A Community of Witnesses

Let me ask you, if you or your church ceased to exist today, what evangelistic impact would be lost? 

Effective evangelism should be measured not by individual responses, but by the clarity and accuracy of the message proclaimed.  Whether in a large gathering or from one individual to another, a church functioning at maximum evangelistic capacity will saturate its areas of influence with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Evangelism should be instinctive to the church, a reflexive activity that weaves its way in and through everything else it does together.  Encouraging the church to evangelize should be as necessary as urging a newborn to cry; it should take effort to silence.

Paul calls believers ambassadors of Christ, “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)  An ambassador speaks the message they were given with the authority and conviction of the one who sends them.

As the church, the bride of Christ, we must be bold in our proclamation of the gospel. We look for points of intersection with the unbelieving world, not points of unification. As the church of Jesus Christ, our role is to carry the gospel so that salt and light collide with decay and darkness.

If the church is to function as the gospel witness to the nations, it must be vocal on an individual level.  The church that is most effective in spreading the light of the gospel will be most active through its members, faithfully and boldly proclaiming the gospel to every unbeliever they know. When believers are faithful to evangelize in the routine of life, they more naturally gather together in evangelistic efforts that go beyond their immediate context and into the world.

The measure of a church’s evangelistic effectiveness is obedience on an individual level. And the gospel commission is a call for individual disciples to engage individual sinners.  The response of sinners is the work of the Spirit, not the result of our actions. Instead of determining effectiveness by the response, measure it by the accuracy of the message.

So, what are the hallmarks of a church functioning at maximum evangelistic capacity? How can church members be involved in Christ-exalting, gospel-proclaiming evangelism in their local community?

If you’re saved, you already know enough of the gospel to present it to someone else.  However, it takes work to be clear and understandable.  Every believer should commit to memory the basic components of the gospel.  With those fundamentals memorized, we should work daily to recite it to ourselves and even in role play with other believers.  Seldom will you have a Bible in hand when an evangelistic opportunity appears.  While a memorized gospel presentation is not a requirement for evangelism, it will allow you to present the gospel with clarity and conviction.

Every believer should have the gospel message to present at any given moment.  A church that spreads the gospel message, is one that takes deliberate steps to keep the message on the forefront of each believer’s mind.

First and foremost, the hard work of evangelism begins on our knees, pleading God to go before us in the hearts of those we engage with the gospel.  No amount of human effort can save someone.  So, in humility and dependency, we approach the throne of God with our prayers of intercession.  This follows the pattern of Paul, who prays earnestly for his mission field when he says, “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1)  When we pray for specific unbelievers, as individuals and as groups, we grow increasingly aware of the opportunities Christ is giving to proclaim his name.

I’m sure most of you have heard the old saying, “Your life may be the only bible some people read!”  The most clear and accurate gospel presentation is ignored if unbelievers see only a life of sin (anger, lust, gossip, laziness) instead of a life righteousness (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control).  In humility, repent when you sin, and use even your failures to magnify God’s mercy.  Let your holiness and repentance distinguish you from the world.  The consistent example of a changed life is compelling proof of salvation.

As you read this today, who are the unbelievers you’re engaging with the gospel?  It’s not enough to talk about them, you must talk with them, using the natural points of connection in your life to advance the gospel conversation.  God, in His sovereign grace, chose to place you in contact with those particular unbelievers.  Don’t throw away the opportunity to proclaim His saving message. This is your mission field.

You may find yourself in a time or place where you’re isolated from the unbelieving world (living at a Christian college, isolated by a pandemic, or at home with a believing family).  Or, perhaps you have drifted toward the relationships of least resistance, surrounding yourself with like-minded Christians.  If this is true for you, remember the example of Christ, who was always interacting with unbelievers (See Matthew 9:9-11), and then take the first step in the right direction.

Challenge yourself and other believers to identify those to pursue with the gospel.  At the same time, constantly work to create new networks that open up new mission fields for gospel ministry.

The hard work of evangelism is carried out most vividly when believers speak and act with Christ-exalting love for one another.  Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Christian love is vital to evangelism because it makes the love of Christ visible for the world to see. The world is watching and must see the transforming power of the gospel on display in our lives. This was at the heart of Paul’s challenge to Philemon in extending forgiveness to Onesimus. (See Philemon 1:8-10)

The unbelieving world must see the Holy Spirit enabling Christians to serve one another, encourage one another, endure hardship, refuse gossip, speak the truth in love and embrace suffering.  Does your love for other believers give credibility to your gospel presentation?

No matter your age, level of responsibility or visibility within the church, you can lead by example. The heart of Paul’s encouragement to Timothy is to lead by example despite his youth. (See 1 Timothy 4:12)  Some of the greatest evangelists are those whose names we won’t remember, but were relentlessly faithful to tell others about Jesus.  Don’t wait for someone else to lead by example, take initiative and others will follow.

Never lose sight of the miracle that happens in new birth.  If heaven rejoices in celebration in response to the new birth, so should we. (See Luke 15:10)  One way to do this is to share testimonies often.  We can never hear enough of the work Christ has done in drawing someone to salvation.  In your church, incorporate the recounting of salvation wherever possible.  Doing so reminds us of the many ways the gospel penetrates hearts and how God chooses to use saved sinners in that process.

Evangelism isn’t just something we do, it is a part of who we are.  It’s not a question of ability or adequacy, it’s a question of obedience to Christ.  A church that loves Christ is a church that will not be stopped in its proclamation of the gospel and its demonstration of love for Christ.  

As ambassadors of Christ and the gospel, we can engage this world boldly and look forward to the work Christ will do in and through us, for His glory.