Last month we focused on Evangelism (the 5th mark of a healthy church), so I wanted to spend a few blog posts encouraging us in our evangelism. I recently read through a great summary in Michael Lawrence's book Conversion.
First we must communicate the gospel PLAINLY
Someone once said, "Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words." This quote may sound good, but just because something sounds good doesn't make it true. The gospel (a.k.a. good news) needs to be spoken and spoken plainly.
There are many good and bad things that have attempted to take the place of the gospel through the centuries, but no message can replace the gospel. Lawrence writes, "The gospel isn't merely that "God loves you" or "Jesus will give you purpose." It doesn't promise a happy marriage or success at work or successful children. It may help, but it offers no guarantees. The heart of the gospel is that Jesus died and rose again as a substitute for sinners, appeasing God's just wrath and reconciling us to himself."
What this means is followers of Jesus must know the gospel message so well that we are always ready to give an answer for the hope we have (1 Peter 3:15). Let me encourage you to learn and practice PLAINLY communicating the gospel with others.
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