"Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before."
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NLT)
When we hear the word evangelism, many think of the late Billy Graham and his stadium crusades. Or we think of missionaries who left all and moved to a foreign land to preach the Gospel to people who have never heard it before. Or of our local coliseums filled to max capacity for Passion events. We often have grandiose images of thousands of people responding to an altar call, or the conversion of an entire foreign village at one time.
While these images may cause us to stand in awe, they are NOT the usual methods of evangelism. The primary means of evangelism involves ordinary people, living their everyday lives, and sharing the Good News of Jesus with the people around them.
In Matthew 16:5, Jesus tells His Disciples to, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Think about it. The mission of ALL Christians is to live out our faith in our ordinary lives by sanctifying our daily work and offering it all up to God.
Imagine Christians, (factory workers, farmers, contractors, moms, dads, executives, etc.) all directing their regular activity towards God and uniting them with the life and message of Jesus Christ. Think of how many people would meet the Lord working in, and through, us as we go about our typical day. That's more people than any stadium or coliseum has ever held.
The best evangelism is the witness our actions and deeds express, NOT our ability to speak publicly. St. Francis of Assisi is often attributed as saying, "Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary, use words." Basically, Jesus Christ in us is to be lived out in front of others!
Jesus taught this method of evangelism in Matthew 5:16 when He said, "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."
By devoting our everyday life to God and living out our Christian beliefs in our regular routines, we preach the Gospel without saying a word. Meanwhile, praying for the salvation of the people we encounter. Inviting them in friendship to share in our lives. Serving them with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) And telling them about the source of it all, Jesus Christ!
Digging Deeper:
- Read John 4:4-26.How did Jesus reach this woman?
- What are some ways you can participate in ordinary Evangelism?
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If you need prayer or you would like to talk with a K-LOVE Pastor, we are here to serve you. Call us at 844-364-4673 (hope).
