Mark #5 – Evangelism

There is a lot of confusion about evangelism in the church today. Even within our own lives – we must admit, evangelism is not a subject we understand all too well. We come with baggage to church with our ideas of evangelism and sometimes our church adds even more baggage to our concepts. We’ve surfed the channels and crossed “Christian TV” and seen these men and women asking for money. We’ve heard their message of how God wants to bless your life – usually with wealth and health. If we avaoided those landmines, we can’t help but remember that one man/woman went before a large audience.

Billy Grham hasn’t helped church culture with his massive crusades. Sure, many people have come to faith by this man’s presentation of the Gospel and the efforts of the “crusade,” but once again, we’ve been blasted with this idea that one person must evangelize masses. Even our own church experience dictates that the Pastor give the Gospel and the “church” receives it. Baptist churches through the last century were notorious for Sunday after Sunday presenting the Gospel – demanding an altar call and hoping that some lost soul would walk the aisle or possibly raise his hand.

Evangelism is scary when you aren’t a public speaker or a fundraiser. For most of us, the idea of going before an audience and doing a “sales-pitch” isn’t our idea of fun – nor do we feel qualified to do so.

But evangelism isn’t about any of that. Evangelism isn’t about crowds, tv, money or the like. Evangelism is communicating the Gospel. Which of course – implies a working knowledge of the Gospel. Understanding the Gospel is crucial. Then all evangelism really is – is a communication of the Gospel message to another person. Sure, groups are great – but God is calling you to be faithful, to be obedient to present the ”Good News” to non-believers. Once this has been done – Evangelism has occurred.

Another reason we don’t evangelize is because of fear. Fear that we won’t be successful, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of being thought crazy. God covers all these in His Word. Failure is not telling another person the Gospel. Success is not “converting” somebody – success is being obedient to the task of testifying to the Gospel. The other fears – are quite all right – in fact warranted. Rejection is going to happen. Men and women will reject the message of the Gospel (don’t worry – its not your fault), they will reject you personally and they will think that you are crazy. All of which are signs of you doing the work God has already laid out for you.

The world hated Jesus – it will hate you. The world rejected Paul – they will reject you. The world thought both Jesus and Paul were crazy – they will think you are crazy. It’s guaranteed. Even Paul tells Timothy that those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).

So what are you waiting for? Why aren’t you evangelizing? What is holding you back? Who is in your family that is unsaved? Have you actually told them the Gospel – if not, what are you waiting for? What about your friends? What co-workers do you know that aren’t Christian? Why haven’t you told them? What about your neighbors? This is where evangelism starts. Are you waiting for their time to be up, to be judged by God, sent into everlasting darkness? Are you waiting until there are no more chances? Why wait? Will you ever find a more perfect time than the time that is near? Paul says “today is the day of salvation, now is the time of God” (2 Cor. 6:1-2). If you are waiting for them to like you more, think that you are more acceptable or even be “more of a Christian” – don’t wait. You’ve already developed relationships with these people. They know who you are, they know what you do, what your priorities are – tell them the Truth – tell them God’s facts. Share those facts, call them to change, call them to faith and repentance!

Now is the day of the Lord! Today is the day of Salvation