(John 1:41-42) He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" . . . 42 And he brought him to Jesus . . .
(John 1:45) 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."
Peter. Peter. Peter. We hear so much about Peter from sermons and Bible studies. We also talk about him as Christians because we can relate well to him and his failures. But did you know who led Peter to the Lord? It was his own brother Andrew. You see, Andrew came to the Lord first and then he introduced his brother Peter to the Lord. What if there had been no Andrew? Would we of had a Peter?
Jesus called Phillip to follow him. Phillip’s first course of action was to tell Nathaniel that he had found the Messiah. Nathaniel was skeptical at first, but Phillip persisted and led him to Jesus.
Andrew and Phillip. Both shared their faith with those around them. That’s what you call friendship evangelism. It’s sharing Christ with your family and friends. It’s telling them the greatest thing that has ever happened in your life. It’s wanting that greatest thing for them. But it all starts by being friendly.
Are you a friendly person? Do you reach out to people with a smile? Do you say hello? Do you ask people about themselves? Are people lifted up by their encounter with you? What might hinder you from being friendly? Shyness? Skeptical about people’s motives? Judgmental? Been hurt before? Too busy? (Pro 18:24) A man who has friends must himself be friendly . . .
Friendship evangelism is sharing the love of Christ with those you know. It’s also sharing Christ with someone you just met by being friendly. People might be on their guard at first but as you show sincere interest in them they begin to open up. As they begin to trust you then you now have the opportunity to deposit in their hearts the greatest thing you can ever give anyone . . . the good news of Jesus Christ!
Friendship evangelism. It’s building a bridge from your heart to the heart of another where Jesus can walk over!
What if they’re unfriendly? Be friendly still. Sometimes it takes awhile to win a heart over. Don’t take rejection personally. Everyone is worth the bridge building. Hit them with love!
Frightened about witnessing door to door? Petrified about street witnessing? Try the most natural form of sharing your faith. It’s called friendship evangelism. Watch the power love in action. You might be talking to the next Peter!
Louie