Note, that in Ephesians 6:19, Paul asked for prayer support "... that words may be given to [him] in opening [his] mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel." Yes, Paul needed those doors to be opened and didn't force Jesus on anyone. You have to earn the right to speak and wait for the door to open. Machine-gun evangelism, or preaching to everyone the same message such as "repent sinner!" is out of line (this is only half the message--one must present the good news about Jesus too), and you must get them lost before saving them, but always saying the same thing simply doesn't work but only alienates. A good fisherman knows how to use different bait for different fishes. There is a "time to sow and a time to reap" and one must be patient because "He has made everything beautiful in its time" (Ecc. 3:11).
The best preparation is to know the Word and your personal testimony, not to make mention of knowing why as well as what you believe. Not knowing what you believe is a kind of unbelief and we are commanded to be ready to give an answer for the hope within us in 1 Peter 3:15. You may have to make a defense and do so equipped with the full armor of God: His truth, His righteousness, His Word, His peace, His shield of faith all given to you--note that your righteousness is God's gift to you, not yours to God (cf. 1 Cor. 4:7: "... What do you have that you didn't receive?"). The more we learn to depend on God and realize that it isn't us doing it, the more success we will have.
There are plenty of provocative questions one might stimulate a dialogue with such as: "What do you think is on the other side? If you were to die today, are are you sure you'd go to heaven? How are you managing your spiritual journey? Do you ever ponder the hereafter? What do you think a Christian is? There are many such inquiries, and to personalize them is even better. But let God direct the conversation and don't push it, but be Spirit-led. Dare to be used by God because He will not let down a person of faith who wants to show his Christian colors and speak up for Jesus--you'd be surprised how many people really don't hold anything against Jesus Himself.
We are not to force an answer, but make sure they are ready to give one. We should talk to God about the person before we talk to the person about God, it has been said. In my own experience, it usually happens that, after much involvement with the person's own life, God seems to open the door and people don't really care how much you know until they know how much you care. The key to being used is to be prepared and to have compassion for the lost, which is a barometer of your usefulness, because you cannot do it in the flesh, but must know how to be led by the Spirit. In witnessing, they would rather see a sermon than hear one any day--so guard your testimony. Once you've experienced God using you, you get addicted and desire to be used again and again--you get the bug! They also say that once you've experienced the love of Christ, you want to pass it on! You cannot lose, but it's always to your credit that you stood up for Jesus.
There are several roadblocks or impediments to overcome before the chance to present the gospel happens. Many don't know what to do at that last stage--they don't even know the gospel itself! There are opportunities, for instance: To mention sin, then God, then Jesus, then salvation, then finally, the personal challenge, invitation, and opportunity for salvation--be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and don't force the issues.
Not making a decision, is a no decision. and we must make a beeline for the gospel as soon as we see the door open, i.e., know when to cast the bait and when to reel him in or close the deal. We are never losers in this proposition because only God can open a door, and the results are up to Him who alone can convert a soul. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him..." (John 6:44, ESV). We are only being obedient to the Great Commission and doing our part. "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received..." (1 Cor. 15:3a, ESV). We are only responsible for what God has given us and that is called faithfulness.
We all have a testimony (what you know for sure that happened to you) and that says something about how you came to know Christ personally, and as long as we don't jeopardize it, God will open doors: people will see Christ in us and want we we have--that is the highest compliment. But we must "be ready in season, and out of season" (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2) or we should always be on duty and know when to cast the line or drop the net because timing is everything--it must be God's timetable!
It is vital to know that you cannot argue someone into the kingdom. "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels, which generate more heat than light! And the Lord's servant must not quarrel..." (2 Tim. 2:23f, NIV). We should not be embarrassed that we don't know all the answers--it only proves that you don't need to know all the answers to have faith and it doesn't shake your faith to not know--but you can tell them you will find the answer. There is no question that hasn't already been asked and none is going to make an impact on the power of the cross. The servant of God is never quarrelsome, but patient and sometimes he is all ears before God gives him the opportunity to speak forth the Word of God--you must wait for God's timing. Learn to build bridges, not tear them down and find common ground, especially by getting to know them and showing interest in their problems or life crisis. Jesus is the only one who can bridge the gap between us and God and they must realize their alienation and estrangement from a relationship with Him and the more abundant life Christ promised. Paul says in 2 Cor. 5:19 that God has given to us the "ministry of reconciliation" or of bringing people back into a harmonious relationship with God.
Remember, the final pivotal question and challenge is whether there is any reason they cannot accept Christ as their Lord and Savior right now and see the urgency. But the problem with most Christians is that they don't know what to do when they reach this point: i.e., knowing an invitation or prayer of salvation. Many Christians do not see the big picture or have a handle on the gospel and how to present it, even if given the opportunity. But they must be willing to step out in faith from their comfort zone and be used by God--a beautiful experience!
In the final analysis, you must realize that your skill is not as important as your faith and faithfulness. The bait that God uses for seed is the Word of God and He promises that it will not come back void in Isaiah 55:11 and will always accomplish God's purposes. God promises to honor His Word, so incorporate it and depend upon it, not your brilliance, witness, or testimony, important as they are. 1 Cor. 3:7 says, "Neither he who plants, nor he who waters is important, but God who gives the increase." Note that there are different lures or bait for different kinds of fish and we can become "all things to all people that by all means [we] might save some" (1 Cor. 9:22b, ESV).
Finally, we must acknowledge Paul's attitude in Romans 1:14-16 that he is ready, under an obligation or indebted, and not ashamed or embarrassed to spread the Word. This is the least we can do out of a debt of gratitude we owe for our salvation--of which grace we cannot ever repay, can't earn, and don't deserve. The right attitude is that we "get to witness" not that we have to. Someone took the time to preach to us, so we must observe the Golden Rule and do unto others likewise. If we are well prepared, Christ will be the rock of offense and stumbling block, not us. Soli Deo Gloria!
The best preparation is to know the Word and your personal testimony, not to make mention of knowing why as well as what you believe. Not knowing what you believe is a kind of unbelief and we are commanded to be ready to give an answer for the hope within us in 1 Peter 3:15. You may have to make a defense and do so equipped with the full armor of God: His truth, His righteousness, His Word, His peace, His shield of faith all given to you--note that your righteousness is God's gift to you, not yours to God (cf. 1 Cor. 4:7: "... What do you have that you didn't receive?"). The more we learn to depend on God and realize that it isn't us doing it, the more success we will have.
There are plenty of provocative questions one might stimulate a dialogue with such as: "What do you think is on the other side? If you were to die today, are are you sure you'd go to heaven? How are you managing your spiritual journey? Do you ever ponder the hereafter? What do you think a Christian is? There are many such inquiries, and to personalize them is even better. But let God direct the conversation and don't push it, but be Spirit-led. Dare to be used by God because He will not let down a person of faith who wants to show his Christian colors and speak up for Jesus--you'd be surprised how many people really don't hold anything against Jesus Himself.
We are not to force an answer, but make sure they are ready to give one. We should talk to God about the person before we talk to the person about God, it has been said. In my own experience, it usually happens that, after much involvement with the person's own life, God seems to open the door and people don't really care how much you know until they know how much you care. The key to being used is to be prepared and to have compassion for the lost, which is a barometer of your usefulness, because you cannot do it in the flesh, but must know how to be led by the Spirit. In witnessing, they would rather see a sermon than hear one any day--so guard your testimony. Once you've experienced God using you, you get addicted and desire to be used again and again--you get the bug! They also say that once you've experienced the love of Christ, you want to pass it on! You cannot lose, but it's always to your credit that you stood up for Jesus.
There are several roadblocks or impediments to overcome before the chance to present the gospel happens. Many don't know what to do at that last stage--they don't even know the gospel itself! There are opportunities, for instance: To mention sin, then God, then Jesus, then salvation, then finally, the personal challenge, invitation, and opportunity for salvation--be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and don't force the issues.
Not making a decision, is a no decision. and we must make a beeline for the gospel as soon as we see the door open, i.e., know when to cast the bait and when to reel him in or close the deal. We are never losers in this proposition because only God can open a door, and the results are up to Him who alone can convert a soul. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him..." (John 6:44, ESV). We are only being obedient to the Great Commission and doing our part. "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received..." (1 Cor. 15:3a, ESV). We are only responsible for what God has given us and that is called faithfulness.
We all have a testimony (what you know for sure that happened to you) and that says something about how you came to know Christ personally, and as long as we don't jeopardize it, God will open doors: people will see Christ in us and want we we have--that is the highest compliment. But we must "be ready in season, and out of season" (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2) or we should always be on duty and know when to cast the line or drop the net because timing is everything--it must be God's timetable!
It is vital to know that you cannot argue someone into the kingdom. "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels, which generate more heat than light! And the Lord's servant must not quarrel..." (2 Tim. 2:23f, NIV). We should not be embarrassed that we don't know all the answers--it only proves that you don't need to know all the answers to have faith and it doesn't shake your faith to not know--but you can tell them you will find the answer. There is no question that hasn't already been asked and none is going to make an impact on the power of the cross. The servant of God is never quarrelsome, but patient and sometimes he is all ears before God gives him the opportunity to speak forth the Word of God--you must wait for God's timing. Learn to build bridges, not tear them down and find common ground, especially by getting to know them and showing interest in their problems or life crisis. Jesus is the only one who can bridge the gap between us and God and they must realize their alienation and estrangement from a relationship with Him and the more abundant life Christ promised. Paul says in 2 Cor. 5:19 that God has given to us the "ministry of reconciliation" or of bringing people back into a harmonious relationship with God.
Remember, the final pivotal question and challenge is whether there is any reason they cannot accept Christ as their Lord and Savior right now and see the urgency. But the problem with most Christians is that they don't know what to do when they reach this point: i.e., knowing an invitation or prayer of salvation. Many Christians do not see the big picture or have a handle on the gospel and how to present it, even if given the opportunity. But they must be willing to step out in faith from their comfort zone and be used by God--a beautiful experience!
In the final analysis, you must realize that your skill is not as important as your faith and faithfulness. The bait that God uses for seed is the Word of God and He promises that it will not come back void in Isaiah 55:11 and will always accomplish God's purposes. God promises to honor His Word, so incorporate it and depend upon it, not your brilliance, witness, or testimony, important as they are. 1 Cor. 3:7 says, "Neither he who plants, nor he who waters is important, but God who gives the increase." Note that there are different lures or bait for different kinds of fish and we can become "all things to all people that by all means [we] might save some" (1 Cor. 9:22b, ESV).
Finally, we must acknowledge Paul's attitude in Romans 1:14-16 that he is ready, under an obligation or indebted, and not ashamed or embarrassed to spread the Word. This is the least we can do out of a debt of gratitude we owe for our salvation--of which grace we cannot ever repay, can't earn, and don't deserve. The right attitude is that we "get to witness" not that we have to. Someone took the time to preach to us, so we must observe the Golden Rule and do unto others likewise. If we are well prepared, Christ will be the rock of offense and stumbling block, not us. Soli Deo Gloria!
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