Reclaiming Boldness in Evangelism: From Sharing to Proclaiming
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound implications of the language we use in evangelism, particularly contrasting the biblical approach with the contemporary tendency to "share" the gospel. I began by inviting everyone to reflect on the active and dynamic terms used in the New Testament to describe evangelism, such as preaching, teaching, and proclaiming, which we find exemplified throughout the book of Acts. These terms signify a robust engagement with the world, an engagement that requires boldness and a proactive stance.
I highlighted the subtle yet significant shift in modern evangelism to a more passive approach, often encapsulated in the term "sharing." This term, while seemingly innocuous, suggests a mutual, non-confrontational exchange that lacks the urgency and assertiveness with which the early church spread the gospel. I pointed out that this shift might be contributing to a less effective evangelistic effort in contemporary Christianity, as it does not adequately reflect the confrontational nature of the gospel, which challenges sin and calls for repentance.
Drawing from scriptural examples, I emphasized the vigorous activities of early Christians who did not merely share but actively proclaimed and taught the gospel, often in the face of persecution and opposition. For instance, the apostle Paul, even under Roman arrest, continued to expound, testify, and persuade others about the kingdom of God with great fervor.
I also addressed the metaphor of being "fishers of men," urging us to embrace the hard work that this entails. It's not a passive waiting for someone to show interest but an active and sometimes arduous endeavor, much like the fishing experiences of Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who left everything to follow Christ and catch men.
In conclusion, I called for a reevaluation of our evangelistic vocabulary and practices, advocating for a return to a more biblical model that emphasizes boldness, action, and the power of God in our efforts to spread the gospel. This shift is not merely semantic but a necessary recalibration of how we understand and engage in the mission Christ has given us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Biblical Language in Evangelism
The New Testament uses dynamic and active terms for evangelism, such as preaching, teaching, and proclaiming. These terms imply a vigorous and bold approach to spreading the gospel, contrasting sharply with the modern, softer notion of "sharing" the gospel. This difference is not just about word choice; it reflects a deeper theological and practical approach to how we fulfill the Great Commission. [03:04]
2. The Problem with 'Sharing' the Gospel
The term "sharing" suggests a mutual, gentle exchange, akin to a nursing mother with her child, as described in 1 Thessalonians 2. While there is a place for gentleness, the predominant New Testament approach to evangelism involves confrontation with sin and unbelief, challenging people to repent and believe. This confrontational nature is essential for effective evangelism. [20:21]
3. Evangelism as Confrontation
True biblical evangelism involves confronting the world with the truths of the gospel. This confrontation is not just about opposing sin but also about persuading and reasoning with people about the truths of Christianity. The gospel challenges individuals' worldviews and calls for a radical transformation, which is inherently confrontational. [12:32]
4. The Role of Boldness in Evangelism
Boldness in evangelism is not optional but essential. As seen in the actions of the apostle Paul and other early Christians, proclaiming the gospel boldly can lead to significant impact, even in hostile environments. This boldness should stem from our conviction in the truth of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit. [26:07]
5. Reclaiming Evangelistic Effort Through Biblical Language
To reinvigorate our evangelistic efforts, we must reclaim the biblical language of evangelism. By doing so, we align our methods with the examples of the early church, emphasizing proclamation, teaching, and testifying over mere sharing. This alignment will help restore the vigor and effectiveness of our evangelistic outreach. [25:18]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
01:37 - Introduction to Evangelistic Language
03:04 - Exploring the Term "Sharing"
04:16 - Biblical Examples of Evangelistic Terms
05:01 - Acts and Evangelism: A Closer Look
13:23 - The Metaphor of Being Fishers of Men
20:21 - The Soft Approach: Sharing vs. Proclaiming
25:18 - The Need for Bold Evangelism
26:07 - Conclusion: A Call to Bold and Active Evangelism
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:40 - "And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, 'Save yourselves from this crooked generation.'"
2. Luke 5:1-11 - The calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be "fishers of men."
3. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 11-12 - "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us... For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the different terms used in the New Testament to describe evangelism, as mentioned in the sermon? ([04:16])
2. How did Peter, Andrew, James, and John respond to Jesus' call to be "fishers of men" in Luke 5:1-11?
3. According to Acts 2:40, what did Peter do to exhort the people?
4. In 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, how does Paul describe his approach to sharing the gospel with the Thessalonians?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon suggest that the term "sharing" the gospel might be less effective than terms like "proclaiming" or "teaching"? ([03:04])
2. How does the metaphor of being "fishers of men" in Luke 5:1-11 illustrate the active nature of evangelism?
3. What is the significance of Paul using both gentle and strong language in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 11-12 to describe his evangelistic efforts?
4. How does the sermon explain the impact of using more confrontational language in evangelism? ([12:32])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own evangelistic efforts. Do you find yourself more often "sharing" the gospel or actively "proclaiming" it? How might you shift your approach to be more in line with the New Testament examples? ([03:04])
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for boldness in evangelism. Can you think of a situation where you hesitated to share your faith boldly? What could you do differently next time? ([26:07])
3. Consider the metaphor of being "fishers of men." What are some practical steps you can take to be more proactive and diligent in your evangelistic efforts, similar to the hard work of fishing described in Luke 5:1-11?
4. How can you balance the gentle approach described in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 with the more confrontational approach needed to challenge sin and call for repentance? ([20:21])
5. The sermon calls for a reevaluation of our evangelistic vocabulary. What specific changes can you make in the language you use when talking about your faith to better reflect the urgency and boldness of the gospel? ([25:18])
6. Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the gospel. How can you approach them with both the gentleness of a nursing mother and the boldness of a father, as Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 11-12?
7. The sermon suggests that the term "sharing" might have made our evangelistic efforts less effective. Reflect on a recent evangelistic conversation you had. How could you have made it more impactful by using more active and dynamic language? ([19:25])
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Vigor of Biblical Evangelism
The New Testament presents evangelism not as a passive sharing but as a dynamic and vigorous activity. The terms used—preaching, teaching, proclaiming—suggest a forceful and active dissemination of the gospel. This approach contrasts sharply with the modern tendency to "share" the gospel, which might imply a more reciprocal, less urgent exchange. The biblical model encourages believers to step out boldly, to engage actively with the world around them, and to confront the prevailing culture with the transformative power of the gospel. This is not merely about changing vocabulary but about embracing the full, robust nature of evangelistic work as modeled by early Christians. [03:04]
Acts 18:24-26 (ESV): "Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately."
Reflection: How can you adopt a more active and bold approach in your personal evangelism efforts this week?
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Day 2: Confrontation is Key in Evangelism
The term "sharing" might evoke images of a gentle, mutual exchange, but biblical evangelism often involves confronting sin and unbelief head-on. This confrontation is not about being contentious but about lovingly presenting the truth of the gospel, which challenges people to repent and believe. The New Testament is replete with examples where apostles and believers faced opposition, not with timidity, but with persuasive and reasoned arguments about the faith. This confrontational aspect is crucial for the gospel's transformative power to take effect in the hearts of listeners. [20:21]
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV): "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: What are some fears or hesitations you face when it comes to confronting unbelief in your community, and how can you overcome them?
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Day 3: Boldness in Proclamation
True evangelism requires boldness—a trait vividly demonstrated by the apostle Paul and other early Christians who proclaimed the gospel in various, often hostile, environments. This boldness stems not from human confidence but from a deep conviction in the truth of the gospel and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Such boldness leads to significant impacts, as it challenges and invites others to explore the truths of Christianity and experience its life-changing power. [26:07]
Ephesians 6:19-20 (ESV): "And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
Reflection: In what situations this week can you demonstrate greater boldness in sharing your faith?
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Day 4: The Power of Persuasion in Evangelism
Evangelism is not merely about presenting facts but about persuading people to reconsider their worldviews and embrace the gospel. This involves reasoning, discussing, and providing compelling arguments for the truth of Christianity. The goal is not to win debates but to win souls, helping others see the beauty and truth of a life transformed by Jesus. This persuasive aspect of evangelism is essential for it to be effective in a world that is increasingly skeptical of absolute truths. [12:32]
Acts 17:2-4 (ESV): "And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.' And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women."
Reflection: How can you better prepare yourself to persuasively discuss your faith with someone who is skeptical?
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Day 5: Reclaiming Evangelistic Effort Through Biblical Language
To revitalize our efforts in evangelism, it is crucial to reclaim the biblical language that captures the essence of our mission. By aligning our vocabulary and methods with those of the early church—focusing on proclamation, teaching, and testifying—we can restore the vigor and effectiveness of our outreach. This alignment not only honors the scriptural model but also empowers us to engage more deeply and effectively in the mission Christ has given us. [25:18]
Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."
Reflection: What specific changes can you make in your language and approach to more closely align with the biblical model of evangelism?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Think for a moment, just to use a sports analogy, you've got your star pitcher on the mound and what's the baseball coach going to say to the pitcher? He's going to say what? Throw some heat. Work the corners. Throw strikes. Because the words we use shape our perceptions and our thoughts and our actions." [10:26]
2. "When it comes to sharing the gospel, we need to understand that this is a non-confrontational way of presenting the gospel message and that's bad. Because if you're going to present the gospel in a non-confrontational way, then you will not confront anything. You won't confront sin." [11:46]
3. "The world needs more than polite spiritual conversations, and the sharing of mere opinions. The world needs bold, authoritative, active evangelism. That mindset is going to start, or will only start, when we change our language." [26:07]
4. "Being fishers of men is not about sitting on the shore of life and just throwing in our line and just hoping something bites. It's about getting out into the waters. It's about casting our net. It's about reeling it in and doing this over and over all night long. It's hard work." [15:39]
5. "We read about people who go on about declaring and proclaiming the gospel. Here, Paul will talk about how he was in Philippi or Luke will write about how Paul was in Philippi. And you'll remember there was the girl who was possessed with a demon and she's following Paul and Barnabas around and she keeps yelling at the top of her voice. These men have come to proclaim to you salvation." [05:50]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Sharing doesn't require boldness. Expounding, testifying, proclaiming, and convincing, and teaching the Lord Jesus Christ, that requires boldness. If we want to be a church that's engaging in bold evangelism, it's going to require more boldness and more action, words from us, than merely sharing the gospel." [25:18]
2. "So today, let's start proactively preaching, and teaching, and declaring, and proclaiming, and persuading, reasoning, testifying, and bearing witness to the goodness of the gospel of God. And when we do that, we will put some force, the force of God, behind our efforts to take the message of His Son, Jesus the Christ, to the world." [26:07]
3. "For you know, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. Those words are much stronger. Much stronger." [20:21]
4. "And when Paul had appointed a day for them, these are Jews in Rome who didn't know who Paul was, who had just kind of vaguely heard about Jesus. About Christianity. When the day had been appointed for him, they came to him in his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God, and trying to convince them about Jesus." [22:31]
5. "In the book of Acts, we read about them preaching and teaching and admonishing and declaring and proclaiming and persuading and reasoning and testifying and exhorting and bearing witness. But what we don't read them doing is sharing. No one was sharing the gospel." [08:14]
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