A person may believe in pluralism—saying that there are many
religions and many ways to salvation. I explain that Jesus claimed to be the
one way to salvation. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NIV).
I explain that Jesus was God in flesh (see John 5:18; 10:30; Col.
1:15-20; 2:9). No other major religion has a founder who claimed to be God. If Christ
is who he claimed to be, he is Lord and Christianity is the one way to
salvation. If Christ is not who he claimed to be, he is a liar or a lunatic and
Christianity is not the way to salvation. But there is no middle ground;
Christianity and other major world religions disagree so they cannot all lead
to salvation. The Christian writer, C. S. Lewis, made this argument that Christ
is Lord, liar, or lunatic.
C. Relationship Evangelism
Relationship Evangelism or Relational Evangelism is sharing the
Gospel with people that you have a relationship with. Often people come to
Christ through friends or family. In the United States, historical data
suggests that more than 75 percent of people who come to Christ do so through
the influence of friends or family.3 The Bible gives examples of relationship
evangelism. John the Baptizer introduced two of his disciples to Jesus, and
they in turn each introduced a brother or friend to Jesus (see John 1:35-51).
We can use our knowledge of personal evangelism to witness to
friends and family.We should pray for opportunities to witness. Since we
already have a relationship established with friends and family, at appropriate
times we can go directly to sharing our testimony and sharing the plan of
salvation. Or we may be able to go directly to praying together with a friend.
The preliminary work of establishing a relationship has already been done.
Relationship evangelism is effective in reaching people of other
faiths who resist other methods of evangelism. For more information, search the
internet for “relationship evangelism.”
D. Evangelistic Sermons.
Preaching is an excellent way to make converts. On the day the
church began,the Apostle Peter preached and 3,000 people became Christians
(Acts 2:41).Down through the centuries, preachers have led countless numbers to
become Christians. In the twentieth century, the evangelist Billy Graham led
many thousands to receive Jesus throughout the world. In churches around the
globe,pastors today preach and millions are baptized.In order to reach converts
through preaching, sermons need to be evangelistic.Pastors do not always preach
evangelistic sermons. Evangelism is directed to those who have not come to
faith in Christ. So pastors may choose when to preach evangelistic sermons and
when to focus more on discipleship.An evangelistic sermon is designed to bring
people to a decision to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. So the selection of
a Biblical text should be appropriate for evangelism. Many passages in the
Gospels or Acts, for example may inspire people to come to Christ. Evangelistic
sermons should address the concerns of people in a congregation. The evangelist
Billy Graham often presented the world’s problems that are reported in the
headlines of newspapers, and then he presented the Good News that Jesus can
solve such problems. Jesus can overcome loneliness, crime,broken relationships,
hopelessness, and any other problem.
An evangelistic sermon closes with an invitation to receive Jesus
as Lord and Savior. That decision should be immediate. The Scripture teaches
that today is the day of salvation (see 2 Cor. 6:2). One of Satan’s great
deceptions is to make people think that there is no hurry in becoming a
Christian. So people put off the decision to receive Christ and their hearts
grow cold as they grow
old. Today may the last time some people have to receive Christ.
When they turn away from an invitation, they may not have the opportunity
again. They can die. They may not be open to evangelism in the future. A
preacher should
admonish people to consider the brevity of time.
E. Mass Evangelism.
In contrast with personal evangelism, mass evangelism targets many
people in open-air meetings or in other large gatherings. This type of
evangelism can be effective if much preparation is made. It may require
substantial funds to secure meeting places and advertising.
The website below has a chapter on mass evangelism. Click on “
Course Download Center,” then choose the course
“Leaven Like Evangelism.”
Street Preaching —preaching in open-air meetings on a relatively
small scale may not require funds or extensive preparation. This method of
preaching is highly effective in some places.
F. Saturation Evangelism.
Saturation evangelism seeks to present the Gospel to every person
within an area or country. The following website suggests various tools for
saturation evangelism.
The tools suggested at the above website for saturation evangelism
are:
_ Radio and Television Broadcasting.
_ Bible and Christian Literature Distribution
_ Itinerant Evangelists, Special Speakers, and Group Evangelism
_ United Campaigns of Personal Evangelism
_ Film Evangelism Using the “JESUS” Film
_ Leadership Training Available.
Saturation evangelism follows the command to preach to all
creation (see Mark 16:15). And it follows the principle of sowing generously in
order to reap generously (see 2 Cor. 9:6).
G. Intentional Evangelism.
Whatever methods of evangelism are used, they must be
intentional—that is, we must develop a plan to evangelize. If personal
evangelism is practiced, then it may include a daily pattern of looking for
opportunities to share Jesus. But a church should also set aside special times
in which its members go out to share Christ. Relational evangelism includes
intentionally thinking of people that do not know Christ, and planning ways to
share Christ with them. Mass evangelism and saturation evangelism require much
planning. (For details
and for free course visit <www.missionstraining.org>)
