Donald Wickham’s Blog

Evangelism – brings fear and guilt for many of us, I know it does for me.  I know I should be more faithful to evangelize, after all, God commands it and people desperately need the good news.  But I struggle.  I don’t want to be pushy.  And, yes, I’m much too concerned about what they will think of me.   And, yes, I know it isn’t all about me anyway.

Last weekend, while visiting a friend’s church, I heard a message that, I hope and pray, will turn this around for me.  I thought I shared the highlights.   (See http://www.covfel.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=116861) for a recording.)

Acts 8:26-40 is the passage of Scripture.  This is the story of the Ethiopian eunuch and Phillip.  God tells Phillip to go to a particular place and there he hears the Ethiopian reading a portion of the Bible from Isaiah.  Phillip helps the Ethiopian understand who he is reading about and leads him into a relationship with Christ.

1. God prepares people to hear.  He is at work in people’s lives preparing them to hear the good news of Jesus.  Very often this preparation has been going on for years getting them ready to hear the next “installment” of His love story.
2. God is the initiator.  Holy Spirit prompted Phillip to go very specifically.  Phillip simply had to listen and then do what he was told.  And as a result of this listening and obeying, Phillip was also prepared to get involved with the person God led him to.
3. God works through our relationships. God has us right where He needs us.  Our neighborhood, our workplace, our families and, even, our churches.
4. God works through His word. The Ethiopian was reading from Isaiah and had questions.  God isn’t put off by questions.  Nor does He expect us to have all the answers before we talk with others.  Honest dialog around God’s word becomes a great way to share our experiences and let Holy Spirit bring about what He wants.

It isn’t my job to save someone.  I do get the privilege of participating with the process God is working in other’s lives.

So, as I go thru my day, attuned to Holy Spirit’s promptings, I can fully expect that He has prepared the folks He directs me to, to be prepared for whatever I can share.  I don’t have to “close the deal”, just share my piece.  God will take all the pieces and weave them into a great thing for that person.

Tags:   Acts 8:26-40 · Ethiopian · evangelism · fear · God initiates · God prepares · God's word · Guilt · Holy Spirit’s promptings · Phillip · relationshipsNo Comments