Paul called himself the chief of sinners; I can relate. I would protest that I am the Chief. But I also claim a title he couldn’t possibly wear. I protest that I am the Worst Evangelist on the Planet.

I know, it’s not literally true, but that is often how I feel.

Perhaps you too feel useless when it comes to talking to unbelievers. But here is the irony: I actually love talking with people about spiritual matters. I love talking with people about Jesus. I believe there is no one with whom I would not be willing to have such a conversation. So how can I call myself the Worst Evangelist on the Planet? Because I’m terrible at beginning such conversations!

Yesterday, I heard a short sermon at a lunch meeting with some pastors. The pastor spoke from this verse:

5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV)

I know this verse well. I’ve heard it preached all my life. I’ve taught it myself. But it stuck with me the rest of the day, especially that phrase, “do the work of an evangelist.” Given the flow of the verse, I can’t fulfill my ministry if I am not doing the work of an evangelist.

Recently, Ben, Jessica and I began challenging one another on just this point. Every Monday we ask one another, “What efforts in evangelism did you make last week?” Praying for unbelievers is absolutely the first step, but we are challenging one another to move beyond prayer. Obedience must take action: an email, a text, a visit, a request for coffee or lunch, any intentional effort that aims toward a spiritual conversation. Then with that action, we pray like Paul that God would open a door for the word and that we might be able to proclaim that word clearly.

Will you join me as I challenge myself and those I work alongside to be sure we are not allowing days, and certainly not weeks, to go by without intentional evangelism efforts? In Membership Matters class we list several steps each of us can take to move beyond praying:

• Be warm and welcoming
• Invite them to church, especially if you plan lunch with them following the service
• Talk about spiritual issues
• Share your testimony
• Meet regularly to discuss a book of the Bible
• Use a gospel tract
  • 3-Circles – a short 6 minute video
• Learn the big outline of the Bible and share from that
  • The Story – This site includes a gospel video that explains the Creation, Fall, Rescue and Restoration and is available in many languages
  • Creation to Christ – An oral storying method used to communicate a broken relationship and our need for restoration
• Study and use apologetics in conversation
  • 5 Reasons You Should Get Apologetics Training in 2018
  • Thinking Christian

Pray that God would help us seek opportunities to share the word and then give us the courage to do it. We have far more opportunities to talk with people about God than we realize. Let’s pray for one another as Paul asked the Colossians:

3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Colossians 4:3–4 (ESV)

— Gene

P.S. Bethany Place Church, it’s 1:30 Friday afternoon as I’m writing this. I have just finished a full draft of the notes for Sunday’s message. I plead with you to be here. I don’t pull this card often, but I think this will be one of the most important messages I’ve ever preached. If you already know you can’t be here, please make plans now to listen to the recording as soon as you can. The text is Hebrews 10:19-25.