Christian Conversation as Evangelism

What is “witnessing?”   What is “evangelism?”  What does it mean to “share your faith?”

Read together the preface to Dr. Kolb’s book, “Speaking the Gospel Today.”

                Every Christian should want to talk about their faith.  Peter tells us, “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (I Peter 3:15).  We have been created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26).  Since the fall and the coming of Christ, we have been re-created in Christ and our image restored.

                Our desire to speak comes from the fact that we are in God’s image and He is a God Who speaks.  At the Creation He spoke and it was (Genesis 1).  When God wanted to fashion for  Himself a special people, He called out Abram and gave Him His word of promise and blessing. (Genesis 12:1-3) 

                When God wanted to intervene in human history in order to perform His work of re-creating us, His Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1) And again He brought His people to Himself calling them from their fishing nests and tax tables.  He taught these people with His words and the process by which they become His disciples, His followers.

                We share what we have been given by speaking to others the words which have been spoken to and have changed us. 

Called to speak, but tempted to remain silent

All of this, however, begs the question, “If were ‘re-created’ to speak then why is witnessing so hard?

1.  Some fail to understand that God has called all Christians to witness.  It is the “talent’ myth.

2.  Many Christians are overwhelmed by the challenge.  They fear embarrassing themselves or their God because they believe that they don’t have all the answers.

3.  A fear of confrontation.

                Christians have no choice when it comes to witnessing.  We only choose to witness better or less effectively.  Take Dr. Kolb’s comment as an example:

“If people know that we are Christians, they are always and easily noticing and evaluating what Jesus means to us.”

                Based on number one above, how then do we witness?

In relation to  number two above, what is the solution?

How and why is number three a problem?

                Sharing God’s Word is sharing it in its entirety.  We must, given the situation use either God’s Law or His Gospel in any given context.  Using either inappropriately hinders, muddles or loses the witness. 

                How?

                How do you determine which is appropriate?

                1.  If a person is secure in their sin you use the Law.

2.  The Gospel is for those who are contrite, see their error and are crushed by the judgement the Law pronounces upon them.

                Often times people have questions for us Christians that yearn for answers. 

                “With all the evil in the world, how can there be a God?”

                “Can life have any real meaning if there is nothing at the end but death?”

                “If I join your church every Sunday, do I have to be there every Sunday?”

                “Sure I was baptized once - a really long time ago.  But what good has it really done me.”

                “Can you be a Christian and have an abortion?”

                Some questions are profound.  Others may be trivial in our minds.  But the questions we face  are based on the experiences of these individuals that beg to have answers.  This is key: There is always a question behind the question.  It may simply be a great curiosity over something they once observed or it may be a question masking a great pain or sin.  Our first response should be, “Why do you want to know?”  The answer to this question often determines whether we use Law or Gospel.

                We should also keep in mind that sharing the Law and the Gospel does not mean having the perfect life.  Our failures remind us of our own frailty and need for the same Gospel we share.  It may also enhance our witness when it comes to the share of the Gospel to some one going through the same trail, travail, or temptation we once faced.

Actualization Versus Accommodation

                What are some barriers in popular culture that affect the message of witness?

                Believers must constantly check our own views and beliefs when it comes to our witness.  This can only be done when we are in the Word.  Religion is filled with many popular myths and “wives tales.”

What are some popular myths that affect how people view Christianity or a particular church?

                Culturally we are different than those to whom we are witnessing.  We have been re-created in Christ.  As we mature as Christians our “thoughts and ways” become more like Gods and less like the worlds (See Roman 12).  Sometimes, however, we are tempted to become too worldly in our witness or explain it in terms and means common to the popular culture and the Truth of the message gets changed or lost.

                What are some ways that this can happen?

                Paul does tell us:    I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some (I Corinthians 9:22).   And John tells in His Gospel and First Epistle that we are in the world but not of the world (John 17:13ff and I John 2:14ff). 

                There is a balance to be struck.  More often then not those who are trying to build the bridge of communicating the Gospel end up accommodating rather than actualizing the Gospel.  For theology to be made complete it must be communicated for the purpose of being made “real” and applicable.  But the basic truth cannot be changed.

                True actualization comes from re-addressing God’s Word to the circumstances, but keeping the Truth intact.  Again, only in the study of God’s Word is His Truth kept sharp and in focus.  Theology remains only half done if it is not applicable.

Bridges

                Bridges cross barriers.  Many people have questions that cause barriers.  Perhaps they are adherents to the philosophies of the world, or held prisoner to some “myths” or preconceived notions about faith and the church.  We also combat the fact that people are typically not “spiritually minded.”  They attribute earthly pains and trial to agents and not to the root cause of sin.  God as their “remedy” can be foreign to them.

How are bridges built across these barriers to communicating the Gospel?