Friendship Gospel

Charles Spurgeon said, "Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread." This approach to sharing the Gospel carries a spirit of humility. The culture has had its fill of know-it-alls and is ready for servanthood, curiosity, and an encounter with a living, breathing Christ. In Isaiah 42, and reiterated in Matthew 12, it was said about the Messiah, "He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world.” 

The "weak reeds" are those stuck in their sin. The "flickering candle" may be the image of faith burning small, but still fueled by the Holy Spirit's power. There is gentleness and compassion in these words of Isaiah's. Of course, we know from Jesus' example there were times when passion for justice looked like harsh words. But his words were not directed at people who were lost and without a Shepherd. His fire was aimed against those who abused the vulnerable, who hated the outcast, and who distanced themselves out of pride. There are some who need to be rebuked and others who need comforted. The Holy Spirit knows what is needed and how to speak. 

The greatest obstacle for evangelism in America is confronting the post-Christian attitudes with Gospel strategies. People are increasingly resistant to religious control and manipulation, which is good. The flip-side is some are so wary of "Jesus talk" they shut down conversations that sound too "churchy." There is a way to cut through the noise. It is called relational evangelism. Combining Dave Ferguson's BLESS strategy and using Words That Work, a book by Cindy McGill, any humble Jesus follower can learn sensitivity to the weak reeds and flickering candles. 

One caution for relational evangelism, do not begin friendships for the sake of conversions. Be kind, friendly, and genuine whether your friend is open to the Gospel, or not. A few friendships I have maintained with those of other, or no faith traditions, is early on ask a simple question. "Are you okay if I am a Christian?" They may respond, "As long as you are okay I am not." It works great and sets friendship parameters like, I will talk about Jesus and likely say weird things on occasion. Help me to learn if this offends you, or not. If you stay in a relationship long enough, there will be opportunity for you to pray (privately or publicly) with them, share the heart of the Gospel, and for you to learn about Christianity from someone else's perspective.

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