"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" (Luke 2:10-11 NKJV)
You don't have to try to find bad news--we are inundated with it. I will not bother trying to tell you about it. If I have to convince you, you have other issues--namely, you are deceived or delusional!
What I am more alarmed about is that in a world bombarded with ill-tidings that we, as God's people, are failing to proclaim the good news! We have it and need to share it. It is a message of hope to people in despair. It is a proclamation of truth to those blinded by error. It is an offer of love in a time of strife. It is a clear direction for those lost in a fog of aimlessness. Only the church has the good news that God has sent a Savior and we can have abundant life in Him!
Yet, we are evangel-less evangelicals. We are making little effort to reach the lost. Our baptistries are dry and so are our eyes. When was the last time you wept in prayer for that son who is a prodigal, your uncle who is on the way to hell, or your neighbor who needs Jesus? If you say, "I know I should share my faith, but I don't know how to start the conversation," then may I suggest you start the conversation with God--confessing your disobedience and asking for a burden for those who are perishing.
I am certainly willing to come to your church and lead evangelism training. You can develop a strategy to reach out to your community. I can't guarantee that a bumper crop of souls will be harvested, but I can assure you that if you don't have an evangelistic zeal and effort you will not have one!
Praying for Souls,
Dennis Thurman, AMS
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