"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." - Matthew 28:19-20
Evangelism is sharing the gospel with others. Jesus tells us all to go and make disciples (above). But how often do we go out and spread the good news?
I'm guilty of this. It seems in the American church that we are so focused on building our own faith that we forget that a whole multitude of people probably haven't heard or are blinded to the truth.
First, let's break down what neighbor means. Your neighbor is anyone whom you share life with:
Spouse
Family
Co-worker
Physical neighbor
Friend
Church acquaintance
Stranger at the grocery store
Etc.
Even our fellow sisters and brothers and Christ are considered our neighbors! So why should we evangelize to fellow believers if they've already heard the good news?
Because we overcome sin, the flesh,
strongholds, and struggles 1. by the blood of the Lamb and 2. by the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).
I see evangelism as 1. Sharing what Christ did on the Cross, and 2. How it has changed and affected my life since.
Many people (both believers and non-believers) have probably heard about Jesus and the Cross. What they need to discover is how a man's sacrifice on the cross changes their lives today.
Here are 5 ways we can evangelize (share how God has changed our lives) with our neighbors:
1. Share your testimony
A testimony is a true event about what God has done in your life. Most of the time, we see Salvation as our testimony and although our coming to Christ moment is a testimony, it should not be our only one.
We should always be experiencing God's character, power, and nature throughout our lives.
Be sure to check out my video: How Do I Share My Testimony with Others to learn how to tell others about your testimony.
2. Serve them
"The greatest among you shall be your servant." Matthew 23:11
Throughout Jesus's time on earth, he constantly served His people. The needs of others were His top priority and are the reason He willingly went to the Cross. I think a HUGE way He evangelized to others was through serving them. Sadly, we see preaching on the platform as the greatest way to evangelize, and although preaching is useful, it pales in comparison to the lasting effect that service has on others. When the spotlight is our perspective, we fail to realize the significance of planting seeds through our actions.
3. Pray for them
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people," 1 Timothy 2:1
Pray changes the heart. If we want others to receive the revelation of Christ then we MUST pray for them. Think about the parable of the sower: some were snatched by the devil and couldn't take root, others were received with joy but fell away in times of testing and persecution, then some were choked by the cares of this world (wealth, worry, pleasures, etc.), and then there were those who fell on good soil (a person's mind and heart) and became fruitful.
We need to pray for others to receive God's Word and revelation with good soil so that they can prosper and become spiritually fruitful.
4. Love them
"Love is patient, kind, does not envy, or boast, is not proud or rude, is not self-seeking or easily angered, it keeps not record of wrongs. Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing but with the truth. It protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Loving people can be so hard, yet Christ calls us to love them EVEN when they hurt and persecute us. When we love others we truly show the character of God. This is evangelism! Our actions can speak so much louder than our words. Learning how to love people in hard times is the key to evangelizing and showing the true character of Christ.
Ask yourself: Are you
Patient with others when they don't see your perspective or take your advice?
Kind when others are rude and accuse you of something you didn't do?
Do you keep no record of wrongs about people?
Easily angered when others don't choose your way or do you wrong?
5. Ask them if they have a relationship with Jesus
It's one thing to know about God, but it's another to truly know Him. We can attend church, read our Bibles, and even worship without being in a intimate relationships with Him.
What is the key to an intimate relationship with Jesus?
Seek Him daily just like you would seek a boyfriend, best friend, or spouse.
Talk (pray) to Him and ask Him to speak to you (and listen).
Share your intimate thoughts, struggles, dreams and wishes with Him
Obey His commandments so that you don't hurt him and create distrust in the relationship
Confess your sins to Him, ask Him for forgiveness, and to help you repent
As you can see, evangelizing to your neighbor doesn't have to be complicated. Just remember to be yourself and ask God to help you talk with them!
Let me know what you think of this post 👇 Thanks for reading! Have a great day.
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