Second, evangelism need not be about making cold-calls, and it certainly never should be about harassing people.  Christianity has lost a lot of credibility in the west within the last 50 years, especially with the dawn of the media age.  Overzealous profession coupled with little obedience or a slick presentation with promises too good to be true, have long been exposed as yet another advertising scam.  Face it; it is often presented as another product we should all buy.  But, Christ is not a scam, even if some of his people are. No, evangelism is about establishing relationships.  Not because we are trying to fill some quota, check something off our holy to-do list, please the pastor, or make ourselves look good, but we establish relationships because we genuinely care about people and love them as we love God and ourselves. Folks, we must earn the right to be heard by a deaf world.  We can only do it be being relevant, real, and relational; honest, caring, and different. Only by sincerity of heart, getting know others for the sake of knowing them, will this be effective. So, evangelism is not about condemning or manipulating the world, but about relationships, natural relationships that we cultivate, "as we go." Remember, "The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones." (Proverbs 15:30 ESV)

Third, we do not evangelize so that our particular church will grow.  The Church is both an organism and an organization.  On the organization side, things are measured in numbers.  It sure is tempting to say, "We need x number of people to pay our bills or do all we'd like to do as a church." That's a true statement in the realm of organizations, but if that became our motivation for evangelism, we'd be in big trouble.  May it never be, for God would mock us and we'd fall flat on our faces. Let us always remember, "God has not brought us here to build a steeple, but to plant a cross."  We are building the Lord's house, not our house.  If we keep our motivations pure, the Lord will build the house.  "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." (Psalms 127:1 ESV)

So, evangelism is not a task, not manipulation or a sales gimmick, and neither is it for our own benefit or enjoyment.  It is a way of life that focuses on Christ, it is about relationships for relationships' sake, and it is about glorifying the Lord in a way that causes his will to be done here in Spartanburg as it is in heaven.

Let us prioritize our lives, practice Christ in our lives, and participate in the lives of others.

See you Sunday,

Charlie+