focused denomination.   As we looked at the core Biblical value of being Gospel-Focused we considered the ideas of being kingdom-orientated and outward-looking.   When we as a denomination say that we are 'gospel-focused', by this we are also saying that we are 'evangelistic'.   What might this imply for you as a church member, or for your church as a whole?  

When I was growing up in the church I thought that evangelism was something that only happened overseas by a select few missionaries.   But as a teenager I was challenged by my church to think of evangelism as something that needed also to happen in our local community, by each and every follower of Jesus.

The word 'evangelism' comes from the Greek word 'euangelion' translated most often in the New Testament as 'gospel' or 'good news'  (see Mark 1:1, 14-15; 1 Corinthians 9:12; Philippians 1:27; etc.)  Evangelism is the act of Christians telling others the good news of Jesus with the intention of spreading this message and the teachings of the Bible to the unsaved and throughout the world.   You don't need to be an evangelist (see Ephesians 4:11) to engage in evangelism.   If you are believer in Jesus, then you too can and ought to tell others about Jesus.   The apostle Peter writes:    "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience ..." (1 Peter 3:16)   Jesus reminds his followers that they are to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."  (Matthew 28:19-20)   From these and other key Biblical teachings it is clear that every believer is to engage in evangelism.

Now it is true that faithful preaching of the Word includes bearing testimony to the good news of Jesus.   Years ago I preached in a church and engraved on the lectern were these words from John 12:21:  "Sir, we would see Jesus!"   Yes, the good news of what Jesus did for us through his death and resurrection needs to be central to every sermon.   But those of us who have heard that message now need to spread that message to others.   To be gospel-focused means to be evangelistic!   In preaching and in practice.

As churches and church members this might seem an impossible Biblical value to live out.   But it isn't really.   All you need is, as Peter tells us, some preparation.   As churches and church leaders we must equip everybody to becoming effective in evangelism.   Today there are a whole raft of tools you or your church members can use to become equipped in sharing the good news with others.   In a Witnessing handout I share five ways you can share the good news of Jesus :  (1) Sharing Christ with your testimony; (2) Sharing your faith through pictures; (3) Sharing your faith after a presentation; (4) Sharing your faith with a booklet; and (5) Sharing your faith with prayer. (Download here)   Kevin Harney of Organic Outreach suggests a simple way to remember how to share your faith:  G.O.G.O.  You can print off this reminder as a book mark to help you remember.  You might want to check out the app produced by Campus Crusade called GodTools.  With this app you can learn how to talk about your faith with anyone.  Use the app to walk someone through a clear explanation of the gospel.  This app will also show you how to help that person take a relevant next step.   You might also like to check out Life in 6 Words where you find a clear and concise presentation of the gospel.     

So where are you at, and where is your church at, when it comes to evangelism?  What can you do yourself or what can your church do to raise your outreach temperature?   Here are few suggestions:   (1)  Review each of the above ways to share your faith and practice each one.  (2) Pray and ask God to show you people who need to hear about God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ, then make a list of the names God brings to mind.  (3) Pray for each person daily asking God to draw them to Himself.  (4) Take advantage of every opportunity God gives you and share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Remember he has promised to be with you as you bear witness to the good news (See Matthew 28:20).   (5)  Be available to share with people you meet through the day. You never know when God has set up a Divine appointment for you to share with someone!  And finally, (6) always remember that it is God who brings people to Himself ~ not our techniques or charm. Be continually filled with God’s Spirit and expect God to use you!   Simply share the good news.  That is evangelism!