257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105
(262) 763-3021
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We have purchased land on Highways A & W and are planning to build soon! Drive by and take a look at our future home!
“Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”
D. T. Niles
February 28th, 2010
I’ve never met anyone who won the lottery, if I did though; I think the conversation would go something like the one that I had this past Tuesday. I received a call from a man in our church that had just had the wonderful privilege of leading someone to the Lord. Words cannot fully communicate the excitement, the ecstasy...even the humility that this person felt. I totally understood. Whenever I’ve led someone to the Lord, I have felt so humbled. I’m always amazed that the Lord has allowed me the privilege of introducing someone to Christ. Then, I know too that so many times I stumble or look for the right words and just feel so inadequate. Yet in spite of my human failings and frailty, God intervenes and still uses even my inadequacy to be a means of introducing someone to the Savior.
There’s nothing more exciting than seeing someone come to Christ! No wonder the early church had so much energy. They were continually leading the lost to a new life in Christ. They were part of something much bigger than themselves that counted for all eternity! As the Grace Church family, we united together and were part of something much bigger than ourselves last Sunday that also counted for all eternity!
As we saw by our relationships with our teachers, each of us has a mission field – it’s the area in which God has placed us. Some of us though struggle with how to initiate Gospel conversations with people we interact with on a regular basis. So how do you do that?
Be sensitive to subtle opportunities to transition a conversation to spiritual matters. For example, when I go out to eat, I try to inquire about the background of my food server. I don’t believe in accidents so I believe that those are divine appointments, and I want to be ready. I find out if they are moonlighting, a student who is working his or her way through college, or even how many years they have been in the restaurant business. It’s amazing how much people will share with you if you just show a personal interest in them. If I find out that they are dealing with some difficulties, I will ask if they mind if I pray for them. I’ve never had anyone turn me down and only one that I can remember who even blew it off. Most people are thrilled that someone would care enough to pray for them. Every now and then I’ll have someone say something to the effect, “You are such a good person” or “You are such a nice person.” I respond with something to the effect, “No, I’m not. I’m really a very bad person who God rescued and transformed.”
I find that frequenting the same places also helps. People in our society are wary of strangers, so I try to eat, drink coffee, buy gas, get my car worked on, and shop at the same places. Relationship is not essential for evangelism, but it certainly helps. At most of those places I mentioned people know me by name. Inevitably a chance comes up to pray for them, ask about their lives, invite them to church, etc. You would not believe how many spiritual conversations that I’ve been engaged in even where I work out. I almost always leave a BIG tip. Especially if I know someone is having a bad day, or working to make ends meet. I invite them to church over and over again.
When in a conversation, I listen. Let me repeat that, when in a conversation, I listen. Most of us want to talk so badly that we forget to listen. So many that I meet are nearly starving to share their story. I work very hard at remembering and pronouncing names properly. I find out their history, where they’re from, what they do, if they have children, what their spouse does, what kind of hobbies they have, even what types of books they like to read.
Please remember that there is great power in a consistently kind and joyful life you present before someone. Everybody puts up a front to some level and everyone has moments of self-doubt. Your consistent walk with Christ will probably come into their minds at a time you don't even realize–in one of those moments of self-doubt, or in a tough time... maybe even years later. The way you live before them and the things you tell them are like a seed that may not harvest until much later.
God has blessed us with many tools other generations did not have. We have one lady in our church who periodically posts spiritual questions on her Facebook account to stimulate spiritual conversations. Without being “preachy,” I’ll periodically post things that I hope will cause my friends to think about spiritual matters.
Finally, Gospel people are to be people of extraordinary generosity, extraordinary answers to prayer, and extraordinary joy. Look for ways to really put the generosity of Christ on display, because laying down your life – giving of your time, your money – who you are – can really get someone's attention. Be sensitive to places where you can give and share. It might be something as simple as taking cookies to a new neighbor or lending a tool. Seek to have an open home and an open life where no one feels that they are an interruption or an inconvenience.
Each of us has been sent out to reach our worlds for the Savior and there is nothing more exciting on this earth than picking spiritual fruit. Leading someone to Christ is the greatest thrill that you will ever have!