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Evangelism: A New Beginning

by Glenda Thomas

A New and Refreshing look at evangelism. The Secret.

By Glenda Thomas

I don't know about you, but I had been conditioned to feel guilty whenever I fell short of talking to strangers about the Lord. "Go get those souls for Jesus" and ""Get them in the water" are some common exhortations from the preachers shouting from the pulpit. Have you ever asked yourself, "How can I talk to people about church?", "What do I do if they reject me?". I have asked myself and questioned my commitment etc. until I discovered the secret to evangelism. Evangelism is a divine endeavor. The load of everything about bringing, leading others to Christ is off my shoulders.

We are familiar with Lydia in Acts 16. Let's take a closer look at how Paul taught Lydia and how and why she responded. In Acts 16:9-15 we read,

"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us. " (ESV)

Focus on the part of this passage, ". The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul." God is the mover in the scheme of redemption. Paul did not convince her, nor did he argue with her. GOD opened her heart. What should our perspective on evangelism be, now that we know that it is God who opens the heart of prospects? I have several suggestions:

1) Pray to God about the person you want to talk to (invite to worship etc.) before you talk to the person. 2) Ask and invite others to worship or Bible study and do not take "no" as personal rejection. God knows whether you are planting the word in wayside soil, thorny soil, soil with rock or good ground. It is not effective to pass judgment on people because you think they should respond NOW. Neither is it loving to pass judgment. What I mean by pass judgment is to damn the person's soul to hell because they are not ready to hear today. God is charge of souls, salvation and damnation. He can handle all of that without our pronouncements on others. 3) Once we have someone to teach we must teach in humility of spirit, realizing that God is using us as a tool, to not only teach His gospel, but also to live as an example. "Jesus began to do and teach. " (Acts 1:1).
The order of words in Scripture is very important. The first word in the order is the most important. "Do" comes before "teach".

As we go through this New Year remember that 8 signifies new beginning. Let's start anew with evangelism and conduct ourselves in such a manner that reflects that God is charge of everything. Teach humbly and with grace.

Dear Lord,
Bless us this year, 2008, to allow You to work through us to share the gospel with those around us by doing, then by teaching. Bless us to realize that You are the One who opens the hearts of listeners. Thank you for opening our hearts to receive your word before we were Christians and to continue to hear Your word and take heed everyday. Thank you for a New Year to serve You and others in Your name.
In Jesus' name, amen.