Christmas is one of the easiest times to talk about the Lord Jesus. He is, after all, the whole point, though it's easy for the point to be lost in the froth of the inconsequential. If the percentage of Christians who share their faith on a regular basis is a trustworthy gauge, then apparently talking about Jesus is not easy. It's not as if we need a special reason to bring up the Creator of the Universe from time to time with those who owe Him every breath and heartbeat. If we have specific commands from God, do we need special concessions from sinners? I think not. It is not as if the Lord said, “Go out into all the world and wait for the right moment.”
We will do well, though, to consider how best to begin. Many Christians feel the need to engage the unbeliever on neutral ground at first and then hope for a segue which doesn't jar or alienate. May all who opt for indirect approaches be fruitful in evangelistic labor. But a direct approach attracts me most.
"Have you ever heard of the Four Spiritual Laws?" is a question blessed in my generation."If you were to die tonight do you know for certain that you would go to heaven?" is the first of two diagnostic questions made popular by D. James Kennedy. The second question is "What would you say to God if He asked you why He should let you into His heaven?"As an unbeliever Dr. Kennedy heard those words spoken on the radio by a Philadelphia Pastor named Donald Grey Barnhouse. It seems likely that Barnhouse learned the approach from CH Spurgeon who asked the questions to his cab driver in 19th century London. The cabs were pulled by horses in those days. People get along in cabs much faster now. But they still get to heaven or hell at pretty much the same pace and by the same familiar routes. Our apathy or activism may play a role in hastening progress in one direction or another.
"Have you ever thought about becoming a follower of Jesus of Nazareth?" is my own favorite opening. No hidden agenda there. No wasted time. That way the Holy Spirit can bring honor to the Name of Jesus from the outset.
Whether the answer is ‘yes’ or ‘no’ we follow with "Would you allow me to tell you how I began to follow and why I've never regretted that step?"
If we don't speak of the Lord at Christmas when will we speak of the Lord?
If not now when?
If not ourselves, who then?
How will they believe unless they hear?
Because the Lord has come we go.
I relish all the down-time at Christmas.
But Christ did not come to make us passive.
We will do well, though, to consider how best to begin. Many Christians feel the need to engage the unbeliever on neutral ground at first and then hope for a segue which doesn't jar or alienate. May all who opt for indirect approaches be fruitful in evangelistic labor. But a direct approach attracts me most.
"Have you ever heard of the Four Spiritual Laws?" is a question blessed in my generation."If you were to die tonight do you know for certain that you would go to heaven?" is the first of two diagnostic questions made popular by D. James Kennedy. The second question is "What would you say to God if He asked you why He should let you into His heaven?"As an unbeliever Dr. Kennedy heard those words spoken on the radio by a Philadelphia Pastor named Donald Grey Barnhouse. It seems likely that Barnhouse learned the approach from CH Spurgeon who asked the questions to his cab driver in 19th century London. The cabs were pulled by horses in those days. People get along in cabs much faster now. But they still get to heaven or hell at pretty much the same pace and by the same familiar routes. Our apathy or activism may play a role in hastening progress in one direction or another.
"Have you ever thought about becoming a follower of Jesus of Nazareth?" is my own favorite opening. No hidden agenda there. No wasted time. That way the Holy Spirit can bring honor to the Name of Jesus from the outset.
Whether the answer is ‘yes’ or ‘no’ we follow with "Would you allow me to tell you how I began to follow and why I've never regretted that step?"
If we don't speak of the Lord at Christmas when will we speak of the Lord?
If not now when?
If not ourselves, who then?
How will they believe unless they hear?
Because the Lord has come we go.
I relish all the down-time at Christmas.
But Christ did not come to make us passive.
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