There’s a word that is often danced around by many believers: Evangelism. Simply put, this word means to share the hope we have in Christ Jesus with others. Every generation struggles with this concept. We gather in our church houses, we sing songs, we live quiet, comfortable lives in our respective faith communities, and we die. That, at least, is what the world would have us believe. In the past 50 years or so, there’s been a more aggressive (if polite) war against evangelism: we’ve been told that it’s rude to talk about religion. We’ve been told to keep Jesus in the church, and be quiet about him everywhere else. Nowadays, the politeness gloves have come off, and the world may even be quite hostile to the message of the Gospel. Yet in spite of this, we’re still to share the hope we have in Christ.
I’ve heard people say “my gifting is not in evangelism.” I have some great news for everyone who thinks this: Evangelism is not a gift! It’s the responsibility of every member of the church! The fact is, evangelism isn’t the “job” (we’ll talk about THAT another time), of the preacher, elder, deacons, or Sunday school teachers alone to proclaim the Gospel. Church doesn’t exist so that we get our teachings on Sunday, and live our lives the rest of the week. The Church is a command center for the believer, hospital for the sick, home for the homeless, and the Family of God, among many other purposes. Yet every believer who has hope in Christ Jesus should not be ashamed to share their hope and home in Him. Many of us are uncomfortable in speaking and sharing with others: that is understandable, as we may feel inadequate or not good enough. Yet, if we have hope in Christ for eternal life because He paid the price with His own life for OUR sins, why keep that to ourselves? Church, it’s time to be rude (not rude, but to go against what the world tells us we can and can’t do); it’s time to share our hope in Christ. There is no other way to eternity (He even said He was the only way). Share!
Matthew 28:16-20 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 10:10-17 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Comments