The Spiritual Rhythm of Evangelism

Introduction

When I worked at Target for the short period of time I did in KC, the Lord granted an ear with a young man who worked alongside me. When we would unload the truck, we were allowed to listen to music on our phones. I would often listen to music or podcasts. The young man, Andrew, and I had conversations over the course or several weeks and he learned who I was and why I was there.

One day, Andrew asked me what I listened to. I told him music, often worship, or podcasts about preaching, student ministry, and the Bible. He asked a couple of follow up questions, but I never made it to the gospel with him. The Lord threw a softball pitch to me, and I whiffed.

Fast-forward a few years later and I am on a mission trip with my students and I get a call from one of the managers at Target. She called to inform me that Andrew had taken his life and they were letting those who worked with him know. I got off the phone and I wept in front of my students. I missed the opportunity granted to me. I pray the gospel was presented to Andrew at some point in his life.

I tell you this story to lay the foundation that the spiritual discipline/rhythm of evangelism is of great importance. This practice carries the greatest stake of them all- eternity of people. Yet, this practice is one of the least pursued by believing American Christians.

Our Lord and Savior commanded us go and share of His good news. Jesus, Himself, testified about His purpose of being on earth. If we truly believe we carry the best news ever given in the entirety of humanity, why would we not want to share it?

We have heard all the reasons and likely have used many of them. Tying this practice back to submission from last week. If the Lord commands us to share the gospel of Jesus, we don’t get to put any stipulations on it.

The “What” of Evangelism

In order to evangelize, we have to know what we are speaking about. One, we have to have it in our own lives, but also we need to be able to express it.

Romans 10:9-13 presents to us the “what” of evangelism.

Jesus is the message (v.9,13)

What is the message exactly about Jesus?

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 CSB

Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Christ died, was buried, and rose 3 days later. Paul says this was the gospel he preached and they received and upon that they stand to be saved.

The bare minimum of knowledge of the gospel is this, but we also need to understand what His death, burial, and resurrection means.

Ephesians 2:1–8 CSB

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—

Jesus by His work takes us from spiritual death to spiritual life. He grants to us a new nature.

Jesus takes away the punishment of our sin (wrath)

Jesus is the gift of God to shower us with grace and salvation.

No one or thing can save except Jesus Christ.

2. Belief and confession are the hearer’s response (v.9-13)

Confess- means to declare or acknowledge

It is like when a nation conquers another one and plants their flag onto that land to lay claim of it. We plant the flag of our heart and lives in the person and work of Jesus Christ for salvation in our confession.

It is the outward expression of belief.

From the mouth the heart speak/what is in your heart will be expressed outwardly.

Confession is not just in word alone, but in action and life change.

Belief- means to entrust, have an assurance of

Belief must be held in the person and work of Jesus.

Ex- “God raised Him from the dead”

3. Belief and confession leads to a change

Resulting in righteousness

+ Positionally we are granted the righteousness of Jesus in place of our sin or good works. Our relationship with a holy God is now restored.

Resulting Salvation

+ The term salvation can be associated with a military victory when rescued from enemies.

We are saved from enemies and victory is won by Jesus.

+ We are saved from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, death and eternal separation from God.

True evangelism can only be true if we are presenting the message of Jesus and look to the person to respond.

The “How” of Evangelism

Paul continues his thought on the message of Jesus to what I am calling the how of evangelism. He has provided the message, but how does this message go out to the people? There are many tools and methods at our disposal to share the gospel of Jesus, but the Word is clear on 3 things here.

Proclaim (“Preacher”)

Paul asks the question how can people call on Jesus and believe unless they hear about Him. They need a preacher. The word preacher here is not about a type of person, but the action of publicly proclaiming a message. This is every single one of us.

2 Corinthians 5:18–21 CSB

Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Here Paul says the message of reconciliation has been committed to us and we are ambassadors for Jesus. Note “God is making His appeal through us.” Why are people not receiving Jesus today? Because we disobedient to the call and not opening ourselves to God to make an appeal through us.

We have to open our mouths.

We have to know the Lord and the gospel.

2. Live Sent

Who is sending these preachers out? It’s the church. We once were in a church that had a sign over all their exit doors that read, “You are now entering the mission field.” Every one of us is sent by God through the church to proclaim.

Matthew 28:18–20 CSB

Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Seek opportunities- Be attentive to who the Lord is calling to salvation. Be attentive to situations or conversations that expose the Spirit’s work for the gospel. Be intentional about relationships and encounters to share.

Seize opportunities

3. Remember you are not responsible for their response (v.16a)

I once has a youth pastor preach to us that when we don’t get a response of salvation in someone the blood is on our hands. He also said when we don’t share the blood is on our hands. I can agree with the not sharing aspect, but I cannot agree with the first.

Paul wrote that not all obeyed the gospel. The reality is some will have faith and respond some will not.

Ours is not to make them believe, persuade perhaps, but to be faithful to our call to proclaim.

The Discipline of Evangelism

What makes it a discipline?

Donald Whitney answers this question well in his spiritual discipline book.

“Evangelism is a natural overflow of the Christian life…But evangelism is also a Discipline in that we must discipline ourselves to get into situations where evangelism can occur, that is, we must not just wait for witnessing opportunities to happen.”

Share about prayer walking last year on Sunday nights

He continues,

“We should acknowledge the common objection that people do not witness because of lack of time. Between jobs, family, and church responsibilities, there simply isn’t enough time to ‘go witnessing.’ Before we adopt this objection to evangelism, let’s ponder this: Do we really want to say that we are too busy to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to make disciples? Do we expect that at the Judgment Jesus will excuse us from the single most important responsibility He gave us because we say, ‘I didn’t have time’?”

The reality is, we are undisciplined in our heart, mind, and will to evangelize.

Colossians 4:5–6 CSB

Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Make the most of the time. Overworking, binge watching streamed media, scrolling videos, continuously practicing, etc. are they making the most of our time?

A word to those who claim to be introverted. I am naturally introverted. It is easy for me to claim that and not evangelize. But I was challenged on this by a professor one day.

Our natural wiring or design does not dictate the will or command of God over our life. I am called to be a pastor, that means I have to be extra disciplined to not succumbed to my introversion.

Practical Application

How do we practice evangelism? Like Nike has told us for years, just do it. But, I am going to give you 4 steps to take. Now, if you want a method of evangelism my suggestions are the 3 Circles or the 4 Symbols.

S- Start a conversation

Sometimes the hardest part of it all. If you see someone reading a book, start the conversation with a question- what are you reading? If they seem open to talking follow up with, tell me more about it.

Start with some recent news events that can lead to the gospel.

Start with a simple how is your day?

A- Ask a question

I’ve shared some questions to ask, but you an also use- how can I pray for you.

One pastor I knew always asked people, “Jesus loves you, has anyone told you that today?”

Ask questions to know the person better, not just simply to be done with sharing the gospel.

L- Listen

Listen for key words or phrases that strike you in what they say.

Listen, actually listen to who they are- feelings, thoughts, background- and seek to understand them.

T- Tell your testimony and/or the gospel

You may feel awkward about this, but after a bit you could say, “Can I tell you about what has shaped my life?”

Maybe there is an opening of a shared experience that allows you to share your testimony.

Remember- we must share Jesus and the gospel and seek a response to evangelize.

Go be salty in the world!

Conclusion

Penn Video- offer explanation of the situation and share the clip

End with:

The discipline of evangelism isn’t about having all the answers, the right method of evangelism, or the special gift of the Spirit being an evangelist. Evangelism is about disciplining the heart like that of Paul’s for all people:

Romans 9:2–3 CSB

that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the benefit of my brothers and sisters, my own flesh and blood.

Be broken for the lost of our world.

Be ready to share the gospel of Jesus by knowing it.

Be responsive to the call of sharing.

Be trusting in the power of the gospel and of Christ to transform the lives of people.