Perspective in evangelism is crucial and the right attitude and perspective can make a big difference in how you approach evangelistic opportunities. Perhaps you have said something like, “I am afraid to share Christ because I might be rejected” or “If I say the wrong thing, my friend might be lost forever,” or “I don’t have the gift of evangelism, so God can’t use me.”
Be assured that you are not alone. For many believers evangelism is the weakest part of their Christian life – not because they don’t care about the lost or don’t want to share the gospel, but because of a misunderstanding about their role in evangelism. Attitude affects action. Perspective affects performance.
Tags: attitude Christian Dr. Larry Moyer evangelism gospel perspective Role
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Veteran evangelist and proclaimer of grace, Dr. Larry Moyer is a frequent speaker in evangelistic outreaches, training seminars, churches and classrooms across the world. Feeling God’s call into full-time evangelism while finishing his Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1973, Larry founded an evangelistic association in Dallas, Texas – EvanTell. Larry later received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon Conwell Seminary.
Larry is also a writer, having authored books such as Free and Clear; How-To Book on Personal Evangelism; 31 Days with the Master Fisherman; 31 Days to Living as a New Believer; and 21 Things God Never Said. He has written articles for Preaching, Leadership Journal, Kindred Spirit, and Preaching Today, and is ranked one of the top-ten contributing authors on SermonCentral.com.
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Evangelism is all about being obediant to Gods word and if we really believe what we preach then we have an obligation to share the message because of the consequences for those who do not believe. I speak to many of these issues as well at
http://evangelizetheyouth.com/
I think that it is important to remember that we are not the ones that save people. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. Our responsibility is to share the Gospel in a clear and simple manner. This helps to relieve a lot of stress and temptation to cloud the Gospel with smooth speech and unbiblical tactics.
If we say the wrong thing, so be it. I’m a wretched filthy sinner and God turn me to a righteous being. God can take our screw up and make a Billy Graham or John MacArthur out of them. Our job is to be faithful (period)! If we are faithful in every opportunity, we allow God more opportunities to save the reprobate. Let God use you! Jesus said we would be rejected and persecuted and even killed because of His name. Expect to be rejected.
Those who witness frequently will tell you at some point during the conversation, if a person is reprobate, you will see a wall go up. At this point, don’t waste your time. Jesus didn’t (John 10:24-39). Few will give you their interest. These people have questions or things in their lives they are using to fill a void(s) and they are weary (Matt. 11:28; Ecc. 3:11). Those that mock you or are cynical or sarcastic use these as tactics to hide the hurt and insecurity inside of them. Satan has a stronghold on their life (2Peter 2:2-3). Those that hostile toward church usually hate it because they had a bad experience with church or the clergy. This is a wound. Minister to the wound before you share the Gospel further.
Please remember always, FAITHFULNESS is the key. We can not change a person’s heart! Only God can! We are afraid to get rejected because we think it is up to us to save or change a reprobate heart. NO! If we could change a persons heart at will, President elect Obama would no longer favor abortions. God uses our words to change a heart. If we don’t use our words, how can God use us to change someone’s heart? BE FAITHFUL!