While I have been away for these six weeks I have been reading books on modern evangelism.  Evangelism has gotten a name over these last few years because of the arrogant approach of some.  Yes, there are those who begin telling others what they need without first seeking to understand the person.  For too long, evangelism has been manipulative within a few circles of Christianity; it can come across very judgmental.  On the other hand, Christians have withdrawn themselves from this important Christian teaching and commission of our Lord, thinking that evangelism is something that only seminary trained Christians are the ones who ought to be about this “business;” it is okay for a preacher to tell a person about Jesus’ gift of salvation, but surely you wouldn’t expect “me” to do it!

Yet here in the passage of Acts 11, we see not a manipulative explanation of evangelism but one based on a basic principle of modern evangelism…even though it happened 2000 years ago.  What is that principle – “relational evangelism!”

Peter was questioned by the Apostles as to why he had been seen going into the house of Gentiles and eating with them?  It was Peter’s opportunity to explain to them that God had granted him a vision to eat something that was unclean, even though he was arrogant enough to deny God’s request.  God’s answer (in my words):  “Who do you think you are to say that something is unclean if I have said it is clean?”  As Peter honored God’s request, went into the home of the Gentile, named Cornelius, sat around and talked about his life, shared a meal with him, it gave the Cornelius an opening to share the emptiness that he had been experiencing for a long time.  Even as one who had been labeled as a heathen, he knew he had been praying to God for answer to his loneliness.  It was then that God gave Peter and his friends an opportunity to share what Christ had done in their lives, and this experience was available to all persons.

Effective evangelism is always based on caring.  And caring always comes before sharing.

For some time now I use two Upper Rooms for my morning devotional.  One is in English and the other is in Spanish.  It is my meager attempt to learn Spanish on my own.  Most of the times the daily stories match, other times they do not, such as the one that was written by a nurse in Bolivia.  She shared how that as a child she had great difficulty sleeping.  She said that there were nights that she would cry most of the night keeping her mother awake as she tried to comfort her.  Her mother was always there, consoling her and never deserting her.  The writer explained that her mother gave her such a perfect example of love that as she grew she began to understand God must love her the same way.  It was a love that she wanted to return.  Today, she wrote, she worked in a pediatric intensive care unit for sick infants and children.

Getting in touch with those who love us, who care about us, and who sacrifice for us all become examples of that which really touched out lives.  Most of the time that kind of love comes from our parents (and grandparents), but it certainly is not limited to just family.  When we know that people care for us, they often give us examples of how we can care for others.  And caring will always precede sharing.

Peter was so overwhelmed with Jesus care for him – for his sacrifice for him, he knew what it meant to be able to love others as he loved himself. 

We will never be able to reach out to others in the name of Christ without remembering and re-claiming Jesus love for us.

But just saying we love others is not enough.  Unless we put our love into action, it is as empty as empty can be.

A friend sent me an email that was in the form of a quiz.  There were several questions asking the reader to name the five wealthiest people in the world, 5 Heisman Trophy winners, and 5 people who had won the Academy Award for best actor or best actress.  Then the reader was asked to name 5 people who had made a significant contribution in their lives, such as a friend who stood by them at a difficult time, a teacher who had inspired them to learn, a parent or relative that gave examples of how to treat others.  Then this was written:  “Which set of question was easier?  The people in our lives who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most money, the best credentials, or the most awards.  The ones whose names we can recall are the ones who care for us and have the ability to reveal that care with both words and actions.”

On Friday night I attended the Confirmation Class program called, “Point of Decision,” where I gave a devotional about choosing Christ.  As part of the program Brandon asked the adult mentors to share personal stories about how and why they came to Christ as savior.  It was so touching to me!  I heard stories about family, about church families as small as 50 to church families larger than ours.  I heard stories about parents, about friends and caring people who loved them in such a way that somewhere along they way they realized that this love was based upon Jesus’ love for them.  It impacted their lives and they gave their lives to Christ, each one describing a different process.

No, there is not one way that one comes to Christ claiming Him as Savior.  But one thing for sure, is that one seldom comes to Christ in a void and vacuum of Christian love. 

Peter and the others give us the perfect example…we must care before we share. 

The question that confronts us in this story is this…do we care?

Amen!