Many Christians aren't just afraid of rejection, but some of us are quickly discouraged when we don't see results in our evangelistic efforts. Here are six encouraging thoughts about evangelism:
1. Our primary audience is God. Even if we don't see results God is pleased by our faith in action and pleasing God is even more important than seeing results.
2. Evangelism is a long game comprising numerous small encounters with the gospel. The results may not be apparent today but what you say today, when combined with what others say, can have an impact in the years to come. Think of evangelism as helping people take lots of small steps toward trusting Christ. William Carey left England in 1793 to preach the gospel in India. He did not see a single conversion until 1800. And his team didn't start to see any lasting fruit for their efforts until 1834.
3. Perhaps there are results you have yet to notice. A Swedish woman contacted me a few years ago and told me that 30 years earlier when she was visiting in the United States, I had led her to Christ. I remembered the visit but I didn't remember the conversation or that it was any special moment. However, she did. Sometimes we just don't know.
4. Don't overthink evangelism. Sometimes Christians get stressed out because they are so focused on getting an evangelistic method right. They worry that they're going to miss a step or say the wrong thing or quote the wrong scripture verse. Hey! Evangelistic results do not depend on your ability to make a good presentation. This is God's work and sometimes even when you do everything wrong he uses your screw-ups to draw people to Christ. So, chill!
5. Miracles happen. Right now the church is growing very rapidly in Muslim-cultured parts of the world. We've been praying for people to meet Christ in these closed countries. Now, after years of prayer, people are having dreams in which Christ appears to them. I don't understand the dynamics but throughout history people have been drawn to Christ through unconventional means. (Remember Saul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9!) Evangelism is ultimately the work of God; so go with the supernatural flow of what he's doing.
6. Don't focus so much on results. Yes, try to be aware of what God is doing, but don't make results your focus. Focus on loving people as you tell them the story of Jesus and invite them to follow him.
Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. (2 Corinthains 5:14-15 / MSG)
For this assignment, I'd like you to pick one of my six thoughts and write a response telling me why it is (or isn't!) encouraging to you. Or perhaps you have a seventh encouraging thought to add to mine for future students in the course. Your response should be at least 300 words and should be sent to me in an email at bboydston@piu.edu. This assignment is worth 25 points.
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