"No Pressure" Evangelism

Over the last two weeks, we have talked about the Gospel and WHAT the message of salvation looks like. This week we will talk about evangelism (telling other people about the Gospel) and HOW a person is saved. Many Christians are uncomfortable with the idea sharing their faith with others. Some are afraid they won't be liked if they start talking about Jesus. Others worry they won't know what to say. And many are afraid of messing up. When we realize how high the stakes really are, it's easy to start putting a lot of extra pressure on ourselves:

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

"He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of [his] torment rises forever and ever." (Revelation 14:10-11)

It's no longer popular or politically correct to preach "fire and brimstone," but if you believe the Bible really is the inspired Word of God then we need to take the reality of God's wrath seriously. Obviously, we don't want anyone to go to hell, but we are mistaken if we think that WE can keep people from going there. Many Christians wrongly assume that it's up to THEM to change the hearts and minds of their friends and family members so they will believe in Jesus and go to heaven and avoid going to hell. This is NOT what Jesus had in mind when He told His followers to "go make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19) We must also remember Jesus' words in the verses before and after Matthew 28:19:

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." (v. 18)

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (v. 20)

Although Jesus chooses to work through people in the "disciple-making" process, He still has all authority and control in the matter. Also, Jesus tells us in verse 20 that He is always with us. Even when we are sharing the Gospel with others, He is there and He will make sure everything goes according to HIS plan, not ours.

The Old Testament makes it clear that salvation belongs to God (Psalms 37:39; Isaiah 43:11; Jonah 2:9). Jesus continues that same theme in the Gospels, particularly in the book of John. In chapter 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that a person must be "born again" (or "born of the Spirit") to enter the Kingdom of God. Remember, the first thing the Spirit does in a person is convict them of sin (John 16:8). Without the Spirit producing this new birth, none of us would never even seek God (Romans 3:10-12) because we would still be dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1-3). Therefore, if someone repents from their sin, it is because God has granted them repentance (2 Timothy 2:25). If someone believes in Jesus, it is because God has given them the faith to do so (Romans 12:3; Philippians 1:29).

We must not think that our own powers of persuasion will convince anyone to believe the Gospel. Jesus tells us very clearly in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." He also declares that He will not lose one person the Father gives to Him (John 6:39). Jesus is letting us know that everyone who is supposed to be saved will be saved one way or another and HE is the one who will make sure He doesn't lose a single one of His sheep.

Therefore, we can breathe a sigh of relief! When we go out and share the Gospel with people, we can have absolute confidence that everyone who is supposed to repent from their sin and turn to Jesus will do just that. We have Jesus' guarantee that He won't lose one. All we have to do is preach the message that God has given us (see "The Apostle's Gospel" parts 1 and 2 below) and trust that He will save those whom He has appointed for eternal life (Acts 13:48). The power to save is not in the clever or creative methods we use to present the Gospel. The power to save is in the message God has given us concerning His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16), and in His Spirit who grants repentance and belief in response to hearing the Gospel.

Evangelism is an act of faith. We must take Jesus at His word that 1.) He is with us when we share our faith, 2.) He is in complete control of the situation, and 3.) He will not lose even one person the Father has given Him to save, even if we make mistakes. Sometimes it will seem like you're not doing it right. Sometimes will respond to the Gospel by laughing at you or even hating you instead of repenting and believing. However, Jesus told us ahead of time that these things would happen (Matthew 10:22) and that we would be blessed as a result (Matthew 5:10-11). If we truly believe Jesus' words, then we know that He will help us overcome all of these trials and He will reward us for our obedience and perseverance (Matthew 5:12).

So let us not preach the Gospel out of pride, thinking that we have the power to save. And may we not preach out of guilt, as if our failures could ever disrupt God's plan. Instead, let us proclaim the Gospel with the confidence that God has given us everything we need (2 Peter 1:3-4) and that Jesus will keep His promise to save all those the Father has given Him. May God receive all glory, honor, and praise for the grace and power He has shown in saving His people!