We Believe in the Power of Everyday Evangelism (Colossians 4:4-5)

Good morning, First Family.

If you're watching this video, that means that inclement weather has hindered us from gathering together at worship today.

My name is Andy Childs. I serve as the Assistant Executive Director of your Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

And my wife Melissa and I have the privilege of being members here at First Baptist with you.

And I'm so grateful to Pastor Brett for the opportunity to bring God's Word today.

And I want to pray for him and the others on the mission trip, and that they'll be able to return safely.

And want to pray right now for us, because obviously if we're enjoying this video together, this time of worship,

via social media and all technology things, that means we are in our homes and many of us are probably without power.

So let me take a moment and just pray for us.

Lord, I come to you and I thank you for your goodness and grace.

And I thank you for our Pastor Brett and Lord for our staff here, the deacons, the leadership at First Baptist Toccoa.

And Lord, today I pray especially as we are in our homes.

Lord, many of us are probably without power.

Lord, I pray that you would give us grace, that you give us patience.

Lord, I pray specifically for the first responders, for the power linemen and women,

those who are working hard to restore our power and all of the things we take so for granted.

Lord, keep them safe.

Lord, give them wisdom.

Lord, I pray now in these few moments as we come to your Word,

Lord, we would be reminded it is significant.

It matters that we gather and worship.

But Lord, the fact is we can worship you wherever we are.

And that your Word can speak into our hearts, into our minds.

And Lord, it can live out in our lives even in moments like this when we are interrupted,

when there's disruptions, when things are not the way we had intended or hoped they would be.

So Lord, in spite of all of these distractions, Lord, let us meet you in these moments.

We pray in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Well, First Family, you know that Pastor Brett and our staff have been walking us through a series

talking about core values and talking specifically about what we believe,

these core commitments that define us as First Baptist Church.

And if you recall, we've talked about the authority of Scripture,

the power of prayer, and the importance of community.

It's important that we all are reminded that prayer and Scripture and community

are all an expression not only of what we believe and what we do corporately as a church,

but they've got to be reflected in our own individual lives as well.

Well, this morning, I want to take a few moments and talk about another one of those core commitments,

and it's simply this.

We believe in everyday evangelism.

We believe in everyday evangelism.

Now, I know for most of us as believers, if we were honest,

the word believe doesn't frighten us.

The word everyday doesn't frighten us.

But when I said the word evangelism, some of us kind of went, oh, here we go.

Because here's the thing.

Too often we think evangelism is the call of someone else.

Evangelism is the gift of someone else.

Evangelism is the responsibility of someone else.

But the fact is, those of us who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,

we are all called to be ambassadors for Christ.

We are all called to be salt and light.

We're all called to be fishers of men.

And so this morning, I want to take a few moments and talk about the fact

that if we're going to be not only the church,

but if we're going to be the followers of Christ that we ought to be,

then we've got to embrace the call to everyday evangelism.

Now, I know in my own life, just like you,

oftentimes when there's an opportunity to talk about Jesus,

I may think, well, there's probably a better place.

Maybe there is even a better time.

Sometimes I even think there may be even someone better than me

that could answer someone's questions even better.

So what happens is we tend to default away from evangelism.

And I want to encourage you,

the fact is the enemy steals this joy from us and we don't even know it.

In other words, we hear evangelism and we become afraid.

We hear evangelism and we become concerned.

We hear the word evangelism and we step away

when in fact, if we would have clarity and if we would be on mission

and we would seize those moments,

we would see the joy of the Lord

and we would personally see the power of the gospel at work right in front of us

even as we sow the seeds of the gospel.

So as we take a few moments and think about this whole idea

of we believe in everyday evangelism,

the question is, what does that look like?

I mean, it's one thing when we're on a mission trip.

It's one thing when we're having vacation Bible school.

It's another thing when we're at church on Sunday or Wednesday.

There are those moments when evangelism,

there are those moments when talking about the gospel,

talking about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection,

talking about the fact that that message is not just religious,

but it's relational and it's not just global, but it's personal.

There are times when that just makes more sense.

But what about the everyday part?

What does it look like when we're not at church,

when we're not on a mission trip,

when we're not on a choir tour,

when we're not at youth camp,

when we're not at vacation Bible school?

What does it look like in everyday life

to be the follower of Jesus that reflects the gospel

and tells the gospel, verbalizes the gospel,

calls people to repentance,

as Paul would say,

we've been given the ministry of reconciliation,

imploring people to be made right with God.

Well, the good news is the Bible gives us a snapshot of this.

As a matter of fact,

the Apostle Paul in the book of Colossians chapter number four,

we get to the end of that chapter

and Paul's giving some instructions.

And what's interesting is that Paul,

as he's writing to the believers at Colossae,

the Colossians,

a place that he's not been,

people that he doesn't know,

and yet he's heard about how they've trusted Christ.

He's heard about how the gospel has changed their life.

He encourages them to stay in the gospel.

And then toward the end of his letter,

in chapter number four,

Paul really gives a picture of what it looks like

to live on mission every day in our lives.

He gives a snapshot of everyday evangelism for every believer.

So if you have your copy of scripture,

I want you to turn with me to Colossians chapter four,

whether it's on your phone or on your iPad,

or you actually have a print Bible,

let's go to Colossians chapter four

and look at just two verses,

verses four and five.

And here's what the scripture says,

Colossians chapter four,

beginning in verse number five.

Paul says,

walk in wisdom toward outsiders,

making the best use of the time.

Let your speech always be gracious,

seasoned with salt,

so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Just two verses,

Paul's concluding his letter here.

He's encouraged them.

He's talked about putting on the new self.

He's talked about how we're alive in Christ.

He gives some final instructions.

But right here toward the end of his letter,

he reminds them and he reminds us,

what does it look like when you and I who've been saved,

when you and I who've gone from death to life,

from darkness to light,

what does it look like when we live on mission every day,

understanding that evangelism,

the telling of the good news of Jesus Christ,

the verbal clarity of the fact that without Christ,

the Bible says,

no one is righteous,

no, not one.

And the wages of sin is death,

but the free gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What does it look like when we live that out every day?

Obviously, we can't preach every day.

We don't have revival services every day.

We don't have small groups every day.

We don't have 20 minutes or 15 minutes or 45 minutes.

Sometimes it's just a moment.

So what does that look like?

Well, I want to use these two verses

to walk through just a couple of simple principles

that help us know how we live out this core commitment.

We believe in everyday evangelism.

First thing I want you to notice there in verse number five

is he says,

walk in wisdom.

And then catch this.

This is really interesting.

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders.

Now, isn't that interesting

that Paul's writing to the church,

he's writing to believers,

and he doesn't say,

hey, it doesn't matter what those people

outside the church say.

Who cares?

They're not on the know.

They don't know what we know.

They've not experienced what we've experienced.

So we don't really care what their opinion is.

No, he says the opposite.

He says,

walk in wisdom toward outsiders.

Now, who are the outsiders?

It's not just those who live in a different town

or a different city.

It's not just those who maybe have

a different food preference

or different music preference.

No, literally what he's talking about,

the outsiders in this text,

is talking about those who are outside the faith.

Your family members who are not yet believers.

Your neighbors, your coworkers,

the people you go to school with,

the people that you see every time you go in

and get a cup of coffee,

the people who are yet lost

and have not come to Christ.

Those are the outsiders.

And Paul literally says to the Colossians

and to us,

walk in wisdom toward outsiders.

So here's the first simple principle.

Others matter.

See, church, if we ever begin to think

that somehow it doesn't really matter

about anybody else.

Hey, I've got Jesus.

My family's got Jesus.

Some of my close friends have got Jesus.

I'm good.

Forget everybody else.

Then we are no longer like Jesus.

We're not reflecting his mission.

Because Jesus said,

I came to seek and save those who are lost.

So when we think about this idea

of others matter,

we're reminded that Paul here

is writing from prison

to people that he's never met.

He's a Jew.

They're Gentiles.

And yet their heart for them,

his heart for them is huge

because they know Christ.

And he says,

and I celebrate that.

But he also reminds them,

be conscious of those

in your circle of influence,

those in your city,

those in your neighborhood,

those in your family,

those in your life

who are not yet followers of Jesus.

Others matter.

I think about what God taught Peter

in Acts chapter number 10

and verse number 28.

It says,

and he said to them,

this is Peter speaking,

you yourselves know

how unlawful it is for a Jew

to associate with

or visit anyone of another nation.

But God has shown me

that I should not call any person

common or unclean.

So see,

Peter kind of was at first

distant from the Gentiles

and he realized

by God revealing to him

that others matter.

Even those who are not like us.

Even those who don't believe yet like us.

Even those who may mock the cross.

Even those who deny Jesus

that other people matter.

Why?

Because our ultimate mission

as individual followers of Christ,

the ultimate mission of the church

is not just to gather for ourselves,

but it's to gather so that we can go

and share the gospel of Jesus Christ

to outsiders.

To those who have yet to trust Christ

as Lord and Savior.

Throughout Paul's writings,

we see that believers are pushed

to be aware of the perception

of those outside the church.

In other words,

how do people in Toccoa,

how do people in your family,

how do people in your school,

how do people in your workplace,

how do they view you

as a follower of Christ?

How do they view us as a church?

Do they see us as selfish?

Do they see us as only concerned

about ourselves?

Do they see us judgmental

rather than desiring

to see them come to Christ?

Here's some things Paul said.

He said in 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 12,

1 Thessalonians 4:12

your daily life may win

the respect of outsiders.

Your daily life.

Isn't that interesting?

1 Timothy 3, verse 7,

1 Timothy 3:7

he's describing church leaders.

He said they should have

a good reputation

with outsiders.

See, here's the thing.

When we understand

that others matter,

we live our life in such a way

that we push people forward

rather than trying

to fight with them.

In other words,

we push them toward the cross

rather than pull them

away from the cross.

We desire to see them

know Christ

and His forgiveness

and His grace

rather than rejoicing

or kind of getting

a smirk on our face

about, man,

God's judging them.

That's what they deserve.

We choose to live

in the grace of God.

We value others.

As a matter of fact,

Paul says to the Philippians

in chapter number 2,

verse 3,

he says,

do nothing out of

selfish ambition

or vain conceit,

but in humility

consider others better,

more important

than yourselves.

So he says here

in Colossians 4

as we're unpacking

these words,

he says,

walk in wisdom

toward outsiders.

So in other words,

others matter.

And I'm so grateful

that here at First Baptist

we are demonstrating

that corporately

and individually

with things like

Hope for the Hungry,

with the mission trips

that we do,

with the Vacation Bible

school we do,

with the way that

we serve our community,

whether it's first responders

or school teachers,

I'm so grateful

that we're putting

into action

this principle

that's easy to agree with,

but sometimes

it's hard to live.

Others matter.

But I want you to notice

the second thing

in verse 5,

he goes on to say

as we're walking

in wisdom

toward these outsiders,

the last part of verse 5,

he says,

making the best use

of time.

Isn't that interesting?

Making the best use

of time.

So in other words,

Paul recognizes

that all of us

have limited time.

We have limited moments

with those who are outsiders,

so when we have those moments

with the outsiders,

those who are not followers

of Jesus,

we ought to make the most of it.

It shouldn't be

that we just talk about

the ball game

or the weather,

catch that,

that we ought to talk

about Christ.

It's interesting

because when Paul

writes this,

there's a very precise word

that he uses

when he says,

making the best use

of the time.

There are two different

Greek words

that he could have used.

He could have used

the word chronos,

which has to do

with chronological time.

That is,

the seconds,

the minutes,

the hours.

But that's not

what he chooses to use.

So it's not just

that Paul's saying,

make the most

of those minutes,

make the most

of those hours,

but literally

he uses the word

keros,

which emphasizes

defining moments.

So literally

what Paul says

at the end of verse 5

in Colossians 4,

making the best use

of the time

could be literally

translated,

buy up

the defining moments

that are set before you.

And I started thinking,

how do I know

when there's

a defining moment?

How do I know

what that looks like?

Well,

the way I know

is that every moment

that we talk about Jesus,

every moment

that we help

a person understand

that the gospel

is not just something

to agree with

theologically

or intellectually,

but it's got to be

personal to us

that every time

we do that,

we are potentially

stepping into

a defining moment

for that person.

You see,

if all we do

is talk about church

and talk about values

and talk about community

and talk about prayer

and even talk about Scripture,

which are all core values

and all matter,

but we never explain

to them

how they can know

the Jesus of the Scripture.

They can know

the one who answers

the prayer.

They can know

the source

of our community.

In fact,

we've missed the moment.

Not just for us,

but we've potentially,

possibly caused them

to miss

a defining moment.

So the second principle,

we've talked about

others matter,

but the second part

of verse 5

is simply this,

time flies.

Those defining moments

which are captured

in seconds

and minutes

and hours

and days

and weeks

and months

and years,

those defining moments

are contained

within those

chronological moments,

but it's so easy

to miss it,

isn't it?

Time flies.

See,

I think about this,

gospel priority

really does

cost us something

that's precious,

something we can never

get back,

because if you and I

are going to be

the witnesses

we ought to be,

sometimes we have

to pause

when we don't want

to pause.

We have to listen

when we don't want

to listen.

Sometimes we have

to step into

the messy

and step into

the sin

and step into

the brokenness

of someone

that we would

rather avoid.

We all know

we have limited time.

Yes,

the big picture,

limited time

in life,

but even limited time

in the moments

of a day,

right?

Maybe we're on our way

and we're running late

and we go in

to grab a cup of coffee

and that same person

who's always in line

is right there

and maybe we say,

hey,

have a good day

and they say,

I hope so.

I hope I do.

And just by their tone,

we're like,

oh,

I probably should

pause for a moment,

but I'm already

running late.

I just wanted

a cup of coffee.

I didn't want

to have a gospel

conversation,

but yet God's

giving you a

keros.

He's giving you

potentially a

defining moment.

The fact is

when we look at

what the scripture

says,

James reminds us

in chapter 4,

verse 14,

he says,

what is your life?

It's like a mist

that appears

for a little time

and then it vanishes.

Time does fly.

I was thinking

about the last

couple of weeks

how God has given

us his unlimited love,

his unlimited mercy,

his unlimited grace,

but the one thing

God does not give

any of us

is unlimited time.

So how are we

going to use

our time?

And again,

not just a week,

a year,

or a couple of nights,

or a few hours

on Sunday,

but how are we

going to use

every day

the 24 hours

in a day

that God has given us?

The seven days

in a week

that God has given us?

The 365 days

in a year

that God has given us?

How are we going

to make the most

of it?

Not just for our good,

but for his glory.

You see,

I think about the fact

that evangelism

and encouragement

have a cost.

That sometimes

we have to give up

something else

so that we can give

someone else

what they most need,

which is compassion,

which is grace,

which is concern,

which is being seen

and heard

and valued

not just by us,

but by the God

who created them

and reminded

that no one

is an accident,

that even the vilest

offender,

even the one

whose life

is just such a train wreck

and so far from God,

the fact is

they are not a mistake

even though

they've made mistakes.

Time flies.

But we've got to look

for those opportunities

to share the gospel,

to encourage others

in their faith.

Others matter

if we're going

to be an everyday witness.

Time flies.

We've got to understand

that so we can make

the most of moments

every day

as a witness.

Every day evangelism

knowing that God

doesn't promise us tomorrow.

And then notice back again

Colossians chapter 4

Colossians 4 · chapter mention

we're walking through

these verses.

Notice verse number 6

the first part.

He says,

let your speech

always be gracious.

Hmm.

I've got to be honest

as a Christian,

as a husband,

as a dad,

as a pastor,

as a leader

in the Georgia Baptist

Mission Board.

The fact is

there are times

when my speech

is not as gracious

as it ought to be.

And sometimes

the very moment

I ought to be most gracious

I'm least gracious.

I mean you know

what I'm talking about.

When someone's,

you're trying to be kind

and you say,

hey can I pray for you

for a moment?

And they say,

no I'd rather you not.

What?

What do you mean

you don't want me

to pray for you?

What's wrong?

You don't believe man

you're going to hell.

You may not say it

but you think it, right?

And here's the thing,

even if we don't say it

quite as harshly,

if we think it,

I promise you

the next thing that we say

does not come across

as gracious

or helpful

or compassionate

or mercy filled.

Again, Paul says,

let your speech

always be gracious.

Now think about this.

Finding fault

is easy

but extending grace

to others

in spite of their weakness

is not.

We can all find fault.

I mean my goodness,

we find it with one another

as believers.

We find it with our spouses.

We find it with our parents.

We find it with our children.

We find it with our pastors.

We find it with our small group leaders.

We find it with ourselves, right?

Listen,

I can be my worst critic sometimes.

But Paul knew

that oftentimes

the brunt

of that negativity,

the brunt

of that lack

of compassion

is directed

to those

who don't know Christ.

And can I tell you

the enemy loves

when we do that.

The enemy loves

when we make those

who are not yet followers of Christ.

We make non-believers.

We make people

who would say

I am not a Christian.

Maybe they say

they're an atheist.

Maybe they say

they don't know

what they believe.

Maybe they have

some other religion.

The enemy loves it.

Satan, the deceiver,

loves it

when we speak to them

or we look at them

with disgust

and disdain.

That's not what Jesus did.

Whether it was

the woman at the well

or Matthew

in the tax collector's booth,

Jesus had compassion.

We see over and over

that he spoke to those

no one else would speak to.

He valued those

no one else valued.

He saw those

that no one else saw.

And friends,

can you imagine

what would happen here

at First Baptist

if we allowed

that Christ-likeness

to truly develop in us?

That the least of these

are seen and heard.

That the movers

and shakers

and leaders

who seem to have it

all together,

that they are seen

and heard

not for their accomplishments,

not for their wealth

or their power,

not for their influence,

but as a person

who has needs.

A person who is lonely.

A person who sometimes

is confused and desperate

because it doesn't matter

what's in your bank account.

If your soul is empty,

your life is empty.

You see,

I think about

verse number six

and I realize

this principle is true.

If we're going to live

as everyday evangelists,

if we're going to live out

on mission everyday,

there's got to be

encouragement,

not judgment.

Verse six says,

let your speech

always be,

and that word,

gracious.

The root word

of gracious

obviously is grace.

That's that

unmerited favor.

And isn't it interesting

that Paul says

your speech

should always

be that way?

Well, here's the fact.

you and I

can't always

be gracious

apart from

the grace of God

in our life

working in us

and through us.

So when we talk about

encouragement,

not judgment,

it's not just us.

It's the power

of the Spirit

working in

and through us.

That we should always

seek to give people

encouragement

even when they

don't deserve it.

That even when

they deserve

the judgment of God,

just like I deserve

and you deserve,

that rather than saying,

well, I'm going to tell them

what they deserve.

Let's tell them about

the good news,

the grace of God, right?

Our pastor,

Pastor Brett,

often reminds us

that there is

bad news,

that we all have sinned

and we're separated

from God.

There's worse news.

Worse news is

there's nothing

we can do about it.

We can't be good enough.

We can't be religious enough.

We can't go to church enough.

And then there's

good news.

The fact that Jesus Christ

did for us

what we could never do.

That Jesus died

on the cross

for my sin,

for your sin,

for the sin of

that neighbor,

that co-worker,

that person at the restaurant

that you see,

that person who's

apart from Christ.

And then there's

the best news

and that is that

God's forgiveness

and mercy is not just

a generic general

kind of thing,

but it's personal

and it can change

our life.

That whoever calls

on the name

of the Lord

will be saved.

See, there's got to be

encouragement,

not judgment.

And then notice

finally verse 6,

the last part,

we're talking about

everyday evangelism,

that we believe in that,

that we believe

that every one of us

at First Baptist Church,

Toccoa, Georgia,

every one of us

who've trusted Jesus Christ

as Lord and Savior,

we ought to be on mission,

not just during mission trips

and not just seasonally,

but every single day.

That we ought to live

in the reality

that others matter,

that time flies,

and in making the most

of that time,

we give encouragement,

not judgment.

Then finally,

I want you to notice

verse 6,

he says,

seasoned with salt.

That is,

our speech should be gracious,

seasoned with salt,

so that you may know

how you ought to answer

each person.

Isn't that interesting?

Seasoned with salt,

so that you know

how to answer

each person.

See, here's the thing.

The more we talk,

the more is known

about us,

even beyond

what we're talking about.

In other words,

it's one thing,

if we're talking about

Georgia football,

or we're talking about

Clemson or Auburn

or whatever team we're for,

and we're having

that conversation,

and some of you go,

man, they really love Georgia.

They're really,

well, that's obvious

from our words,

but sometimes,

oftentimes,

in the way that we talk

about those things,

there's more things

discovered about us.

For example,

when we go to Arizona

to visit Melissa's family,

it doesn't take people long

to realize we're not

from around there.

When they begin to hear

our southern accents,

especially when Emily

was little,

and she would come,

and they thought

it was the cutest thing

to hear Emily talk

and her southern drawl

and that sweet little

southern voice,

they're like,

oh, get her to say

something else,

say something else.

Well, it didn't matter

what she was talking about,

whether she was talking

about, you know,

Tekoa or she's talking

about the mountains

or the lake.

They knew that,

they were hearing

those words,

but beyond the words

was her accent.

Beyond the words

was who she was

past what she was saying.

And Paul understood

that as he's talking

to the Colossians,

again, they're Gentiles,

he's a Jew,

he understood there

were some things

in the conversation

that would be clear,

but then there were

things that were known

more beyond just

what we say,

that how we say it.

That's why he says

in verse 6,

the last part there,

seasoned with salt.

And you think about salt.

Salt is purifying.

Salt is sustaining.

Salt is penetrating.

So in other words,

he says,

don't think that

what you're saying

doesn't matter.

We've all heard

talk is cheap.

Well, that's not true,

is it?

Talk's not cheap.

Some of us,

the greatest wounds

of our heart and life

came from something

someone said about us

or to us

that was so piercing.

I've always said

whoever wrote

that little rhyme,

sticks and stones

may break my bones,

but names will never hurt me,

they are crazy

and they are

a pathological liar,

right?

You know what I'm saying?

Because it's true.

Man, you can say

15 nice things

to someone

and they forget those,

but you say something

cutting or biting

about them

or their spouse

or their children

and all of a sudden

it's like you can't

get that out of your mind.

You can't unhear it.

Paul knew that.

So Paul knew

that if we're cutting

with our words

in one moment

and then in another moment

we're trying to tell

that person

about the grace of God

and the love of God

and the mercy of God

and the forgiveness of God,

that person doesn't

hear the grace

because they've been

scarred by

the judgment.

So last principle

is simply this

as we think about

everyday evangelism,

talk is not always cheap.

It just isn't.

Talk is not always cheap.

Those flippant conversations,

those coarse jokes,

that negative gossip,

they are literally

a waste of words

and not only is it

a waste of words,

but that kind of talk

is dangerous

because that talk

can cause someone

to miss

the most important thing

that we say

about Jesus Christ.

Christ.

So talk

is not always cheap.

Ephesians 4 verse 29,

Ephesians 4:29

Paul says this

to the Ephesians,

he says,

don't use foul

or abusive language.

Let everything you say

be good

and helpful

so that your words

will be

an encouragement

to those

who hear them.

That's something

I've been working on

for a long time.

I want to speak truth,

but I want to speak truth

with grace.

Where that really

drove home to me

was years ago.

I was teaching

through the book of John

and I got hung up

in chapter 1

because John chapter 1

John 1 · chapter mention

talks about how the Word,

with a capital W,

the Word became flesh

and dwelt among us.

So the Word of God

that was with God

in the beginning

became flesh

and dwelt amongst us.

We beheld

the glory of God,

John says.

And then he says this,

full of grace

and truth.

Isn't that interesting?

Because I don't know

about you,

but oftentimes

I kind of see

and I don't mean to,

but just practically

I see grace and truth

as almost fighting

one another.

Or I see grace and truth

as grace is over here

at one end

and truth is over here.

And you know,

there's been times

I've been guilty

saying,

hey,

I'm just going to

speak the truth.

Well,

but am I speaking it

with grace?

Or other times

I'm over here

on this side

and I'm like,

man,

I just want to be

kind and compassionate.

I just want to be

full of grace.

But I'm not

dealing with truth.

Well,

the rest of the book

of John shows us

what it looks like

in the life of Jesus

to see how grace

and truth

are not competitors,

but they are co-laborers

in the work of God

in our lives.

That the grace of God

gives us

what we do not deserve.

The truth of God

shows us

what we do deserve

and in understanding

what we ought to have,

the wrath of God,

the judgment of God,

and instead

we have the grace

of God,

the grace becomes

even more powerful

but also we don't

lose sight of who God is,

that He is holy

and He is righteous

and He is just.

See,

here's the thing.

Paul understood

that for many

of those outsiders

that he says

we're to be

wise toward,

it would do us well

to realize

that for many of them

we're the only Jesus

they'll ever see.

So when we claim

to have the Spirit

of God living with us,

we claim to be

a follower of Jesus,

we claim to be

a Christian,

we claim to be

in the light,

we claim to know

the grace of God

and yet none of that's

reflected in our life.

There's no light,

there's no hope,

there's no grace,

there's no mercy.

It's confusing

and conflicting

to those outsiders.

You see,

the goal is

simply this.

The goal is

that for those outsiders

who are outside

the faith of Christ,

who are outside

the body of Christ

called the church,

the goal is

for the outsider

to become an insider

through trusting Christ

as Lord and Savior.

See, again,

I think the enemy

has taken this idea

of evangelism

and we think

we've got to be able

to articulate

all kinds of things

and answer all kinds

of questions.

Well, what if they ask me

about dinosaurs?

What if they ask me

about the different

theories about the flood?

What if this?

What if that?

Well, that may happen,

but here's what I've learned.

If we would just

graciously and kindly

guide the conversation

back to the gospel,

oftentimes the very person

who may seem to be far

from trusting Christ,

if we stay on the message

that we've been given

to be reconciled to God,

there's no way

to be made right with God

except through Christ,

and we choose to do that

consistently day in

and day out,

that our life

and our lips,

that our words

and our deeds,

that they line up together,

that we will see

the impact that Paul

desires the Colossians

to have,

and he desires us

to have.

So as we think about

this core commitment,

we believe in

the authority of Scripture.

We believe in

the power of prayer.

We believe in the

importance of community,

but listen,

we also believe

in everyday evangelism

that really is

the responsibility

of every believer.

So as we think about

what does it look like

in your life

to live out

everyday evangelism?

Just two simple thoughts,

two questions.

The first one is this,

who is an outsider

in your life?

Who is someone

who doesn't know

Christ as Lord and Savior?

It might be your spouse.

It might be a sibling.

It might be a cousin.

It might be some other

family member.

It might be a neighbor.

It might be a co-worker.

It might be your best friend.

Who in your life

is an outsider

with whom you can become

more intentional

about taking those

chronological moments,

those minutes,

those days,

those hours

that you're hanging out

and transforming those

into keros,

defining moments

because they matter.

You see,

it really comes back

to that, doesn't it?

Do we really care

about that person

enough to tell them

the truth of the gospel?

So who in your life

is an outsider

who doesn't know

Christ as Lord and Savior?

Someone that you can be

more intentional

about gospel conversations.

And listen,

understand,

our responsibility

is simply to sow

the seed of the gospel.

The Lord is the Lord

of the harvest.

He's the one

that changes lives,

but He uses

our little sprinkling

of seeds,

our little moments

that we buy up

those opportunities

to talk about

who Christ is

and what He's done

in our life.

That's the first question.

Who's an outsider

that you can become

more intentional about

with gospel conversations,

desiring to see them

to go from being

outside the faith

to being inside the faith

of trusting Christ

as Lord and Savior?

The second question

is this,

what everyday moments

do you have?

In other words,

what's in the rhythm

of your life,

those everyday moments

that you can see

transformed

into missional opportunities?

I mean,

when we go on a mission trip,

we work hard.

Not only do we want

to make sure

we know what clothes

we need to bring

and what the schedule is,

but most of us,

we spend time saying,

Lord, help me be prepared.

I know I've got to be flexible.

Some things aren't going to go

the way I think

they're going to go.

Lord, I want to be aware

of people around me.

Whether I'm doing

a construction project,

there's still lost people there.

Or whether I'm going out

and telling people

about Jesus on purpose.

Lord, help me be intentional.

Well, we ought to have

that same kind of focus,

that same kind of intentionality

in our everyday life.

Those everyday moments,

those patterns,

those routines,

those people in those places,

that we go to

day after day,

week after week.

How can we be

more intentional?

How can you be

more intentional

to transform

those everyday moments

into missional

gospel opportunities?

Now, it could be

that as you listen

to this message,

you realize that

you're one of those

outsiders.

Maybe you've been

coming to church,

maybe you've been coming

with family members

or friends,

but the fact is

when you think about

Jesus Christ,

He's kind of

someone historically,

He's someone important,

He's someone

that you believe in,

just like you believe

Abraham Lincoln existed

or JFK existed,

but you don't know Christ.

Well, can I tell you

that the Bible says

not only does He want you

to know about Him,

but He wants you

to know Him.

That whoever calls

on the name of the Lord

will be saved.

You say,

well, what does that mean?

It means that you recognize

that Jesus did for you,

that He did for us

what we could never do

for ourself.

That He died on the cross

for our sin.

What is sin?

It means missing the mark,

literally.

We miss the mark

of God's standard of holiness.

None of us are holy.

Even the most righteous person

who ever lived

needed the grace of God.

The Bible says

the result of that,

what we've earned,

the wages of sin,

what we deserve for that

is death,

separation from God.

But the free gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ,

our Lord.

So it might be

that right now

you just want to

in your heart say,

Lord Jesus,

I believe you died

on the cross.

I believe you died

there for me.

I believe you were buried

and you rose again

and right now

I want to go

from the outside

looking in.

I want you to be

Lord of my life.

I want my life

to be changed

by your life.

I want your resurrection

power to live in me.

I want hope.

I want forgiveness.

I want purpose, Lord.

I trust you

as my Savior

and my Lord.

See, the Bible says

it's very simple

to trust Christ.

as your Savior

just by praying

a simple prayer

in your heart like that.

But remember,

it's not the words.

It's not some incantation.

It's not some abracadabra words.

It's a full stop.

It's a full surrender

of all that you are to Him.

And listen,

if you've trusted Christ,

do us a favor.

Let us know that.

We want to come alongside you

and help you know

that that's not the end

of what God has for you.

That's the beginning.

It may be that you're listening

to this message

and the Lord's just putting

on your heart

that you need to write

some names down.

There are some people

in your circle of influence.

There are some outsiders

that you're with

on a frequent basis

that you need to begin

to not only pray for by name,

but look for those moments

because time flies.

Look for those moments

where you can give

encouragement,

not judgment.

Look for those opportunities

to make your talk matter,

to let your words have weight

about the truth of Christ.

Maybe you just want

to write their names down

and maybe put it on a sticky note

and put it by your mirror

or maybe put a note

in your phone.

Maybe even send yourself

an alert where every day

or two those names come

and you're just reminded

to pray for them

and not just pray,

but then look for those moments.

Look for how God wants

to transform the chronological moments,

the chronos moments

into keros defining moments.

He wants you to step in

and be part of that.

It might be that you know

Christ is Lord and Savior

and the fact is

you've been visiting

First Baptist for weeks

or months

and you need to join this church

and so the next time we gather

you need to come to Pastor Bread

or even before them

reach out to the church office

or send an email,

make a phone call

or even use Facebook

to send a private message

and say,

hey, you know what?

I want to talk more about

what it means to be part

of what God is doing

here at First Baptist

because we believe.

We believe in the authority

of Scripture.

We believe in the power

of prayer.

We believe in the importance

of community

and here at First Baptist

of Koeh,

we believe in everyday evangelism.

Again,

know that we're praying for you.

I look forward to worship

with you again soon.

Pray for our pastor

as he makes his way back home

from a mission trip

and Clay and Evan

and Josh and Savannah,

our staff

as they continue to lead us well,

our deacons,

our small group leaders.

What a blessing it is

to be part of what God

is doing right here

at First Baptist Koeh.

Let me pray for you

and you stay warm,

all right?

Lord, we come to you.

We thank you

for these few moments

just to gather virtually.

How incredible it is

that we can have your word taught

and we can experience it

together in this moment.

And Lord,

it's not the power

of social media.

It's not the power

of technology.

It's the power

of your spirit

and your word

that makes this moment significant.

And I pray,

Lord, beginning with me.

Lord, you have reminded me

repeatedly

in the last couple of weeks

that I need to be more intentional

as an everyday evangelist.

Lord, I need to look

for those opportunities

to see that regular moment,

that just pattern,

that grabbing a cup of coffee,

that getting a tank of gas,

that eating lunch

at that same place,

and transform it

into a defining moment.

Lord, we thank you

for our pastor, Brett.

We thank you

for his love for you.

Thank you for how he is

diligent to lead us,

to model for us

what it looks like

to be committed to you.

Lord, again,

I pray for safety.

I pray for physical warmth

and spiritual warmth.

Pray that we would be aware

of those around us,

even maybe right now,

who maybe need

a word of encouragement,

whether it's walking

across the ice and snow,

carefully to say

to a neighbor,

hey, are you okay?

Or whether it's,

if our phones are working,

being able to send a text

just to say,

I love you,

I'm praying for you,

let me know if I can help you.

Lord, thank you

that even in disruptions,

you have a purpose.

And ultimately,

the purpose

is to see those

who are lost,

found.

Those who are hopeless,

to know hope.

Those who are in darkness,

to know light.

Those, Lord,

who are without you,

who are outside,

Lord,

to come inside

the faith family.

We thank you

for your grace and love.

Thank you for your word.

We pray this,

Jesus,

for your glory.

Amen.

Amen.