Preach Magazine Issue 5 - Preaching to the unconverted | Page 11

FEATURE

we should not attempt to engage in
evangelism. If the trumpet gives an
uncertain blast, who will prepare for
the battle (1 Corinthians 14:8)?

THE EVANGELIST’S DOUBTS
If there is strong and sufficient
evidence for the core of the good news
with which we are entrusted, there
are several areas where doubts will
inevitably affect the evangelist.

DOUBTS ABOUT MY OWN
ABILITY
Honest self-assessment is sure to
reveal that we are not particularly
skilful with words, well enough
read in the Bible, gifted in the art
of persuasion, up-to-date with
contemporary illustrations and the
like. This is a temptation of the devil
who wants to keep us gagged. Of
course I am not competent to do this
well, but the amazing thing is that
when I launch out and expect God to
act, he does. After all, whose job is it to
convict of sin, or to make Christ really
winsome, or to enable the hearers to
say ‘Jesus is Lord’? That is the work
of God’s Holy Spirit. The Lord is not
looking for perfect communicators,
but for men and women who are
fired up with the good news and are
prepared to have a go at sharing it,
whatever the outcome.

DOUBTS ABOUT DOCTRINE
There will inevitably be times when
we are dealing with a topic on which
Christians who love the Bible have
different views – such as other faiths,
baptism and hell. It is important to
be transparently honest. We cannot
preach with confidence something we
are not sure about. Take, for example,
the future of those who reject the
gospel. We can rightly say ‘some
believe the Bible teaches a future of
constant torment for those who reject
Christ, while others believe they will
be annihilated. But on any showing
Jesus makes it abundantly plain that

those who wilfully reject his offer
of rescue miss out on what they
were made for, and face ultimate
shipwreck’. You do not need to
publicise your own doubts on these
alternatives.

THE LORD IS NOT
LOOKING FOR PERFECT
COMMUNICATORS, BUT FOR
MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE
FIRED UP WITH THE GOOD
NEWS AND ARE PREPARED
TO HAVE A GO AT SHARING IT,
WHATEVER THE OUTCOME.

DOUBTS ABOUT MY
HEARERS
How can I engage their interest? How
can I tell the good news in terms they
can really take in? What evangelist
has not wrestled with such doubts?
This is where our awareness of the
contemporary scene is so important:
the way people think, the pop songs,
the news items, the TV. We need to
constitute a human bridge between
divine truth and human perception.
That will require hard work. It will
also be a help if we have a little team
we work with who can offer their
encouragement and insights, provide
film clips, songs, or short dramatic
sketches which can enhance the core
of the message and make it crystal
clear.

DOUBTS ABOUT RESPONSE
The evangelist is in a lonely position,
prone to either elation or despair.
It is important to remember the
sovereignty of God. It is his message,
not ours. Our job is to be faithful
messengers. We can leave the outcome
in his hands. If we are too anxious
about it, it may well be a form of

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egoism: we want to appear good
because of a large response. But the
response is always in God’s hands,
even as we must make the issues clear
and call for response. That is why I
am a Calvinist on my knees before an
evangelistic event, and an Arminian
when I am calling people to respond.
I have now been in evangelism long
enough not to be so prey to these
incapacitating doubts about response.
I know that God will draw people to
himself when it is his time for them.
I do not know whom he will touch or
how many they will be. But like Wesley
I ‘offer them to Christ’ and expect to
see response in some at least. If I see
nothing over a considerable period,
I need to ask myself hard questions
as to why, because the word of God is
living and powerful, sharper than any
two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).

DOUBTS ABOUT THE SEQUEL
The nurture of new believers is
crucial. Who would bring babies into
the world and not nurture them?
But I have strong doubts about
the capacity of some churches and
Christian Unions to take proper care
of new believers. Such doubts are
commendable! Accordingly I will
not preach for decision where no
preparation has been made for aftercare. And I do offer a nurture course
to local churches and CUs to help new
Christians to mature! Jesus covets not
decisions but disciples.

Michael Green
Michael Green is the author of
more than 50 books, mostly on
the twin subjects of evangelism
and apologetics. His career has
included ordained ministry in the
Church of England, being the
Principal of St John’s College,
Nottingham, and advisor
to the Archbishop of
Canterbury on evangelism
among other positions. He
officially retired in 1996.