Evangelism: The Importance of Sharing Your Faith
"But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Rise and go toward the
south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert road.' And he rose and went." Acts 8:26, 27
"Someone Needs You to Share What You Know of God"
Have you figured out that God will have people talk to you, visit with you, look up to you so that you can help them to see God? Each of us is in the position to share the gospel, tell our story of God’s help, to spread the good news of God’s power and love. We are put in this position by God, who uses us to help others see HIS work in and around us. It is our job, every one of us, to not only see God working around us but to share what we see God doing. People desire deeply to see God's works. They need to know that God is alive and cares about each soul in this world!
Many have read how British journalist Henry Stanley went to Africa to find the famed missionary, Dr. David Livingstone. Stanley's greeting, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" is world famous, but few know the rest of the story.
After Stanley and Livingstone had worked together for some time, Stanley saw what Dr. Livingstone endured and wrote,
That is how Henry Stanley, a man who was practically an atheist, who doubted the power of God, who felt that missionaries wasted their lives, was changed. Over time, he was changed by God's presence in Dr. Livingstone. He saw the works of faith given in mercy to the poor, and Stanley was changed by the faith in this man. Are others changed by the faith in you? What kind of witness do you give to others? If your faith is strong, if your love for God is contagious, others will not only see God in you, but desire to see what you see… to know what you know of God. Your job is through your witness to allow God to change their hearts. By your love, your wisdom, your strong faith, your acts of charity, your words of truth and honesty… others will see God in you and want badly to have a faith like yours.
Joe Aldrich, in his book on Lifestyle Evangelism wrote this: “Christians are to be good news before they share good news.” If you have a close relationship to God so that you feel HIS presence and love, it will shine in you like a beacon. Jesus said that his followers should be the “light of the world.” Does God’s light shine in you so that others want to know what it is that makes you shine, makes your life bright? If people naturally gravitate to you, they might see something special in you. They might see God in you. Consequently, when you are not expecting it, they might open a door for you to share what makes you committed or loving or godly. That chance may come via a conversation, a chat, a mention in Facebook, or an encounter at work. What would you say? What would you write? If I asked you, "When have you known God was doing something in your life beyond a shadow of doubt?", how would you answer? You have one minute to give your answer. You can't hesitate to share it. You may not have a moment to think, but you will have an opportunity to respond.
In the book of Acts (8:26-40), we have the story of Philip. Philip was one of the disciples, but you don’t often hear much about him in the gospels. Philip had a trusting and willing faith that God would put him in the right place at the right time. Philip just followed God’s Spirit wherever he was led. Philip was ready to share what he knew of God when prompted.
In Acts 8, Philip is told by an angel to go on a road out in the country between Jerusalem and Gaza. That’s all the angel told him! The angel didn’t say… "You’ll be doing this there", or "Look for that there". The angel just said "Go!", and without hesitation Philip went. He had the kind of faith that was authentic, genuine, trusting. Philip didn’t need to ask questions. He trusted the angel. He trusted God. So, there he was standing on the road in the middle of the country, in the middle of nowhere. But he was not there for long. A chariot drove past, and he felt God telling him to hop a ride on a chariot. Philip went as led by the Spirit.
While riding in the chariot, Philip heard a man in the chariot reading a scripture from the prophet Isaiah. That was Philip's cue. He said to the man, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man said, “Guide me.” Philip then shared the meaning of Isaiah, and how Jesus fit into the scripture perfectly. The man was so moved by what Philip said, he wanted to be baptized. They stopped the chariot and Philip baptized the man right then and there.
When he awoke that morning, Philip didn’t foresee he’d be riding in a chariot. He didn’t know he’d hear a man reading from Isaiah even as he hopped onto the chariot. Philip did believe, however, that God would put him in the right place at the right time to share what he knew of Jesus. This very same thing will happen to you in life… if you listen to God… if you are willing to go where God sends you… if you are willing to share what you know about God with no hesitation or doubt.
The last time I read statistics about churches, it was revealed that eighty-five percent of people join a church because of the invitation and help of a member of that church. It's not as common for people to attend church and begin a life of faith because of the pastor's sermons, the mission emphasis, or the statuesque building. A few years ago, my son moved back home. He drove to the local grocery store, parked the car, and turned off his radio. He was playing rock songs just before he shut off the engine. An elderly woman walked up to him and said, “if you like music like that, you’ll love our youth group and church!” and gave him an invitation to visit her church. He was impressed! That’s how churches grow. That's how God is introduced to people. It is not usually by the power of a hymn or sermon, but by people sharing, inviting, opening themselves to others in Jesus name! The book of James even says that if you bring a person back to God, you get a multitude of your own sins covered!!!
I’ve seen instances when people have helped others, ministered to friends, cared for a neighbor. Through that work, God was shared. It may be a conversation at work or at home or at church. It may be a conversation you start, or a conversation that is started by a family member or friend. Sharing God might come after you help a child who just had a nightmare. It may occur when there’s an illness. At any time, a person may want to know about God in you. They will want to know what you know, what God has to say. Maybe they just want you to listen. Maybe they need to be heard. Maybe just your presence will be enough so that they feel God’s presence in you. But, know this: Philip didn’t know where God was taking him to share the gospel. Like him, you may not see it coming… when God puts you in a conversation or in a situation where you need to share what you know of God.
Right now, state out loud or in your mind what you would say to someone who needed to know who God really is or if God really exists. You may start out this challenge by stuttering and faltering, but if you do it a few times each day or week, it will become more natural. Just like riding a bike, you may falter and fail, but over time, you'll get the knack. God's Holy Spirit will guide you in what to say. God or God's angel will lead you to the time and place. Be ready to respond and share. When it happens, talk about how you, personally, have seen God work. Speak about how you, personally, felt God's presence in a moment of revelation. Don't just spout a bunch of scripture. Relate why it is that God means so much to you using your own words. Including a scripture or two in the process will add to the authenticity of your witness.
Don't worry about what you are to say (Luke 12:11,12). God will give you the words, if you have God's Spirit in you. Just be genuine. Be honest. Be loving. Sometimes, your witness may be with words. Sometimes, it will be with a good deed done. At all times, it will come with God's blessing. Philip waited for the right time to share his faith in that chariot, then used that moment God gave him to speak wisely. Watch for those moments. If you know God, God will give you a time of witness, if you are willing to set aside your own fear of failure and doubts about your abilities.
Moses stuttered. Thomas doubted. Peter denied Jesus three times. Paul murdered people. But later, every one of them shared the faith in a beautiful way. So will you........ if you leave it up to God to take care of the consequences, the time, and the place!
south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert road.' And he rose and went." Acts 8:26, 27
"Someone Needs You to Share What You Know of God"
Have you figured out that God will have people talk to you, visit with you, look up to you so that you can help them to see God? Each of us is in the position to share the gospel, tell our story of God’s help, to spread the good news of God’s power and love. We are put in this position by God, who uses us to help others see HIS work in and around us. It is our job, every one of us, to not only see God working around us but to share what we see God doing. People desire deeply to see God's works. They need to know that God is alive and cares about each soul in this world!
Many have read how British journalist Henry Stanley went to Africa to find the famed missionary, Dr. David Livingstone. Stanley's greeting, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" is world famous, but few know the rest of the story.
After Stanley and Livingstone had worked together for some time, Stanley saw what Dr. Livingstone endured and wrote,
- "I went to Africa as prejudiced as the biggest atheist in London. But there came for me a long time for reflection. I saw this solitary old man there and asked myself, 'How on earth does he come to a place like this-is he cracked, or what? What is it that inspires him so?' For months after we met, I found myself wondering at the old man carrying out all that was said in the Bible, 'Leave all things and follow Me.' But little by little his sympathy for others became contagious; my sympathy was aroused; seeing his piety, his gentleness, his zeal, his earnestness, and how he went about his business, I was converted by him."
That is how Henry Stanley, a man who was practically an atheist, who doubted the power of God, who felt that missionaries wasted their lives, was changed. Over time, he was changed by God's presence in Dr. Livingstone. He saw the works of faith given in mercy to the poor, and Stanley was changed by the faith in this man. Are others changed by the faith in you? What kind of witness do you give to others? If your faith is strong, if your love for God is contagious, others will not only see God in you, but desire to see what you see… to know what you know of God. Your job is through your witness to allow God to change their hearts. By your love, your wisdom, your strong faith, your acts of charity, your words of truth and honesty… others will see God in you and want badly to have a faith like yours.
Joe Aldrich, in his book on Lifestyle Evangelism wrote this: “Christians are to be good news before they share good news.” If you have a close relationship to God so that you feel HIS presence and love, it will shine in you like a beacon. Jesus said that his followers should be the “light of the world.” Does God’s light shine in you so that others want to know what it is that makes you shine, makes your life bright? If people naturally gravitate to you, they might see something special in you. They might see God in you. Consequently, when you are not expecting it, they might open a door for you to share what makes you committed or loving or godly. That chance may come via a conversation, a chat, a mention in Facebook, or an encounter at work. What would you say? What would you write? If I asked you, "When have you known God was doing something in your life beyond a shadow of doubt?", how would you answer? You have one minute to give your answer. You can't hesitate to share it. You may not have a moment to think, but you will have an opportunity to respond.
In the book of Acts (8:26-40), we have the story of Philip. Philip was one of the disciples, but you don’t often hear much about him in the gospels. Philip had a trusting and willing faith that God would put him in the right place at the right time. Philip just followed God’s Spirit wherever he was led. Philip was ready to share what he knew of God when prompted.
In Acts 8, Philip is told by an angel to go on a road out in the country between Jerusalem and Gaza. That’s all the angel told him! The angel didn’t say… "You’ll be doing this there", or "Look for that there". The angel just said "Go!", and without hesitation Philip went. He had the kind of faith that was authentic, genuine, trusting. Philip didn’t need to ask questions. He trusted the angel. He trusted God. So, there he was standing on the road in the middle of the country, in the middle of nowhere. But he was not there for long. A chariot drove past, and he felt God telling him to hop a ride on a chariot. Philip went as led by the Spirit.
While riding in the chariot, Philip heard a man in the chariot reading a scripture from the prophet Isaiah. That was Philip's cue. He said to the man, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man said, “Guide me.” Philip then shared the meaning of Isaiah, and how Jesus fit into the scripture perfectly. The man was so moved by what Philip said, he wanted to be baptized. They stopped the chariot and Philip baptized the man right then and there.
When he awoke that morning, Philip didn’t foresee he’d be riding in a chariot. He didn’t know he’d hear a man reading from Isaiah even as he hopped onto the chariot. Philip did believe, however, that God would put him in the right place at the right time to share what he knew of Jesus. This very same thing will happen to you in life… if you listen to God… if you are willing to go where God sends you… if you are willing to share what you know about God with no hesitation or doubt.
The last time I read statistics about churches, it was revealed that eighty-five percent of people join a church because of the invitation and help of a member of that church. It's not as common for people to attend church and begin a life of faith because of the pastor's sermons, the mission emphasis, or the statuesque building. A few years ago, my son moved back home. He drove to the local grocery store, parked the car, and turned off his radio. He was playing rock songs just before he shut off the engine. An elderly woman walked up to him and said, “if you like music like that, you’ll love our youth group and church!” and gave him an invitation to visit her church. He was impressed! That’s how churches grow. That's how God is introduced to people. It is not usually by the power of a hymn or sermon, but by people sharing, inviting, opening themselves to others in Jesus name! The book of James even says that if you bring a person back to God, you get a multitude of your own sins covered!!!
I’ve seen instances when people have helped others, ministered to friends, cared for a neighbor. Through that work, God was shared. It may be a conversation at work or at home or at church. It may be a conversation you start, or a conversation that is started by a family member or friend. Sharing God might come after you help a child who just had a nightmare. It may occur when there’s an illness. At any time, a person may want to know about God in you. They will want to know what you know, what God has to say. Maybe they just want you to listen. Maybe they need to be heard. Maybe just your presence will be enough so that they feel God’s presence in you. But, know this: Philip didn’t know where God was taking him to share the gospel. Like him, you may not see it coming… when God puts you in a conversation or in a situation where you need to share what you know of God.
Right now, state out loud or in your mind what you would say to someone who needed to know who God really is or if God really exists. You may start out this challenge by stuttering and faltering, but if you do it a few times each day or week, it will become more natural. Just like riding a bike, you may falter and fail, but over time, you'll get the knack. God's Holy Spirit will guide you in what to say. God or God's angel will lead you to the time and place. Be ready to respond and share. When it happens, talk about how you, personally, have seen God work. Speak about how you, personally, felt God's presence in a moment of revelation. Don't just spout a bunch of scripture. Relate why it is that God means so much to you using your own words. Including a scripture or two in the process will add to the authenticity of your witness.
Don't worry about what you are to say (Luke 12:11,12). God will give you the words, if you have God's Spirit in you. Just be genuine. Be honest. Be loving. Sometimes, your witness may be with words. Sometimes, it will be with a good deed done. At all times, it will come with God's blessing. Philip waited for the right time to share his faith in that chariot, then used that moment God gave him to speak wisely. Watch for those moments. If you know God, God will give you a time of witness, if you are willing to set aside your own fear of failure and doubts about your abilities.
Moses stuttered. Thomas doubted. Peter denied Jesus three times. Paul murdered people. But later, every one of them shared the faith in a beautiful way. So will you........ if you leave it up to God to take care of the consequences, the time, and the place!