Reflections on Evangelism

For many, evangelism feels daunting, even scary. We doubt whether we are sufficiently trained or articulate to share Christ--surely this is the work of pastors. But the Great Commission was given to every believer! And the call to be ready to give a reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15) is addressed to ordinary Christians. The assumption in that verse is that we are living such distinctive lives that people are drawn to ask about our faith. Which means evangelism is first a lifestyle—a life of truth and goodness that requires explanation—and it most often spreads through the relationships God has already placed in our path. So we pray for courage, take the initiative, and learn through many imperfect conversations. We won’t always have the right answer, and that’s okay!

A second fear that silences us is the fear of giving offense. In our culture, being a Christian is acceptable as long as we keep it to ourselves. There are real costs to going public—lost friendships, awkward moments at work, being labeled a “religious fanatic.” But Scripture promises suffering and persecution when we share Christ. So what do we do with our fears? The antidote to fear of man is the fear of God, and the reminder that when we speak, God is always with us (Matthew 28:20). It is God who opens blind eyes and softens hard hearts. What an encouragement that is! In the end, we’re not responsible for the results. The results, whether success or failure, belong to God. Our job is to be faithful to the mission God has given to us.

I recently preached on this topic. You can listen to the sermon here: