Personal evangelism is personal by nature and requires a degree of availability. This seems so simple in principle, yet in our busy 21st Century lives, it may be in practice quite daunting. This is where intentionality meets availability – “Hi, how are you?”
Let me explain. As we think about three keys to personal evangelism, I mentioned in our last post that intentionality is all about the ‘I will.’ And we get that. But get this – If I say to the Lord ‘I will,’ do expect that ‘He will’ provide opportunities to go to someone, to somewhere or both.
Because you see, at the end of the day, our theology must become biology – or in other words, our faith must put on hands and feet. Philip is a great example.
‘Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert’ (Acts 8:26). When the Lord called Philip to go, Philip left a fruitful ministry in the bustling city of Samaria (see Acts 8:4-8). You might imagine a part of Philip could have thought – “Lord, ministry is great right here in Samaria. You want me to now go to the desert?”
The Lord doesn’t even tell Philip who he’s going to meet or what he’s going to do when he gets there.
This is a test of obedience…and Philip passes with flying colors – ‘So he arose and went’ (Acts 8:27).
Here, it’s good to note that availability demands flexibility. Are you available? If so, God will require you to go – which no doubt at times will require flexibility. In Philips case, it was leaving ministry that was going great!
The result in Philip’s case – an Ethiopian eunuch gets saved (see Acts 8:26-40)! But it wouldn’t have happened unless Philip made himself available. How about you – are you available to the Lord…today?
