Encouragement for Evangelism
6/19/2024
Written By: Jenni Purtlebaugh
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
This verse comes from the great commission in the book of Matthew. Our purpose here on earth is to spread the love of Jesus and to be the light for those around us who do not know the Lord. Even knowing our purpose as Christians, it can still be difficult to truly spread Jesus’ love and light to our workplaces, our families, and our friends. I thought by discussing these difficulties and finding verses to cling to might help in the journey to being more like Jesus in the lives of those around us.
There are three major challenges that I personally face when it comes to evangelizing. Anxiety is something I deal with on a daily basis anyway, but I think it becomes really prominent when I try to have conversations with people about Jesus. The verse I like to repeat to myself during those anxious times is Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Another challenge I feel is the loss of a relationship or friendship. There are conversations about Jesus I have not had with friends and family that I want to have, but fear the loss of connection that may result from those conversations. Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This verse reminds me that my relationship with the Lord is the most important one I have and ever will have. It also reminds me that it actually is showing love to have those hard conversations with friends and family about Jesus because it is exposing them to the great love that Jesus has in store for them.
Another verse that would be helpful to cling to during those uncomfortable conversations is Matthew 10:19-20, “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” In this verse Jesus is giving His disciples authority to speak to those who may be arresting them, in our case we can find reassurance that when we are spreading His word, the Holy Spirit and the Father will help us find the right words for those arguing or disagreeing with us.
The last difficulty I want to go over is the fear of failure. Sometimes I don’t want to even begin a conversation with others because I’m afraid I will fail, or worse push them away from Jesus. The verse that is important to remember when fear of failure is looming over you is 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are coworkers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” Even if we don’t see the fruit of what we are doing that doesn’t mean we didn’t plant a seed. God could be using us just to plant the first seed and using someone else to water it. God is the only one who actually makes people grow, He is the one one who can change hearts.
I hope that these verses are able to encourage you in your conversations at the workplace, with friends, and with family and remember you are doing the work of His kingdom by being the light he has called us to be!