This blog post is based on a talk that Ben Cutts, a fourth year Physics student at our church, originally delivered at the University of Portsmouth Christian Union.
Do you see yourself as an evangelist?
Whatever our instinctive answer to that it – yes, no, it depends on the weather, etc – I’m sure at some point we have all had thoughts like:
“I’m no Peter, I don’t have the confidence to stand in front of a large crowd and talk about Jesus. I’m not Paul, I don’t know enough to answer every question that could come up.”
And that’s ok! You don’t have to be.
At its core, evangelism is a simple invitation.
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and told him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law (and so did the prophets ): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? ” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered. Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me? ” Nathanael asked. “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered. “Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!” John 1:43-49 CSB
Did you catch it? Three simple, ordinary words.
“Come and see.”
That’s all evangelism is; it is an invitation to come and see who this Jesus is.
Come and see for yourself the God who became Man, who went to the cross to die for your sins, and who rose again that you might be made whole with Him.
Did you also notice this about Philip’s response to Nathanial?
He didn’t try to argue with Nathaniel at all, didn’t try to explain what he meant only to stumble over his words and give up.
No, his first and instinctive response is to invite Nathaniel along with him.
Philip had only just met Jesus, but knew the real deal was so much better than any explanation he could give.
We’re not Jesus, inviting people to follow us.
So, what does “come and see” mean for us?
Come and see what life is like as a Christian as I follow Jesus. When you have someone round who isn’t a Christian, pray over a meal like you would normally. Don’t skip the Bible stories when grandparents or aunties join you for your kids bedtimes. Let people see from the inside out, not just outside in.
Come and see what church is like. Many people are willing to try church if they were invited by someone they know. Every Sunday we think about how the service can help curious people explore Jesus.
Come and see Life Group. “Join us for a meal, sit in on the discussion, feel free to ask genuine questions or just soak it all in. There’s no pressure, not judgemental, just friends.”
Come and see in the pages of the Bible together. “Let’s look at the first page of Mark’s Gospel together and talk about what stands out to us. I’d love to hear your impression of Jesus.”
What is the goal of the invitation?
Life with Jesus forever is like a great wedding feast, the best party of all time and beyond, where there is joy, and happiness and celebration without end.
This is what we are inviting people to. This is what Jesus has invited you into.
We can look back and see that Jesus didn’t come just to teach or inspire, but to die and to rise for us. We can look to the cross as the place where heaven was opened for us, and know that we can be reunited with God.
Evangelism begins at the foot of the cross.
When you realise what Jesus has done for you, when you realise that heaven was opened at the cost of His own life, telling others stops being a box to tick.
It becomes the natural overflow of gratitude.
Evangelism is then an act of love towards our friends; we want them to know that love of God for themselves.
I know there are probably some of you thinking “that’s all well and good, Ben, but I haven’t been a Christian that long” or “I don’t want make things awkward with my friends”.
Philip was in the same boat; he had only met Jesus earlier that day. Nathaniel’s first response wasn’t enthusiasm, but dismal. Yet Philip invites him anyway. And Nathaniel comes.
Evangelism has never, and will never be, about getting the “right” response.
Its about faithfully inviting people to “come and see.”
On 28th June, we have Glen Scrivener speaking at PO1 and Dan Knapp speaking at Stacey Centre. Glen is Director of Speak Life UK, a charity aimed at captivating the world with the love of Jesus through media and speaking. Both will be speaking on ‘What Makes Humanity Worthy of Rights?’, aimed at presenting the good news of Jesus through the lens of a very current topic of discussion.
Who could you invite to come and see on 28th June?
