A few days ago I had lunch with a couple of friends and we
spent a good part of the time talking about evangelism. One of them made the remark that believers
spend a fair amount of time discussing the need to share our faith and
strategizing about how to “connect with people” but at the end of the day there
is still an awkward disconnect between our intention and follow-through. The
other friend weighed in with a few comments on approaches we’ve taken in the
last twenty five years, i.e., soup kitchens, friend days, giving away clothes,
seminars on various topics, etceteras.
But then he said, “We are doing some really good things but I often
wonder how much “message” is actually getting through to the people in the
streets.” Perhaps you have had similar thoughts.
The early church was a people with a message. And, they knew
their message. Scripture doesn’t say
anything about gallop polls in the first century. In one street episode after another the Book
of Acts shows the early church engaging people with the gospel message. And, whether it was – to borrow from Paul –
“in season or out of season”, they shared the good news about Jesus Christ and
His kingdom. To be sure, the message was
packaged in different ways depending on who was being addressed (Acts 17:1-6;
22-32). Nonetheless, the message was “in
the streets” to the point that they got slammed with the indictment:
“These men have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).
Modern notions of cultural advancement notwithstanding, I
don’t think human nature has changed since the first days when the gospel was
preached. I think what Jesus said about
human beings and, what Paul, or other apostolic writers said about the gospel
as truth and our need of it as sinfu people is as true today as it was when the
gospel was first preached.
Each time I read the book of Acts I see the early church “in
the streets.” It was a deliberate effort
on their part. They talked with
people. They asked questions. They reasoned with people (Acts 17:2;
19:8). They presented the story about
what God had done in Jesus Christ as not only good news but the best news a
person could hear. It was God’s call to
them. The way they talked about God in
Christ brought people to decision. A
decision, after all, was the point of the conversation. Early Christian preaching was done with an
eye toward “doing something” with the message (Acts 13:44-48; 18:6; 22:18;
26:24-29).
That luncheon a few days ago got me to thinking. I wonder if we spend too much time trying to
“figure out” people instead of simply engaging them in conversation about such
things as what they believe about what it means to be human, or to live well,
or what they think about Jesus?
I’m reminded of Paul’s words to the Corinthians urging them
to drop the cultural sandpaper and stop putting a “high buff and polish” on the
gospel. He says, “I determined to know
nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). He goes on to say that some people understand
the message and some people don’t (1 Cor. 2:14-16). In fact the word of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing (1 Cor. 1:18).
But God is well-pleased with the foolishness of the gospel (1
Cor. 1:21).
We’ve had some great conversations about
everything from worship assemblies to women’s role to what we put on the pew
cards. We’ve fine-tuned welcome
committees and snappy advertising slogans (which are everywhere nowadays). We’ve done demographic studies, completed
surveys ad infinitum, embraced small groups and put annual baptismal goals
before congregations. The reality is our
congregations are shrinking. We have
shown maturity in a number of areas, but the question remains: are we really “on message?” Do we know it? Do we really care about it? Do we have the courage to speak it?
I have mixed emotions as I think about our conversation over
lunch a few days ago. It thrilled me and
bothered me. I was encouraged by new ideas
and new possibilities but, equally as much, it reminded me of something that we
dare not out grow as a people, namely, being people who know the story about
Jesus and who are willing to take it into the streets every day.
What do you think?
Acts 8:5 says “And they went everywhere preaching the word.” I pray that text becomes characteristic of us
soon.
Gracious Father, open our eyes to see the cracks in
conversations that provide us opportunity to share your love, mercy and calling
with someone. Give us courage to say
simply and gracefully what you would have us say so that the power of your
gospel can have the opportunity to bring someone to Christ. Thank you for allowing us to be your
ambassadors every day. Through Jesus who
makes all things new….Amen
Randy Daugherty
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