“You are the Light of the World”

Fitting Evangelism into Your Everyday Life

By Pastor Stephen Kurtzahn

The use of testimonials is one pitfall we should avoid, since it does not direct the listener to the Word of God and the objective Gospel. Another is the use of such phrases as "it seems to me," "I think this," etc. Such language gives the impression that religion is relative, and that it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe it.

We have two excellent examples in Holy Scripture of how to avoid such pitfalls. On the Day of Pentecost, when the disciples were given the promised Holy Spirit in special measure and received the gift of being able to speak in foreign languages, the apostle Peter preached a mighty sermon to the many Jews in the city of Jerusalem who were there for the great festival. He did not give a testimonial about how good he felt inside, nor did he speak about the blessings just outpoured by the Holy Spirit. Instead, Peter showed from Scripture that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah, the Christ (Acts 2:1-41).

In 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul states clearly that the message of Jesus Christ is foolishness to the world. He, as Christ's ambassador, did not speak in eloquent words or show off some superior wisdom, but he simply proclaimed the message of "Jesus Christ and Him crucified," 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5.

So as the Lord opens up doors for us to share His blessed Good News, may we speak with a firm "thus says the Lord," and not on the flimsy basis of our own opinions and experiences. As we tell others what God so clearly says in His inspired Word, may we also focus attention on the crucified and risen Jesus, who has earned forgiveness and eternal life for all.

Every day of our lives doors open up for us to say something about Jesus, and to apply the saving Gospel to the needs of our friends. In the following paragraphs, we have a listing of a few of these opportunities, and also some advice as to how to step through that open door.

1.       TALKING ABOUT DEATH. Death is on everyone's mind, but it is something few people like to talk about. The subject arises with the terminally ill, the elderly, and those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Young people feel that death is in the distant future for them, unless, of course, they have had a close call with death.

When others speak about death we can draw their attention quickly by saying, "I never plan to die." They'll respond with a surprised look and a question, and you can answer by saying, "Jesus says that He is the Resurrection and Life. He says that whoever believes in Him shall never die. Yes, my heart will stop and my body will lie cold in the grave, but my soul will be taken to heaven and on the Last Day I will be raised from the dead and live with Jesus forever!"

2.       SPEAKING OF THE TERRIBLE STATE IN WHICH THE WORLD IS. More so today than ever before, people are in touch with what's going on around them. In nine out of ten conversations, the subjects of crime, natural disasters, wars, etc. arise. Very frequently it is expressed, "What's this world coming to?"

We can respond to such concerns by pointing out that the world has always been violent, and that such terrible things are the result of sin. It is then possible for us to point out how Jesus has washed away our sin in His blood, and that He has give to us a new heaven and a new earth to look forward to in His resurrection. A good way to involve the prospect in the religious portion of such a conversation is to ask a question like, "Even though this world is full of sin, isn't it wonderful the Savior has forgiven us?"

3.       SPEAKING OF ANOTHER PERSON AS A CHRISTIAN. Many times when we gather with friends, we speak of mutual acquaintances which are not present at the time. Other people often become a common subject of discussion (but be careful that you don't gossip!), and very frequently we hear it said of someone we know, "Oh, he's such a good Christian!"

What an excellent opportunity to speak of what a Christian really is! "Well, I consider myself a Christian, too," we can say. "But I know I'm not good. What I do know from the Bible is that I'm a sinner, but Jesus has forgiven me. Our church is not made up of good people, but sinners who find comfort and peace in the forgiveness of Jesus."

4.       SPEAKING OF A SPECIAL PROBLEM OR NEED. If you have been discussing some problem or need that a person might have, many times you can point out from Scripture the solutions God has given to us. Here the importance of personal Bible study and meditation come into sharp focus.

But if the problem or need is not given a clear solution in the Bible, or if you are unfamiliar with what the Bible says about a certain subject, you can speak about our greatest problem---sin, and our greatest need---forgiveness. Here the Law and Gospel presentation which you prepared a few weeks ago would come in very handy.

5.       WHEN LIFE SEEMS MEANINGLESS AND BORING. Most people today live in a spiritual vacuum---they don't know who they are, why they are here, or where they are going. When friends inform us of such despair in their own lives, we can respond by agreeing with them: "Yes, life often does appear that way." But don't leave it there. Continue by pointing out how life would really be if it were not for the cross and the empty grave of Christ, with the assurance they give to us of peace with God and eternal life.

What would you say to such people in the following situations?

1)       A friend of yours is going to stop going to his church because no spiritual comfort is offered in that church's ministry to its members.

2)       Your neighbor's husband has just died, and when you go over to her house to visit, the new widow breaks down in tears and cries, "Why did it have to happen?"

3)       You visit a person you know in the hospital, and he has just been told by the doctor that he has contracted a terminal illness. He looks afraid, and expresses a very real fear of death.

4)       A classmate gets involved with drugs and alcohol to a very deep extent, and he expresses the opinion that no one cares anymore, and that life is not worth living.

5)       You're having lunch with some friends, and the topic of religion arises. Most express the opinion that Christianity is basically living a good, clean and upright life.

Note: This study was prepared by Pastor Steven Kurtzahn and was used at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew.

If you would like more information about this study,
please contact Pastor Mayhew