JERUSALEM
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When Jesus told his disciples that they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea & Samaria and unto the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), He was speaking of a pattern in which God's people can evangelize the world. The important thing is to remember that the whole world needs to hear the gospel!
Jerusalem was an obvious starting place for the disciples. It was their neighbourhood. It was right where they were. And that's where we begin too. What's our task? Our village, hometown or city. Our neighbours, friends, colleagues and our families desperately need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The shop assistants, bus drivers, mothers and elderly people you see every day are within reach of us.
Whether you give a tract, debate the things of God or simply stand up for what's right, you are called to be a witness. It may be sharing your testimony or it could be something much more active. Just take a few examples. The love and justice of Christ might burden you for the plight of the homeless, or the victims and perpetrators of crime, or the unemployed and hard-to-employ. Jesus might stir you to engage yourself in the issues of poverty, medical care, hunger, abortion, unwed mothers, run-away kids, pornography, family disintegration, child abuse, divorce, hygiene, education at all different levels, drug abuse and alcoholism, environmental concerns, terrorism, prison reform, moral abuses in the media and business and politics.
Pray for opportunities to share the gospel with people immediately around you. The truth can transform the culture we live in. The Holy Spirit will guide you and speak through you as you witness. Just as God promised Moses that He would teach him what to say to Pharaoh, so He promises to give you the words, as you begin to evangelize your 'Jerusalem'.
John Piper suggests there's also a very practical reason for being a seriously active Christian right where you are. It is very hard to take a gospel message from the UK to an unreached people overseas if the UK has the reputation of being just as corrupt as other countries. The engagement of the church in the transformation of its own domestic front may go a long way to creating some credibility for the messengers we send to the frontiers, to other countries, with a gospel we say is transforming. Domestic ministries are a means to the credibility of worldwide missions.
A great way of moving on from sharing with just your friends and family is to pray and ask God for the people in your church or youth group to start an evangelism team. Maybe your church has outreach ministries, perhaps open-air events. Get involved - make yourself available to the leadership of your church. After you have a team (even two will do) - pray together and ask God to reveal a place for you to go and witness in. It could be anywhere! Take tracts with you or even make your own. People may have a lot of questions and arguments! They may be atheist, Muslim, they may even be angry at God for something they have seen or that has happened in their life.
Most importantly, remember that the disciples in the bible weren't 'old guys' with long beards, balding and a walking staff. They were young, enthusiastic, passionate, full of zeal for God and would stop at nothing to share the gospel with the 'lost' of the world. They pointed people to Jesus. Nor did they go in their own strength. They went in the power of the Lord, full of faith and the Spirit. It's not by might or strength that we witness - but by the Holy Spirit. This is God's work; you're just a vessel for Him.
All around us there are opportunities. On the streets, where we live and where we study, certainly where we work. This is our Jerusalem, a generation in the west that knows nothing of the love and mercy of God. You're the historymaker he wants to use to shine His love into those hearts.
THE WAY OF THE MASTER
150,000 people die every 24 hours — most without the Savior. We are deeply concerned that so few Christians reach out to the lost. Statistics show that this is as low as 5%. One of the reasons for this is that many don't feel equipped. As a ministry, our sole purpose is to inspire and equip Christians—to teach them how to share the gospel simply, effectively, biblically... the way Jesus did.
EVANGELISM TEAM
We believe that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We are Christ's hands, we are His feet, we are His voice. Jesus told us, "even as the Father hath sent Me so send I you." We are to emulate Jesus Christ as Believers and go to the people and places Christ went, starting in our community and spreading outward to the uttermost parts of the earth. It is every Christian's responsibility to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are here to help equip and empower you to compel all men.
DAVID HAMILTON
In big demand as a speaker in many parts of the world, ex-terrorist, David Hamilton has been used powerfully by God as an evangelist. Well known for street witnessing and now a Pastor of Heaton Chapel Christian Church in Manchester, David's heart is still for the lost. Here you can download his notes on evangelism from a biblical and practical perspective.
