I just returned from four days at the Missouri Music Educator’s Conference held at Tan-Tar-A, Lake of the Ozarks. That experience is always a treat. Tom, the Associate Conductor, and I go as representatives of the Saint Louis Wind Symphony. It’s a great opportunity to hear good music and to visit the exhibits to find out “the latest goings on” in the music world, but it’s also a great opportunity to visit with friends from around the state.
In my case, I have known many of these people for 20, 30, or even 40 years, so most of them have witnessed first-hand the antics of my former life (before Christ). But today they see a different Dan Presgrave, and for many that difference has been of interest, and also the topic for many inquisitive conversations. In fact, those conversations are as much a part of my trip to the conference as my professional conversations, and I love every minute of it. There have been a lot of “how did you?”; “why did you?” questions (and an occasional reference to the idiocy of my former days??), but my last conversation this trip left an impression that has become the subject of today’s message.
A gentleman I have known for probably thirty years came up to me and asked if we could talk for a few minutes. He shared with me that he and his wife are followers of Jesus Christ, and that he is feeling a call to evangelize to non-believers. He also shared his feelings of fear, and perhaps a bit of inadequacy, in carrying out that purpose, so he wanted to ask for my thoughts on his intended endeavor. Because I have found this trepidation to be common for so many “believers”, I would like to share the nature of our conversation.
No doubt Jesus directive was quite clear in Matthew 18-20: “I have been given complete 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.” It is clear that we have been given our marching orders, but “how” we go about it makes all the difference in the world. The right approach can set people free; the wrong approach can certainly drive them away.
In my earlier days I attracted a plethora of what were commonly called “Jesus Freaks”, “Bible Thumpers”, or “Religious Zealots” (or Whackos)! When someone swoops down in front of a “target in need” (and no doubt I filled that bill) and begins shaking their finger in front of the victim’s nose proclaiming “You’re a sinner! You’re going to burn in hell”, and then goes on to profess THEY have the answer…the stage is set for immediate failure…perhaps even physical confrontation! I always told the “know-it-all” in very colorful terms what I thought of them and their solution, and walked away even more convinced that I DID NOT want any of the “cool aid” they’d been drinking!
I carried around this jaded view of evangelism for many years until Grace Church-St. Louis chose to do a church wide study on a marvelous book by Bill Hybel entitled, “Just Walk Across the Room”. The truth is…once I found out in advance the nature of the subject matter, I almost skipped the book study. Wow! That certainly would have been my loss. The message was very clear and very simple: just make a friend. Show an interest in them and let Jesus’ light shine through you. Anyone – even I – can do this!
Here are three truths about evangelizing or carrying the message.
- It’s never about you being right and someone else being wrong. Avoid this confrontation at all cost. Let someone talk about what they believe, and you listen. Show an interest, then ask how they came to believe what they believe.
- After they tell you, respond with, “Have you even considered….” then state your view. At this point be prepared to tell them why you believe what you believe…and don’t just quote scripture. Make it a personal testimony, but one substantiated with scriptural truths.
- The more you grow in knowledge and wisdom, the easier this endeavor. But the key is “to abide in Him so his words abide in you.” (John 15:7)
Being a Christ-follower is more than a label, it’s a way of life, and truth be told, people would much rather see a sermon than hear one. The book of 1John is all about loving one another, and we are called to do more than just profess our love; we are called to show it through our actions. That principle is the very essence of being a Christ-follower.
I have learned over the years that the most comfortable way for me to share the Good News is to direct a conversation toward an opportunity to open “that door.” Perhaps it is just listening to what the other person is saying and when an opportunity presents itself, express empathy. It’s easy to say something like: “Yes, I have experienced that (situation or feeling) myself. But my solution came when I realized my own insufficiency and cried out “God help me”. My life has never been the same since I made that decision.”
Or perhaps in a joyous moment it is easy to say something like: “There was a time when I was not able to experience the confidence (joy, peace, serenity…you’re choice) I have today. But previously I had been looking in all the wrong places. I discovered that drugs, alcohol, women, cars, money, power, prestige, etc. could be a short term fix, but it was when I decided to turn my life around and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior that I finally found what I had always been searching for.”
One of the most common errors in our attempt to “witness” is a misunderstanding of what it means to “carry the message”, and it means just that…to share the Good News. It is not about over-powering the other person with my right answer! No! It is about sharing the truth and what the truth has done for me, AND realizing it may not be a “done deal” the first time. The important thing is…don’t ruin the opportunity for a second chance by being a “jerk” if it doesn’t stick the first time.
Apostle Paul discusses his and Apollos’ work in 1Corinthians 3: 5-7: “…Why, we’re only servants. Through us God has caused you to believe. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow.” Too many times we want to say “mission accomplished” in one setting, but it doesn’t always work that way. So I will reiterate…don’t ruin the opportunity for further conversation.
I always think of Jesus and the rich man when I discuss this subject. When the rich man came to Jesus and asked “what good things must I do to have eternal life”, take note of what Jesus said and his methodology. (1Corinthians 19: 16,17,21) Jesus said, “ keep my commandments, and if you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But the young man was not willing to make that sacrifice, so he turned and walked away. Notice that Jesus didn’t chase him down and say, “Listen Dude…don’t you realize who I am? I’m your answer! What’s wrong with you…I’m giving you the chance for eternal life!” NO. He didn’t do that, and that is where so many of us error when carrying the message. The message was never intended to be a hammer!
But our charge with the Great Commission is to carry the message of truth to everyone. This IS God’s truth; it is the key to eternal life for anyone who will hear and respond to his Gift of Grace. But we must never forget…God gave us free will, so it is ultimately up to every individual to either accept that truth or not accept it. We are not called to wrestle with people until they submit.
That last statement DOES NOT mean, however, that we soft-pedal the truth or make compromises in the truth. No! This is the truth Jesus talked about in John 8:32 that “set’s us free”; free from the bondage of the law (the Old Covenant). That’s why Jesus came! When we are in Christ, we will finally experience this freedom, which translates into what everyone is, or has been, searching for: confidence, joy, peace and serenity! It is no longer about our work, but about Christ’s finished work on the cross! It is that revelation in our heart that sets us free.
So to summarize, let me restate that equally important as what we say to someone is what the other person sees in us. Let me remind you that our role is to “let Jesus’ light shine brightly through us”. (Matthew 5: 16) Remember, we are to carry the “Gospel of Grace” in love. And as I said earlier, people would much rather see a sermon than listen to one, so don’t lose sight of the fact that we are message-carriers every day by the way we go about the process called “life”. And make no mistake about it…people are watching! Actions always speak louder than words. Let me repeat that…ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!
So my question to you today is…what message do people see in you?? Do you live an intentional Christ-centered life?
Feel free to respond to this post, and please share it with other friends in social media.
May God Bless Ya…
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
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