“But he said to them, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.’ So, he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.”
Luke 4:43-44 (NRSV)

I am not really impressed with celebrities or athletes endorsing a product or service since I know they are being paid. I suppose it garners my attention but certainly will not influence my final purchase. The world, however, still pays attention to the paid spokesperson. What I value more is the customer review section often found with online research of a product/service. These reviews are from people just like me who accepted the same product/service I am considering. I am most interested in how the product/service performed for them. Was it a good experience? Did it fulfill their needs? Would they recommend to others?

“But test everything; hold fast to what is good…”
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NRSV)

“Witnessing” and “evangelizing” are church words that might make folks run for the hills. I really like the way DT Niles, a Ceylon Methodist pastor, described evangelism. “One beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” Who better to tell you about hunger than someone who once faced hunger?

Every single person in the world needs to hear about Jesus in a way they can understand.

I recall a time years ago on a long plane ride I had the privilege of conversing with a retiring missionary. He had grown up in a missionary family and had spent over 40 years leading Christian missionary into South America. He said it was all he ever wanted to do when he heard the call to share the gospel. I was amazed at his stories of triumph and hardship. Could I see myself as a missionary?

“You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.”
John 15:16 (NRSV)

What he shared next I have never forgotten. He said, “I can count on both hands the number of people who gave their life to Jesus right in front of me.” He did not seem disappointed in sharing this fact, after all not everyone is Billy Graham. He said a person needs to hear the good news of the gospel 7-10 times before they open their heart to the truth, let alone accept Christ as their savior. He reminded me that, as Christians, what counts the most is obediently sharing our faith in every moment and giving all the credit to God.

People do not save people, God saves people.

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each.”
1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (NRSV)

Our men’s 4^th Day small group meets weekly in the early mornings in the courtyard on the church grounds. We mostly talk about where we may have experienced a Christ moment as well as a missed moment to share Christ.

Let’s face it, in the business of our lives we may miss those moments when the Holy Spirit opens the way for us to show someone a glimpse of Christ. The omnipotent God will carry on with or without us. Yet God would prefer we join him in each Christ moment. How could Christ possibly use us mere mortals to reach others?

He made each of us in his image and crowned us with his glory to be the hands and feet in this world.

“What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.”
Psalm 8:4-5 (NRSV)

You would think that someone in missionary work, or perhaps a long-time clergy, would personally experience a multitude of salvation acts.  As you recall your own path to salvation though, it makes sense that these occurrences are few and far between. How many times did you hear the gospel before you acknowledged your salvation?

You cannot open someone’s heart to the truth of the Gospel, only God can.

“They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.”
Ephesians 4:18 (NRSV)

A person may need to hear and experience numerous moments or touches before they give their life to Christ. In my readings I have learned that the sharing of the gospel may occur 40 times or more before someone declares God as their savior.

We must approach every moment as an opportunity to share Christ. We may be the first or the tenth or the fortieth moment. Why would Jesus have not chosen a more efficient or effective way to spread the gospel? There was no need for He chose each of us. We are more than believers, we are priests with a kingdom building task. Our sole goal is to proclaim His presence to those around us. We shine a light of truth onto the ignorance of darkness.

 ^“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9 (NRSV)

Jesus modeled sharing the good news of the gospel. He shared it so that those seeking could understand sooner rather than later. His method was word of mouth and word in action. It is often said the best advertising or endorsement for products/services are through the comments of the actual users. It starts with a small conversation or one small act and builds into an opportunity to share the joy you have in Christ.

An AUMC mentor of mine says it all the time, “Tell your unique story because someone needs to hear it.” Just this week I had an AUMCer share their stewardship story. “Giving is not so much a sacrifice but a privilege to watch what God can do and will do.” What is your stewardship story? How have you experienced your own fishes and loaves story?

^“For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.”
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (NRSV)

Paul was encouraging us through the words he shared with Timothy about the power of God and our holy calling. Paul reminds us to be confident and not ashamed to share the gospel knowing that God will do the rest.

“Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began…”
2 Timothy 1:8-9 (NRSV)

Hear the good news! Jesus’ sole mission of his ministry was to proclaim the good news of the gospel by heralding the two most important commandments: “Love your God” and “Love you Neighbor.” We also have the same priestly privilege and divine purpose to share the gospel in our own words from our own lives. We are not alone as we have the power of the Holy Spirit. Our customer review may be the first or final endorsement someone needs to hear in making their commitment to Christ. Rest assured God will work on the salvation part. Hallelujah!! Amen!!

Are you looking for those Christ moments? How can you use your story to reach others? How will you respond to Jesus when he asks you, “Did you tell anyone about me?”

Peace be with you,
Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader