But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8
We all know that one person who just can't help but tell people how Jesus has changed their life. They speak about Jesus so freely, and people listen to them. Watching them share the Gospel is like watching a natural athlete or gifted musician. Their work is beautiful and inspired. That person may be you, or maybe you're one of those who watches in awe.
The last thing Jesus commanded His followers to do before He left earth was to make more followers. He told them to tell others about Him. Every follower of Christ has received this command, whether or not we have the gift of evangelism. Thankfully, Jesus promised He would be with us, and we can work at evangelism just like athletes and musicians who aren't naturally gifted. We may never share Jesus with the ease and skill of a gifted evangelist, but we can be obedient to His commission to us, and we can see lives change.
The great thing about evangelism is that there is no one way to do it. One Small Group came up with a creative way to tell people about Jesus. The group had some families with small children who needed someone to watch them while the group prayed and discussed the sermon. Marcie started asking a lost friend or family member to come and watch the kids. The lost person would hang out and chat with the group, then take the children in the next room. Eventually, after overhearing the Gospel during group discussion and connecting with the group members, the lost person would get interested in the Gospel, join the group, and get saved. Then they would ask another lost friend or family member to come and watch the children. This group used adorable kids to bring people in and share the Gospel with them, and it worked.
Yes, some people have the gift of evangelism, and God does great things through them. However, we all have the calling to tell people about Jesus. You may be scared to do it, or may not know how. That's okay. The important thing is to be faithful and find ways to do it even though you're scared or unsure. Remember that Jesus promised to be with you, and you have the power of the Holy Spirit.
There are so many ways you can spread the name of Jesus. You can say "hi" to your neighbor as you get the mail and start a new relationship, which could lead to conversations about your lives. You can invite someone new to the area to your Small Group. People love to be around other people in community, and many people will accept an invitation to a small gathering at a house. You can invite a friend to church and then out lunch and ask them what they thought about the sermon. You can serve in the student or kid's environment and tell young people about Jesus. You can volunteer to be part of the decision counseling team. As a decision counselor, people come to you to hear about Jesus. You don't have to go find them or figure out how to bring up Jesus in conversation, and we'll teach you how to talk to someone about Jesus! Spend time now praying and thinking through a way you can tell people about Jesus. Then, put it into action.
Read Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
©2024 Sagebrush Church
