October 31st
OCTOBER 31st
One problem with the approach to evangelism in the Church is that evangelist has often been presented as a “position” or calling, implying that everyone else is off the hook. You know, like you don’t have to share the Gospel if you aren’t Billy Graham or someone like that. Well that’s definitely not true.
Ephesians 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers
2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Sure some have the gift of evangelism, but everyone has been told to be the light (Matthew 5) and to go and make disciples, so we are not off the hook.
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
Another problem is that it has often been presented as the pastor’s job. But that is faulty reasoning, because if it is just the pastor’s job then we all should be doing everything we can to get people to church to hear the pastor. The truth is that the Pastor’s job is to teach and equip everyone else to go out and minister to the lost. Not that the pastor will never reach anyone himself, but his focus is on ministering to the church so that they are able to go out and reach the lost.
Ephesians 4:11-13 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the PASTORS AND TEACHERS, TO EQUIP HIS PEOPLE FOR WORKS OF SERVICE, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
So, it’s on us. We can be the light gently and with respect to our neighbors and coworkers, friends and family, but what about others we cross paths with? It may only take asking a question that will make them think. So what if we are uncomfortable, so what if we look weird, it is their SOUL at stake.
Jonathan Pokluda shares that he asks at least one person every single day if they have a faith. He uses these 3 questions in this order:
Do you have a faith? (regardless of their answer he asks question 2.)
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being certain and 1 being totally unsure, how certain are you that you would go to Heaven if you died today?
Did you know that you can be certain about that?
Those questions will open up the conversation easily to be able to share the Gospel. Just share Romans 10:9 with them, it explains question 3.
Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Mr. Pokluda prays everywhere he goes that the Holy Spirit will show him who to ask. It is a total mindset change. What if we made it our goal to ask one person (stranger or not) everyday if they have a faith? …Here comes the harvest!
Lord of the harvest, thank you for your plan. Thank you Holy Spirit for working to draw people to you. Help me to be aware of the work you are doing in people around me. Show me who you want me to share with today. Help me ask the questions that will get them thinking and seeking answers. Help me to remember not to be discouraged if I don’t see the results myself. Change my mindset to reflect your plan for my day.