Evangelism is the lifeblood of the church! If the saved fail to share, sinners will remain separated from the Lord. It is each Christian’s responsibility and blessed privilege to share the Gospel with those we meet (Mark 16:15-16). While most Christians understand the Lord’s directive, some are guilty by failing to make this directive personal. If evangelism is to be successful, it must be personal! “Go ye, means go me!” Yet, how can the “average” child of God make evangelism personal?
Firstly, evangelism must be a priority. It is quite interesting to note that just prior to our Lord’s ascension and exaltation, He made evangelism a priority for His followers. Teach, baptize and teach some more (Matthew 28:18-20) was the Lord’s plea. This edict was to become their daily priority and ours as well. For evangelism to be our priority, it must extend past the walls of the meetinghouse! Although congregational evangelism efforts are great and needed (Gospel meetings, door-knocking, supporting missionaries, et al), they are no substitute for personal, individual evangelism. Have you made evangelism personal? Is it an individual priority for you? We must change the often present mentality of “let someone else do it” when it comes to spreading the Lord’s message. Evangelism must be a priority!
Secondly, Evangelism requires a PERSON. While the world is certainly our “target” for evangelism (Mark 16:15), it begins with an individual person. Jesus saw individuals (Matthew 4:18). Both Philip and Ananias were directed to individuals (Acts 8:26-28; 9:17ff). Interestingly, God counts by ones; one sheep (Luke 15:3-7), one coin (Luke 15:8-10), and one boy (Luke 15:11-32)! If our Lord was to return today and ask you the name of the person you are actively seeking for His cause, could you honestly name a person? Making evangelism personal requires a person!
Thirdly, evangelism necessitates a plan. Success in any area of life requires a strategy or plan. Technique is extremely important when it comes to sharing the message of salvation. This plan involves inspection. Inspect and evaluate where the person is religiously that you desire to evangelize (Acts 8:30a). This plan also must include inquiry. Questions are powerful tools in the evangelist’s arsenal (Acts 8:30b). This plan must also include instruction. Sadly, this is where some stop. We often know where our friends and family are religiously through inspection, and we even engage in religious conversations and inquiry with these same ones, but sadly, some fail to complete the process by instructing. Instruction is the final key to evangelism (Acts 8:35).
Could it be that many have neglected the Lord’s directive for evangelism? The Lord’s church will never reach her full capacity until each and every member accepts his/her responsibility in evangelism. Evangelism must be personal! Personal evangelism that pleases the Lord is evangelism that becomes our priority, evangelism that involves a person and evangelism that involves a plan. May it be said of each Christian that which was said of our Master, He came to “seek and save the lost” (cf. Luke 19:10). Who are we seeking?
