There is a crisis of silence today when it comes to matters of evangelism. Perhaps the word crisis doesn't quite go far enough. It might be more accurate to suggest that there is a tragedy of silence today. How can people who have so much to offer the world remain silent about matters of eternity? How can they remain silent about Christ?
False statements about evangelism in the Church.
Not long ago, I attended a conference put on by George Barna. He is a prophet of sorts to our modern day Church. He conducts research and provides factual basis for his concerns. What he shared at a recent conference shocked me, as a pastor. He gave us a little test and asked us to identity which statements were true and which ones were false. Each of the following statements were false.
1. Most churches are committed to evangelism. False. When presented with a list of fourteen attributes, pastors were least apt to describe their church as evangelistic.
2. Churches are preparing people for effective evangelism. False. Two-thirds of churches have no process for evangelism. Eighty-five percent of Christians feel unprepared to share their faith. Few churches pray for souls during their worship services.
3. Most people are saved by evangelistic preaching. False. Most churchgoers think of outreach as getting people to hear their preacher. However, most people are actually saved by a friend talking about Jesus over a long period of time.
4. Churches use evangelistic resources wisely. False. Two-thirds of people accept Christ before the age of eighteen, but eighty percent of church resources are spent on adults. Along these same lines, I've read how churches are spending billions on buildings, but there has been little overall net gain for the kingdom of God despite record spending on facilities. We are rearranging the kingdom, but not necessarily building God's kingdom. Church shoppers migrate from church to church, seeking the latest and greatest. Unchurched persons get ignored.
5. The typical church is committed to individual conversions. False. Conversion is a lengthy process whereby a person comes to know Christ and surrenders his heart to Jesus. Most churches are committed to quick, first time decisions, but then give up. When a person is reached or makes a first-time decision, he is left at the baptistry with water dripping from his robe.
6. To find new Christians, visit the fastest-growing churches. False. Most churches experience growth through transfer or biological growth.
7. Most Christians are actively involved in evangelism. False. One out of ten Christians are actually involved in evangelism.
8. Most evangelizers present the biblical Jesus. False. Did you know that one-fourth of Christians believe that Jesus sinned, and one-half share a good works religion? One third believe that there are sins that God cannot forgive.
9. The most effective approach is lifestyle evangelism. False. Lifestyle evangelism is a new fad. But many use lifestyle evangelism as an excuse to remain silent about their faith. Meanwhile, their friends remain ignorant about spiritual matters because no one takes the time to talk with them about Jesus.
10. What about the Church's cultural impact? Revival is happening in America right now. False. There are pockets of revival in America. But in general, the church isn’t prepared to do business with all the souls that God would send in the event of a true national revival.
11. What about the Christian's witness? There is huge moral difference between churched and unchurched people. False. There is virtually no difference morally between churched and unchurched folk in all the major categories. These categories include divorce, remarriage, promiscuity, pornography, substance abuse, and spending habits.
As you can see, there is much to be concerned about in regard to evangelism. But let's not let these things be a point of discouragement. Instead, let's let these things challenge us to raise the bar of expectation for one another.
What is our calling as Christians?
Let’s begin discussing our calling as Christians. You have noticed that we have a new stage setup this morning. The creative team did a terrific job designing this stage. You will notice the word "Go!" prominently featured on the stage. This word represents our calling as Christians. But what does the word "Go!" imply? It seems to imply a measure of inconvenience. It seems that we need to change our schedules around to make it happen. It implies discomfort, as you may have to go someplace outside of your comfort zone. It is a statement that implies urgency. It is rather direct and unambiguous. It is like a line drawn in the sand that we must choose to cross.
The reality is that the world doesn’t come to our doorstep. The world never has. The non-believer isn’t attracted to our buildings, our music, our programs, or our clever gimmicks. There is a major difference between the attractional "Come!" and the missional "Go!" One waits, while the other initiates. God's desire is that we initiate, and that we go into the world to share the good news of Christ in a compelling way with those who are separated from Christ.
Our calling as Christians is to go!
Here are a few passages for our consideration. These passages speak of our calling to go out and witness for Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) says, "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' "
In this first verse Jesus is reminding us that the Father has entrusted him with the authority to accomplish anything on heaven or on earth. Any attempt at evangelism proceeds out of Christ's authority. He is the starting point and ending point for evangelism.
Jesus invites us in this passage to "go" into world on behalf of Christ. Acts 1:8 (NIV) tells us, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." In this verse we are called to impact our closest circle of relationships first, our Jerusalem or our Springfield. But then we are to proceed to Judea and Samaria and ultimately to the ends of the earth.
Mark 16:15-16 (NIV) says, "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.' "
From these verses, we discover that passivity is equivalent to disobedience. Proactivity in going according to Jesus' instruction is obedience. But what is it that we are to do as we "go" into all the world in Christ's authority? Essentially, we are to meet the four needs that every unbeliever possesses. We meet these needs by being faithful in four critical tasks.
The four needs of every non-Christian. The four tasks of the Christian.
The Bible describes the non-Christian as being unresponsive to God, hardened in their sins, and spiritually dead. As Christians, we have absolutely no ability to transform the inner heart of a person. So how can a person's heart begin to change and become more responsive to Christ? Quite simply, we must pray as Christ commanded us to pray. Pray for God's kingdom to come. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly. Next week we will explore many of these passages related to praying.
The Bible also describes the non-Christian as hopeless and unforgiven. I notice that many non-Christians have a love deficit. They question God's love. They don't feel love from others or experience it in life's relationships. In music and on television, the lyrics plead for a love that transcends all human proportions. How can we help the non-Christian see God's love? Quite simply, we must put the love of God on display in our dark, uncaring world.
The non-Christian is described in scripture as lost, alienated from Christ, and living in rebellion to all God desires. As Christians, we are called to provide a redemptive relationship with the non-Christian. This is a relationship that honors God and calls out the best in others. In order for this to happen, we must invite the non-Christian to be part of the body of Christ. We must show them true hospitality and include them in our lives. They cannot remain outsiders, finding their way along the Christian life alone.
Last, the Bible describes the non-Christian as ignorant about God, confused about morality and spiritual matters, and without Christ. It is imperative that we preach and teach others about Christ. It is imperative that we tell them the good news. We cannot just live good lives and hope that the non-Christian will figure out who God is.
Our fears and excuses for not going.
But of course, knowing our calling isn't enough. We must contend with our fears and our excuses. If you are human you no doubt have fears about going and being used by God. Throughout history God has used people powerfully for his purposes. But if you look more closely you will see that like us, they struggled with their fears. The more they focused on their fears, the more impossible the task became. But the more they focused on God in faith, they were used mightily of God.
For example, consider Moses' response to being called of God. In Exodus 3:11 (NIV) Moses says to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Moses is essentially saying, "I am insignicant, Lord! I am an ordinary person. How can someone like me be used in this way?"
And in Exodus 3:12 (NIV) God said to Moses, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain." I love this answer! God essentially told Moses, "Someday we will be back on this mountain in this very place with all Israel worshipping me. You will be a success with me."
Later in Exodus 4:10-13 (NIV) Moses goes another round with God. "Moses said to the LORD, 'O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.' The LORD said to him, 'Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.' But Moses said, 'O Lord, please send someone else to do it.' "
Or consider Gideon, who was called to stand against the Midionites. His fear was his weakness. He thoughtthat he was a person with no reputation. Notice God's response to him in Judges 6:14-16 (NIV). "The LORD turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?' 'But Lord,' Gideon asked, 'how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.' The LORD answered, 'I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.' "
I took note of Gideon's presumption. How can "I" save Israel. You and "I" cannot save anyone, especially not a nation! God took the occasion to remind Gideon that God would do the saving. Gideon just needed to show up and be God's instrument.
What about the story of Jonah? His excuse was that he hated the Ninevites! They believed differently, their morality offended him, and their skin color maybe was different. God used a storm, a whale, a vine and many different cirucmstnces to lead Jonah into going to Ninevah to prach. Jonah 1:1-3 (NIV) says, "The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 'Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.' But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD."
Jeremiah thought himself too young and inexperienced to serve God. Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NIV) says, "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.' 'Ah, Sovereign LORD,' I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.' But the LORD said to me, 'Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, 'Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.' "
Peter thought himself too sinful to be used by God. Christ thought differently, and called him to serve his kingdom. In Luke 5:8-11 (NIV) we read, "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, 'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!' For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.' So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him."
Last, consider the example of Paul. Paul's nerves just about got the best of him. He ministered in fear, and yet God used him to have one of the most extraordinary impacts on his kingdom, second only to Christ's. Notice how Paul learned to turn his fears over to God and to depend on God's Spirit when he preached. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NIV) says, "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power."
God's promise to those who will "go".
I want to end by calling your attention to God’s promise. When we rely on Christ through faith, he really does keep his word. In Matthew 28:20 (NIV) after commanding us to go, Jesus promises, "And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." In Acts 1:8 he promises us the power of the Holy Spirit as we serve as witnesses to the end of the earth.
In Mark 16:15-16 Jesus commands his followers to go. But then notice Mark 16:19-20 (NIV). Jesus ascends into heaven, but then works powerfully in the life of the church people, confirming their message with powerful signs. "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."
What are your fears? What are your excuses? How can you begin to trust in Christ and become obedient to his command to "go?"