Natural Evangelism
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Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Introduction: Colossians was probably written by Paul when he was under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16-31). Colossae is in the region of Phrygia (Acts 16:6 & 18:23) It is believed to have been written in AD60. It was a Church Plant from Ephesus. Paul is writing to this young church urging them to stay true to the good news of Jesus stressing the importance of prayer for the proclaiming of the mystery of Christ.
Why Evangelism - Put simply why is it that this command of Jesus ‘go make disciples’ Matt 28:19 Is so difficult?
Reality is that the Commission is more of an omission. We don't make disciples.
Two questions arise from the overall theme ‘Why Evangelism.,’ [1] what holds us back? [2] what would make it easier?
Why Evangelism?
1. What Holds us Back?
2. What would make it easier?
Why Evangelism
(Matt. 28:19) Go and make disciples of all nations baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Why Evangelism - Put simply why is it that this command of Jesus ‘go make disciples’ Matt 28:19 Is so difficult?
The reality is that the Great Commission is more of a great omission. We don't go and make disciples as Jesus instr4ucted in his last earthly words.
Two questions arise [1] What holds us back? [2] What would make it easier?
What holds us back?
A1. Fear of Being Inadequate – Response: Be confident in the Good News we have to tell.
A2. Fear of what they will think of us – Response: Philippians 2:7 Jesus made himself nothing for us, we should take risks for him.
A3. Fear of Rejection – Response: Yes, it is hard to handle – we want to be loved and accepted - Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
A4. Fear of Perceptions of Evangelists – Response: Focus on the positive perceptions of evangelism, being good neighbourly, bringing Good News.
You may say I am not an evangelist. Perhaps that is because we think an evangelist is someone who is trying to convert others.
Here are the negative images of evangelists.
Bible basher.
Soapbox preacher.
Door-to-door knocker.
Dragging people to church.
Focus on the positive perceptions:
Chatting the good news, gossipping the Gospel – Over a coffee with friends or Over the fence with neighbours
Here is another positives, taken from the Greek ‘Euangelistes’ which means ‘bringer of good news.’ If we can get hold of that, I believe each one of us can respond positively to Jesus’ Great Commission to ‘go and tell.’ Evangelism is for all of us not just a few of us.
Some time ago I was appointed Diocesan Evangelist in Wakefield Diocese (C of E) but I gained far more opportunities to share good news in the workplace as an accountant and later as a chaplain - the workplace, than I ever had as Diocesan evangelist. So this is a word for all of us, ‘go I make disciples.’
What would Make it Easier
1 Motivated by Love Pray steadfastly (Col 4:2), ‘talk to God about people before you talk to the people about God’ Lee Strobels.
2 Explain the Good News – This study in Natural Evangelism will help.
3 Make the Most of Opportunities (Col 4:5)
4 Built on relationship (Relate well) (Col 4:6)
5 It is a Process (practice your story)
6 It is a Partnership …. (you, the church and the Holy Spirit)
Why Should We Evangelise?
1. The Command of Jesus - Matthew 28:19 Go but let us not forget the words he said just afterwards Matt 28v20 I am with you always.
2. The Compassion of Jesus - Matthew 9:36-38 ‘When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them
because they were like sheep without a shepherd harassed and helpless.’
3. The Conviction of Jesus – Matthew 16:18 - ‘I will build my church.’ Many of Jesus’ parables were about the Kingdom of God spreading and and growing. Jesus used words and works and wonders. The entire Acts of the Apostles - was a response to the Conviction of Jesus - building a church - the body of Christ, with Jesus as the head of the body.
4. The Commitment of Jesus (Matthew 24:14) ‘The Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.’ This is the commitment of Jesus to have his Good News spread to all peoples and nations.
Evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke’s charity - appropriately named - CFAN - Christ For All Nations, has seen 94½ Million documented conversions to Christianity or to be precise 94,567,165 (as at 8th September 2024). Let us be seeking to reach out to ‘all peoples and nations’ where we are.
Conclusion
This is not a call to attend a course, this is a call to pray steadfastly (devote yourselves to prayer) for friends, family, neighbours and aquaintances. It is a call to be watchful in prayer – (be vigilant spiritually) for opportunities that arise. A call to relate well with people (graceful, relational, being good neighbourly).
Colossians 4:4 also says, pray for the preacher - ‘that I may proclaim it clearly.’ Pray for our minister here in this fellowship and ourselves too as we go out in mission wherever or however that may be.
Prayer:
“Lord help us to spread the message that you are Good News. May your perfect love cast out all our fear. Please help us to encourage each other, as we reflect on the wonderful treasure you have given us - forgiveness for the past, new life for today and a hope for the future. Please inspire us to be creative, courageous communicators of the gospel. Amen.”
(from The Natural Evangelism Course pg 15)
