Have You Heard the Good News?

I have a dream.  It is that there will come a time in the UK when Christians will once more be so thrilled about what Jesus means to them that they will eagerly and comfortably share their faith with others.  If you are a Christian then it is almost certain that someone will have spoken to you about Jesus, or put a book or recording into your hand.  I have a string of names of people who played a part in my journey of faith in its early days. 

I think of Angus McNaughton, a Baptist Minister who well supported by his wife, was passionate about telling the Jesus story.  I think of Miss Betts, the Misses Mather, Miss Osgood, Mrs Roberts, Miss Hatton, Mrs Young, Alan and Ame Tarling, and the Wayling sisters – just some of those responsible for the young people’s work at the church where my father was a deacon. I think of Robert Dingwall, who showed films about science and the Bible at my school.  I think of John Eaves who, though not a well man, came out on a damp evening to put a tract in my hand that started me on the road back to faith in Jesus after several years of ungodliness.  I think of Sylvia Smith, and evangelist who spoke at a meeting where I realised for the first time that Jesus died on the cross not only because a price had to be paid, but because he loved me.  All these and more are people who told me the Good News about Jesus.  Most would not define themselves as evangelists.

One illustration I have often used about sharing Good News is based on maths.  This works well when there are children in a church service.  I ask them to imagine that I am a very rich relative who would like to give them £5 a week for a year or 1p the first week and successively double it each week for a year. I ask them to choose. Usually the voting is evenly divided, so I up the £5 element to £50 a week. £2,600 sounds a better deal and some are swayed.  I continue to increase it by multiples of 10 until the offer is £5,000,000 per week (£260,000,000 a year) or the 1p deal.  What would you go for?

The best answer is the 1p deal, of course.  By the end of 52 weeks that would generate an income of

£45,035,996,273,705

Suppose there was an army of 5000 evangelists who each week told one person the story of Jesus.  By the end of the year they would have shared the story with 260,000 (a quarter of a million) people.  But what would happen if we started with just one Christian who tells someone about Jesus and then that person joins in the task and they both tell someone the next week, and so on.  In 44 weeks everyone in the world will have heard the message!

Of course not everyone who hears the message believes, so the maths will not work perfectly.  But, as Paul writes in his letter to the Christians in Rome, the Good News is the power of God to salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16).  Later, he sets out some logic with a series of questions based on the promise what anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. He asks…

·       How can they call on someone in whom they do not believe?

·       How can they believe in someone they have never heard about?

·       How can they hear without someone to tell them? (Romans 10: 12-16)

A few of those who read my Praise & Prayer News do define themselves as evangelists (the word means someone who shares good news).  Some work in rural areas.  If we add them to the number of ‘professional’ rural church leaders, I estimate we might end up with a figure around no more than 3,000.  If the task of sharing the Good News is left to them… well you do the maths. Most of them are probably preaching to the converted most weeks, and possibly most will not be making the call to repentance and faith explicit.

Whoever you are, God can use you.  Sharing the Good News about Jesus does not have to be scary, nor is special training necessary.  If you have ever told someone news about a bargain you found in a shop, or about a new addition to your family, or about an enjoyable holiday or day trip, or about a book you have read or a film you have watched, then you have the skills already.

You may be thinking that I am over-simplifying it.  Where does prayer fit in?  What about the Holy Spirit?  Of course these and some other aspects are important, but I believe that God is ready to do his part.  He is waiting for us to do ours.

You do not need to learn great passages from the Bible, or use special words.  Simply tell what you know and have experienced in your own words. And the emphasis should be on the word ‘simply’.  If you would step out in faith you will be surprised that people will listen.  Don’t think you have to have the answers to awkward questions.  If people have genuine questions you could introduce them to a friend who might be able to help them, or you could lend them a book or DVD that explains the Good News clearly and winsomely.

The thing is, among all the people with whom we come into contact each week there are some who would really love to hear our stories of personal faith.  Pray that God will guide you and help you.

Let’s move from adding to multiplying.

Sharing Faith Webinar

People who have sat in on the online presentation on sharing faith with our friends have found this helpful.  It comes with supportive material and suggested practice sessions you can do with a Christian friend to gain confidence.  For more information, click here.

Sharing Faith Away Day

Away-Days are great for faith development, strategic planning, or simply for enjoyable fellowship.  Having a topic for the day is helpful and an introduction to sharing faith is ideal.  Individuals and churches benefit.  The programme breaks into several gentle inter-active sessions, and begin and end with some worship.  You could hold these on your premises but it is often helpful to find an alternative venue. More information and advice is on our website.

From the Diary

Most of the past week I have been working from home as my wife, Doreen, convalesces after surgery.  Some local meetings have been managed, and this will continue for at least one more week.  Thank you for your prayers on her behalf.

Sunday 5^th – Yelvertoft Congregational Church in the morning, and Church of the Good Shepherd, Newton near Rugby (URC/Anglican) in the evening

Tuesday 7^th – School Assembly, Yelvertoft in the morning and HMP Gartree in the afternoon.

Thursday 9^th – I would normally be attending the Group for Evangelization meeting in London but Doreen is due for a post-operation check-up.

Saturday 11^th – Mission Support Group Meeting, Narborough, Leics.

Sunday 12^th – Morning Service at HMP Gartree.  Followed by a Queen’s Birthday celebration event in Yelvertoft (organised jointly by the churches and Parish Council)

Thank you for your fellowship and prayers.

Barry