FOR SOUND PREACHING
Dedicated To Public Evangelism and A Sound Understanding of The Scriptures
The Basic Foundations of Evangelism
Firstly, evangelism is duty for all believers.
In
Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus admonished His children to: "Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the
world." In sharing this related material on evangelism, we are hopeful it may
aid readers in seeing just how easy it can be to share the gospel and advance
this important mission Christ directed to His people.
Evangelism
can be carried out in various forms, and it simply involves reminding others of
their obligation to the Lord. Evangelism does not need to involve your making a
sales pitch or selling Christ. It need only be a simple reminder that Jesus is
Lord and one day we must all give an account to Him. It is not man's duty to
convince someone of their need for God as only the Holy Spirit can accomplish that.
It is simply our duty as Christians to plant a seed that the Lord can use to
bring about conviction in the heart of the sinner. In this nation where the
word of God has already penetrated the minds of virtually everyone in society,
planting this little seed can be accomplished in so many ways with such little
effort.
Evangelism involves planting a seed that the Holy Spirit can make
grow.
The core of evangelism is simply planting the seed
as it is the Holy Spirit that ultimately makes that seed grow in the heart of
man. So often people only think of evangelism in the grandiose sense of
missionaries traveling abroad to a foreign land, or a soul winner spending
hours converting the unbeliever’s heart. While these noteworthy acts are
commendable, they do not represent the core of everyday evangelism. Each flame
usually begins with only a small spark. Any action that aids in the pointing of
man to Christ, is beneficial towards evangelism. Inviting a neighbor or
coworker to church service, leaving a bible tract in a common area, displaying a
Christian bumper sticker, offering a Christian greeting to people in public,
texting an unbelieving friend a bible verse during a difficult time in their
life; all represent very effective forms of daily evangelism. The goal is simply
planting the seed, that may lead someone to the further
hearing of the word. In this age, man is currently flooded with gospel
resources. Anyone can reach for a bible, find preaching on the radio or TV, or
search for gospel information on the internet. The key is planting that seed
that may lead them to explore the gospel message further.
Evangelism can be effective in many simplistic forms.
There are numerous means
by which we can freely share the gospel without ever saying a single word to others.
One very effective means is through the distribution of Christian literature.
There are hundreds of very useful tracts, and we could reach multitudes if we
simply left a few from time to time in public areas where people frequent. A bible
tract left here and there in a restroom, on a restaurant table, in the mail
with a bill payment, or simply handed to someone we encounter can be such a
useful tool for the advancement of the gospel. If we left just a handful a day,
there is the potential to reach a thousand people within a year with a simple
reminder that Jesus is Lord. In like manner a simple bumper sticker such as JESUS
SAVES displayed on the rear of our car can easily serve the same purpose.
While riding around town we can plant that important seed that could be used of
the Holy Spirit to bring about conviction of sin. Ultimately where there is a
will there is a way. Evangelism does not have to involve constant direct confrontation
with unbelievers. It need not involve quitting our employments and relocating
to a foreign land. If there is a will or desire, you can regularly plant seeds
of eternal life without speaking a single word to those who may not want to
know the Lord.
The Art of Street Preaching and Public Evangelism.
For some evangelists and preachers, the public square can offer an
opportunity for confrontational forms of evangelism. As someone with two plus
decades of experience in this area, it is not a forum for novices nor those
unwilling to face harsh persecution. A common outcome is being verbally and
physically assaulted by those most hostile to the gospel. There is also the possibility
of being hindered by law enforcement, even under the legal protections of the
First Amendment. While actual convictions before a reasonable court of law are
rare, arrests can be common in some hostile situations. There are some in
certain communities who are particularly violent towards outspoken Christians. Street
preaching, especially in hostile environments near bars, abortion clinics, or
liberal college campuses, is best carried out in small groups where there is
some safety in numbers. There are various online communities for those
interested in street evangelism such as the Street and Open Air Preachers of America (S.O.A.P.A.) organization.
The key advantage to public and street evangelism is meeting
people where they are. In some circumstances, hurting people at the end of the
rope are open to gospel solutions. Volunteer service within prison ministries, at
homeless shelters, food pantries, clothing closets, or other similar ministries
for those in need represent very good options for sharing the gospel without
the general risk of physical abuse or arrest. A reference to the goodness of
God can go a long way in casual discussions with those in need, and the personal
testimony of how God has delivered us from emotional and spiritual struggles can
go even further. Erecting a gospel sign in a location easily seen, sharing a
bible or tract, or offering hope with a prayer for someone visibly in need all
represent valuable means of planting a seed.
There is a critical mission field in every
family and community.
While there remains a need for mature Christians in international mission
fields, we are reminded of the local needs in every family and community. There
is not a single family or local community without unbelievers present. We
should never forget our local evangelism need, a segment frequently the hardest
to reach. We are very aware of our own struggles as none of us are without sin.
We are reminded that Christians are not perfect, just forgiven. Those closest
to us are also commonly aware of our current or former struggles, and they may
not be hesitant to remind us of them. In like fashion our neighbors and
coworkers may be quick to assert we are judgmental in conversations about their
need for Christ. This is an area where we can give testimony of what God has
done for us, over addressing their needs. With family, friends, and coworkers,
it is generally safe to share a testimony, a bible verse, or offer an
invitation to join us for church service. There is always a pressing local need
for evangelism over traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to do the same. There
is always an abundance of local doors to be knocked on with residents we can
invite to church service.
In Summary
Simply walking a person through a series of questions, to a
predetermined end of affirming a general believe in the Lord or reciting a
sinner's prayer, is somewhat useless in achieving any true repentance and
conviction. One can lead almost anyone through a cycle of questioning to a
desired end. Most of us have been talked down such a path numerous times. One
prominent television evangelist readily admitted he routinely saw the same
people repeatedly come up front for alter calls. These haphazard professions of
faith can fall far short of the genuine faith and repentance which accompanies
the new birth. In many cases this can actually be detrimental to the soul as
these responders may be falsely convinced they have a right relationship with
the Lord without any evidence of a changed life. The best response to someone
who inquiries about getting right with God is to encourage that individual to
go plead with God for their soul and to be sure they include a full submission
to His will. Only he or she will know if God truly saved them and no one else
can validate that relationship for them. It is only through a sustained walk
with the Lord that we can discern the true believer from a religious zealot who
has simply cleaned up the surface of the outer man short term.
If you desire additional information on public evangelism or
foreign missions, there are several excellent links on the main page. Please be
reminded that where there is a will there is a way.
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