Authentic Evangelism: Eat. Pray. Go

     Evangelism is so important to life.   I started to say “evangelism is important to the church” or “evangelism is important to our faith,” but it goes so much deeper than that.  The message of the gospel is important to life.   It saves lives (both naturally and spiritually), it gives people hope, and it shares the love of God our father to a dying world.  This message of authentic evangelism is the bedrock of our faith.  Without evangelism there is no growth in Christianity…and we are seeing the first fruits and emergence of this in today’s society.
     Truth be told, Christians don’t evangelize anymore.  Instead we try to bring people to church in hopes that the pastor or preacher will evangelize them.  When we do invite someone to church, it’s usually someone who as already accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of his or her life.  As we studied Thom Rainer's “I Will” in bible study, we had the opportunity to discuss this same exact point.  We, you and I, have a whole lot of undercover Christians on our jobs AND we are empowered when we meet one.   Once we find out that one of our co-workers is a Christian, we feel like we could do cartwheels.   A sense of excitement swells up inside of us that is near impossible  to contain.  We think to ourselves, "musician, cue the music...I feel a shout coming on."  Yet, somehow, we contain our selves.  After all, we are professionals.  I mean, we could literally stand at the water cooler or snack machine share Christ "with another Christian" all day long.  We even lose track of time and have to rush off to our next assignment because we’ve been so enamored with our newfound knowledge.   I woud even venture to say that this “new knowledge” is so exciting that we can’t wait to home to tell our families about the events at the water cooler.  
On the other hand, we would hardly open our mouths to share Christ with someone we are certain doesn’t know Christ.  
Why is that? 
     When we offer Christ, we are offering life, and hope, and joy, and peace…Literally.   Personally, I just couldn't do life without Christ.   He is my LIFE.  We have something that the world needs to live in this life and after.
     The church should be filled with evangelist.   Everyone is an evangelist.  I feel like Oprah.  You’re an evangelist, you’re an evangelist, you’re an evangelist, EVERYBODY IS AN EVANGELIST!   Wait, but why isn’t everyone excited?
     Walk with me through this analogy of the church as our campaign headquarters.  This is where you come to get fed…motivated…updated…encouraged…this is where you plan, collaborate, strategize, and prepare for the mission.   At the campaign headquarters, everyone knows the mission and the focus.  Get our candidate elected.   The questions loom in everyone’s mind “how we are going to win over those undecided, those who are our opponents, what is it going to take to win this election?” This is where you get your assignment.  Are you going to be answering calls?  Are you going to be knocking on doors?  Are you the spokesperson? 
     Are you following the analogy?  The church is where the sheep gets fed for the purpose of going into the harvest.   Sadly, we have a whole lot of plump sheep while the harvest rots.  In Luke 9:1-2, Jesus did a few things:

1. He called His disciples (the sheep)
2. He fed them (gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases)
3. Give them their assignment (Preach the kingdom of God)
4. Sent them out

     Check it out for yourself:  “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.  And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.” In Luke 9:1-2; 9:6
     Jesus purpose for calling the twelve was to prepare them to do ministry.   Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.  His disciples were with him for much of that time. They had seen enough and had been fed enough.  It was time for them to begin their internship. It was time for them to put into practice what they had seen and heard during their time with Christ.  So it is with us.  We have to get out their and share our faith.  We cannot complain about the decline in Christianity if we are not doing our part.   

     What hinders you from sharing your faith? 
​Eat (come and be fed).  Pray (for those that God will send in your path).  Go (share your faith)
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Let’s start an evangelism movement. Eat. Pray. Go
 

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