Fishers of Men
Thinking evangelistically means considering the meaning, our motive, the message, the mode and potential methods of evangelism.
The MEANING of evangelism.
What is “missional evangelism”? Missional Evangelism is our long-term, corporate commitment to personal evangelism that intentionally engages our community with both our Gospel message as well as our lives in such a way that invites our lost neighbor into both the Kingdom as well as our church. As Paul writes to the church in Philippi, “I thank God...for you...because of your partnership in the Gospel” (Phil. 1:3-5). Missional evangelism speaks of the coordinated effort of a faith community to reach their world.
“...the church [is] the engine of evangelism....we want whole churches that speak of Jesus.” – Stiles, Evangelism
“I yearn for a culture of evangelism that never trades confidence in the Gospel for confidence in techniques, personalities, or ... gimmicks” – Stiles, Evangelism
“I want a church where you can point to changed lives...” – Stiles, Evangelism
What is “personal evangelism”? Personal evangelism is the individual believer’s commitment to Communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the ultimate goal of conversion, Lord-willing. A church’s culture of evangelism is then only as strong as the sum total of its people’s desire and commitment to evangelize. Evangelism is not a program, or a special service put together by the leaders of a local church. It is to be the lifestyle of each believer, who, upon salvation by faith, has been made by God an ambassador to a lost world.
“Should we equate the Church’s evangelistic responsibility with the holding of such meetings, or the Christian’s evangelistic responsibility with bringing unconverted people to such meetings, we should be grievously astray.” – Packer
The MOTIVE for evangelism.
Do Christians have an agenda/objective when they love someone? Yes, namely, conversion (2 Cor. 5). For the blind to see; for the captive to be freed, and for the lost to be found. While true Christian love creates a concern for and a sincere interest in the sinner as a natural person, their eternal destiny apart from Christ is our primary concern (Lk. 13:1-5).
What is our motive for sharing the Gospel? The Christian has multiple reasons to share their faith. We do so, because we love our neighbor and can’t help but plead with sinners to be saved from eternal punishment (Lk. 19:41-42, James 5:19-20). We do so in order to obey Jesus’ commission to go and make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20, Mk. 16:15).
“We ought to have an obsession for souls, and tearfully plead with God to see more people converted...” – Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines
“I long to be with Christians who remember people’s separation from God....[who] remember what people can become through the Gospel.” – Stiles, Evangelism
What are some common reasons we do not share our faith? There are several reasons Christians do not evangelize. We feel unworthy or inadequacy, fearing we will be unable to respond adequately (Matt. 10:19, Lk. 12:12), or worse, shown to be a hypocrite. We may be afraid of rejection, looking foolish (Lk. 12:8), or offending people (1 Cor. 1:18- 25). However, there is a theme among these, and that is fear or a lack of faith. Regardless of our particular temptation, we would be wise to seriously consider how we’ve allowed reasons like these to hamper our obedience, repent of our sinful slothful ease, be forgiven, rise, and renew the solemn pledge we own Him to go and make Him known.
“We should acknowledge the common objection that people do not witness because of the lack of time. Between job, family, and church responsibilities, there simply isn’t enough time to “go witnessing.” ...Apart from making evangelism a spiritual discipline, most Christians will seldom share the Gospel. – Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines
The MESSAGE of evangelism
What is our Gospel message? In short, God saves sinners. More fully, the Truth about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is The Gospel - The Good News. This Good News begins for us with the bad news that, as sinners by nature, we are incapable of living according to God’s perfect moral standard of holiness. This means that we are condemned already, deserving of His just wrath on us, because of our sinfulness. However, God made a gracious concession by reconciling us to Himself in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21). By sincere repentance (Lk. 13:3-5), and faith alone in Christ’s sinless life, His substitutionary and propitiatory death on the cross, and His victorious resurrection from the dead, we are forgiven, justified before God - saved. On the cross, God, in Christ, demonstrates His mysterious love, His holy justice, and His amazing grace toward sinners. At the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the infinite privilege redeemed sinners have of glorifying an eternally sufficient God, because of all He has accomplished on their behalf. We believe The Gospel both saves and sanctifies, and therefore, want all that takes place in our hearts, our churches, and our ministries to proceed from and be related to the truths and the power of The Gospel.
From what are we saved? Initially, in this life, the power of sin, and ultimately, in the life to come, the wrath of God in hell (Rom. 1:18), described in Scripture as eternal, conscience torment (Matt. 3:12; 5:22-30; 8:12; 13:41-50; 18:8-9; 25:41-46, Jude 7, Rev. 14:9-11; 20:10-15; 21:8).
By what are we saved? By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Eph. 2:8-10).
To/unto what are we saved? We are saved unto good works performed from the heart (Eph. 2:10), and eternal life with God (Jn. 3:16).
In what/who do we put our trust/faith? Specifically, our confident trust is in Christ’s satisfactory life lived on our behalf, His substitutionary death died in our place, and His victorious resurrection by which He defeated death, and becoming the first to be resurrected from the dead unto eternal life (1 Cor. 15:3-8).
For what do we put our faith in Christ? For the forgiveness of our sin(s) and thus to be reconciled, restored back into a right relationship with God (Is. 1:19, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:13- 14, 1 Jn. 1:9).
[Evangelism] is the communication of the Gospel with a view to conversion. It is a matter, not merely of informing, but also of inviting. – Packer
With whom am I responsible to share the Gospel message? Evangelism begins in the home with our children (Deut. 6:4-9, Eph. 6:4), and if necessary, our unbelieving spouse (1 Cor. 7:16, 1 Pt. 3:1-2). From there, we are not restricted from, and in fact, are commanded to take the Gospel message to the ends of the world. This must mean, then, that we are to evangelize our extended family and close friends, our neighbors, even perfect strangers. It seems Paul made a habit of leading his prison guards to the Lord (Phil. 1:13; 4:22). We are to have a particular concern for the community in which we are able to best and most often be salt and light. Then, as opportunity affords us, we are to reach out with the Good News to our county/part of the world and beyond.
The MODE of our evangelism
What is the role of prayer in evangelism? Evangelism begins (Matt. 9:37-38), persists (Eph. 6:19, Col. 4:3-4), and ends with prayer, asking the Lord of the harvest to do what only He can do (Jn. 14:6).
What role does the Holy Spirit play in evangelism? The Holy Spirit is the power of evangelism and the source of conversion (John 3:8). He empowers the Christian’s witness (Acts 1:8), convicts the sinner of sin (John 16:8), and opens minds and hearts to the Gospel (1 Cor. 2:14) in the living and active Scriptures. It is the powerful combination of God’s Spirit and His Word that convince the sinner of the Truth (Heb. 4:12).
“If the Holy Spirit has transformed you into a follower of Jesus, be confident of this: God has given you Acts 1:8 power. This means that in ways and methods compatible with your personality, spiritual gifts, opportunities, and so on, you do have the power to share the Gospel with people.” – Donald Whiney, Spiritual Disciplines
Is every Christian responsible for evangelizing or just those who are gifted? In the same way all Christians are called to be hospitable, and not just those with the gift of hospitality, all Christians are called to a lifestyle of evangelism. Those gifted as evangelists are particularly responsible for helping equip the church to be a more bold, fervent, and effective witness (Eph. 4:11, 2 Tim. 4:5). The Great Commission is the responsibility of the church and all Christians are ambassadors called into the ministry of reconciling the sinner to God. It was not primarily the Apostles (Acts 8:1-4) who scattered to expand and increase the early church.
“...loving communities committed to sharing the Gospel as part of an ongoing way of life...” – Stiles, Evangelism
“New believers have the zeal and the contacts older Christians often lack....older Christians have the knowledge younger Christians need.” – Stiles, Evangelism
What does successful evangelism look like? Successful evangelism is simply sharing the Gospel with sincere concern and confidence (Rom. 1:16). We can share our faith without failure, when we understand that successful evangelism occurs when we sincerely open our hearts and our mouths and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While we must be intentional and disciplined to share, effective evangelism is not results/response- oriented and does not require that someone repent and come to faith (Jeremiah). The miracle of conversion is something God alone is capable of performing; we are responsible to proclaim the Truth and invite the hearer to respond.
“Unless we discipline ourselves for evangelism, it is very easy to excuse ourselves from ever sharing the Gospel with anyone.” – Donald Whiney, Spiritual Disciplines
“We are like the postal service...they measure success by the careful and accurate delivery of the message...not by the response of the recipient.” – Donald Whiney, Spiritual Disciplines
“If I never won souls, I would sigh till I did. I would break my heart over them if I could not break their hearts. Though I can understand the possibility of an earnest sower never reaping, I cannot understand the possibility of an earnest sower being content not to reap. I cannot comprehend any one of you Christian people trying to win souls and not having results, and being satisfied without results.” – C.H. Spurgeon, Sermon: Tearful Sowing and Joyful Reaping
Do I have to include a Gospel presentation in every conversation I have? No. This is a freeing truth. However, this freeing truth may easily be an excuse for us to simply engage at a superficial level, always waiting on people to just come out and ask us how to be saved. Many times, it is far more appropriate to get to know someone’s name and meet them once or twice before engaging in a spiritual conversation. There will be many people we meet once, never having the opportunity to have much of a spiritual conversation, but only the opportunity to be salt and light, kind, and to treat them, as best we can, how Christ would (Matt. 5:13-16). We should always be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we consider approaching someone. While we must always be willing, it may not always be the best time or place to present the Gospel to someone. Nevertheless, in addition to taking opportunities to share our Faith (1 Cor. 16:8-9), we must also pray for boldness to make opportunities to do so (Acts 17:22-31, Rom. 11:13- 14, 1 Cor. 9:19-23, Col. 4:5-6). Evangelism is as much a disciple as it is a lifestyle; and it is more than how we live our life; the Gospel must be put in words (Rom. 10:17).
How important is Missional Evangelism in the local church? The Church's mission is always to glorify God & make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20), and while we continue to build rich biblical-community in our church, we must also cultivate a culture of missional evangelism in our church by holding one another accountable to investing in relationships outside of the church (Matt. 11:16-19, Lk. 7:31-34), sharing our faith (1 Pt. 3:15), and Lord-willing, inviting folks into the life of the church. We will often need to reiterate this mission and be reminded of our responsibility to evangelize, invite, and engage in our community. One key way of loving God and neighbor is by a growing understanding of and commitment to be a bold witness for Christ! After all, conversion is the necessary beginning of discipleship.
What should be the biblical tone and attitude of my evangelism? Throughout the Scriptures, there is a tangibly urgent tone regarding sharing our faith with the lost (1 Cor. 11:1, Col. 1:27-29). The attitude toward evangelistic conversations is not once referred to as casual encounter, or even as a pleasant, mutual two-way chat (Acts 28:23-24, Phil. 1:7). In most every case the Greek word for the word “reason” is the word “dialegomai” (διαλέγομαι), which means to discuss, address, preach, converse, teach, or argue (Acts 17:1-18; 24:24-25, 1 Pt. 3:15). It is where we get our English word “dialogue.” In many cases the Greek word for “urge,” or “persuade” is used (Peithó/πείθω) (Acts 9:28-30; 18:4; 19:26).
Does God sovereignly choose who will be saved? Scripture is abundantly clear on this point. While man is in fact held responsible for his own stubborn rebellion before God, it is God who elects, (Acts 18:10) and who grants receptivity (Phil. 1:29, Acts 16:14), faith/belief (Matt. 13:11, Eph. 2:8), and repentance (Acts 5:31, 11:18, Col. 1:13) to the sinner. See Mk. 13:20-27, Lk. 18:7, Jn. 3:27; 6:44, Acts 13:48, Rom. 8:29-30; 9, Rev. 1:8.
Why evangelize if God is sovereign over salvation? God works by His Spirit through His Word in the hearts of sinful man to bring them to repentance and faith. God’s sovereignty in evangelism ought to actually motivate our evangelism, making us bolder, more patient, & more prayerful. God has invited us to be ambassadors for Him and has ordained the use of our efforts (Matt. 4:19; 13:47; 22:1-14, Lk. 5:10b-11, Rom. 10:13-17) to fulfill His plans. And the growth and expansion of His Church, which requires the conversion of sinners, is something Christ promised to do Himself (Matt. 16:18).
Potential METHODS of evangelism
Is inviting someone to church a form of evangelism? Yes, it is a form of evangelism, because the Gospel will be proclaimed as we sing, teach, and pray. As a result, Lord- willing, the sinner will be convicted and confess faith in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (1 Cor. 14:24). However, inviting someone to church is usually best as a supplemental method, to be paired with an intentional relationship outside the walls of the church.
Should I share my “testimony”? Absolutely. Like the Samaritan woman who ran into her village telling them all what she had experienced (John 4), our testimony of salvation and love for the Lord can certainly be used by the Spirit to compel someone to consider Christ more seriously. That said, we must not emphasize our story too much beyond using it to simply point people to Christ Himself (John 1:40-49). It is not the Gospel. Rather, our testimony ought to be used as a platform from which we then clearly present the Gospel message in a way that is true all people, everywhere – that God saves sinners, reconciling them to Himself, by grace through faith in Christ’s life, death and resurrection (Rev. 12).
In what ways is the church, collectively, a witness for Christ? When we love one another and when we do good works (Matt. 5:16), in obedience to God, from a place of love for God and love for our neighbor.
What is the “Romans Road?”
Romans 3:23 – all have sinned...
Romans 6:23 – wages of sin is death...
Romans 5:8 – while we were sinner, Christ died...
Romans 10:9-10 – Confess and believe and be saved...
Romans 10:13 – whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.
4-Questions Model: The First-4 Qs: 1) Do you have any kind of spiritual belief? 2) If you died right now, where are you going? 3) What is your understanding of who Jesus Christ is? 4) Do you think there is heaven and hell? The Final-4 Qs: 1) Do you believe you are a sinner? 2) Do you want forgiveness for your sins? 3) Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again? 4) Are you willing to surrender yourself to Christ?
4-Step Model: While evangelism can’t limited to a 3-step process, these are intended to simplify what can otherwise be an intimidating process. Step 1: Have Sincere Concern (their eternal destiny). Step 2: Have Sincere Interest (their life). Step 3: Ask Sincere Questions (one aspect of life). Step 4: Make the Spiritual Transition (pray for wisdom and boldness)
Our God is an evangelistic God and has gone far out of His way (leaving heaven where He lacked nothing and deserved to be forever) in order to rescue unworthy rebels. He showed radical humility to come to us, warn us and promise us eternal life with Him. And He goes farther - He has chosen to use imperfect vessels such as us to literally tell the world that all may come, repent, believe and have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ!
Let’s go, and make disciples for the glory of God.