Over the next several episodes, I want to talk about ten ways that will help you grow spiritually, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, and practically live the authentic Christian life.
The word “evangelism” often causes fear and trembling in many Christians … yet, evangelism (sharing the good news—the Gospel—of Jesus) can be a simple and powerful outlet to declare the hope of Christ that we have.
In this episode, we explore two stories from Scripture that remind us that we don’t have to be talented or qualified to evangelize, rather, we need to be willing and surrendered.
Is it possible that you can be so full of truth that you can’t help yourself from sharing the beauty, majesty, and power of Jesus and the Gospel? Yes!
Listen to or download the episode
The Power of One
After feeding the five thousand and walking across the Sea of Galilee, Mark records that Jesus (with the twelve disciples), “came to the other side of the sea, into the region of the Gerasenes. And when He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him … (Mark 5:1–2).
Jesus asked the man full of demons, “What is your name?” And he said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many” (Mark 5:9).
A Roman legion was made up of 4000–6000 soldiers. So whether the demons were boasting of their strength by exaggerating their number or whether there were literally thousands of demons within the one man, the point is the same, this man needs rescue and salvation.
And Jesus casts the demons out and frees the man!
The town nearby, seeing that the demons went into their pigs and caused them to jump off a cliff and drown in the Sea of Galilee, came and asked Jesus to leave. Mark records,
And as He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was pleading with Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to preach in the Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was marveling (Mark 5:18–20).
And most of us end the story there.
Yet, we soon discover a few chapters later that the man who was set free from demons and deeply transformed did what Jesus told him and told everyone throughout the Decapolis (a group of ten cities in the pagan area across the Jordan River and on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee) the wonderful things Jesus did. And now a huge group had formed to hear Jesus when he came into their area.
Mark 7:31 tells us that Jesus “went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of the Decapolis.” And in Mark 8, there is such a large crowd of pagans that refused to leave that Jesus feeds the 4000.
What changed?
Earlier, the same people ran Jesus out of their area for ruining their pig industry, now, they couldn’t get enough of Jesus.
The only change we discover from Scripture is that one man, radically transformed by Jesus, went out and shared what Jesus had done for him.
Always be ready
Peter tells us that we too should “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear …” (1 Peter 3:15).
Are you “always ready” to share the hope that you have in Christ and what He has done in you?
We often see evangelism as a scary thing where we need the right answers … but what if we could start by simply sharing how God has transformed our lives, brought us hope and salvation, and how the power of the Gospel wants to set others free too?
Like a volcano
When you see a beautiful sunrise, I don’t have to twist your arm to tell someone how incredible it was. When you see a great movie or read an incredible book, you naturally share it with others.
What if it was the same with the Gospel?
Rather than make evangelism complicated, what if you could simply share what Jesus has done in you?
When the shepherds in Bethlehem were visited by an angel and were told “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11) … Luke records:
And it happened that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds (Luke 2:15–18).
The shepherds experienced the “good news of great joy” and told everyone about it. They weren’t forced … rather, they couldn’t help themselves!
When you encounter and experience truth (i.e., the Gospel) it not only changes your life but causes a volcano to build within your life where you have to share with others.
Start Small
Rather than wait for the perfect method or until you have all the answers to questions someone might ask … why don’t you start small and simple.
Begin with a “hello.”
Then ask them a question—like “how are you?”
All the while praying that God would give you boldness and that He would open a door for you to share the “hope that lies within” (i.e., Jesus).
Before ascending into heaven, Jesus told His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
This wasn’t a suggestion, but a command.
So let’s begin. Start small and let it grow and expand over time. But let’s get started.
And you’ll soon find that evangelism demands that you live a surrendered, dependent, abiding life in Christ Jesus … and that by willing to share what God has done in you and the hope we have in the Gospel, it will deepen and grow your spiritual life in ways you never expected.
Listen to the series: 10 ways to grow spiritually
FOOTNOTES
Photo Credit: Pearl
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Question: How are you intentionally living a life of evangelism? How is it deepening your spiritual life?
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About NRJohnson
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is the host of the Deeper Christian Podcast and has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.
About the Deeper Christian Podcast
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. The Deeper Christian Podcast helps equip Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
Whether you want to learn how to study God’s Word, grow in your faith, cultivate a powerful and effective prayer life, share the Gospel boldly, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, live victoriously, or transform the world through the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit, the Deeper Christian Podcast with NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) will encourage and equip you to grow spiritually and live a Christ-centered life.
