God has tasked every Christian with communicating the good news of the gospel to the lost. For some of us, it comes naturally. It’s easy and effortless. If that’s you then you probably don’t need to keep reading.
For others, not so much. It’s a struggle. It feels unnatural, forced, and uncomfortable. Concern floods our mind. “What if I don’t say the right words?” “I know they’re thinking we are completely crazy.” “They are going to mock.” We hear about the door-to-door evangelism ministry in our church, and there’s no way we would go to that. The thought of knocking on some stranger’s door and launching into the gospel seems impossible and undesirable.
Some of you don’t struggle with such things. That’s awesome. I’ve envied you before. But for those who like me have experienced butterflies in the stomach at times when you think about speaking the gospel to the lost, here are a few things that help me.
1. It’s a privilege to speak Christ.
Better to think more about whom we are speaking than to whom. Jesus Christ is the most wonderful individual in the universe. He is the architect and sustainer of all space, time, and matter (Col. 1:16-17). He made everything and us. On a good day, I might be able to make a three-egg omelet without breaking it. The Lord Jesus made several hundred billion galaxies, each of which hold on average several billion stars; each of which jets through space shining, burning, and blazing. Before there was a planet to stand on, air around it to breath, a sun above it to warm, and provision upon it to sustain, the second Person of the Trinity reigned and existed in blessed perfection. Before there was a where, he was there, and before there was when, he was (John 1:1-2).
And this Jesus happens also to be loving. He stepped out of heaven, and condescended himself to receive human nature. He actually came to this world to be among people like us. He came, not to annihilate us as we had merited, but to redeem us as we had not merited. Willingly, he subjected himself to shameful treatment by utterly weak and wicked little creatures; humans. Humans. Sinners mistreated him. And he allowed it; he used it to accomplish the work for the forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life of some. He died on the cross. Of course he rose from the grave. And he is exalted, mighty in heaven.
We get to speak about this One. Frankly, it’s incredible that God would allow us to speak about his blessed Son.
2. Jesus is not ashamed of his people.
Few things are more discouraging to me. When I fear speaking the good news of Christ crucified and risen to people, it has at times been because I was ashamed to do so. I felt embarrassed and uncomfortable. In light of who Jesus is, embarrassment is the single most illogical feeling to feel.
Even more, Jesus is not embarrassed of us. Considering who we are; that we are made of dirt; have to be animated; just a slight turning of the dial on things like sunlight, oxygen and nitrogen content of the atmosphere, water, heat/cold, and we expire. And we sin. We disobey Christ. Yet, Hebrews 2:11 really is in the Bible: “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.”
What?! Someone like Jesus is not ashamed to associate with people like us? Why professional athletes want to associate with other profession athletes makes sense. Why kings wish to associate with other kings is easy to understand. What is unfathomable beyond all things unfathomable is why the Sovereign King of kings would want to associate with us.
And we get to speak the good news about him.
3. It’s a huge act of love to evangelize.
Think about how loving it is to speak the gospel to people. Should someone trust in the Person and finished work of Jesus Christ, they experience the greatest benefit, receive the greatest gift, and obtain the greatest eternity. They are released from every single sin. They are reconciled to God. They are no longer bound by death and Satan. They are headed to a life of unending joy. Every great problem man has labored to solve is solved by this message you bring them. So, evangelizing the lost is a massive gesture of love.
4. The gospel is amazing.
It helps us overcome fear when we give more consideration to the gospel than to what people think about us. The gospel is incredible. Some have remarked that it’s too good to be true. Well, the good news is that it is true.
For offending the infinite holy God, we deserve unending conscious torment in the fires of hell (Re. 20:15). Justice for our sin is spending our eternity in a place from which there is no escape, and in which there is no relief. In hell, after 1000 years, eternity remains. After 100,000 years, eternity lies ahead. Yet, God would not leave his elect to their merit. Instead, he became a man, and demonstrated a righteousness that no one had. Then, he went to die a gruesome death on the cross. There, the just anger of God was unleashed on the righteous Christ. He was treated as if he personally committed our sins; all of them. He died and rose the third day. By faith in him, we are judicially reckoned as if we had lived his righteous life. The greatness of Christ’s impeccable person swallowed up the enormity of our sin in his substitute death. God the Father then looks on him and declares us righteous. We receive this pardon and righteousness all by faith. That’s the gospel. We cannot keep this to ourselves (1 Cor. 9:16).
5. We are commanded to share the gospel.
This reason is enough for God’s people to eagerly step into evangelism (Matt. 28:18-20). Christ is not suggesting that we speak of his death and resurrection for sinners as we wish. He is not encouraging us to evangelize if we feel good about it. It’s a command from his majesty.
6. It brings joy to evangelize.
Beforehand, I have not always felt excited about the obedience of evangelism. But as I look back, 100% of the time, I experienced a joy in Christ having done so. After a time of door-to-door evangelism, it’s always a great joy to hear each others’ opportunities to evangelize and spur one another on. There are few joys like it.
7. Evangelism is an opportunity to walk by faith.
The Christian life is lived by faith not feelings (2 Cor. 5:7). We are to act on the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). When I step to share the gospel despite my contrary feelings, it’s a glorious moment of trusting in the unseen Jesus over my felt senses. I am acting as if he is Lord and I am not.
8. Evangelism is an opportunity to deny ourselves.
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Much of the Christian life involves putting to death anything that would resist humble obedience to our loving Lord. Fear of evangelism is not of God. So, for those of us who struggle with fear in evangelism, sharing the gospel is a wonderful opportunity to deny ourselves and these ungodly fears. It’s a blessing to put to death the stuff that hinders our joy in the Lord. It’s best for us to empty ourselves of us. And, doing so furthers sanctification. As we give way to the Spirit over the flesh, we grow in godliness.
9. You’re going to be glad you evangelized when you stand before Jesus.
One day, all humanity will stand before God. Those who believed the gospel will do so in blissful righteousness, not terrifying condemnation. And when the righteous stand before him, I can’t imagine that we will think, “I’m so glad that I did not share the gospel those particular times when I was too scared.”
10. Evangelism glorifies God.
When we speak the pure gospel, we can be sure that we are glorifying God. We are speaking the news which gives all praise and honor to him. The gospel lassos all glory and hands it to God. If we want to glorify God, evangelism is a great way to do so.
11. Sometimes people get saved.
Evangelism is the means God often uses to save people. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). Few things top the privilege of being used of God to rescue a soul from eternal hell; of bringing about the great miracle of soul rebirth; of making a child of Satan a child of God. That’s motivation to evangelize.
12. Pray.
We can always ask God to strengthen us here. He’s a good Father who listens.
There are other practical things we can do to address the fear of sharing the gospel with others. Ask a church leader to help you. Get training in your local church. Evangelize with people in your church. Take biblically sound material to hand out.
It’s normal to fear evangelism. But, speaking the gospel is a great privilege on so many levels. We get to speak of Christ; of his Person and work. We get to deny ourselves and ungodly fears, and live by faith. Perhaps for some of us who struggle, these things will help us towards the joy of speaking of his majesty, the Lord Jesus Christ.
