Let me tell you my experience, I’ve followed evangelism and been in some way involved in it since the Lord saved me. I’ve read numerous books on the subject, and been to a few trainings on the “how to’s” of it. The first book I read was “Fire evangelism” by Dr Che Ahn (I think) I didn’t agree with most of it. The second book, was “One thing you can’t do in Heaven” by Mark Cahill, third was “The Way of the Master” by Ray Comfort, which led into the School of Biblical Evangelism, and attending Ambassadors Academy through living waters. I’ve also read “Becoming a Contagious Christian” by Bill Hybels. As well as “Evangelism in the New Testament” by Jon Speed…So I think I have a balanced view of some of the techniques involved in evangelism.  I’ll admit, lifestyle evangelism is far easier than all other kinds… after all, I am living a good life hoping someone asks me about the light that’s in me! (Not evangelism, it’s being a good witness, but not evangelism) It takes far more love and courage to walk up to someone and present the Law and Grace… 

Putting yourself out there isn’t evangelism. Putting yourself out there and actively speaking of Christ to everyone you meet might be evangelism. Are you speaking the law and grace? That’s evangelism. Are you telling only one side of the story? Law or Grace? I wouldn’t consider that evangelism, it’s a lie… Not evangelism. The real definition of evangelism is proclaiming the gospel of Christ to the people, if you’re only preaching Love, or only preaching Law, that’s not the gospel of Christ. However an equal and balanced presentation is preaching correctly, congrats that’s evangelism! This goes for food pantry’s, clothing distribution sites, etc.. if we’re not sharing the Law and Gospel DO NOT CALL IT EVANGELISM!!! Also if you’re not sharing the law and grace in those places, shame on you. How can you claim to be showing the love of Christ when you’re not telling them how to be saved, all you’re doing is sending them to hell with warm clothes, and full bellies! Share the whole gospel with them!! 

It’s obvious I don’t believe in Lifestyle evangelism, here’s why – what if you’re planning on sharing the Gospel the next day, and your friend dies the night before? How many years did you hide the gospel, the truth from your friend? It’s deceitful as well, are you making a friend only to share Christ with him? And if you’re not sharing Christ, is that person really your friend? It’s a dangerous game. Everyone has their own evangelism style, however the law and grace is the only right way… Whether you do it through tracts, open air, or one 2 ones.  Lifestyle evangelism is a fear filled, man centered response to the great commission, it’s a lie, saying that you are evangelizing, when you’re not. Friendship evangelism…? Well.. I’m up in the air on that one. I recommend the book “Evangelism in the New Testament” By Jon Speed. Decide for yourself. 

Likewise I don’t believe in preaching grace or love only. (or law only) Why? Because while God is love, how loving is it for me to ignore the law, and not present to you the mirror of the law? How can you know sin, unless the law is presented?  If we go around ONLY presenting love, then we will give the impression that God is only love. That He won’t punish sin, and that He won’t send anyone to hell.  And that’s NOT the God of the Bible.  Likewise going out and preaching ONLY law portrays God as a hate monger who wont save anyone – since this isn’t a problem that I am aware of, I am not even going to address it. 

Paul says in the Bible “I had not known sin but by the law” what’s this mean then? It means that unless we use the law, and share the law people who don’t know it, won’t know their sin before God, hence they won’t see the seriousness of their situation.  A love only gospel has produced a country full of false converts, where 80% of the nation claims Christianity, yet lives like hell Monday through Saturday, we can’t even outlaw abortion! The road is wide to hell; want to send more people there? Preach love only. Now I am not saying don’t preach love… by ALL means preach LOVE!! But balance that love with the law… show them how great that love is! Show them that they’re guilty before the Judgment seat of God, then show them how loving God is!! How HE sent HIS Son to DIE for THEM on a cross, a horrible and brutal death, only to RISE AGAIN forever defeating SIN and DEATH and that HE did ALL THIS FOR THEM.. THAT’S LOVE FRIENDS!!  Is it love to never say repent and turn? Or is it love to warn them, and say repent and turn because here’s what’s waiting if you don’t, and here’s WHO is waiting if you do! 

In short if you’re not preaching the law AND grace… you’re not preaching the bible. 

Exodus 24:12
And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.   (emphasis added) 

Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. – (can we do all the law???? NO!! that’s what makes GRACE so wonderful) 

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (SHALL NOT DEPART!! IF WE FORGET THE LAW, WE’RE LAWLESS MEN AND WOMAN DESERVING OF HELL, BUT WE DON’T KNOW THAT BECAUSE THE LAW IS FORGOTTEN, YET WE’LL STILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE IT’S THE LAW) 

Luke 16:17
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. ( WE WILL BE JUDGED BY THE LAW, HOW HATEFUL TO NOT TELL THE LOST ABOUT IT)

**please don’t think these are the only verses that deal with the law, and presenting it, there are tons… look it up!!!

It goes on and on, to preach the gospel, without the law, is nothing short of heresy. And every preacher who does, whether they’re a street preacher, or in a pulpit should be kicked out and banned from preaching until they know the truth. AFTER they repent to those they’ve lied to, and tell them the truth. 

Harsh? Not if you’re telling the truth already. 

Ray Comfort say it far better than I can in Hells Best Kept Secret and True & False Conversion

Sometimes you feel alone...

Well it’s always interesting when you walk with a 5ft cross, with “are you ready?” written on it.

The day started out fine, I was nervous, but was blessed to have Michele, and the rest of my family there. We decided to only stay there till 3:15 (about 45 minutes to an hour, we weren’t sure when we got there)  right off the bat two gentleman in the ROTC approached and accepted a tract,  they had questions and I pray God was glorified in the answers I gave, I also attempted to explain the gospel message to them. Being a medical recruiter for the Military, I love that I may have some part in the saving of a life. We discussed that for a little bit, and they went on their way.

After another short wait another group of three came to the cross, and asked what I was doing there, and were they ready for what? I explained that it’s appointed unto man once to die, then the judgment.. were they ready for that. They assured me they were and told me they were Christians, I asked

Christians came to see what I was doing...

them if I had three minutes to live how they tell me how to get to heaven? They shocked me with “Repent, and believe”  I’ve heard everything form “be good” to “who cares” finally a right answer, they liked that I was spreading the word, and I asked If they were. It was an encouragement to see other  Christians out there who were actively sharing their faith, correctly.

The whole time I had a few honks, and one guy flip me “the bird”. Several waves, and a thumbs up.. My wife let me know it was 3:15, but I said we should stay till 3:30 – which we did.

About then a very loud motorcycle pulled up to the light, and as I turned to look the guy was looking at me, I could tell through his helmet and visor

Angry, and drunk.... never a good combo.

without even seeing him, he was mad, and he was going to talk to me. Michele walked over near me and I said “I’m gonna have a visitor” and sure enough, he parked his bike, and walked across the street. He was on his cell phone and said “No… he’s out here with a cross that says “are you ready” dunno who he was talking to but he immediately picked out the star of David on my shirt, and let me know he was a “Jew”, told me how 6.4 million of his “kind” had died at the hands of Nazi Germany, and so on… to make a long, obscene conversation shorter he let me know he was an Atheist Missionary sent to save me from Jesus, He let me know that Jesus was simply a jew who had a great marketing gimmic, give me 10% of your money, and I’ll save you and give you everlasting life. I tried to explain his error but he would have none of that, I actually thought at one point he was going to hit me, so I let him rant and move on without saying anything. Wrong approach?? Maybe, but every encounter I have had with drunk people has not been good, why add another one. Perhaps next time he’ll be sober and we can chat.

I pray for everyone who saw the cross, and who talked to me today, Christian or not – prayer never hurt anyone!! So don’t quit, don’t be discouraged, and don’t stop sharing your faith!