How do we do evangelism today? Perhaps we need to think about a common denominator.

Last week at the church family camp, Paul Graham, the Australian Chairman of Gideon’s International, opened the subject of how to bring the good news of Jesus to our communities. There were some interesting discussions, particularly during the Q&A during the afternoon session. One of the things that came through is that many people have different ideas on how it can be done, and none are necessarily wrong. Often it is about personal taste and with what one feels comfortable. One thing was clear, although we may not all be “evangelists,” if we are Christians we must be ready to give an account of the gift faith we possess in Jesus Christ.

In considering this topic a little more this week, it struck me that we live in a society today where not everyone is on the same page of who Jesus is. Some know Jesus only as a swear word. Others know him as a great moral example. Unfortunately, less and less know him as God’s Son who came to dwell among us and be the Saviour of sinners who believe and repent.

As Christians we are keen that people embrace Jesus as their Saviour (and why not, after all, that is what is vital for anyone’s salvation), we tend to begin with the person of Jesus when in fact, often the people we are speaking to either don’t know Him or have only heard minimal snippets about Him. Years ago, parents sent their children to Sunday School even when they didn’t attend church themselves. That is no longer the case in today’s western societies. In fact, any talk about Jesus in the public is often frowned upon and even the Christmas nativity scenes in shopping centres have no baby Jesus anymore. So perhaps our starting point with missions needs to be different today.

I suggest we start with a ‘common denominator,’ none other than God Himself. Most people today still acknowledge a Creator God, or at the very least a ‘grand designer.’ And with the greatest respect, Jesus makes very little sense to people if they do not acknowledge God the Father as Creator who is thrice holy. Why would people want to know about Jesus if they see no need for forgiveness or a personal Saviour? Unless we acknowledge God the Father as holy and the One we have offended with our sinfulness and to Whom we need to give an account, we would see no need for a Saviour.

So, in our mission endeavours, consider starting at the beginning with a holy creator, yet loving God who made everything very good (Gen 1:31). We could mention man’s fall into sin and the early promise of a Saviour (Gen 3:1ff). We could mention the act of grace and love when God gave us his law which helps us realize our sin and need for a Saviour (Exo 20:1ff). We can perhaps mention the OT sacrifices and the shedding of blood which was required and that in turn pointed to the ultimate Lamb whose blood was shed for our sin (Lev 4:1ff cf. John 1:29ff). We could mention that this ultimate Lamb was God’s Son who paid our debt through His death and resurrection and is now seated at God’s right hand. And as Paul reminded the philosophers in Athens, God has set a day when His raised Son will return to judge the world with justice (Acts 17).

As Paul Graham reminded us, it doesn’t matter which method we use to tell others about the good news of Jesus but do it we must. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit may open hearts to be receptive to our efforts as we bring the good news of Jesus to them. JZ