There are few things more exciting than sharing good news. When a baby is born, when exam results come through, or when our team wins the Cup, we naturally want to tell everyone. Good news is too good to keep to ourselves!
The Christian Gospel is the greatest news the world has ever heard. Its good news about forgiveness and friendship with God. Good news about the defeat of death a promise of life everlasting. Good news that transforms our outlook on life, forever. And yet many Christians find sharing their faith intimidating. We worry about saying the wrong thing. We fear ridicule or rejection. We wonder whether we’re qualified to engage in evangelism. If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone.
In Romans 10 this morning, the apostle Paul reminds us of the good news of the Gospel, and urges us to share it. We’ll also consider some ways we can become more confident to share our faith in practice.
Christians have good news to share!
So, what then is the content of the Christian Gospel. What is the heart of the good news Christians are called to share? Well, in verses 9 and 13, Paul writes: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
What a wonderful promise that is. A promise not just for some people. Not just for a particular nation, class, gender or ethnic group. No – its promise that anyone and everyone who calls on the Lord Jesus will be saved. The Gospel is wonderfully inclusive in this regard. Jesus does not discriminate when it comes to his saving grace. Any and all who turn to him for forgiveness shall receive it.
The Gospel message isn’t that we climb our way to God by our own efforts. Indeed, in the opening verses of today’s passage Paul contrasts a righteousness based on the law with the righteousness that is simply received by faith in Jesus. Salvation isn’t earned – it’s a gift. Jesus has already done everything necessary through his death and resurrection. Our response is simply to receive him as our risen Saviour and Lord. That is good news indeed! Good news too good to keep to ourselves. So in verse 14 the apostle asks his readers a series of searching questions: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
Those questions still apply today. Many, perhaps most, people in our secular society are ignorant of the true Christian Gospel. They may have misconceptions about Christianity or the Bible. They may think faith is boring, irrelevant or outdated. Many will have never heard the Gospel explained clearly. Others may have even attended church in the past, but never really heard and received the good news about Jesus. They need to hear it from us, of they never will.
Paul’s words today remind us that God chooses to work through ordinary people. Ordinary people who are willing to speak up and share their faith – ordinary people like you and I. That may feel a daunting prospect, but its also a remarkable privilege to be able to introduce someone to Christ. Amazing as it may seem, we are God’s chosen instruments to spread the good news of the Gospel across our community.
Coming out of our comfort zone
So how do we come out of our comfort zone? How do we overcome our fear and hesitation about sharing our faith? Well, the first thing to realise is that effective evangelism isn’t about becoming a brilliant debater or having an answer to every tricky question. It begins much more simply – with prayer. If we want our friends and family members to come to Christ, our first act should be to pray for them.
- Pray that God would create opportunities for fruitful conversations about Christ.
- Pray that he would give us the courage and boldness to share our faith;
- And pray that God’s would prepare our hearers’ hearts and minds to receive the good news.
A second top tip is to be prepared! We can become more confident in conversations about our faith by preparing ourselves for them. Why not memorise a few key Bible verses (like Jn 3:16 perhaps)? Or read a book that provides answers to popular objections to Christianity (like Nicky Gumbel’s ‘Searching Issues’ perhaps). As the saying goes, ‘To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail’ – so be prepared!
Another practical lesson is to build genuine friendships with non-Christians. Sharing our faith is not the same as a sales pitch. After all, Jesus himself spent much of his time eating with people, listening to them, asking questions, and showing compassion. Long before many people believed in him, they experienced his kindness, wisdom and love.
To mix my metaphors, you might say that the Gospel message travels best along the bridge of authentic relationships. That means taking an interest in people, serving them, sharing their joys and frustrations – simply being present in their lives. When people know they are genuinely loved rather than simply ‘targets’ for conversion, they will be much more receptive to what we have to say. We win an audience for the Gospel when we show our love for them first.
A fourth top tip is to listen well. Some of the most spiritually fruitful conversations begin by asking thoughtful questions of our non-Christian friends and family. Questions like:
- What do you think is the most important thing in life?
- Or, What is the world’s greatest need?
- Or, Where do you personally find meaning, purpose and hope?
Listening communicates respect. It also helps us answer the real questions a person is pondering rather than imaginary ones. We become better equipped to explain how the Christian Gospel answers the big questions that people are wrestling with. Jesus himself was a master at asking questions. He drew people into conversation before offering answers. We should do the same.
A final easy approach to evangelism is to share our own testimony. We don’t need to launch into a detailed philosophical defence of our faith, we can simply tell people the difference that following Jesus has made to our own life. Testify to how has Jesus given you hope, purpose, guidance and strength through the seasons of your own life.
You may not know the answer to every theological question, but you can say, “This is what Jesus has done in my life.” No one can argue with your own personal experience. People today are often sceptical of arguments, but they are usually interested in genuine stories of transformed lives. We can share our faith by telling our story.
Conclusion – beautiful feet!
Paul ends our passage today with a quotation from the prophet Isaiah: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Feet are not usually considered beautiful, but the feet of Christians who share the good news of the Gospel are beautiful. They are beautiful feet because they carry us into conversations with family, friends and neighbours. They are beautiful feet because they carry the good news of Jesus into new homes and new lives.
Paul wants us to be convinced that sharing our faith is a wonderful thing, an awesome privilege – a God-given opportunity to transform someone’s life for the better. And not just for now, but for eternity. Think how wonderful it will be to meet someone in Heaven with whom you shared your faith. Someone who was saved because you introduced them to Jesus. Think how grateful they will be! How beautiful, indeed, are the feet of those who bring good news!