Jesus Christ Evangelist
John 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees whose name was Nicodemus, a member of the council.
John 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.”
John 3:3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
This is a great example of being a light in a dark world. (John 1:4-5) Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, a big wig with the Jews. This man had lots of power. He was drawn to Jesus, because Jesus was a light in a world full of darkness.
He asked Jesus a question and Jesus was straight up with him. Unless you are born again, you are going to hell. Jesus didn't wine him and dine him. He was not afraid that the man would get bummed out and never return. He didn't worry about His followers dwindling because He spoke the truth. He spoke the truth in concern for the best interests of Nicodemus.
This is a great example of evangelism. If we are lights in a world of darkness, those who are seeking will notice something different about you. They will see a love and peace that you have and will desire it too. However, we must be straight up with people and tell them the truth. We are all sinners and condemned to hell. Jesus paid for our sins when He died on the cross. We can accept His free gift of grace and have eternal life, or we can pay for our own sins in hell.
John 4:7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me some water to drink.”
John 4:8 For his disciples had gone off into the town to buy food.
John 4:9 So the Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you—a Jew—ask me, a Samaritan woman, for water to drink?” (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.)
John 4:10 Jesus answered her, “If you had known the gift of God and who it is who said to you, ‘Give me some water to drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
John 4:11 “Sir,” the woman said to him, “ you have no bucket and the well is deep; where then do you get this living water?
This is a great example of street evangelism. I've heard some people say that street evangelism does not work. We here is a prime example that is does and we have our Lord as the Teacher. How about today? Ask the missionary in Guyana who preaches to the crowds with a bull horn. Or the missionary in Slovakia or Italy who attracts a crowd with a sketch board. Try the evangelist in Ireland who hits all the big summer fairs and touches the hearts of hundreds.
Now notice in verse 8 that His disciples have gone to town to buy food. They are too hungry to think about evangelism. However, this great evangelism technique used by Jesus is picked up by the new believer and she heads into the same city to use the same technique by Jesus. She tells the people about Jesus and many believe because of her testimony. (John 4:39) Those who are still skeptical head out of town to check Jesus out, "and many more believed because of His Word." (John 4:40)
John 6:10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” (Now there was a lot of grass in that place.) So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.
John 6:11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed the bread to those who were seated. He then did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted.
John 6:12 When they were all satisfied, Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over, so that nothing is wasted.”
John 6:13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves left over by the people who had eaten.
It is unlikely that a God would want us to perform a miracle of this magnitude. However we can learn a lesson from what Jesus did. Jesus was showing hospitality to His followers, this is a great way to reach others with the gospel. He can be seen at banquets (John chapter 7) and dinners (John 12:2), and didn't hesitate to invite Himself to a dinner (John 19:6). He also prepared a meal for His disciples after His resurrection. (21:12-14)
Many missionaries prefer this form of evangelism because it is a very easy way to form relationships. (Unless you can't even boil water.) This form of evangelism is also used by pastors and church members as a way to reach others.
Some examples of hospitality:
Invite a single or family over for dinner.
Send a cooked meal to a sick or elderly person.
Host a barbecue and invite a few families.
Have pot luck dinners at your church and invite the unchurched.
Contact a local Christian college ministry and offer to buy some pizzas for their Bible studies. The college ministry can post "Free Pizza" signs all over campus. Many local shops and chains offer discounts for youth groups and college ministry.
Invite a college student or single military to stay at your house for the holidays. Many exchange students are stuck on campus for the holidays. Often the food service facilities close during the break and their transportation is limited. The single military person will likely get homesick over the holidays. I was employed at a military base in the Northwest where a few suicides took place over a Christmas holiday.
Make some "Scooby Snacks" for a local children's Bible club.
Offer free water at a local sporting event. Have tracts available for those who might be interested in something to read. I have seen this form of hospitality at a NASCAR event and it was well received.
Buy some fast food gift certificates and hand them out to homeless people. Giving them cash for food might end up supporting a drug or alcohol problem. You can give them information on your church and offer to give them a ride to and from church. Naturally you would want to help place them in a shelter, but I have found that the homeless would rather stay on the streets. However, by showing an interest in their well being, you might be able to persuade them to seek shelter.
Luke 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom to many."
The above statement by Jesus can be considered His mission statement. Although He was God, He was willing to humble Himself in the form of a man. He was even willing to wash the feet of His disciples.
There are many ways we can serve others through our profession and win them to Christ.
Medical or Dental Ministry-Let God glorify Himself by using your education and skills in the medical and dental professions. Whether you serve in your local community or in the jungles of Brazil, you will be reaching the lost.
Finance-Put your accounting skills to work by helping people straighten out their finances. Teach them financial guidelines and to be good stewards with the Lord's money. Teaching/Linguist-Use your skills to teach immigrants English. Bible translators are in great demand for missions and Internet work. Offer to tutor drop outs in an effort to get their GED.
Carpenters, plumbers, agriculture and electricians are in great demand for technical services. Build a house for a low income person in your neighborhood. Add a ramp for wheel chair access for a local church. Help build a new church as a mission project in South America. Or teach a tribe in Africa how to plant and irrigate a farm.
I've learned a lot from doing this study. I've learned that I am not giving myself as the Lord did. I learned that I am not the servant I should be. I have opened my eyes to the many possibilities that I have to serve the Lord.