How are you? How is your week going? Have you been practicing the discipline of evangelism?
We talked about the Great Commission this past Sunday. In it, we see that we are called to make disciples through baptizing (sharing the gospel) and teaching. We are able to do this because of Christ’s power (authority) and presence (I am with you always).
Not only that, we looked at Peter and John’s words in Acts 4. They were sharing Christ in word and deed, while the Jewish leaders told them to stop. They essentially said that sharing Christ is obedience to God and also an overflow of one’s heart/experience.
We are called to just be honest: honest about ourselves and honest about the message of Christ. As we share Christ, the Lord will work in and through us. How are you sharing the message of Christ today? This week? This year?
But more than the why and the how, I want to take this week’s word and ask you about the reason for your lack of evangelism (if applicable). More than the “why” for evangelism, I want us to think about the “why not.” Why don’t we share Christ? What are we afraid of? Do we love our neighbor?
If we trust in Jesus as our Savior, then we believe Jesus to be the cure and the answer. Maybe our lack of evangelism represents our lack of faith.
Maybe we feel as though we don’t know enough. However, the knowledge we do know is enough to save our own hearts.
Maybe we are afraid of rejection. But true love for neighbor fights through rejection. And Christ is with us in the rejection.
Maybe we don’t want to be uncomfortable or sacrificial. But love is uncomfortable. And love is sacrificial.
Maybe we feel as though it is not our place. But Christ’s authority gives us that place.
Maybe we feel hypocritical in sharing the gospel. But thank God that the gospel is not about us.
Friends, take some time this week and reflect on these questions. Repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness. Lastly, pray for the Lord’s help, strength, and boldness. I will be doing the same things as I fail in this discipline so often.
I ask you to pray. Pray for one another. Pray for our worship. Pray for our nation and our leaders. Pray for the hurting, the needy, and the marginalized.
Hope to see you on Sunday for Lord’s Day Worship, either in-person or through livestream. Please do sign up if you plan on attending the worship in-person asap!
In Christ,
Pastor Tim