Seizing Opportunities for Evangelism
October 31st, 2007
(By Jesse Johnson)
* Jesse is serves as Associate Pastor of Local Outreach Ministries at Grace Church.
On Sunday afternoons I used to pass a well-dressed man standing on a milk crate at the corner of Roscoe and Van Nuys boulevards. He wore a placard around his neck that said “Jesus is Lord,” and bellowed phrases like “Jesus loves you” and “Read the Bible” into a bullhorn. Cars at the red light would roll up their windows, while the people huddled at the bus stop looked on, visibly annoyed.
This man’s evangelism caused me cognitive conflict. On one hand, he was trying to do something to proclaim the gospel. On the other hand, he was no doubt causing people to scoff at the gospel because of the frivolous way he was presenting it.
There are many misunderstandings about the nature of true evangelism. Many people don’t evangelize because when they think of evangelism, they think of the overzealous man on the street corner with the bullhorn. They think, “I’m not called to do that.” From there it’s a short leap to, “So I’m not called to evangelize.”
But the most effective kind of evangelism is often not done from street corners. Proclaiming the gospel does not involve a sign around your neck, or a bullhorn in your hand. Effective, winsome evangelism can take place with people you already know—your neighbors, your family, and your coworkers. Think of the names of nonbelievers you cross paths with; those people are your mission field.
For Jesus, evangelism was a way of life. When He crossed paths with people, He seized the opportunities to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins. In fact, much of Jesus’ evangelism took place in conversations with individuals. Consider the woman at the well (John 4), the rich young ruler (Luke 18), and Zacchaeus (Luke 19).
Evangelism in the book of Acts follows Jesus’ example. Peter, Stephen, and Paul did not stand on street corners and shout. Instead they seized whatever opportunities God gave them, and implored people to be reconciled to God. There are at least 15 examples in the book of Acts of Christians going about their daily activity, and then getting involved in evangelistic conversations with individuals with whom they came in contact.
That is our challenge in evangelism. We want to seize the opportunities that God gives us to proclaim the gospel to those whom He puts around us. When we see evangelism as a lifestyle, rather than as an event, then our evangelism will more closely model Jesus’s.
Tomorrow we will have some ideas that pastors can use to facilitate this kind of evangelism in the life of the church.
So true. Yet. . .I wonder if the pendulum has swung too far because of the extremes, and most pastors feel no obligation or responsibility with “event” style evangelism. I remember attending youth Superbowl parties with an evangelistic message at 1/2 time, attending East Coast WOL basketball, volleyball, marathons (I would take issue with the gospel presentation- not the strategy), going door to door at Thanksgiving with baskets and literature from the church, caroling and visiting the nursing homes at Christmas, doing a hymn sing at the local nursing home as part of the regular rotation (and heartily preaching the gospel in the middle), even bringing Bible studies into the local jails and watching that develop into after-care opportunities. . . Where are the pastor’s that still see the need for “event” evangelism strategies? I know these go on typically at churches, but where is the local church leadership that is required to shepherd all these loose evangelism machines and help them grow and develop? Shouldn’t pastor’s still be “on the hook” to view evangelism as not an either/or lifestyle vs. event, but a both/and?
Good words. I believe we actually breathe the Gospel as we live our daily lives. It’s part of all we do.
The Holy Spirit resides within the Church, and we are the Temple of God on the move, and it’s not stationary any longer. The Church is certainly the local church, but it’s also the Christian family, who lives in a neighborhood of unbelievers.
Prayer is the most important foundation to seeing the harvest take place. Pray the Lord of the harvest. Jesus does the harvesting of souls, and we may be His fork and rake, and whatever other tool, and what an honor it is to be part of His gathering His elect from all over the globe!
Good words indeed, I think too often Christians feel guilty of
not witnessing “enough” instead wisely; “evangelism as lifestyle” surely will make us effective and disolve fear and guilt. THANKS!
Now I’m all excited to read through Acts looking for the “at least 15 examples in the book of Acts of Christians going about their daily activity, and then getting involved in evangelistic conversations”.
I struggle with ways to approach so-called Christians who live disobedient lives, but are adamant that they are saved because they prayed the ‘prayer’.
Lately, my approach has been focusing on encouraging them to humble themselves before God. Any other suggestions?
@ Leslie
I was one of the former “so-called prayer Christians” my advice is don’t give up hope – I’m glad ppl didn’t w/ me.
Two stories that tremendously helped me were the parable of the soils and the rich young ruler. I had to honestly ask myself if I was the soil producing 30, 60,or 100 fruit and I knew I wasn’t. Than I asked myself what I was holding onto to keep me from going 100% for Christ and to see if I could give it up for the Lord.
********
I think it is important for us to seize every opportunity we have. The danger I have noticed is that I convince myself too often of “that wasn’t an opportunity.”
I agree with Leslie. For me, the “so-called Christians” are the hardest group to evangelize; I have many of them in my adult Sunday School class each week. In addition to praying “for” them, I pray for God’s leading regarding what my interaction should be. I have found over the years that I don’t have to always be “the one.” I can pray for God’s perfect timing and for God’s perfect messenger. If I stay in-tune with the Holy Spirit throughout the day, I’ll know if/when/what to say to people. Pray for descernment.
For myself, I have found that the best evangelical tool is evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in a person’s life. (Gal 5: 22) People are just drawn to the peace. They don’t know what it is…”but there’s just something about that person…” Being told, “I can’t believe you aren’t angry or upset about that,” has been the greatest door opener for sharing the Gospel with friends, family, and co-workers. It is Christ in us who draws people, just like Christ Himself drew. With the help of the Holy Spirit teaching, correcting, and leading, we can all be FRUIT BASKETS!
Jesse, I appreciate your desire for true evangelism and to be as much of a witness as possible, but I disagree with your conclusion that this may not be the best way to reach people. I recall many instances where Jesus, Paul, and Stephen would proclaim the Gospel to their audiences, with some people believing their message but many more hating their message, so much in fact that Stephen was stoned to death for being bold to proclaim this message.
As much as I agree that we need to share our faith one-on-one and be equipped and spurred on in this (while most of the church today remains silent, while the kingdom of this world advances with their bullhorn of darkness), we can’t be so dependent on being man-pleasers when we are clearly called to only have an audience of one and please God alone. Paul declared, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galations 1:10)
I applaude that man for his boldness to declare “Jesus is Lord” and “Jesus loves you”, since we are called to proclaims this to all of creation. Paul also said to pray for him, “that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:19-20).
Let’s be willing to both have one on one conversations and declare that JESUS IS LORD wherever we are at and trust that Jesus would draw men to himself in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
I will not be silent, I will not be quiet anymore.
Jesus is Lord.
Where in the Bible does it ever talk about having too much zeal for Jesus?
What do you call the sermon on the mount? Paul preaching all over the middle east? Proclaiming Jesus and him crucified?
Does Jesus not say, “Proclaim my name to ALL creation?”
Does Jesus not say, “He who confesses my name before man, I will confess his name before the Father?”
Does Isaiah not talk about shouting from the mountain top? Granted a street corner is no mountain top.
Won’t the rocks cry out if we don’t?
So far everything you say this man proclaimed is actually biblical. Yet you feel necessary to judge him for the way in which he proclaims truth? Why?
The statement, “Jesus is Lord!” is powerful because it leaves no room for debate. It cuts right to the heart of the matter like a laser.
The Holy Spirit has so much room to work on any individual when some believer crys out, “Jesus is Lord.”
You have not because you ask not. When somebody claims Jesus is Lord … the other individuals begin questioning in their hearts who they believe LORD truly is.
There are all kinds of evangelism methods and techniques. Your way and his way, both are affective.
The question is … who has died more to self?
Charge for JESUS!!!!!! Much love.
Leslie–The best thing you can do for your Christian friends, in my opinion,is to pray for them, have patience with them, love them, and live as a godly example before them. Most of all, protect yourself from feeling self righteous and prideful. (I don’t know if this is a problem you have, but it is an easy trap to fall into. Remember that but for the grace of God, you would be just as blind!) Then wait on the Lord. God may get their attention in ways they don’t expect, and it often involves experiences that are painful rather than pleasant. See Hebrews 12:6-11. That is how God got my attention! If He had not, I would still be what I call a powerless pew-sitting churchgoer.
Thank you so much, John and Hadassah.
I have to side with Hadassah,
I agree somewhat that this guy is a caricature, but we are to preach the gospel, and proclaim it. I would say that that’s been the primary way that it’s been spread since the Apostles did it. John the Baptist was an Open Air Preacher along with Jesus himself, and many of the prophets.
I also would comment that we shouldn’t get too hung up on peoples reaction to the proclaimation of the word…how it’s being done…God will save whom He chooses and by the hearing of the word is how.
I preach on street corners, at universities, etc…and I can say that the great majority of Christians don’t like it…but there is no other way to get the gospel out to many many people.
I’m dumb…I think I was siding with Joshua…
Do you think there is ever a place for open air preaching?
I’ve been interested in it over the last few days. Obviously one can do it badly, just as one can do any form of evangelism badly… but done well, is there a place for it?
Ray Comfort is an advocate.
Robert and Joshua,
Thanks for your posts. They are helpful. I agree that no evangelism is bad evangelism. But I also think that a lot of “evangelism” is bad evangelism. Surely there is a winsome, bold, comprehensive way to respond when people ask us for the reason for the hope that we have.
I am a huge fan of open-air preaching; John the Baptist, Peter, the Wesleys, Whitfield, John Berridge, Ray Comfort, etc. But shouting on the street corner to people who want to get away from you is not what they did. Jesus, for example, when speaking of John said that the people “went out” to listen to him preach (Mat 11:8). That is a far cry from being belligerent.
So, what I hope this post highlights is not that silence is good, and that we should let rocks and angels preach because we are silent. Rather, that people who are not called to be street preachers (a la Wesley, Peter, etc.) should be faithful in evangelism.
In other words, being faithful in evangelism is not equal with and not congruent to wearing a sign that says Jesus is Lord and shouting at people with a literal bull horn.
Thanks,
Jesse
Why is the most effective evangelism not done from street corners? Where do you get that from? I have seen crazy stuff said from street corners and from conversations with people that I know. And said in the most winsome matter. In fact, the most winsome of them all are the Mormons. They lead a great life and are earnest in their testimony.
There are tons of examples in the bible of folks doing the same thing as street corner evangelism. Proclaim the truth in love and let God deal with the results. Paul was wisked out of town many times in the bible because of the open air preaching he did. Too bad we don’t have the same mentality today. Too many folks that are ashamed of the gospel and will not speak up unless it is in a safe situation with a friend or something. We should be ashamed of ourselves for not being bold and start shouting from the mountaintops. It is the least thing we could do to glorify a God that has died for our sins. If we really believe this stuff and understand that people around us could die today and go to hell, why are we not shouting it from the street corners? What are we waiting for?
Regardless of whether or not the preaching is done on a street corner or in a living room, regardless of whether or not the preaching pleases or offends the hearers, and regardless of a thousand other variables, the ONLY valid question is — did the Holy Spirit HIMSELF initiate the preaching within the preacher.
That has always been, and always will be, the ONLY consideration that pleases Jesus Christ and his Father.
There are far, far, far too many today who have gone without being sent.
When the Holy Spirit initiates the preaching, which is indeed an EXTREMELY RARE occurence today, the Lord Jesus will see to the results, and whether the preaching pleases or offends, or whether the preaching is done on a street corner or in a living room, is utterly irrelevant.
All that matters is — did the Holy Spirit initiate it. Period, no exceptions.
Jesse,
A couple questions, you mentioned “belligerent” was this man belligerent with alchohal? Could you clarify what you mean by this statement? Was he drunk on alchohal or something of this nature and not in sound mind because of a substance abuse problem?
Paul says with good motive or bad all that matters is the Christ is proclaimed.
Moreover, do you think Ray Comfort, Peter, John, whomever woke up one day and all of sudden baddah bing baddah boom d were skilled evangelists? I think through years and years of practice they came into there own. Perhaps we could allow a little grace for this chap who one day could be as great as the men listed or greater?
Paul himself even said that he didn’t come in eloquence of speach. All he knew was Jesus and him crucified.
Forgive me if this is too vulger but I only wish I could say I have sacked up enough to do something that you’ve described. I need to die to self in the way this chap that you describe has. I care too much at this point of what others think of me. I’m asking the Lord to move on my heart to the point where I am over myself enough to go out proclaiming, “Jesus is Lord!” boldly.
The gospel is called “good news”. Good news let’s think about this notion. When a man becomes a father this is good news and he calls everybody he knows to share with them the “good news”. He might even show up at work and shout – I’m a Father!!! or something similiar to that, would you agree?
How much more good news is Jesus Christ?! Receiving eternal life and being called a son of the Most High! Wow, how do we so called Christians and followers of Jesus believe and realize this is truly good news?! We ought to be running through the streets proclaiming the victory over death that we’ve received.
Sadly all to often people sit in passivity and don’t fully grasp the fact that Jesus made the impossible POSSIBLE!!!! He conquered DEATH! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
I only pray for more sons and daughters of the Most High to become bold as lions for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Let’s trust the Holy Spirit to do the work … even through a bull horn.
Much love to all. Jesus is Lord! How much joy that statement brings to my heart. I hope does for you all as well.
I need to go find a mountain top and proclaim to all creation ASAP …. bye for now.
Jesse,
I will clarify myself…I didn’t say that “no evangelism is bad evangelism”…I did say that this guys was a bit of a caricature.
When you speak of Jesus or the apostles preaching open air…you frequently find that they were less than well received…not to mention the OT prophets…
The message of the gospel is what saves…not the delivery method…
If we guage the results by the reaction of those who hear it…we can all go home….
While I don’t use a bullhorn myself…I do use amplification at times…it’s a necessity sometimes.
I trust the message to do it’s work…not my fancy delivery.
There’s bad bolness in the Lord and good boldness in the Lord.
I have done both, and seen both.
Of course the self-righteous bolness is condemned by the Bible, and I’m not speaking of that. Though there may be some self-righteousness in us that we need to address, I know I need to have others help me see this in myself.
Preaching the gospel in love, will always be right when it comes from a poor and contrite spirit, and an heart that fears the Lord,and trembles at His Word.
Blessings to all. And may the Lord truly send labourers into the harvest: His labourers.
I am in complete agreement with Jesse. My dad and I actually decided to attend Indy500 one time. There were two things that totally set me off. In the midst of all these drunkards (we discovered the Indy500 is basically a car-racing beer fest), three or four older, white-haired men with Bibles waving in the air were strumming their guitars and singing (probably out of tune), “I beliiieve, I beliiieve.” Satan believes too, and he’ll be cast into hell one day with the rest. Another man, inside, wore a cardboard sign around his neck which read, “Jesus rocks!” Jesus doesn’t rock; He is the rock. He’s not our dude; He’s our God.
My point? If I am a Christian and these things turn me off, how much more will a non-believer be turned away. Granted, truth often offends. But, there is a clear difference between being “a fool for Christ” and an “idiot.” If people see Christians as idiots because they act like idiots, there is a problem. If people see Christians as idiots because they whole-heartedly follow Christ, shameless giving themselves and their will to Him day by day… then praise God. I just think people misunderstand what a “fool for Christ” really is. I hope that… guy… on the street corner, whom Jesse spoke about, gets a clue one day. Granted, he is doing more than most. But, what is he doing?
I noticed one of the things that Jesse mentioned that the bullhorn man was saying was “Jesus loves you.”
If you do a word search of Acts for the word love on biblegateway, you will discover that no one states, “Jesus/God loves you” or uses the word love anywhere in their evangelism activity. They refer to man’s sin, God’s holiness and judgement, and the divine authority of Jesus. But not love.
I think that first we are awakened to the reality our sin, God’s holiness, the sacrifice of Jesus and His victory over death. Then the love of Jesus becomes a reality in the us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
People rolling up their windows? People annoyed at the bus stop? They’re still asleep and I fear telling them to read their bible and that Jesus loves them isn’t going to wake them up even if a bullhorn is used.
The title of Jesses story is really fitting because just as Jesus seized the moment when he had an opportunity, we also have the choise to do the same. God is totally soverign in all things and when we get the perfect opportunities to share our faith and preach Jesus Christ to an unbeliver we must do just that. Today I volunteered to take a co-worker to pick up her car from the servicing shop and as we were in the car driving It dawned on me that I had a “captive audience” and I was able to share the truth about Christ with her, she claims to already be a beliver but her life does not display the fruit of a beliver. The moment came and I seized it, and it felt great to share the truth with her. I know that its true the Lord allows certain people to cross paths for reasons, so I say dont force it but do pray for opportunities to evangelize the lost, and GOD is faithful he will deliver every time. PLease pray for my co worker her name is Rasheedah.Pray for her heart to be changed and her salvation.
Thank You
Through the years, I’ve had the pleasure of presenting the gospel in just about every situation you can imagine, including on the street. It’s our responsibility as believers, in the context of ‘being’ witnesses (Acts 1:8), to sieze the opportunities God presents and not ignore the ‘divine appointments’ presented to us. The key, in the opinion of an old soldier, is to be sensitive to those opportunities and prayerfully engage those with whom God would have us share the good news.
It is not only a duty, but an honor and privelege to be His ambassador. We are incredibly blessed that He would chose us, with all of our ‘baggage’, to share His pure and glorous message of hope for mankind!
What I find incredibly sad is the tendency of so many believers to just invite folks to church, Sunday school, small group, or whatever so someone else can present the message. I’ve observed that same scenario in churches of all sorts for at least 30 years.
I agree with most here. We are called to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. I can’t find anywhere in the scriptures where it says to wait for these so called “divine appointments”. We have divine appointments every day. I am sure we come across lost people every day.
I truly think people use terms like that as an excuse for not witnessing. As pointed out above, Jesus, Paul, Whitfield, and Wesley witnessed one on one and in the open air. They preached the gospel to all. What is our excuse?