“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”
Most
Christians know that we need to talk to more people about Jesus Christ. Most of
us recognize that we need to extend more invitations to worship assemblies, to
Bible studies, to singings, and to anything that teaches one about the Lord and
focuses upon the condition of the soul. Most of us freely admit that there is
nothing more important in this world than preparing for the next. Yet, for a
number of reasons, we are often hesitant to do much about it in terms of
talking to others. This very broad statement is certainly not meant to
encompass the entirety of the brotherhood but you'll know if it describes you.
The biblical
pattern for evangelism is found in the above verse from Acts 8:4. At the end of
the day, we’ve got to open our mouths and speak to people about the Lord. What
stops us from doing it? This is the first of a series on evangelism focused
specifically upon conversations. Before the conversation ever begins there are
several things to bear in mind.
Four “Don’ts”
1. Don’t
saddle yourself with arbitrary restrictions. I have noticed that nearly every restriction that prevents us from beginning a
conversation with someone about the Lord is a restriction of our own devising.
Located on a college campus, I have seen these arbitrary restrictions fairly
often and have even created a few of them myself. Here’s what I mean: a student passes by with several books and a
purposeful walk. Clearly this student is too busy to speak so I’ll just let her
pass. Another student is strolling along with his ear buds in mouthing the
words of the song on his phone. Clearly he’ll not appreciate an interruption so
I’d best let him go on by. This next fellow looks like a professor. Clearly he
will not be interested in what I have to say. I’d better not approach him. Here
comes a group of students laughing and talking loudly. I’m certain they won’t
appreciate me stopping them. I’m just going to let them go on by.
Do you see the
problem here? Each restriction is entirely arbitrary. The truth is we have no
idea how any of these people will respond until we speak to them. Friends, if
we’re not careful we’ll saddle ourselves with so many arbitrary restrictions
that the only person we’ll speak to is the one who walks up to us and asks us
to tell them about Jesus. Honestly, how often does that happen?
2. Don’t
decide for the person before ever speaking to them. This happens far too
often. This man has too many tattoos; he won’t care one bit about Jesus. This
woman is cursing up a storm; she’d laugh at me if I mentioned the Lord. Those
teenagers are talking about their latest sexual exploits; they’ll certainly not
be willing to give the gospel a hearing.
Do you see the
problem here? Before ever speaking a word to any of these people I’ve decided
for them that they’ll not be willing to hear. I’m certainly glad Christians did
not do that to me, aren’t you? Making our own decisions is enough; let’s not
take up the business of deciding for others as well. We’re simply not
qualified.
3. Don’t be
afraid of rejection. Let’s just be honest about this: the vast majority of people who hear
about the Lord will reject Him. This should never come as a surprise for our
Lord Himself warned us it would be this way (Matthew 7:13-14). So what do we do
when someone flat out rejects the gospel? We buck up, pray that they’ll change
their minds in the future, and move on to the next person. Rejection is not a
failure on our part; quitting because of it is.
4. Don’t be afraid of questions. Questions are a wonderful thing! If
someone takes the time to question us it demonstrates that they’ve given at
least a little thought to these matters and they care enough to ask about them.
This is the person we’re looking for.
Now’s the time to rejoice, not retreat!
“I don’t
always know the answers.” Neither do I. No one knows them all. Don’t be afraid
to tell someone that you can’t give a thoughtful, Bible answer at the moment of
the question. Tell them you’d love to study it with them or, if they’d prefer,
you’d be happy to study it yourself and get back to them. I have found that the
questioner is almost always a contact. Embrace questions; don’t fear them!
Four Do’s
1. Do remember
that we work for and with God. The Creator of the Universe has commissioned us.
There is no greater authority than His. Not only has He commissioned us; He has
equipped us to carry out the task (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Indeed, Paul shows that
we work with God, not just for Him (1
Corinthians 3:9). This is a reason for great confidence and joy. Even when we
seek conversations without the aid of fellow brethren, we know that God Himself
is working with and through us. With this thought firmly in mind, what is there
to fear?
2. Do pray
often. Do
you need to pray more? Become evangelistic and I promise that your prayer life
will blossom. When Nehemiah stood before Artaxerxes, the King asked him what he
requested. At that very moment Nehemiah uttered a quick prayer to the God of
heaven (Nehemiah 2:1-4). This prayer must not have taken more than a few
seconds but it emboldened Nehemiah and filled him with confidence. It will do
the same for us.
A quick prayer
for wisdom, courage, and proper attitude takes only a few seconds. Say one
every time you prepare to speak to someone about the Lord. When the message is
rejected, pray for continuing boldness and receptive hearts. When someone stops
to speak to you, pray for wisdom in speech. When someone asks you a question,
pray for clarity of thought and message. When someone agrees to study, thank
God for having found this person. The evangelistic life is the praying life.
3. Do see
everyone as a potential candidate for salvation. As long as the Lord’s
invitation to come to Him continues to apply to every person willing to do it
(Matthew 11:28-30), we must see every
person as a candidate for salvation. Will Christ reject the individual who is a
little rough around the edges should that person choose to become a Christian and
submit to Him? Of course not! Then how can we reject them as candidates for
salvation before ever delivering the
message? Even the most unlikely may someday become a stalwart in the kingdom.
Just ask Saul of Tarsus (1 Timothy 1:12-16).
4. Do get out
of God’s way!
Ultimately I suppose this is what it comes down to, isn’t it? The greatest
hindrances to God’s message being spread in this world are often Christians
themselves. In inventing restrictions, prejudging who will and will not hear,
and fearing to speak at all we often stand paralyzed. It is only when we
recognize that the sufficiency and power is in God that we will get out of His
way and let Him work. Ours is to plant the seed while God causes the growth (1
Corinthians 3:6). The seed won’t grow unless it has been planted. Let’s plant
and let God do His work!
May every
saint plant bountifully, faithfully, and zealously!
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