Thoughts on Evangelism

I am giving a talk tomorrow on evangelism tentatively called "10 facts about evangelism." This is very reminiscent of Don Allen, who calls his talks things like "8 Reasons to be Committed to God's Word," and "Three Ways to Say No to the World."

Actually, the talk doesn't really have a title, I was just brain-storming what to say and started listing facts about evangelism, and there happened to be ten when I was done.

Anyways, today I was thinking that I should give them a test run by presenting them to the general public, and then seeing what snarky, clever comments people post about them. IF ANY!

So, here they are (I might get bored and not list all ten, fyi)

1. Evangelism is declarative, proclamational.

There is a set of information that must be transmitted verbally. Romans 10--Faith comes through hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. The gospel is words spoken.

If you do not transmit the INFORMATION of the gospel, whatever else you do, it is not evangelism. Not that other things you do are not good. But they are not evangelism. It is not evangelism to make friends with someone, or to be nice to someone, or even to love someone.

2. The gospel declared has both content and application.

The content is I Corinthians 15--Christ died for sins according the Scriptures, was buried, he rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, and appeared to a bunch of people.

This must be contextualized, or applied into the life of the listener. First, labor to establish the sinfulness of man and the righteousness of God. Then, declare the awful justice of God, and the coming of a day of judgment, etc. Then, present Christ as a means provided by God for our sins to be punished, etc.

If the gospel is not applied, it is not properly transmitted; then it is simply a nice story, or a philosophical idea, etc.

3. Evangelism does not cause conversion.

What is our role? We are ambassadors for Christ, we present him, we are like Moses "lifting up the snake in the desert." We declare the gospel with all the clarity, care, and effort we have.

But in themselves, the men to whom we speak are "dead in their transgressions and sins." Unless God quickens them, they remain so, despite our best efforts.

4. Evangelism is love for non-Christians.

The greatest need of man is salvation. The only means to salvation is Christ. The only way that Christ goes forth in the appointment of God is the church's speaking of him to the unconverted.

Remember that love is proven by action. "Dear children, let us not love in word or tongue but with action, and in truth!" Love exalts the beloved, and desires the best for it. If we love a man, what take no care to address the deepest issue of his heart, our profession of love is false.

Evangelism, even when rejected, is truer love for a man than anything else.

5. Evangelism is not events, it is not special sermons--evangelism is not bringing your friends to here someone else speak--evangelism is not bribing people to church, or sneaking them slowly in. Evangelism is not for the professionals.

Much of what passes for evangelism these days is attempts to avoid doing it while appeasing our conscience that we did!

6. Evangelism requires boldness and courage.

Beware of anything that seems to make evangelism easier. It is probably just putting off the hard moment. There is a crucial moment of risk, the moment in which the content is applied (usually) to the individual. Sometimes the moment of risk is in walking up to a man. Whenever it comes, the moment is when we, as individuals, risk rejection. It is the moment when we identify with our message in a way that the rejection is a rejection of us.

You will never rid yourself of that moment. You should instead practice evangelism until boldness and courage becomes your habit.

Are you ashamed of the gospel? If you are ashamed of its content than you are ashamed of it. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, the most glorious truth the world has ever known! Yet if we are honest we see in our heart the betrayal of Christ, even the one who saved us, as he is saving us.

For me, evangelism is repentance of that secret fear of man.

(not penance, mind you, I'm not trying to merit any grace...rather that in evangelism I act against that fear...I mortify, as it were)

7. Evangelism is unpredictable, because human beings are different.

If people always respond positively (not conversion, but happily), then either we are in the midst of a revival, or because you are not communicating the hard truths.

If people always respond negatively, then either you are Jeremiah ministering to a people God has hardened, or because your technique or demeanor is inherently offensive.

8. It is the message to which people should respond, not our method.

This works both ways. We speak with permission, never forcefully or invasively. We speak always gently and in love. We respect people's time, and we seek to genuinely listen to and know the people we speak to.

9. There is offense in the gospel, that cannot be removed, because it is not in the gospel but in the emnity to God resident in natural man's heart.

10. Finally...the gospel always involves risk.

You cannot make it safe. You cannot make it attractive to natural man. The gospel is salvation though, and it must be risked.

Ultimate conclusion:

Don't talk about evangelism. Do it. If you look at your schedule, and at no point in the next week to plan or anticipate sharing the gospel with someone, change your schedule. If you look back at the previous week and you did not share the gospel with someone, alter your life so that you do this week!

Apply these things! Do it! Everyone always looks at these exhortations, nods their heads sagely, and then imagines that being nice to the waiter at the restaurant is evangelism. PEOPLE ARE DYING!

Ok, sorry I got worked up ther.