Unsteady Evangelism, and Why It Matters

Growing up, a lot of people learn some degree of etiquette. In school, a student is not to talk unless their hand shoots straight up into the air. In a job interview, the etiquette is not showing up in a grease-stained button up and wrinkled slacks.

In my high school experience, lunchtime was split into A and B schedule. The A schedule meant lunch started at noon, and B schedule meant lunch started at 1:00. The A period would go first, and the B period would go second. I remember enjoying A days more because when the lunch bell rang, I strolled down into the cafeteria, never stopping for chit-chat so that my spot in line is not much of a wait. On B days, however, I was in no hurry, because I never made it close to the front of the line.

My B class before lunch period was always at the far-most part of the hallway. There were four steps I’d do when lunch time came around. Step 1: Pick a table. Step 2: Sit down. Step: 3: Peek up from studying or reading a book to see the line length. Step 4: Repeat Step 3 until the line is short, then pack up and walk to the line. There was predictable etiquette on both days: wait my turn.

When I think about preaching the gospel, I think that many are waiting in line. They think that preaching is a pitch that some people are better off not hearing. Their turn is preaching to the worship leader over the non-believer.

Here’s the thing: pitching and preaching are not the same. Pitching is trying to get someone new to get awareness of you. Preaching is obedience to the king of kings, to Jesus.

In a documentary about Johnny Chang sharing the gospel to death row inmates, Johnny starts off by saying: “I hope I can at least reach one person in there today.”⸸

That is not a pitch and Johnny knew it. He knew he was going to a place with hardened people. The outcasts. The bad people. But the possibility of reaching at least one person with the gospel was the prize.

I want to go against the grain of “there’s a time and place for everything.” In the dentist’s office, in the coffee shop, in the park, there’s always a place for the Holy Spirit to move in.

In John 4, Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman by a well. Not a grand cathedral, a synagogue or a temple. A well. An ordinary place to get water from. I find this passage impactful because the Samaritan woman was the only one there.

Let’s go deeper into this passage. Starting from verse 4:

“Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.” —John 4:4-6 (NIV)

In essence, Jesus’ trip to the well was a rest stop. If you’ve been on vacation before, you don’t look forward to the hotel stay. You’re looking forward to the itinerary that’s in store. Jesus visited a well in a place that Jews wouldn’t travel to, because Samaritans and Jews weren’t buddy-buddy.

Verse 9:

“The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)” —John 4:9 (NIV)

Back to the etiquette discussion. Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink. The Samaritan woman knew instantly that Jesus was a Jew, and her reply was out of disbelief. Jesus went against behavior seen as acceptable.

Verse 13:

“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” —John 4:13-14 (NIV)

Jesus often spoke in parable, and the water he spoke of was not a life-giving elixir. Jesus was speaking of himself and his authority to deliver eternal life. This is expanded on in John 5:25.

“Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” —John 5:25 (NIV)

To recap, Jesus didn’t refrain from revealing himself as the Messiah to a Samaritan woman. We know he was weary from the context of the scripture. We know that there was friction.

I want to tell you about enduring faith. You are going to face others who have never had the chance to hear about Jesus. You want to speak, but hesitate.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” —Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Rally behind God. Rally behind your faith because he will reward you. The reward for your faith is what Christ imparted in John 4:13-14. You’ll never thirst. You’ll feel replenished with every time you preach the gospel. The thirst lies in waiting; the reward lies in doing. That is how we should measure our spiritual walk, by living in Christ. Jesus himself tells us how distasteful lukewarm faith is. (Revelation 3:15-16) Lastly, we can’t find our way when light is dim, and neither can others. Luke 8:16 tells us to shine our light.

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” —Luke 8:16 (NIV)

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” —James 1:22 (NIV)

Liturgy for enduring faith

Lord, I struggle with presenting Your gospel

I don't know how others will recieve it

Please help me grow in an enduring faith

Because your Word says it is impossible to please You without it

Let others know I am not here to manipulate

I'm here to follow You by planting seeds

Give me the strength I need to reach others

With the love and compassion of Your Spirit

All the glory be to You

In Jesus name,

Amen

References
Documentary Johnny Chang Faith On Death Row https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KgMmqN79kg

Resource
https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/sharing-the-gospel-our-hostile-and-polarized-climate

Song

"If We Are the Body" by Casting Crowns https://genius.com/Casting-crowns-if-we-are-the-body-lyrics