Challenges in Evangelism
Jesus was an evangelist. “Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14). He said, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus did an amazing job of evangelizing others, however, even Jesus had challenges when it came to evangelism. He told the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) to explain what some of those challenges are. Some will refuse to hear (the wayside soil). Some will hear but gain no depth (the rocky soil). Some will hear but leave for the world (the thorny soil). Some, however, will hear and bear fruit (the good soil).
How many flat out refused to hear Jesus? There were many Pharisees who rejected the counsel of God. “But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him” (Luke 7:30). Some would not confess Jesus because of peer pressure. “Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). Some could not handle the difficulty of Jesus’ teaching. “Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:66). Jesus never let this phase Him because He knew some would hear and repent.
Do we allow the challenges of evangelism to prevent us from evangelizing? Jesus did not. We must continue the effort even when many fail to respond. God will see those efforts and recognize them even if man does not. What are you doing to evangelize others? We have many resources available for you to do so. Ask me or call the office to get them.