Acts 28:17-31
Let me repeat verse 31 – “Boldly and
without hindrance he preached the
Kingdom of God and taught about the
Lord Jesus Christ.” The Apostle Paul was both a preacher and a teacher. I would
say that was his evangelism style. I can sort of relate to Paul because I too
am a preacher/teacher. I read a book years ago called “Becoming a Contagious
Christian” and I think this is where much of what I will post in the next few
days comes from.
I will get into each one of the “styles” of
evangelism as we go, but for today I will simply list them and explain each one
briefly:
1. Confrontational style. (Usually starts with a
question - What you are doing….)
2. Intellectual style. (It is written…Well, the Bible says…)3. Testimonial style. (Let me tell you my story…)
4. Interpersonal style. (I would like to get to know you…)
5. Invitational style. (Come and see…)
6. Servant style. (Let me do that…How can I help you…)
Each one of us has one or more of these
“styles” which usually coincide with our personality type. Not all of us are
made to confront people on the street and lead them to Christ, nor are we made
to speak or preach to crowds or congregations. We also need to realize that
each style has its own weaknesses and faults. None are perfect and the only
way. In fact, God may use all of them together through different people to
bring one person into the Kingdom. However, with all that being said, we are
all called to witness. We are all called to “go and tell” or “Show and Tell” as
the Title of my third book says. (A shameless plug.)
Every attempt at evangelism has three
stories. #1. Their story. #2. Our story. And #3. His story. While their story or their circumstance will
always be different, our story and His story never changes. So, let’s talk
first about our story;Our story has three components; the first part is “B.C” - Before Christ. What was our life like before we became Christian…before we were “Born again.” The second part of our story is “The Cross.” What is the story of our conversion? How did we find our way to and believe in, the Cross. Then the third part of our story is “A.C” - After Christ. What has God done in our life and what is He doing in our life? You see, our story is not a “one time – at church – whenever” experience; it is a continuing journey with Christ that never ends! We are “In It For Life.” (Another shameless plug.)
His story has four parts; the first is God himself. Do you Believe there is a God? In order to come to Him, the Bible says we must first believe He exists. It’s what is called “getting the first button in the right buttonhole!” This part also includes talking about His character and His expectations.
The second part of His story is about how we fall short of those expectations. It’s about sin which separates us from God. It’s also about the penalty for sin, which is the only expectation of the result of the path of a sinful life and lifestyle.
The third part of His story is Christ – the Son of God – who died on the Cross. It’s the story of repentance and forgiveness and salvation. It’s all about God’s love that provided a way, and the only way, to receive His grace and the assurance of eternal life.
The fourth part of His story is about the how we can become new. Salvation is a free gift offered to all who believe. However, you must receive it. You must repent and ask. And, you must believe that it is done!
Their story, your story, and His story…Which style do you use to tell the story?
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