Evangelism: Heard the word...
John 1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
The Initial Discovery
Andrew, one of the first disciples to hear John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus, recognizes the Messiah and immediately shares that revelation with his brother Simon Peter. This moment illustrates two key principles:
- Personal conviction precedes proclamation – Andrew’s belief is rooted in his own encounter with the message, not in abstract doctrine.
- The first “find” is relational – He looks to someone already close to him, leveraging trust to introduce the new truth.
Your Position
- Fear of Rejection or Ridicule: You fear that others will reject or ridicule your beliefs, leading to feelings of embarrassment.
- Lack of Confidence: You feel that you are not knowledgeable enough about you faith or that you are not an effective communicator, leading to hesitation.
- Fear of Confrontation: Witnessing often involves sharing a message that challenges others' behaviors, which can lead to uncomfortable conversations, feelings and confrontations.
- Desire to Avoid Controversy: You prefer to avoid discussing sensitive or potentially divisive topics, such as the saving grace of Jesus Christ, in order to maintain social harmony.
The interconnectedness of evangelism, seeking and finding. Andrew’s swift response to John’s testimony demonstrates that the most effective initial “find” is relational, using trusted bonds—here, his brother Simon—to introduce and validate new truth.
No comments:
Post a Comment