Aug 29 2008
Method to Message
July 4th in D.C.
Personal evangelism is a complete command requiring complete obedience by those who embrace the cross of Christ. Very few Christians dedicate themselves to daily expressing and sharing their faith with those who surround them. This is not a generalization but an induction taken from studies conducted by the Barna Research Group which found that “Adults’ View On Having A Personal Responsibility To Tell Other People Their Religious Beliefs: 2007-35% 2006-39% 2005-34% 2004-35% 2002-35% 2000-31% 1998-29% 1996-31%”.# The argument may be raised that statistics can be manipulated to favor one’s argument but the case still stands with even a margin of a 10% difference. Now I am not one who is fond of projecting numbers in order to advance action but obvious doubts can be raised about the seriousness of America’s religious convictions. The evangelical’s desire to share his or her faith is rooted in a passion to love Christ by sharing His good news with a broken and crushed world.
Death’s grip upon mankind broke upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Savior of mankind had triumphed over the grave and appeared visibly to His disciples and many others living in Israel (Acts 13:29-31). The disciples met Jesus upon the mountain which He directed them to for a final address. Jesus’ last words were in regard to what has been commonly called the great commission which can be found in the synoptic gospels (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:44-49). Jesus’ command to make disciples doesn’t apply to just the seminary or college student or to those who are bold but the command and the responsibility belong to all those whose claim to have the abundant life. Jesus tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). The good news is not a tedious chore or something else on your checklist but the good news is a lifestyle. Jesus’ style was to share the good news as he went. As His disciples we are to be sharing the good news as we go, as we go to the shopping store or as we eat at a restaurant. The good news can be lived out through our actions or through our attitudes or the good news can be shared verbally with those around us by simply stopping and having a conversation with them.
Personal evangelism has become more and more about evangelistic methods and blocked scheduled times which we share the good news and then we live the rest our lives. Christianity has become a waffle religion where its followers merely block out scheduled times of reading the Bible, praying, sharing one’s faith, and fellowship. Is the Christian life a lifestyle or is it just a set of mere decrees and obligations to those decrees? The answer to the above question can only be answered by you. The next issue that must be dealt with is the issue of evangelistic methods. Are there valid methods of evangelism and invalid methods of evangelism? Take the man holding the sign at the beginning of this article, is this man’s form of evangelism invalid? It seems as though God can and will use even the most despised methods. The apostle Paul writes to the church at Philippi that while in prison there were many people preaching the gospel out of envy and rivalry (Philippians 1:12-18). Paul doesn’t honor their attitude but he does rejoice in that Jesus Christ is being proclaimed. The issue then is not so much the method being used but the emphasis must be upon the message. Is Jesus Christ being proclaimed? As a bystander to this spectacle on the 4th of July in Washington, D.C. I have concluded some brief observations.
First, based on outward appearances, the man doesn’t appear as though he is sharing good news. How can we share good news with a growl or a snarl or with anger? If a doctor diagnosed someone with a disease but later found that the disease was cured would the doctor then share the good news with a grim face? It’s important that disciples of Christ who have the abundant life be filled with the joy of their salvation. If the joy of our salvation is lost then we must ask as David did in Psalm 51:12 that God restore the joy of His salvation to us. Second, the man’s sign is disturbing in its content. Christ said that He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Christ’s message is one of hope! The nations are not yet gone, they are not yet dead. There is hope for the lost because Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost. The Christian’s message should be one of hope not of damnation or of scare tactics. The apostle Paul said that it is all about the proclamation of Jesus Christ. This man’s sign puts the condition of salvation upon the lordship issue. Make Christ your ruler and you will be spared. Yet Jesus said that He is the resurrection and the life. It is not in a prayer or in a decision to make Jesus the Lord of your life that saves you but it is Jesus Christ Himself that saves you. The content of this man’s message is not the proclamation of Jesus Christ but it’s a proclamation for lordship salvation.
The Christian’s hope is not found in words, prayers, churches, but is found only in Jesus Christ as the resurrection and the life. Perhaps it’s time to remove the gospel from its sterile hospital room and allow it to do what it was always meant to do, that is to come in contact with people and to give them the best news ever, that there is hope and that hope is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
