Objections to Sharing the Gospel – See. Perceive. Act.

We’re shifting gears, former procrastinators.  This topic comes to mind now because folks get out more in the fall.  They linger and chat.  Opportunities to interact increase.   I’m slow to address this topic with myself, so I thought that might be true for you too.  Some of you may be excellent in this area; I would deeply appreciate your input.,

Evangelism is just sharing the gospel of Christ.  It is truly Good News!  So why do some of us sometimes hold back?  I think of possible objections and the truth we should focus on instead. 

• Fear of rejection –  It’s less likely if I’m sensitive to the other person and do not apply pressure.  Friends shared the gospel with dinner guests who became rather icy afterwards.  Years later, the former guests called to say, “Thank you for speaking about Christ to us long ago.  You got us to thinking and we became believers later.”
• Pride – See above.  Do I really want to put myself above Jesus Christ and the soul of another person?
• Lack of confidence in what to say – I once dreamed I was first at a car accident and needed to tell a dying person about Jesus.  I woke up scared. The next day I memorized “the Roman road” so I would be equipped.  (Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9)   But there’s no formula.  The basics are this:  My sin separates me from the Holy God.  There’s an eternal penalty for sin.  Jesus came to pay the price for my sins so God forgives me.  Jesus gives me His righteousness. In Christ, I am fully loved and accepted by my Holy Father.
• Lack of experience in sharing – We’re not smooth-talking professionals.  We’re people with problems, hopes, fears sharing with somebody else like us inside.  A pastor said, “It’s one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”  One man said the bumbling conversation of the young man who shared with him actually drew him to the Savior.  He recognized the sincerity of his friend.  This also speaks to “I’m shy.”
• Fear of questions I can’t answer –  I don’t know the answers to so many questions. That doesn’t keep me from faith in the God who does know.  It’s all right to say, “I don’t know” or “I don’t understand that either.”  Maybe conversation could be continued if I search for the answer and get back. We worship a God who is bigger than our understanding.
• “It’s not my gift” – That’s okay.  All believers are ambassadors for Christ.  We represent Him. Though witnessing/ evangelism is a strength for some, our Father instructs all of us believers to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15-16)  “As the Father has sent me, even so, I am sending you,” Jesus said.  (John 20:21)  Whether “good at it” or not, everybody must depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance here.

More next week.

Do you see yourself yet?  Where?