Walk Across the Room - Introduction - Sunday, February 10, 2008
 

I’m thinking of three words that strike fear and dread that will probably strike fear and dread in your heart. The first is death, the second is public speaking. (Many people actually say they fear public speaking more than death!) What do you think the third word is? No, it’s not taxes, dating (for the fathers of teenage daughters), or a drivers license (for the parents of any teenagers).  

The word is evangelism. When you mention that word in church people usually tense up, their palms get moist and they start to worry that they are going to be asked to do something strange and very uncomfortable. The word evangelist often brings to mind either images of preachers on street corners or gifted speakers like Billy Graham. Our first reaction is, “Evangelism…no not me.” 

But I’m here to tell you that evangelism is something anyone can do. You can do it and so can I. Do you know what the word evangelist means? The original Greek word simply means “one who announces good news.” Who can’t do that? When we have good news we can’t hardly help ourselves to tell it to somebody. Any of us can share good news. 

For the next four weeks we are going to learn more about how to be people who announce good news. I’ll be preaching from a book and sermon series written by Bill Hybels, the pastor at Willow Creek Church in Chicago, called Just Walk Across the Room. We’ll see that evangelism isn’t necessarily about preaching sermons, its about:  

I want to set the stage today for Just Walk Across the Room with two essential points: 

Someone has to tell people the message about Jesus…
If people are going to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who became human and died for them on the cross, they need to hear that message from someone. As Paul says in Romans 10:  

“But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

“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? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 

According to Paul the incredible message is that everyone, notice that, everyone who puts their faith in Jesus will receive the gifts of forgiveness, reconciliation with God and eternal life. It’s the most astounding news ever! The most valuable message anyone can hear. But so many people have never heard it, or only heard bits and pieces, not enough to make sense to them. In order to have the opportunity to believe, they need to hear the news from someone! 

Let me ask the question: “Who told you about Jesus?” It may have been several people or one person who stands out who told you in a way that the light bulb went on and you got it. Was it a parent, grandparent, Sunday School teacher, pastor, youth pastor, camp counselor, friend? It could be that someone who invited you to come and hear someone else talk about Jesus. Who told you that life changing news that Jesus loves you? 

So someone has to tell people the message… 

…and that someone is you (and me).
The people who are responsible for sharing the good news about Jesus are those for whom He is a reality in their lives, and that’s us. 

In Luke 10:1-2 we have a basic course in Evangelism 101 that teaches us how we can all be evangelists: 

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them… 

Jesus is the one who appoints us. We are on His mission.  

Earlier in the Gospel of Luke we read that Jesus sent the Twelve Apostles on a similar mission. It makes sense that they would be evangelists. But here Jesus expands the mission to seventy-two others. We don’t even know their names. They are not celebrities, they are regular people. They don’t appear to have unique qualifications. They are not better educated, more capable or of higher status. They are regular folks that Jesus appointed to announce the good news. The Life Application Bible says: “What equipped them for this mission was their awareness of Jesus power and their vision to reach all the people.” 

I would like to see a want ad that reads: “Evangelists wanted to share the good news about Jesus Christ. Exceptional people not required…”  

…sent them two by two… 

Jesus didn’t send them out alone, but in pairs. We don’t have to win the world by ourselves. That’s a relief for me. It takes the pressure off to know that I am part of a team (the church) and that we work together to share the message of God’s love in Jesus. We all bring different gifts which complement each other.  

Think of a Billy Graham crusade. He is the keynote speaker and a gifted evangelist, but think of the team that ministers with him: organizers, people who pray before, during and after, participating churches, people who invite friends and who have prayed for them, counselors who meet with people to pray, those who follow up and more besides. None of us has to feel that we’re doing it alone, but each of us needs to play our part. 

…ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.  

The “72” were the heralds, the advance team, the organizing committee preparing the way for Jesus because He’s the one who could change a person’s life, not them. We are heralds as well for the one who can change lives for eternity. 

He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.  

There are people ready to hear what we have to say!!! Sometimes we hold back for saying anything because we think that the other person wouldn’t be interested in God, church, Jesus. But we won’t know until we speak up. There are people ready, and hungry, to know God.  

In fact, Jesus says there is so much to harvest that we should pray for more workers. Not only are they ready, but it is urgent that we get out there.  I own some farm land that I rent out and I know that at harvest time farmers will work around the clock if necessary to get the crop in. When the harvest is ready, that is the priority. There is opportunity for everyone, we can all be involved one way or another. Finally we MUST PRAY. We rely on the Lord of the Harvest to speak to people’s hearts and draw them to Himself. 

In June 2005, 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft interviewed New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. I don’t know if Tom Brady still feels the way he did in this interview, but here’s what he said at the time:

KROFT: Which of the (Super Bowl) rings do you like the best? What's your favorite ring?

BRADY: My favorite ring? I've always said the next one. The next one's the best. They're special. 

(Later in the interview) 

KROFT: This whole experience -- this whole upward trajectory -- what have you learned about yourself? What kind of an effect does it have on you?

BRADY: Well, I put incredible amounts of pressure on me. When you feel like you're ultimately responsible for everyone and everything, even though you have no control over it, and you still blame yourself if things don't go right -- I mean, there's a lot of pressure. A lot of times I think I get very frustrated and introverted, and there's times where I'm not the person that I want to be.

Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, "Hey man, this is what is." I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think: God, it's gotta be more than this. I mean this can't be what it's all cracked up to be. I mean I've done it. I'm 27. And what else is there for me?

KROFT: What's the answer?

BRADY: I wish I knew. I wish I knew. I mean I think that's part of me trying to go out and experience other things. I love playing football, and I love being a quarterback for this team, but, at the same time, I think there's a lot of other parts about me that I'm trying to find. I know what ultimately makes me happy are family and friends, and positive relationships with great people. I think I get more out of that than anything.
 

There are people you and I know who are wrestling with the same questions Tom Brady asked. What’s the point of my life? What really matters? What satisfies if success, money, fame, accomplishment don’t? Is there more? 

God has given us the good news that yes, there is more, and His Name is Jesus. Someone has to tell people the good news, and that someone is you.