Learning Evangelism From The Master

EVANGELISM ARTICLE – John 4
William Stewart | Kingston, Ontario

The salvation of souls and the growth of local congregations depends upon evangelistic work. Of the masses, Paul inquires, “…how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). Paul is not talking about some clergy class who are distinct from the average believer. Such an idea is foreign to the New Testament. The word preacher is not an ecclesiastical title, but describes an activity. The word means “to herald … proclaim, publish” (Strong’s). In Acts 8, we find persecution against the church at Jerusalem caused the saints to scatter. We’re told “…those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (verse 4). It’s a different Greek word (lit. good messenger), but the result is the same – telling people about Jesus Christ. If you are a child of God, then you are called to preach. Your pulpit? Day-to-day life.

Let’s be candid here: most of us do not share our faith as we ought. I know I could do better. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll likely come to the same conclusion. What holds us back from speaking as openly and often as we should about Jesus? I suspect the biggest obstacle to evangelism is the fear of rejection. Friends, we need to not let fear keep us from doing what is right. “…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind…” (2 Timothy 1:7). In the next verse, Paul admonished young Timothy, “…do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord … but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God…” (verse 8). We need to take courage and speak up. When rejection comes, people are rejecting God. Remember God’s message to Samuel, “…they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7).

There is no guaranteed evangelism system. Even Jesus experienced rejection – “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). However, there were also times of exceptional success when the Lord shared the message of salvation. Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4 is an outstanding example for us to consider when it comes to the work of evangelism.

Recognizing The Mission Field
Jesus was travelling from Judea to Galilee, and He took a break at a well outside the city of Sychar (John 4:3-6). He wasn’t there to preach, He was just passing through. Yet an opportunity arose to preach – a mission field with a water pot came upon the scene (John 4:7). Understand, the mission field is people – whomever they may be, wherever they are. We don’t need to be in some foreign country or go on an evangelism trip in order to find a mission field. The mission field is all around us – people we cross paths with each day at restaurants, in the doctor’s office, at the bus stop, in the grocery store, etc..

When we see people, do we just see the externals (business suits, tattoos, immodest dress, etc.)? We need to realize these are souls who need the message of Christ. Every person we meet is a mission field and an opportunity to share the gospel. Jesus didn’t just see a woman with a water pot; He saw a soul needing salvation.

Overcoming Obstacles
Aside from our inhibition to speak up at times, there are other barriers to communication that need to be removed. This was as true in Jesus’ day as it is today. In fact, John indicates talking with the Samaritan woman was considered taboo. John 4:27 says the disciples “…marveled that He talked with a woman…” and John 4:9 blatantly states, “…Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” If He had followed the rabbinical precepts of the day, the events of John 4 would never have happened. The rabbis taught, “Let no man eat the bread of the Samaritans, for he who eats their bread is as he who eats swine’s flesh.”1 And again, “Let no one talk with a woman in the street, no, not with his own wife.”2 Jesus would not be bound by such barriers. He stopped in Samaria (John 4:5-6), He openly spoke with a Samaritan woman (John 4:7), and His disciples went into the city to buy Samaritan food (John 4:8).

When the gospel is shared and received, society’s barriers fall (Galatians 3:28). The things people use to differentiate themselves from one another are temporal distinctions. Do not allow such things to keep us from sharing a message of eternal importance. It does not matter what colour an individual’s skin is, whether they are rich or poor, whether they are male or female, or whether they are university educated or a high school dropout. We need to look past a person’s disabilities, tattoos, piercings, weight, clothing, or any other external thing that might hinder us from sharing the message that can supply life for their soul. There may even be times when we are so repulsed by someone’s sin we are tempted to pass them by. Yet the very mission of the gospel is to save people from their sins. We are called to be seed sowers, not judges of soil.

Earning The Right To Be Heard
How do we begin a conversation about Christ with the person in the grocery store, in the park, or at their front door (door-to-door)? Let’s follow Jesus’ example in His conversation with the Samaritan woman. He didn’t identify Himself as the Messiah. He didn’t speak about the detestable nature of sin. In fact, He didn’t start with anything spiritual – He asked for a drink of water (John 4:7). He asked a favour of her. Most people, when asked a simple favour, are glad to help, and it has the potential to open the door to further conversation.

Through years of door-to-door work, I’ve noted that conversations begun with a spiritual word tend to end almost as quickly as they began. Most people don’t like cold call sales and that is how our attempt to share the gospel with a stranger is perceived. Often when someone comes to your door selling something, or stops you in the mall, your immediate reaction is, “not interested.” Conversations that start with an attempt to build rapport (acknowledging a flower garden, showing interest in a pet, bringing a recycle box in from the curb, commenting on a t-shirt/necklace/door plaque, etc.) tend to earn an opportunity to speak. Do we need to earn a right to speak? No, our commission to proclaim the gospel is from God (Mark 16:15). That said, things will go a lot smoother if the hearer is of a mind to give us their time and hear what we are saying.

Jesus very capably transitioned to speak about living water. The woman at the well was focused on water, so He began there, but transitioned to eternal matters. We need to learn to transition physical conversations to spiritual subjects. Sometimes the transition will be obvious (water >> water); other times it may be more difficult. No good will be accomplished if we compliment someone on their beautiful garden, but fail to help them appreciate the God who created plants in the first place.

Begin Where They Are At
Not only should we learn the art of transitioning conversation from earthly things to spiritual matters, it would be best to begin those spiritual discussions with where the prospect is at. It is possible when Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch he had a preferred approach when teaching someone the gospel. However, when Philip climbed into the chariot, the man was reading Isaiah and he had questions about the text (Acts 8:29-34). Philip didn’t ignore the eunuch’s concerns, but “…opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him” (Acts 8:35). As much as possible, we need to begin where folks are at. What message do we send people if we ignore or discount their questions or Biblical interest? Begin where they are and preach Jesus to them.

People will benefit from us addressing their questions. Their knowledge of God’s word will increase; false ideas will possibly be refuted. And, in the process, we will build respect and trust with them. The Samaritan woman’s perception of Jesus changed very quickly; He went from being some Jewish man who was talking to her (John 4:9), to being a prophet (verse 19), to being the Messiah (verse 25-26, 29).

Answering Questions And Teaching Truth
In the course of their conversation, the woman compared Samaritan worship with Jewish worship, particularly, where one ought to worship (John 4:20). Jesus responded to her inquiry. We must be ready to answer questions. Peter commands us to “…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15). As Jesus responded, He likely went further than some of us might have gone. He said, “…you worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). Jesus was being straight with her. It does no good to hold back the truth from someone for fear it will hurt their feelings. Paul said, “…I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you…” and again, “…I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:20, 27). We need to speak truth with people. Don’t ignore someone’s sin or overlook their misinformed ideas. Ignoring sin will stand in their way of coming to a knowledge of truth and obeying God.

A City Turned To Christ
The woman believed Jesus to be the Christ. So, she sought to bring others to Jesus (John 4:29-30). The gospel is intended to be infectious. When someone realizes what is avaiable in Christ Jesus, they will want to share it with others. In her case, the whole city came out to hear Jesus. As a result, they urged Him to stay two more days. Many Samaritans believed in Him, stating, “…we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).

Cornelius brought together his friends and family to hear Peter (Acts 10:24). He wanted others to listen to the good news. One individual has the potential to be the open door to a family, a neighbourhood, or a city. Encourage folks to share the opportunity, to invite friends and family.

Conclusion
John 4 stands as the ultimate example of evangelism. Jesus turns a request for a drink of water into an opportunity to speak to an entire city; after two days, that city was filled with believers. Recognize there are lost souls everywhere and let us bring forth a harvest for the Lord. Let’s create opportunities to speak with people. When we are engaged in Bible discussion, start where they are at and facilitate growth for them. Be ready to answer questions, even the difficult ones. Let us take the city for Christ.

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1. M. Shebhiith, viii 10., via ICC New Testament Commentary.
2. Lightfood, Hor. Hebr. Iii. 287, via Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament.

* All passages quoted from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

17.07.04 | GROW magazine