Evangelism # 2

Opening the Heart of Another to the Good News
A majority of Americans in 2007 do not have a positive impression about Christianity and/or organized Christian religion! There are several reasons for this.

∙ Negative stereotypes that have become accepted wisdom in much of the media and entertainment industry dog us. Bible-believing Christians are often presented as ignorant, bigoted, and backward!

∙ Scandals have plagued Christianity for the last two decades! It started with the TV evangelists scandals of the late 1980's - Bakker, Swaggart, and others. Then there were the unending headlines about priests who abused kids, boys and girls, that persisted for several years. Most recently one of the most visible Christian leaders was exposed as a hypocrite who preached on Sunday and used drugs while spending time with a male prostitute on Monday!

∙ Then, too - there are the daily lapses in each of our lives - moments when temper overcomes grace, when gentleness is forgotten, when we treat our neighbors rudely and they really do say, “And I thought he was a Christian!” They may not be Believers, but they know how we ought to act!

Our greater challenge is often not convincing others of the Truth about Jesus Christ, but rather getting them to open up their heart to hear what we have to say. We need to earn credibility for the message of Christ that we claim to believe wholeheartedly.

Jesus pointed out the problem with the human heart in a story he told that is recorded in Matthew 13. It often called the Parable of the Sower. A man went out to plant seed and as he scattered the seed it fell into four different kinds of soil. Three of the four were not quality soil, and thus did not produce a crop for harvest!

∙ Some of the seed fell on the pathway, representing the hard heart that resists the Good News.

∙ Some of it fell on the shallow soil where it quickly germinated, but because of the shallowness of the soil, the plant died before maturity. This soil represents the heart that receives the Good News in crisis, but does not grow in discipleship.

∙ Some of the seed, Jesus said, fell into soil that was also full of weeds! The seed started to grow but was soon choked out by the thorns and thistles. This represents the heart that receives the Good News but fails to deal with the sin issues that plague every person - concern for life and love of things!

∙ And some seed fell into rich soil where it grew to maturity and produces a great harvest.

Believers could read that story and fail to see that they have some responsibility for preparing the hearts into which they will sow the Good News of Christ! A good farmer prepares his field. He breaks up the hard soil. He picks out the rocks and piles them in the hedgerows! He cultivates the field, controlling the weeds so that the crop can flourish.

When we present the Good News about Jesus to our world, we have a responsibility to help others open up their hearts, to help them to become receptive to the Word. This is a partnership with God. He works by the Spirit to stir up faith. We, by our lives and words, gain trust and are able to plant the seed, which then grows as the Spirit gives life!

The question that frames my message is this -

How do we live in a way that invites others to open their hearts to our message about Jesus Christ?

I present these points in no special order as each is important.

A. We must be of GOOD CHARACTER, living ABOVE REPROACH.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

The Message puts it like this...

“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. ... Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

Gandhi, the leader who led India to independence from Great Britain with non-violent means, was originally from South Africa where he had frequent encounters with those who claimed to be Christians. As a young man he was intrigued by the claims of Jesus and the story goes that he attempted to attend a church, where he was told that he was unwelcome because of his race. Later Gandhi, remarked that it was those actions that closed his heart to the Christian message!

“But,” you may be thinking, “I am human. I will fail.” Those around us do not expect us to be perfect just because we are Christians. They do expect us to be honest about failures, to admit when there are gaps in our testimony, and to deal with our sins! There are few things as ugly as hypocrisy, and nothing as beautiful as a truly holy life that is like Jesus!

B. We must be SKILLFUL as we handle the SCRIPTURE.

I enjoy talking with someone who has taken time to learn his subject! I do not much care what it is that a person knows, if they know it well, I find it interesting. But, I am disgusted by a person who blathers on and on in a way that reveals his ignorance, saying many words that mean nothing.

There are Believers who talk about the Good News and the truth of the Scripture without spending the time to really study what they’re talking about. Paul spoke of Believers who allow themselves to be taken from the Truth by “myths and old wive’s tales.” Don’t turn Christianity into a bunch of stories that sound like they belong in the National Enquirer or into endless speculations about End Times.

Believer, take this instruction of the Scripture to heart -

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV)

"From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

(2 Timothy 3:14-17, NIV)

Religion is not a hobby or past-time! Christianity is God’s gift to us for the salvation of the world! Let’s treat our message as the treasure it is, gaining the ability to present it with skill. If we demonstrate a mastery of the Truth, a skillfulness with the Word, others will look to us for advice, counsel, and more readily receive the Good News.

C. We must be OUTWARDLY FOCUSED.

In Philippians 2:1-4, we are warned about preoccupation with self-interest!

(Pew Bible page 1827)

Ministry done with the wrong motive, no matter how wonderful it may be, is rotten; produces death, and stinks!

Who wants to open his heart to another if he has the sense that he is just another statistic, another conquest?

Who wants to become part of a church where people are squabbling for recognition, craving attention, or fighting for power? When we share the Good News, we do so for the good of those who hear it! Like Jesus, we do not seek to be served, but rather to serve.

Our outward focus will demonstrate respect for others, too. Too often presenting the Good News is done in a kind of one-size fits all manner. If a person expresses an interest in spiritual matters, that does not mean that we reach into our pocket and hand them a piece of literature, or that we invite them to church with us, or that we suggest that they read some book we’ve read. We might do any or all of those things, but not automatically! An outwardly focused Believer who wants to gain the trust of another, is a careful listener, a student of his audience. He chooses both the manner and timing of the presentation wisely!

Jesus said, “Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.” (Matthew 10:16, The Message)

When our Christian service becomes about us - it quickly becomes an issue of power, about winning, about proving something. One reason I think that Christianity has come into a bad light among so many Americans was the rhetoric we started to use about ‘winning the culture wars,’ by gaining power in Congress and the courts. Do I want godly men and women in office, exercising government authority for our nation? I sure do, but not so I can feel like I’ve won something, not so I can feel powerful or in control!

You will open the hearts of others for the Good News by making your message about Christ Jesus and focused on the needs and interests of the ‘other guy.’

In the excellent book called, “Going Public With Your Faith,” the authors make this observation about being wise and appropriate in talking about our faith in the Lord.

1. It is fitting to talk about our faith when the conversation arises out of a relationship that is built around our work with that person.

2. It is right to talk about our faith when it fits naturally with the topic of conversation. Watch out for contrived connections or dropping a loaded question in the middle of a casual conversation. Saying something like “If you died tonight and stood before God, what would you say to Him when He asked why He should let you into Heaven?” without context can freeze the atmosphere and destroy future opportunities to share the Good News.

3. It is always appropriate to talk about our faith when we are asked! Remember an inquiry about faith is not an invitation to a sermon or a time to share everything you’ve ever learned in church!

D. Finally, we must be COURAGEOUS.

I would be misleading you if I suggested that if you are a person of Christ-like character, wide in the Word, and sensitive, that others will always flock to you. The truth that is the human heart is, because of the depravity in which we are born, resistant to the truth about God! The Evil One works mightily to stir up others against the message of Jesus. If you are a godly person, expect that some will dislike you, some will hate you for no other reason other than the fact that you belong to Christ! That is why Peter urges us to accept the sufferings of Christ gladly and courageously. In 1 Peter 3:14-17 (Pew Bible page 1890) we read -

"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." (NIV)

A few verses later, he writes - “Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

When we share the Good News of Christ, we are asking a person to make the most profound decision of their entire life. Yes, when we present the Gospel, we are asking for change, for surrender, for a total loyalty to the Lord. It takes real courage to ask a person to make that kind of choice knowing that they may not only reject our message but they may turn against us as well.

If we are closing following Jesus, filled with the Spirit, we will have moments when we hear Him saying, “Speak up now.” Don’t think you’re strange or unspiritual if at the very same moment you feel your stomach knot up and sweat break out. That’s natural. Take courage and obey the Lord.

_____________________________

Leading someone to know Christ is one of the most wonderful experiences in the world. What joy to know that we have shared the life God gave us with someone who was dying in sin! We are God’s partners in bringing others to experience the peace of God, the hope of eternal life. He gives us the privilege of pointing others to the way to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God.

So, pray that God will help you to be a person who faithfully plants the seed in soil that is prepared to receive it. Open those hearts by -

Having a solid, Christ-like character that is without hypocrisy,

Being a person who is a student of Scripture and knows how to apply it skillfully,

Staying focused on those around you, never making your Christianity about yourself, and

Being courageously responsive to the leading of the Spirit.

Amen.

www.WashingtonAG.com

With appreciation to "Going Public with your Faith" Navpress, 2005