Reaching the Marketplace for Jesus
Reaching the Marketplace for Jesus
Why Evangelize?
By
Bob Dudley
Editor’s note: I (Bob) wrote this while attending seminary in the Washington, DC area. I tried to get down in writing my thoughts and feelings about why we Christians should spread the gospel.
I am an evangelist (at least, that’s what I keep telling myself). I spend the vast majority of my free time out talking to people about Jesus and how they can get to heaven. When I’m not doing that, you can usually find me training people to do the same.
Anyway, because of this, I am very passionate toward this aspect of God’s work - which brings me to the reason for this article. This week, in a discussion with some friends, the topic of Eternal Security came up (in other words, once you accept Christ as your Savior does that mean you are always saved?). This led to a discussion of “easy believe-ism”. Which led to a discussion of witnessing, alter calls, and evangelists in general. One of the sentiments brought up was the feeling that we, as Christians, should maybe NOT be so ready to go out and witness to people and get them to accept Jesus as their Savior. The feeling expressed was that the quick witnessing opportunity (in the check out line at the store, with the waiter or waitress at the restaurant, random encounters in our everyday life) should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, how well can they understand the gospel in a matter of a couple of minutes? This really broke my heart and moved me to write my thoughts out on paper. I hope this will bless you and encourage you to go out – “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest."
There are several points that I think need to be considered: (1) Spreading the gospel is what is close to God’s heart, (2) the gospel is supposed to be easy (God wants everyone to be saved) - it takes faith alone in Christ alone to get to heaven, period, (3) the New Testament church witnessed all the time to all the people, (4) We are supposed to tell everyone, everywhere, all the time about the good news, and (5) we should go out with a sense of boldness knowing God is working with us and not be apprehensive, thinking that we might get it wrong.
(1) Spreading the gospel is what is close to God’s heart.
When you want to get close to your dad you find out what he is interested in and you develop an interest in that, also. If your dad is interested in fishing you ask him to take you with him and to teach you how to fish. It’s the same with God. If you want to be close to God, our heavenly Father, then you need to find out what is close to His heart and get it close to your heart. God is interested in saving the lost.
There really isn’t anything that God would rather do than see lost sinners come to a saving knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ.
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)
It’s good to work in Pastoral ministries, counseling, Sunday school, the choir, or any of a dozen other ministries. God needs workers everywhere you look. But, if you want there to be joy in heaven, if you want there to be joy in the presence angels – lead one lost sinner to Christ.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10)
Always remember, as much as you might want to see someone saved, God wants it more. It is His will that none should perish.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 2:3-4)
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
(2) The Gospel is supposed to be easy - it takes faith alone in Christ alone to get to heaven, period.
First, the obvious: faith alone in Christ alone is the only way to heaven. Just a few verses to remind us:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not
the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
(John 3:36)
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:40)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:11-12)
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)
Next, what about “fruit” after a
person is saved? Should there be some external indication? How can you tell if
someone is “really” saved? Is it even appropriate to ask these questions?
I think the best place to answer
this question is from Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Paul was writing to the
Galatians because some had entered into the congregation preaching that they
must follow the law (i.e., get circumcised) once they are saved.
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Stand fast therefore in
the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with
the yoke of bondage.
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you
nothing.
For I testify again to
every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
Christ is become of
no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen
from grace. For we
through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
(Galatians 4:31-5:5)
Paul spent the majority of the
letter convincing the Galatians not to put themselves under a law that the Jews
couldn’t keep. And, besides, the law doesn’t save.
Is the law then against the
promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could
have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
(Galatians 3:21)
Should there be a change in a person after they are saved? Of course! The Holy Spirit is living in their heart. Can another person see that change in another’s life? Maybe, maybe not. It’s between them and their Savior.
Finally, I think it needs to be
said that the gospel is easy on both sides of the equation. It is easy to tell
and it is easy to understand. I’ve seen five year olds that could articulate a
clear presentation of the gospel. Remember, the NT church went form house to
house, door to door, giving the gospel. They didn’t have time to give a complete
course in Systematic Theology.
The woman at the well didn’t even get it right but people still got saved. Jesus
didn’t tell her everything she had ever done – just who she was sleeping
around with. But she said…
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,“Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (John 4:28-29)
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. (John 4:39)
(3) The New Testament church witnessed all the time to all the people.
Sometimes I think Acts would have been called Numbers if that title hadn’t already been taken. They witnessed everywhere and saw the results of their labors. Notice the trends:
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) (Acts 1:13-15)
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47)
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. (Acts 5:28)
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:42)
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, (Acts 6:1a)
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. (Acts 8:4)
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. (Acts 8:5)
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:40)
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. (Acts 9:31)
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 10:45)
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. (Acts 11:21)
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. (Acts 14:27)
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:20-21)
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27)
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:31)
You get the idea. They witnessed all the time, all over the place and multiplied thousands were saved.
(4) We are supposed to tell everyone, everywhere, all the time about the good news.
The great commission commands us to witness, the
consequences to the lost should convict us to witness, the love of Christ
compels us to witness.
The great commission commands us to witness. Five times the great commission is given in the New Testament. I think Jesus was serious.
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37-38)
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)
And when he was come near, he
beheld the city, and wept over it,
(Luke 19:41)
The consequences to the lost convict us to witness. In Acts 20, Paul tells the elders from Ephesus that the blood of no man is upon his hands. Read Ezekiel 33 with this in mind.
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. (Acts 20:26)
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. (Ezekiel 33:6)
An interesting, and eye opening, exercise is to see how many people die every day in your city. Then ask yourself, are you keeping up?
The love of Christ compels us to
witness.
For the love of Christ
constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all
dead: (1 Corinthians 5:14)
They that sow in tears shall
reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and
weepeth, bearing precious
seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
(Psalm 126:5-6)
But when he saw the
multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted,
and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)
I say the truth in
Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 That I have
great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could
wish that myself were accursed
from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: (Romans 9:1-3)
If you are in love with your
Savior, you can’t help but tell others about Him. I don’t even know how to put
this into words. It’s more than a feeling, more than a desire. It’s almost an
obsession. If you’ve never experienced the joy of watching someone come to
Christ you don’t know what you are missing.
I would encourage you to start
witnessing to people. I lived my Christian life for over 30 years without really
sharing my faith with anyone. It was private and no one’s business. A couple of
years ago I gave my life completely to God. I told Him I would do whatever He
wanted; He just had to tell me what it was. Almost immediately I felt compelled
to tell others about Him. I had to tell others about the God that loved
me so much He gave Himself in my place.
(5) We should go out with a sense of boldness knowing God is working with us and not be apprehensive, thinking that we might get it wrong.
When we evangelize we are doing what is closest to God’s heart. We are not alone; God has promised that He would be right there with us. When you go with your dad to fish the first time he doesn’t leave you there to fend for yourself. He helps you bait the hook and throw in the line. He may even help you reel in your first catch.
When you go out to fish for men, God does not send you out alone, either. In the great commission recorded in Matthew’s gospel, Christ promises to be with you whenever you go out to talk to others about Him, even unto the end of the world. When you talk to someone about Jesus, He is standing there right next to you.
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20b)
Not only is Jesus there with you, God also promises to give you the power of the Holy Spirit.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me (Acts 1:8a)
And, as if THAT wasn’t enough, you have the supernatural power of God’s Holy Scriptures.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
God does not intend for us to go out with a sense of trepidation and worry that we are going to give the person we are talking to a false sense of security. He wants us to go out with boldness – we know the truth of the good news and no one else in the world knows it but us. If we don’t tell people no one will. If you are afraid, pray for boldness (Paul even had to do this – Eph 6:18-20).
Over this last year I’ve presented the gospel over a thousand times in more situations than I can recall. I can’t remember one time where I said it perfectly (recall how the woman at the well got it wrong and people were saved). But the Holy Spirit was there every time making sure the person I was talking to understood it perfectly.
I pray this has been of some small help. I wish I could motivate every Christian I meet to step out on faith and ask another person if they know Jesus. And then tell them what Jesus can do to change their destiny for eternity. I would like to end on a very positive note and tell you about Rosalind…
Usually my partner (Mike) and I go to Brooklyn, MD (a depressed neighborhood south of Baltimore) early on Saturday mornings to do some street witnessing – it’s a very drug and alcohol infested area with a real need of God’s good news. Anyway, this last Saturday we decided to help our church with some door-to-door witnessing instead. Next month our church is going to two services in the morning and they are using it as an opportunity to knock on every door in the neighborhood to invite them to the new services.
We talked to about a dozen people and had some nice conversations but no one really was interested in hearing the gospel that morning. We got in the car after we finished our assigned street (and the next street over that we kinda snuck in). As we were sitting there in the car we decided the day was still young and we hadn’t seen anyone come to Christ that day. So, you guessed it, we headed for Brooklyn.
We got there about an hour and a half later than usual. As we walked along Patapsco Ave we noticed a long line in front of one of those store front churches. I had a pocket full of tracts and they weren’t doing anything in the line so I started at the front of the line and gave out a tract to the dozen people standing there. They were waiting for the church to open at 11:00 to give out free food and clothing.
I got to the end of the line and there were three ladies that asked me what I was handing out (Mike had stopped at the front of the line to talk to two of the guys in the front). I told them we were from a church down the street and we were inviting people to church. We chatted for a while then I asked them if they were 100% sure about heaven. Two of the ladies told me they had prayed at this very church (the one they were in front of) about 4 weeks prior. The third lady said she knew about all that stuff – my radar went up. I asked her if I could show her what the Bible said about getting to heaven. I think, since she wasn’t going anywhere anyway, she let me talk. After I went through the gospel and showed her that all she had to do was trust in Jesus alone to get to heaven I asked her if she’d like to ask Jesus into her heart to save her. She told me she was afraid to pray.
No one had ever told me that before. I took her a few steps away from the others and asked her if she knew if she was going to heaven. She said she knew now that she wasn’t. I then asked her if she would like to accept God’s free gift of salvation. She said she would. I asked her if she would mind if I led her through a prayer, just her and me and God – no one else listening, to let God know what she wanted to do. After she asked Jesus to come into her heart she gave me a big hug and told her other friends what she had just done.
About that time the pastor of the church we were standing in front of, and his wife, came out. The wife looked at Mike and I and said that she heard people were out here giving out the gospel. I told Rosalind to tell her what she just did. She told the pastor’s wife that she had just gotten saved.
And THAT is what it’s all about! J
