On Envangelism

 

John 15: 16 

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you ".  

Evangelism, which is sharing the good news of Christ, is largely seen as a difficult or tedious task because of the lack of or inadequate understanding behind it; owing to the thought that you are the one doing the job yourself or a church obligation that should be fulfilled. 

However, the above scripture (and particularly the 'that' in red emphasis), should be able to set your heart at rest on whose job evangelism is. So reading the above scripture again with this understanding, and bearing in mind that this is Jesus Christ speaking, it would sound like this : "Ye have not chosen me, but [on the contrary] I have chosen you, and ordained you, [so] that ye should go [in my name/on my behalf] and bring forth fruit.."  

In essence, here is saying that you were chosen JUST to deliver a message, the real messenger is the Spirit of Jesus. He is the actual person who does the speaking through you; and the only thing you need to do is to make yourself available. This is confirmed in Mt 10 : 20 when Jesus said that 'it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh through you'. So, really, the thought of evangelism shouldn't be overwhelming frightful or cumbersome since he is the one that chose you, to speak through your mouth; and 1 thess 5:24 assures that he who called/chose you is faithful enough to also do what he called you for. 

Another major question that comes up on this subject is how to begin and what to say. The story of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:6-43, shows an example of what evangelism is and the tact that you could use during the exercise : it started with a casual request of 'Give me to drink' to saving majority of the city, that same week. Here are some tips to take from this story for evangelism: 

1. It can be casual or unplanned for, or even not in your schedule: Jesus made a 4-hour journey that day from Judea to Samaria (probably on foot), and was very tired and thirsty, but those conditions still didn't stop him from reaching out. (vs 3-6). So, you do not necessarily need a formal planning for it; it can happen at anywhere and at any time. 

2. Make the first move, initiate the conversation: Jesus was the first to strike up the conversation, he didn't wait to be spoken to, he made the first move immediately. (vs 7). You can go first too. 

3. Take advantage of the situation / event as a conversation starter :  in this case, Jesus was thirsty, there was a well close by, and a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Everything just fell into place and Jesus seized the opportunity to dig right in: 'Give me to drink' (vs 7). So, be sensitive to the situation at the moment and strike up a conversation (it could be as casual as asking 'how is your day going?'). 

4. The gospel is inclusive : In those days, men are not usually caught talking openly or relating to women, how much more a Jew and a Samaritan, and even much more a Jewish man AND a Samaritan woman! That was a strong religious complexity as remarked by the samaritan woman (vs 9), but that still did not deter Jesus from asking water of her, which in turn became a useful conversational tool for her conversion. The gospel therefore, is for everyone regardless of social or religious status. 

5. Be sensitive to the need(s) of the person : Kindness, compassion and sensitivity play a vital role on winning the person you are evangelizing to. Jesus struck a chord of need in the heart of that Samaritan woman immediately he said 'go, call your husband'; even though Jesus knew she had no husband (vs 16-18). He touched a sensitive area of her life (that she probably desired a change in); everything else Jesus said up until that time didn't make sense to her because it didn't really get in touch with her on a  personal level. As soon as Jesus got in touch with her on a personal level, she yielded and not only did she accept him, she in turn called majority of the city to come and see, and they too believed him. 

So, don't just jump right in to say  what you came for, but try to connect with the person on a personal level or need basis (spiritual or physical). A hungry, weary or needy person may not be able to listen to the gospel you have to share. Go with a gift: it could a bible, a few cash, a lunch pack, a helping hand, a cup/bottle of cold water on a hot day, a kind word, or a even a simple smile. A connection on a personal level not only retains the attention of your listener but also makes him accepts what you say because he has found someone who understands what he is going through. 

Also, a messenger always goes with a specific message to deliver, so fill your spirit with the right words from the word of God, as you can only give what you have from your inside. Speaking the right words helps you strike the right chords in the heart in the person you are speaking to. Jesus, being the sender has also promised that he will give you a mouth and a wisdom, which...shall not be gainsaid or resisted. (Luke 21: 15). 

And what is this message? 2 cor 5 :18 and 19 sums up in a precise manner what right word to say : 'And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation...and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation'. Paul also went ahead to demonstrate the simplicity of that message by saying to the Corinthians on a very simple and short note : 'be ye reconciled to God' (vs 20). So, the content of your words should that of reconciliation and showing the love that Jesus gave by replacing sin with righteousness. It is really as simple as that and may not require so much verbosity. 

So whenever you go to reach out to someone with the good news of Jesus, do not be afraid anymore of what to say;  just settle it in your heart that you were only sent and trust the real sender, being Jesus to deliver his message. He always delivers because he backs up whoever he send. With this dimension and a better understanding on this subject, may you find a renewed willingness and be productive as you go out to tell people about Jesus and the good news of reconciliation. Amen 

God bless you!