Misunderstandings – leave them alone and they can tear your relationships apart. Clarify them and new dimensions will be added to your respect for others and their view of you. One of the greatest hindrances to effective evangelism is the inclination toward “jumping to conclusions.” Proverbs 4:7 says, “Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Give people a chance to explain their motives and really listen. When necessary, take time to make things right if you’ve have caused an offense. Relationships are worth it. You will represent Jesus well and people will be drawn to Him.
Look for ways to extend kindness to others in Jesus’ name.
Sally Koch stated, “Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily.”
Small actions done consistently can lead to big results for God. This is a simple and effective way of doing evangelism.
Merry Christmas! One of the foremost symbols of the season is the Christmas tree. Traditionally, the evergreen tree represents eternal life. Imagine the center of the tree, stripped of its branches – a bare, vertical trunk. Then take one of the middle branches creating a cross. The Christmas tree symbolizes everything that happens at the Cross of Jesus Christ. Tree branches not smooth but rugged. The smell of the tree like incense rising to God pleased with the perfect sacrifice of his Son. At the foot of the tree we exchange gifts. Trees are decorated with colorful and creative beauty. Why? Because on a tree God hung his greatest gift and offered it to us. Share that with a friend today. I’m Danny Yamashiro believing God will use you to lead someone closer to Jesus today.
Mele Kalikimaka! The Advent Wreath represents the testimony of a complete Savior. “Advent” means “Coming or Arrival” and points toward the coming of Christmas. Advent indicates not only that Christmas is coming, but also that the Lord HAS come and that the Lord IS coming again. In the Advent Wreath, we celebrate the fact that, if the prophecies were fulfilled by Christ’s first advent or coming, we are guaranteed that the prophecies about his second advent or coming are going to be fulfilled as well. Share that with a friend today. I’m Danny Yamashiro believing God will use you to lead someone closer to Jesus today.
Let’s face it, in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, all Christ followers are called upon to “be all things to all people.” In other words we must be relatable, people who can connect with others. We should not live in the world isolated from those Jesus loves and are sending us to reach. When my children play sports, they join teams with other young people who come from various backgrounds. One thing they have in common is interest in the sport, solidified in symbolic form when they wear their game uniforms. That becomes a distinct moment of connection. You feel it. That is a picture of what it means for us to relate with those who do not yet have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It could be a uniform. The moment of relatability is when there is a recognized common point of interest or goal. You can build an evangelistic bridge on that foundation.
Those who have not chosen to follow Jesus as Lord are not going to measure up to the standards of our expectations. Most certainly, they will not be able to stand consistently with all biblical injunctions either. Then again, neither could we. That’s why we need the Lord. So let’s not get too uptight around the unchurched people whom God loves so dearly. They may not understand what we think is so obvious. Some may be “rough around the edges.” Others may be blatant and “in your face.” Let us love them sincerely. God will use us to bring them to Him!
“Everybody does it that way.” It’s always done like that.” “That’s the way you’re supposed to do it.” I suppose in select instances such advice should be heeded. Especially in developing the basics of a skill set. However, when it comes to Christian evangelism we must be careful not to get stuck in thinking there’s only one set way for reaching people. Consider the example of Philip the evangelist in Acts 8:26. He is directed to go south to the desert road – an unlikely way since there was another path to the same destination that was safer, easier and more widely traveled. Philip went and eventually was led by God to reach a high ranking government official. What can we learn? In touching lives with the love of Christ, often the unconventional way to man is the conventional way to God.
One of the most comforting things I experienced when my mother passed away was looking into someone’s eyes and seeing them weep when they approached me to give a hug. They would often say, “Danny, I’m sorry for your mom’s passing.” I understood that my mother was with the Lord. But, their sharing in the pain of loss was comforting. Perhaps some of them had lost a dear loved one like a parent. I felt like they put themselves in my place and knew what I was going through. That really ministered to me. I’m a Christian. I do believe that such expression of care and understanding is relatable to any person regardless of their religious background. Such is a practical way to share Jesus’ love. After all, it was Christ who said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).
The hunger of most people can be satisfied by a simple meal of choice. It doesn’t always require a fine dining experience with exotic and exquisite foods. The same is true when someone displays evidence of spiritual hunger. It is not necessary for us to give them elaborate long, deep answers that draw attention to our brilliance. Keep it simple. With short answers that are to the point. They have a way of making someone desire more. Like your favorite meals. You keep coming back for more. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,…” (1 Corinthians 2:4).
Misunderstandings – leave them alone and they can tear your relationships apart. Clarify them and new dimensions will be added to your respect for others and their view of you. One of the greatest hindrances to effective evangelism is the inclination toward “jumping to conclusions.” Proverbs 4:7 says, “Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Give people a chance to explain their motives and really listen. When necessary, take time to make things right if you’ve have caused an offense. Relationships are worth it. You will represent Jesus well and people will be drawn to Him.
