(“Relational Evangelism”)

John 1:35-51

“(Andrew) found first his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which translated means Christ) … Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’”

(John 1:41, 45)

Heavenly Father, before our Savior ascended back to heaven He gave us a mandate to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). But we can’t possibly carry it out unless You give us both the desire and the ability to do so. Therefore, we humbly ask You to “do so” this morning, in part, through the preaching of this portion of Your word.

We ask You to help us fulfill Jesus’ mandate because Your word says the fields are ready to be harvested, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37).

We ask You to help us fulfill this mandate because our Savior told us we should “beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38).

We ask You to help us fulfill our Master’s mandate so our profession of faith and love might be verified by our obedience to His command (James 1:22; John 14:15).

We ask You to help us fulfill this mandate because You promised Your Beloved Son a “seed” if He would “render Himself as a guilt offering” (Isaiah 53:10) – which He did.

We ask You to help us fulfill our Redeemer’s mandate so Your word doesn’t fail to accomplish what You desire, and thus return to You empty (Isaiah 55:11).

We ask You to help us fulfill Christ’s mandate because His glory and Yours are at stake if we are allowed to fail.

We ask this in Jesus’ name – Amen.

(A) FINDING A METHOD THAT “FITS”

(1) After the great Chicago fire in 1871, D. L. Moody became one of the first evangelists to use the altar call in every evangelist service.¹ From that day to this, many have criticized this method of evangelism, where people are invited, begged and/or cajoled to profess faith in Christ by raising their hand, walking to the front of an auditorium to talk with a counselor, and/or kneeling at an altar to pray.

The story is told of a pastor who once took Mr. Moody to task for this practice. After listening to his objections, the evangelist is purported to have said: “I agree with you, brother. I don’t altogether like the method myself, and I’m always looking for a better one. What’s yours?” The minister was surprised by the question, and had to admit he did not invite people to profess faith in Christ as Savior² – whereupon Mr. Moody supposedly said something like this, “In that case, I like what I’m doing better than what you’re not doing!”

(2) There are many different methods of evangelism – from altar calls, to Evangelism Explosion – from handing out tracts, to preaching evangelistic messages – from knocking on doors, to trying to build friendships with non-believers. Some of these methods are sound, and some aren’t – some give an accurate presentation of the Gospel, while others don’t. The fact God sovereignly chooses to use any of them says more about His power and grace than the merit of the methods, and/or the character of those using them.

(3) So, what method do you use? (a) I suspect some don’t like altar calls, and would be disturbed if we started using them in our services on a regular basis. I’m not especially fond of them, either, despite my years on the camp meeting circuit. But that’s not the point – the point is, what method should we use? – and/or what method are we using?

(b) Some have been critical of EE, even though many of you have taken the training. I admit I don’t enjoy using the “cover” of a questionnaire/survey to try and get a foot in someone’s door – or talking to strangers in laundromats. But that’s not the point is it – the point is, if we don’t like that method which one do we like? What method are WE actually using as part of a strategy to fulfill Jesus’ mandate?

(4) No one method of evangelism is going to “fit” everyone – hence, we need to be cautious about criticizing methods we don’t use and/or don’t like – we also need to be careful about criticizing people who don’t use the methods we do use and/or like.

(a) Perhaps you recall the time David was preparing to go fight Goliath. He was still just a young shepherd – but the Scripture says King Saul “clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor. (And) David girded (Saul’s) sword over (the) armor and tried to walk … So David said to Saul, ‘I cannot go with these …’ (So he) took them off”, and went out to face Goliath with his sling and five smooth stones instead (c.f. I Samuel 17:38-40).

(b) The fact is, some people find that certain methods of evangelism are a lot like trying to wear someone else’s armor³ – it may work for others, but it doesn’t work for us. Some find the method effective and/or useful – but we find it awkward, and/or ill-fitting – indeed, it may actually hinder us from fulfilling our Savior’s mandate to be His witnesses (c.f. Acts 1:8)!

We should praise God some people can use it – and that by God’s enabling grace people are coming to Christ as a result. But it doesn’t “fit” us – it doesn’t “fit” our spiritual gifts – it doesn’t “fit” our natural abilities – nor does it “fit” our God-given personality.

(c) Instead of carrying around a false sense of guilt (by that I mean we might as well feel guilty about not being able to sing, or play professional baseball, as to feel guilty about not being able to use certain methods of evangelism!) (instead of feeling guilty), we need to pray and ask the Lord to show us a method of evangelism that does “fit”! Instead of using the lame excuse that we don’t have the gift of evangelism (which most of us don’t!), (instead of making excuses) and doing nothing, we need to find a method that “fits” who we are and/or how God has made us!

(B) THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS

(1) Which brings us to this morning’s Scripture lesson. You may have noticed that at least five people became disciples of Christ in these seventeen verses – an unnamed man (who many think was John, the author of the Gospel that bears his name) – Andrew, and his brother Simon (a.k.a. Peter) – a man named Philip, and another named Nathanael.

(2) When we examine this passage for clues as to how these five men came to follow Christ, we find that at least four of them had a significant relationship with someone God eventually used to bring them to the Savior.

(a) For John and Andrew that “someone” was John the Baptizer, their mentor and/or teacher. Hence, our Scripture lesson says: “John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’” (v 35). As a result, John and Andrew left the Baptizer and followed Jesus – eventually becoming two of His twelve disciples (c.f. John 1:35-37; Matthew 10:2).

(b) For Peter that “someone” was Andrew, his brother. Hence, our Scripture lesson also says: “One of the two who heard John (the Baptizer) speak and followed (Jesus), was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He (Andrew) found … his … brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which … means Christ). (And) He (Andrew) brought him (Peter) to Jesus …” (c.f. John 1:40-42a).

(c) For Nathanael that “someone” turned out to be his friend, Philip. That's why our Scripture lesson says that after Philip responded to Jesus’ call, he “found Nathanael and said … ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said … ‘Come and see’” (c.f. John 1:45-46) – so Nathanael did, and later professed faith in Christ, saying: “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel” (c.f. John 1:49).

(3) That leaves Philip (a) whom Jesus appears to have personally “found” and called directly to Himself without using a mentor, or brother, or friend⁴ (c.f. John 1:43). This underscores the fact that, while our Savior often uses our relationships with other people to draw them to Himself in repentance and faith, He is not dependent on us in any ultimate way. He’s perfectly capable of saving His own with us or without us. The fact He often uses us is a matter of grace, rather than necessity – it’s a privilege He grants us, rather than a sign of need or weakness on His part.

(b) Having said that, however, it’s interesting to note a piece of information in verse forty-four that would be easy to overlook – namely, that “Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter” (c.f. John 1:44) – i.e. Philip and Andrew and Peter were all from the same town – which means they may have known each other! Maybe they were even casual friends – maybe their presence with Jesus (assuming they were present) when He said, “Follow Me” (c.f. John 1:43) influenced Philip to obey.

Obviously I’m doing some speculating – but you have to admit its possible these three men were not total strangers – and that even if they weren’t friends, they may have known each other, and/or known about each other – so that some sort of relationship, regardless of how casual, may have existed. (15:00)

(C) THE RELATIONAL METHOD OF EVANGELISM

(1) When it comes to evangelism there are three basic ways of sharing our faith. Most methods of evangelism will fall into one of these three categories. All three are legitimate⁵ – by God’s grace all three have been effective⁵ in varying degrees – however, few (if any) people will find that all three of these methods “fit” them.

(a) The first is what we will call the “proclamational evangelism” – which basically consists of presenting the Gospel through preaching.⁵ Obviously we’re talking about preaching the true Gospel – not one of the inaccurate and/or watered-down versions that’s often proclaimed today.

Our Lord used this method – for the Scripture says that “after John (the Baptizer) had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel … saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’” (c.f. Mark 1:14-15).

Paul and Philip also used this method – for we read that “Philip preach(ed) the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” (c.f. Acts 8:12) – while in another place Paul said, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart – that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart … God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (c.f. Romans 9:8-9).

Today people often associate proclamation evangelism with men like Billy Graham, Luis Palau, and/or other lesser known evangelist-preachers. This method is also frequently identified with special events like “revivals” and/or “camp meetings”.

It’s not my purpose today to comment on the validity of these evangelistic events, and/or the accuracy of the messages one usually hears. However, I will point out that proclamation evangelism is carried out whenever a pastor preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the pulpit on Sunday. Furthermore, many people in Reformed circles believe preaching God’s word is the primary way Christ draws His people to Himself⁶ (see Romans 10:14-15).

Regardless of what we think about the various ways this method of evangelism is carried out, and/or those who are involved in it, one thing should be obvious – only a small percentage of God’s people are called and/or gifted to do this. For most Christians, this method simply doesn’t “fit” – i.e. they will never be able to fulfill Jesus’ mandate to be His witnesses by preaching and/or teaching.⁷

(b) The second basic way of sharing our faith is what we will call “confrontational evangelism”. This essentially consists of targeting a particular individual, and then trying to share the Gospel with them, often in a relatively short amount of time.⁷

We see Jesus using a variation of this method in John chapter four, where He clearly “zeroed in” on a Samaritan woman living in the city of Sychar, who had come out to Jacob’s well. First, He asked her for a drink of water – and then, after hearing her response, He said: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” (c.f. John 4:10).

We see another variation of this method in Acts chapter eight, where Philip come upon an Ethiopian eunuch sitting in his chariot, parked alongside a desert road, reading from the Book of Isaiah out loud. Philip went up to the man and said: “Do you understand what you are reading?” (c.f. Acts 8:30) – whereupon a conversation ensued that eventually lead to the man professing faith in Christ and being baptized!

Today this method of evangelism is often associated with activities like knocking on doors – witnessing to the person seated next to us on the plane⁷ – and/or striking up a conversation with people in the park or at the mall. Many times the “target” is a stranger⁷ whom we know nothing about – furthermore, we’re usually “intruding” (as it were) into their world without being invited⁷ – and, more often than not we don’t have a lot of time before they either lose interest and/or the plane lands – which means we usually end up giving them a condensed version of the Gospel (if we even get that far).

One the positive side, God has graciously drawn people to Christ through various confrontational methods of evangelism.⁸ On the negative side, however, many people who have been trained in and/or who have tried to use one of the variations of this method have come to realize it just doesn’t “fit” who they are. To use a biblical analogy, they feel like teen-age David trying to walk around in Saul’s armor (c.f. I Samuel 17:38-40) – they’re willing to go out and “face Goliath” (as it were) – but not like this! If they’re going to fulfill Christ’s mandate to be His witness, they need something simpler, more familiar, and/or more in keeping with the gifts and personality God has given them.

(c) And that brings us to the third basic way of sharing our faith, which we will call “relational evangelism”. As the term suggests, this method essentially consists of building relationships with people before we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them – hence, it’s sometimes referred to as “friendship evangelism”.

We see Jesus using a variation of this method (albeit a compressed one time-wise) when He spotted a tax collector named Zaccheus up in a sycamore tree, and said to him: “hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house” (c.f. Luke 19:5). As a result of the time they spent together, Zaccheus became a converted man (c.f. Luke 19:8-9).

Building relationships is why Jesus spent so much time eating and drinking, and otherwise socializing with lost people (see Luke 15:1-2). Indeed, it was His relational approach to evangelism that gained Jesus a reputation in some circles for being “a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” (c.f. Matthew 11:19) – a label He wasn’t ashamed to wear, as we saw last time!

(d) Interestingly, to my knowledge (which I admit is limited!) there are not many high-profile examples of relational evangelism outside Scripture – nor will you find many (if any!) seminars specifically designed to train and/or encourage people to become “relational evangelists”. If I were to speculate as to why, I would say there are at least two reasons.

[1] First, relational evangelism isn’t as ego-building as other methods – like preaching to a crowd of hundreds or even thousands – or being able to report that fifty people prayed to received Christ at the mall this afternoon.

“I was able to tell ten people about the Lord today, and five of them prayed to received Christ! How about you?”

“Well … I didn’t tell anyone about Christ today, in so many words – but I did get a chance to work on my relationship with a non-Christian co-worker by inviting him to lunch; and today for the first time, without any prodding on my part, he opened up and told me about some of the problems he’s been having at home.” Or, “I didn’t share the Gospel with anyone today – but I did get an opportunity to build my relationship with a non-Christian neighbor by helping him move some furniture; and afterwards, he seemed genuinely grateful.”

I don’t know anyone who keeps those kinds of statistics – indeed, in many circles things like that wouldn’t even be considered evangelism – nor would many think of them as fulfilling Christ’s mandate to be His witness. But beloved, that’s exactly what’s going on – IF we’re motivated by love for the non-Christians around us – and/or a desire to build a friendship with them, so that down the road, if/when the Holy Spirit does open the door, we will have earned the right to be heard, and/or to share our faith naturally within the context of a caring relationship that’s been built over time!

[2] The other reason I suspect we don’t have many high-profile examples of relational evangelism, outside passages of Scripture like the one before us this morning, is because its time-consuming – and many people have the mistaken theological notion that some, who could be saved, may end up being lost if we don’t press them to receive Christ immediately – regardless of whether we have any meaningful kind of relationship with them or not!

We’ll talk about this more when we get into what the Bible says about how people are converted. This morning it will simply have to suffice to say that a Reformed view of Scripture tells us that thing, which some people fear, cannot and/or will not happen! As Jesus Himself said: “ALL that the Father gives Me WILL come to Me” (c.f. John 6:37a) – and again: “of ALL that (the Father) has given Me I lose nothing” (c.f. John 6:39b) – and once more (speaking of Himself in the third person): “You (God the Father) granted Him (Jesus) authority over all people that He might give eternal life to ALL those You have given Him” (c.f. John 17:2, NIV).

(e) The point is, we don’t always have to be in hurry – we don’t always have to rush people through a stripped down version of the Gospel because there’s not enough time to explain all the important points – nor do we have to coerce them (as it were) into “making a decision” when they really don’t understand the Gospel, and/or when they just aren’t ready to make that kind of decision. As I said earlier, the fact some people are saved under these conditions is more a testament to Christ’s grace, than the wisdom of such methods.

[1] God is going to save His elect! Not one of them is going to die in their sins! Not one of them is going be lost!

[2] Therefore, under ordinary circumstances we will have time – not time to waste – not time to procrastinate – not time to put off getting actively involved in fulfilling Christ’s mandate to be His witnesses – but time to build relationships with non-Christians!

Time to become a mentor, like John – so when the Holy Spirit is ready, the relationship we’ve built (by Christ’s enabling grace) will allow us to effectively point our unsaved neighbor to Jesus and say: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (c.f. John 1:35-36).

Time to become a “brother”, like Andrew – so when the moment comes, the relationship we’ve been able to build with our unsaved relative or co-worker will allow us to effectively say: “We have found the Messiah”, the One God sent into the world to save sinners (c.f. John 1:41).

Time to become a friend, like Philip – so when the time is right, the relationship Christ has graciously enabled us to build will become the platform from which we can point to Jesus and say, “Come and see” (c.f. John 1:45-46).

(f) Last week God’s word encouraged us to follow Jesus’ example of building friendships with non-Christians (see Matthew 11:19). Today’s Scripture lesson is encouraging us along those same lines – i.e. to be relational evangelists – relational witnesses – to build relationships with unbelievers so if/when God gives us the opportunity, pointing them to Jesus will be a natural part of being their mentor, their brother, and/or their friend.

(g) Most of us will never be called to preach the Gospel – and many of us will find that the confrontational methods of evangelism just aren’t a good “fit” – but all of us can get involved in building relationship with non-Christians!

And right now, that’s all I want us to do. Don’t worry about sharing the Gospel, or saying something “spiritual”, or inviting people to church. Obviously, if a door of opportunity presents itself, we should take advantage of it – or, if we have been gifted in the area of proclamational or confrontational evangelism, we need to do what we’ve been gifted to do. But for most of us, the goal right now is much simpler – just look for opportunities to build a relationship with some non-Christians.

Witness Hour.