"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15 (KJV)
Introduction
Well, hello there my eager evangelical! You have come to the correct article to read right now, because we are going to dive deep into the spiritual waters of evangelism. But this isn’t your everyday, run-of-the-mill exploration. Not a chance! We are going to go spelunking, if you will, to uncover some of the lesser-known treasures that are hidden within the Spiritual Gift of Evangelism. And I can say this, by the time we are done together, you will be equipped with skills that are so stellar, you are going to wonder how you ever evangelized without them! So, buckle up, this is going to be an enlightening road!
Embracing Genuine Compassion
"And of some have compassion, making a difference." - Jude 1:22 (KJV)
Now before you go off singing the Beatles song, let me remind you something of Jude. The book that is. This is a more succinct little book than the other books in the Bible and it touches on the importance of compassion. Looking at many parts of Scripture, you are going to see it speak about the necessity of truth. This of course is important; however, Jude highlights the beauty of combining that truth with genuine compassion. It is not just about spreading the word to someone, but more about connecting with them heart-to-heart while sharing the Word.
Why would we be tying compassion with evangelism? Because a burger can be tasty to some, but the “secret sauce” is what makes it even better! Sorry, if you don’t eat meat but I am writing this while a little hungry and this is my illustration right now. Let me try again, when you are sharing the Gospel to someone and you have genuine compassion about it, you are adding color to a black and white photo. Your message becomes more vibrant and relatable to the person that you are speaking to. This of course makes what you are saying more impactful, which is the whole point of evangelizing to someone, impacting them by opening up their eyes to the Good News.
Real-Life Application: When sharing the Gospel, remember to listen actively. Understand where the other person is coming from, and approach them with genuine care and empathy. Remember you are not just giving instruction booklets to people, you are actively coming into a person’s life with knowledge that is going to change their life forever.
The Art of Patience
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:4 (KJV)
James knew a thing or two about the virtue of patience, and unfortunately for us that live in the world of instant mashed potatoes it can be a little frustrating. This however is not about idly waiting, which is what you might be thinking right now. It is about allowing patience to do its “perfect work” in us. To be “perfect and entire” is to be mature and complete, which means that it will take some time.
Time and patience with evangelism? Who has time for that? I got to share the Gospel! Whoa, whoa, whoa. Did you understand the Gospel instantly when it was brought to you? Nope. So, is somebody going to accept or understand what you say instantly? Nope. And that is okay. With patience, you allow the seeds that you plant to grow in their own time. It is less about rushing someone and more about nurturing them.
Real-Life Application: Evangelism isn't a numbers game. Focus on building deep connections rather than seeking instant results. God is not keeping score of who converted who, because conversion is an act of free will that He gave us, not because you convinced somebody of something.
Creating Authentic Relationships
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." - Romans 12:10 (KJV)
Romans is such a good book to read in the Bible a few times over because you will miss something the first few times. Paul, while writing his letter to the Romans, takes the time to state the importance of having an authentic and loving relationship with fellow Christians. And how you do it is plainly laid out for you to understand. You put others before yourself and you value genuine connections.
When thinking about the world of evangelism, authentic relationships, as in creating them, is such a game-changer! Get adding notches into your spiritual belt out of your head. Building a true relationship is what it is all about. When people see genuine love and connection, they are going to be more inclined to what you have to say. And really, just think about this, wouldn’t it be really cool to see someone in heaven that you had a genuine connection with and they thank you for bringing the Word to them so they are in heaven with you?
Real-Life Application: Invest time in getting to know the people you're evangelizing to. Even if you are evangelizing to people in the street, you have to build rapport with them before you share the Word. Build trust and showcase genuine interest in their lives. Then when you understand them, you can come at the right angle.
The Power of Personal Testimony
"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." - Psalms 66:16 (KJV)
The Psalmist in the above verse invites believers to listen to God has done for them. This of course in turn invites others to share personal experiences of God's workings. It's a personal account, a testimony, a story of how God has acted in individual lives.
Your personal testimony, yes yours, is a powerful evangelistic tool in your arsenal. This is your unique story that you can convey personally and passionately of your encounter with God. And do you want to know the most awesome thing about it? Too bad, I am telling you anyway. No one can argue with you! It is your personal experience. There is no doubt that someone is going to have questions, or try to point out things that do not make sense in the Bible. But who is going to challenge your personal experience? Actually, it makes the message more relatable and real.
Real-Life Application: Simply put, share your personal journey of faith. Highlight the moments that truly transformed your relationship with God.
Recognizing the Role of the Holy Spirit
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8 (KJV)
Here in the above verse, Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, which will empower believers. This power is not just for miracles and wonders but fundamentally for witnessing. You know, evangelism!
I would like to point out that just because Jesus announced the Holy Spirit’s arrival who will join you in your journey, doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit is some type of sidekick. The Holy Spirit is not the Robin to your Batman, but actually in reverse. He is the main player. Recognizing the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism ensures that you are not trying to work in your own strength, but rely on divine guidance and empowerment. This takes out the pressure of “what to say” to someone.
Real-Life Application: Before you embark on any evangelistic effort, whether it is local, on a mission trip, or just out of the house, take a moment to pray. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and empower your words and actions. This is about you willingly being an instrument in God’s plan.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! The Spiritual Gift of Evangelism isn't just about preaching from a mountaintop (though, if you find a mountaintop, by all means, give it a go!). The only mountains around me right now are Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain, but hey, Florida is pretty flat. Compassion, patience, genuine relationships, personal stories, and the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit is what is all about when implementing the Spiritual Gift of Evangelism. With these five hidden secrets in your arsenal, you're not just evangelizing; you're evangelizing with style! Dive deep, build connections, and watch the magic unfold.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comment section below. Additionally, if you found this article to be helpful, please share it with others who may also benefit from it.
Andrew R. Davis, a Christian blogger, speaker, and ministry leader, passionately shares the Word of God, guiding others in understanding the Bible and discovering their unique role in God's plan. Through HolyBanter.com, his podcast, and creative pursuits, he empowers Christians to incorporate spiritual gifts into everyday life, igniting their purposeful journey.
Comments