A Risk Worth Taking

Life as we knew it a few weeks ago has radically changed. The days of open conversation are a fading memory as we “socially distance” and for many, remain completely isolated. As the distractions of life evaporate they reveal a grim world desperate for deliverance from our troubles. While the pandemic, loss of income, and altered life rhythms torment us outwardly, those realities can be overshadowed by the fear, anxiety, loneliness, and anger that erupt within. The world wants peace and safety but it is only finding chaos and danger.

The world is rightfully consumed with answering the pandemic. We thank God for the incredible scientists and medical professionals serving the infected and finding a cure. The selflessness and tenacity of the medical response to the physical crisis is heroic. They earnestly move toward the sick and dying knowing that their intervention will make a difference between life and death. Their urgency is an example to us all.

What urgency is there to our gospel message today? For months we have been asked, “Who’s your one?” Who has God placed in your life to call to repent and believe in Jesus Christ? No doubt we can all identify at least one unsaved person with whom we can communicate. The question now is, what will you do about it?

This is the day to make that phone call, send that email, write that letter explaining the hope we have within us (1 Peter 3:15). Yes there are a hundred good acts of mercy we can and should do for our neighbors. Yes there are sacrifices we must make to provide for others (Acts 2:44). And yes they will see Christ in how we serve (Matthew 5:16). But if done in silence, all of those acts of kindness could be better done by an atheist too. We have in our hands the eternal Word of God that truly transforms lives. Paul said in Romans 10:14, How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” Today, you are that preacher. So preach it!

The risk worth taking is not one that endangers someone’s physical wellbeing by violating the spacial separation we must maintain. The risk worth taking is one that is bold enough to confront the spiritual and eternal danger others are already in. Being confined to our homes does not limit the power of the Gospel or our freedom to proclaim it. Let the urgency of this current crisis provoke us to contact those who will hear with Christ’s message of hope. The pandemic may rage on, but we long for others to know the peace that surpasses understanding that guards the hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7) of those who turn from their sins and believe in Christ alone for salvation (Romans 10:9).

The most important message the Apostle Paul had was the news of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthains 15:3). Let that be the predominate word others hear from us. So while we find ourselves in this season of isolation, here are several ideas to help carry out the great commission in a season of isolation:

• Pray proactively. Whether through an online message or a sidewalk conversation, start with simply recognizing that this situation is difficult and it can bring incredible stress into life. Let others know you are praying for them. Ask how to pray specifically for their situation. A simple start to the gospel conversation is letting people know that your care for them goes beyond information.

• Preemptive giving. Meet a need, before it appears. Drop off the now infamous toilet paper or sealed package of food, order a pizza to their home, leave an encouraging note on their doorstep. Simple steps that show a genuine concern for their well being.

• Always ready. While those around you may not reach out for hope today, let them know that you are always available to share resources, give encouragement, help for resolving conflict and ideas for passing the time.

• Use your pen. We have such a powerful example in how the Apostle Paul used his time in isolation. It was from his time in prison where he wrote the letters of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Use your pen to write a letter of encouragement and gospel explanation to someone.

• Invite to online church. Invite those you are in contact with to listen to the sermons your pastor is preaching online. Encourage them to take an hour to tune in and learn where our hope comes from.

• Be salt & light. Let the joy of Christ that strengthens us and the love of Christ that anchors us flow through your home with such energy and volume that others around us see our good works and will be pointed towards Christ as the only explanation for our response to this season.

• Be resourceful. Take a look at the helpful evangelistic resources from our Gospel Toolbox. Here you will find articles, videos and illustrations for explaining the gospel online.

Evangelizing unbelievers can be difficult for the same reason criminals struggle to find policemen…most are not looking for one. Instead of pursuing others with the gospel, we cocooned ourselves with those who already know it.  A vortex pulls us into Christian bubble and slowly we can be lulled toward indifference to those yet to repent.

Genuinely drawing near to Christ will rightly submerse us in believer’s fellowship, but it will simultaneously thrust us toward others in gospel ministry.  Heavily evangelistic churches become that way as individual believers are passionate and proactive in daily life. They implement the faithful exposition of Scripture and are propelled out to reach sinners for Christ.

The Great Commission is an individual commission. It will not be fulfilled in silence, but in conversations that confront unrighteousness with the kindness of God that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Christians must cultivate evangelistic instincts, the humble tenacity to engage in gospel conversations. Here are a few encouragements to help in pursuing unbelievers with Christ’s saving message.

 

1. Spring load the gospel.

This isn’t complicated, if you’re saved, you know enough of the gospel to present it to someone else. However, it takes work to be clear and understandable. Memorize the foundational gospel components and key verses. With those stamped in mind, work daily to recite it and role play with others. You may not always have your Bible in hand when an evangelistic opportunity presents itself, so memorize the message. Be alert and stay ready!

 

2.  Recruit a prayer team.

The hard work of evangelism begins on our knees, petitioning God to work in the hearts of those we pursue. In humility and dependency, following the example of Paul in praying for others (Romans 10:1) and watch as God answers pray in increased opportunities to proclaim His gospel. As we join one another in evangelistic prayer, we invite accountability and can encourage one another too.

 

3. Live excellent.

Live with integrity. Peter wrote “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). Live so that when our name crosses the mind of unbeliever’s they associate us with Jesus. The most clear and accurate gospel presentation is muted if unbelievers identify us by patterns of sin instead righteousness. In humility, repent when we sin, and use our failures to magnify God’s mercy. Keep in mind that our example may be the first expose many receive to the transforming power of the gospel.

 

4.  Engage your mission field.

God in His sovereign grace, chose to place you alongside unbelievers – in your neighborhood, family and at work. It’s not enough to talk about them, we must talk with them, using our points of connection to advance the gospel conversation. Don’t throw away the opportunity to proclaim His saving message. This is your first mission field. Every unbeliever in our life should both know our identity as a Christian and know our desire to see them come to believe in Christ as Savior and Lord.

 

5.  Create new mission fields.

Along the way, create new mission fields, finding new ways to interact with unbelievers. Volunteer at a local school, help in a community project, go out of your way to introduce yourself to others, etc. These ideas and more help to create new networks that open up new mission fields for gospel ministry.

 

Here’s a place to start, take the “2-minute challenge” Give yourself no more than 2 minutes to identify yourself with Christ when meeting someone new! As an ambassador of Christ, be quick to let others know who you represent (2 Corinthians 5:20). Say something that lets another know you belong to, have been forgiven by, are loved by, are trusting in God, etc. That way, as your conversations develop, you’ve already identified with Christ right away. No procrastinating!

 

6.  Relentlessly love other believers.

Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Christian’s biblically loving one another make the love of Christ visible for the world to see. How are the “one another’s” made visible in our relationships with other believers? Does your love for other believers lend credibility to your gospel presentation?

 

7.  Lead by example.

No matter your age, level of responsibility or visibility within the church, you can lead by example. the heart of Paul’s encouragement to timothy is to lead by example despite his youth (1 Timothy 4:12). Some of the greatest evangelists are those whose names we won’t ever know, but were relentlessly faithful to tell others about Jesus. Don’t wait for someone else to lead by example, take initiative and set the pace as the Spirit works through you.

 

8.  Celebrate salvation.

Never lose sight of the miracle that happens in new birth. if heaven explodes in celebration in response to the new birth, so should we. one way to do this is to share testimonies often. We can never hear enough of the work Christ has done in drawing someone to salvation. incorporate the recounting of salvation wherever possible. doing so reminds us of the many ways the gospel penetrates hearts and how God chooses to use saved sinners in that process.

The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that he delivered to them “as of first importance what [he] also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). For you to do faithful evangelism, the gospel must be of first importance to you. Only then will you overcome the challenges that have prevented you from boldly sharing the gospel with unbelievers.

 

This article has been adapted from Stitzinger, Jim. “A Witnessing Community.” in A Guide to Evangelism, edited by Dan Dewitt, 34-41. Louisville: SBTS Press, 2013.