2E1. Practical Evangelism Sharing Christ

The "Anglicans in Mission" venture in Canada devoted a whole year to discussion. Sharing ideas seems to be the "in-thing." Committees, subcommittees, groups and subgroups are extensively organized to find out what people think about the subject. Useful conclusions can be reached and much new information is gained and propagated by this process, but it should be clearly understood that this can in no way be a substitute for actually doing the job! Discussion is not evangelism!

Wonderful Things

A delegate to a Church Army conference once stated, "There are three wonderful things in life to me: Jesus Christ is wonderful, people are wonderful, and to bring them together is most wonderful of all." Evangelism means bringing people and God together and this is indeed marvellous! For the Christian this often entails seeking out non-Christians and deliberately introducing them to God.

Go!

Once a man came to Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher, and told him that since he was now saved he wanted to help bring people to Jesus Christ. Spurgeon looked at him. "What are you?" said the great preacher. "I'm an engine driver," the man responded. "Is your fireman a Christian?" asked Spurgeon. "I don't know," he replied. "Well find out; and if he's not, start on him!" Jesus commands every disciple to share the good news. More often than not this means to those who know us best, our friends and family. Those we work with or go to school or university with figure much more prominently than the unsaved throngs across the seas.

Healing Legion

This is exemplified for me in the story of the healing of a man named Legion. He had been tormented by demons and terrorized those who lived nearby but was remarkably pacified and cured by Jesus. What a wonderful testimony to hold out to the world! Today his story would have been made into a bestseller, even into a movie! But what did Jesus tell him?

Go Back Home

"Go back home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how kind he has been to you" (Mark 5:19,20). If we go, what do we do then? I believe many Christians fail at this point. From the best of intentions they talk, and talk, and talk, and talk.... Once you have said your piece, the wise one listens!

"Practical Christian Outreach in the Local Church"

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