Sharing our faith can be frightening at times. Maybe we don’t think we have all the answers. Maybe we don’t want to be rejected. Whatever the reason that opposes us reaching out; think about what D.T Niles shares:
Evangelism is like one beggar showing another beggar where the bread is.
The reality is that we are all beggars with great needs that can only be met in Jesus. As we go in faith we lead others to Jesus the bread of life.
In 1 Samuel 2:8 we read:
“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.”
To lift someone off the heap gives the impression that they can’t lift up themselves either because they are too weak or they are ignorant of where they are! To come close and come under or alongside another is a personal ministry of love.
Here are some ways to LIFT up people:
- Listen to their story – seek to understand than trying to be understood
- Learn their story – Understanding context to what people are saying and feeling
- Love them with Gods story – Clear message from God’s Heart
- Lead them beyond themselves – Encourage and empower to walk in faith
God’s love lifts them and puts them on a throne! We were meant to rule not to be victims and subjects of the world.
Our Position
We are no longer beggars but sons and daughters. We have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his dear son in Colossians 1:13.
We see our need for God and this is a place of transformation but many don’t know that they are beggars. They fill their lives with things, possessions that try to fill the void that only eternal things were made for. As we herald the good news people hear an eternal reality.
The busyness of life crowds our minds from this simple reality that we are pilgrims and sojourners in this land. Our home is heavenward and the only thing we can take with us there is people.
Our approach
In our post-Christian world, the responses to hearing about Jesus vary. Some are glad to hear while others resist. It is not our responsibility to persuade the listen of what we are sharing but to present a clear picture of who Jesus is as the bread of life. He is the one that fills the hunger and quenches the thirst.
How we approach the person may be more remembered than what you have said to them. Often, God pursues the personal multiple ways for long periods of times – so we are part of that marathon.
Some approaches are:
- Intellectual approach – answering questions debating
- Moral Approach – Personal sharing, testimony.
- Spiritual Approach – Explaining the bible in a relevant way.
Each approach has their strengthens, but before embracing one is wise to ask questions to see where the person is coming from and their receptivity. The tendency with any pushback is to go on the defensive and in some cases shut the person down with our words.
Remembering that we may be one in a long line of pre-salvation ministry to the person our mission is to present a clear picture of who Jesus is rather than try to persuade the person to believe. As we lift up Jesus he will draw all men unto himself in John 12:32.
What is your view of Jesus?
Our story and history of how we came to Christ is a great tool for people to relate to you and your journey. We are presenting the heart of Jesus and the Holy Spirit persuades. A personal revelation of who God is to you is a powerful witness to others.
Good News
DL Moody said, “Every Bible should be wrapped in shoe leather”. Many are sitting in darkness and the light of the gospel is not there. Satan often wants to shut our mouths so that we don’t share, he knows that the gospel is the power unto salvation! People need to hear what God has put in your heart.
There is a “Go” in Gospel!
There are many beggars today seeking for bread – lead them to the table of grace!
Jason is a graduate from Maryland Bible College and Seminary, and presently he leads the Pastoral Care Team of Greater Grace Church in Baltimore. Since age 16, Jason has been involved with mission work among the former Soviet-Bloc countries in Eastern Europe, as well as in Asia, and in the United States. While living in Ukraine, he helped church plant three new churches that continue to thrive today under trained nationals. He has also written five books and has his own podcast (tinyurl.com/IRpodcast)
