S3 E2: Not Just for the Extroverts: Real Talk on Evangelism

Foreign.

Hey, everybody. What's up? It's Becky, and we're here with the

Fielder podcast. I'm joined zur. And we have a very special guest

today, our friend and the. I guess I don't know how to say your

title, but like Eric Sostre's wife, we'll start with that. Who

visited us on the last. On the last season for three episodes. And

we have his wife here, who was formerly the college pastor, I think.

And we're also joined by the college.

I mean, I think that is right. Yep.

By the time there's time that transition would fully happen. But

anyways, we're all homies here, and we have something very

special to talk about. We're here to talk about evangelism. And

do you have to share your faith? Is it required? Is it mandatory?

Is it a sin? What is this? Obedience and that. And so we're

here to talk about all the things. So how do you all feel about

this topic?

I'm ready.

Me too. I'm excited.

Okay. So I guess the first question I have. And I was. I was,

do you know. You know, me and my Google Deep Dives? And I was doing

some Google deep Dives, and one of the questions that I kept

seeing a lot of was like, is my personal relationship with God

not enough? Like, if my. If I'm already been saved and I have

my faith in God and I love Jesus, why do I have to evangelize?

Like, is that not sufficient? So do you. I guess the question that

I want to start with is, do you have to share your faith?

I think we just toss it to our guests.

That's so kind. I wish I could sit with someone who is wondering

that, because I want to know a deeper heart of. I just want to ask

questions to them of, how did you become a believer? Did that person

have to share their faith with you?

Yeah.

So I think it's even just wondering if this is the greatest

thing that's ever happened to you. But that's me assuming. Right.

That they think that.

Right.

They could think, no, I got married. That was the best day of

my life. But if we can agree that salvation is a free gift that

we don't deserve, is a miracle that we who were enemies of God have

been reconciled. I think it is also a gift that we would be invited

into the mission of God to tell other people. So a quote that

I've heard before by A man named D.T. niles said, Evangelism

is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.

Yeah.

And So I think it's kind of, I would ask that personal question

back of, of why not? Yeah, I don't know. That's my first thought.

Yeah, that's good.

I mean my first thought just goes to Matthew 28, 19:20. Jesus

says, all authority on heaven and on earth has been given to me

and therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing

them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

What did I say? Baptize? Yeah. Teaching them to obey all that I've

commanded and surely like I'm like combining different versions.

But lo and behold, I'm with you to the very end of the age. It

is a command from Jesus for us to share our faith.

Yeah, yeah, I, I think I agree with both of you and I think a follow

up question that I want to ask, but I'm gonna wait to talk about

that first. At first I want to talk about what are some reasons

why people that you guys have heard or seen like that people have

a hard time with sharing their faith. I think, I think of two reasons.

For me that I've wrestled with and even just like had friends that

I've also wrestled with. Is like I an introvert. Like I'm like,

I'm not a bubbly, super extroverted person. Like it's hard

for me to like engage in those kinds of conversations. It takes

a lot for me to open up to people. I have trust issues or like

whatever. Like the issue may be like if I'm an introvert, like

I have a hard time with it. So like how does that work? And then

the second thing I feel I hear a lot of is, shoot, what was it?

Hold on. I lost my train of thought. Oh my gosh. Yeah. Is introvert.

Oh. And it's not my spiritual gift.

Okay.

So like I, I, I have like the spiritual gift of teaching in front

of a person, not necessarily having a two way conversation with

someone or I have a spiritual gift of, of administration. And I,

I can't like, you know, so like there's, I think that, yeah,

so there's certain things like that, those two that I have heard

and I'd love to hear yalls thoughts.

First of all though, clarifying question. Are you saying

that you, these are your things personally? Yeah, like introvertedness.

And, and I feel like for sure as, as I think honestly when I first

gave my life to Jesus five years ago. Was that five years ago?

Yeah. No. Oh my gosh, it was six now years ago when I first gave

my life to Jesus. Six years ago, I think I, I did not, I did

not even think of those things. I feel like those insecurities

and fears came in after I had been a believer for a while. Cuz

I feel like when I first gave my life to Jesus I was like, period.

Like yes, like let' was. It was just a lot more reckless and

like low key, shameless. And so I think again those insecurities

came in. I am an introvert and so I do, yeah, I do. And I do have

trust issues. The Lord is continuing to sanctify me in that.

And so like yes, I think those are things that I struggle with but

I also have heard of those things specifically in like college

age young adults that they're like, I am introverted, like I don't

know how to, how to do it. And it's not like they're like I can't,

don't even talk to me about evangelism because I can't do it.

It's just like it's hard. Like how do I do it? So yes, both and

yeah, so I.

Guess maybe I'll just throw the question back at you. But how,

how have you dealt with that?

So I guess the. Yeah, so what I've. I think as far as introverted

piece is I'm going to take it back to a personal experience. It

was whenever I first started doing student ministry when I was

at the Grand Prairie campus and I was like the girls ministry

person and whenever I was working with them I just had a harder

time connecting with some of the girls and some of their previous

leaders because I am more introverted, kind of composed in

a lot of ways. And I remember the college pastor at the time, he

was like, I'm not asking you to be like their previous leaders,

I'm asking you to be like you as a leader to them. And I remember

like talking to the Lord about that and wrestling through what he

had said. And the Lord was like, I'm not, He was like, I've

equipped you for.

Yes.

And like your introvertedness doesn't disqualify you from sharing

your faith, it just makes it different and I equip you differently

because of it. And so in the same way, like extroverts that would

have, like they might have their own insecurities when sharing

their faith. You know, like there might be other things that

they're worried about that an introvert isn't. But being an introvert

doesn't disqualify you for being an evangelist or evangelizing.

It just you have to rely on the Lord more in certain areas, and

you have to ask him for more grace to be able to do it. But that's

with anything.

Yeah.

And so that's my response to that, to introvertedness. And I think

a side note to that is also, like, I think I have to be twice

as intentional to pursue opportunities to evangelize because

I'm like. Because especially the community that I'm in and, like,

the communities and friends that I surround myself with. I get

it's hard to have conversations with unbelievers, but

I've maintained friendships with people that don't agree the

same thing that I do. I've maintained, you know, those relationships

and let them kind of see the ins and out of a believer because

they don't necessarily have those circles. And so, like. But

I have to be super intention pursuing that. And because you kind

of can get caught up in your holy bubble sometimes. And as far

as the spiritual gifting, I. I'm gonna hold off on my answer to

that because I kind of want to hear yalls thoughts because I had.

I was talking to my husband Carlos about it too, and he. He like,

pointed out something really specific to me. But I want to hear

y' all thoughts.

Yeah. So. So real quickly, you're. You're talking. So I'm. I

don't know. I'm like an introverted extrovert. Like, I'm

kind of both in aunt.

You know, I can see that in you.

But I think just to kind of give it a broader perspective, because

I love that you shared your specific, you know, you being an

introvert. But I think just oftentimes we could use personality

traits or just like, how we view ourselves as reasons against

not being obedient or not following through with the command.

Correct.

Right. Because I could say, yes.

I don't know.

I'm a father or I'm a. I mean, that's not really personality, but

like, you know, like, excuses.

Yes. You know what I'm saying? That's what it is.

My answer really would just be saying, God has made you an introvert,

maybe. So that way you could reach introverts.

Yes.

God makes people extroverts, so that way they can easily relate

with extroverts. Right.

I guess over.

I'm.

I'm like, doing my victory dance up here. Because I'm like,

yes. But it's right, though, right?

Yes.

I think I am far equipped to reach other husbands, other fathers,

and, like, also guys who've been before me, like young adults,

college students.

Yes. Yes.

I'm in a prime spot to reach them because I've been there and

I can relate to them. Yes. I shouldn't use it as an excuse like,

oh, I'm too old or I'm too, you know, I'm not.

Yeah.

I don't speak the.

The lingo me every day. Yes. No, that's fair.

I don't know. What are your thoughts?

I couldn't say it better because I am an extrovert. I am crazy,

feral, whatever, high energy. And I've watched how I scare off

introverts. They don't want to talk to me. Bye. And I remember one

of my really best friends in college was like an intern at the

bsm, and I watched her at hangouts, parties. She was introverted,

but that didn't excuse her to step into ministry. She, again, that

was the greatest gift she's gotten. She wants to share it with

other college students. I watched her at parties see people

I would have never seen because I'm on the dance floor or

I'm, like, talking to another extroverted person because I relate

to them. I watched her go sit by the girl that's playing with the

dog of the house who wants to be by herself and reach her. And

so that's how it was modeled to me, that your personality or life

stage does not excuse you, like you said before, from being

obedient. Yes. So that's what I would say to that specific.

That's good.

That's good. And the second concern, spiritual gifts. What if

it's not my spiritual gift? Like, what if evangelism isn't my

spiritual gift?

Administration is not my spiritual gift. It's not. But, you

know, Becky sent me some questions, and I got on my laptop

and I did it to, you know, like, I. It's a muscle. I really

believe. I had a friend, I told them I was coming on this podcast,

and they asked me, like, do you believe you have the spiritual

gift of evangelism, or do you believe it was a muscle that you

worked? And I think it is a muscle. I think of our South Oaks

campus pastor, Matt Hunter. Yeah, I'll let him speak for himself.

But what I've observed, I believe he has a spiritual 100.

Yes.

There is not a day where I don't hear him talking about or asking

for prayer for a gospel appointment. He is seeking them out.

He is intentional. And I believe it's a muscle that I've grown

personally.

But I want to speak a little bit on that because I know his dad,

Philip Hunter. And part of it, too, is discipleship. His dad is

an evangelist, and he modeled it, and that's why Matt is the way

he is. And it's just like, to me, that's incredible because it

just speaks to both things. Like, we evangelize not just because

it's a command, but because also, like you mentioned earlier,

that's how we receive the good news, is through people who evangelize

to us. But then at the same time, people disciple us so that

we can disciple other people. It's.

Yeah.

Oh, it's full circle.

I wonder. Yeah, I want to. I wish I could talk to people. I mean,

I'm talking to you personally about.

No, but. Yeah.

Yeah.

So this is real. Yeah.

But I always wonder, like, am I obsessed with UTA and college students?

Because I became a believer at UTA through college students. A pastor

didn't share the gospel with me. I wasn't attending a programmed

event where they share the gospel. My friends over and over

again pursued me, let me know the path I was on was not God's will

for my life. Would ask me hard questions like, how's that working

out for you? And I'd be like, horrible.

Thank you for asking.

Yes. And they would tell me.

Yeah.

What would give me hope and how I can escape the freedom of sin.

Because I think sometimes I always have to remember, yes, evangelism

is sharing the good news, and we are talking about eternity. Like,

yes, nobody wants to go to hell. I believe.

Right.

But I always think about, yes, eternity is longer for where I am

here, but I need to escape my sin now. I want freedom now. And,

like, y' all have seen me and Eric walk through hard things, have

been community to us. And I always wonder, how do people go through

these things in life?

Yeah.

In the brokenness of the world without the hope of Christ. I have

no idea.

Yeah. No, that's good.

I'm just glad.

No, I.

That's really good.

Where did you become a believer and go there?

Right, right. I think kind of going back to the, like, spiritual

gifts. I was talking about this with Carlos, and I feel like

I have, you know, in maybe, like, church camp. I don't think

necessarily in my recent years of being a believer, but, like, in

church camp, I remember them talking about spiritual gifts, like,

and they were like, the evangelists and the teachers and

the pastors and, like, all these things, and they were always

talking about a spiritual gifts. And that could be me, like,

perceiving it differently, But I was looking up the verse for where

it actually, like, talks about Those things. And it's in Ephesians

4, and it starts in, like, verse 11. Go back and read the whole

chapter. It's fire. But the. In verse 11, he says, and he gave

the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and

teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building

up the body of Christ until we all attain the unity of the faith

and the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood. And then

in Romans 12, I think is where most, like a lot of, you know, websites

at least, show that this is where the listing of the spiritual

gifts are. And it's in chapter 12, verse three. And it's talking

about the gifts of grace. And it says, for as one body, we have

many members, and the members do not all have the same function.

So we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members

of one another, having gifts that differ according to the grace

given to us, let us then use them accordingly. If prophecy in

proportion to our faith, if service in our serving, in the one

who teaches in his teaching, the one who exhorts in his exhortation,

the one who contributes in generosity, the one who leads with

zeal, and the one who does acts of mercy with cheerfulness.

It doesn't necessarily mention evangelism there. Yeah, and I was

talking. I was like, wrestling with that with Carlos. And obviously

there's other verses that talk about spiritual giftings, but I was

really wrestling on these two. And Carlos was like, evangelism doesn't

necessarily have to be a gift, but it's a person. Evangelists. An

evangelist is a person that's been given to the church for his

kingdom work. So how do we become the people for that? For the

kingdom of the church, you know what I'm saying? Or for the

kingdom of God. Like, how do I. Like, I don't necessarily have

to become an evangelist.

Yes.

Quote, unquote, to. To evangelize. Like, that's like, just

because it's not something that the Lord has, like, quote, unquote,

equipped me with doesn't mean it's not an act of obedience and

a sacrifice unto the Lord every time I do it. You know what

I mean? And so that. That would be my challenge to people who

are, like, trying. Not trying to justify themselves, but like,

that. That is a roadblock that you find yourself in of, like, this

is not my gifting. This does not come natural to me. And I'm like,

a lot of people with the greatest gifts. Like, you know, I

don't know why I'm Going sports. I'm not a sports person at

all. But like, like, like Kobe Bryant, you know, like, he. His gifting

was obviously in his sport, but he never let up on his practice

for the sake of, like, him being able to rely back on, like,

oh, yeah, this is my gifting. I'm super good at this. That doesn't

mean you let up on the small tasks of shooting three pointers

whenever you're a fire at everything. You know what I'm saying?

Or just because you're not Kobe Bryant, then. I don't play basketball.

Exactly. 100%. 100%.

I thought about it this way. It's like, because you said it.

I don't know why I went that way.

But no, because you were saying, like, hey, just because I'm

not an evangelist, like, it's not my gifting, doesn't mean I don't

evangelize. Like, I think of, like, just because I'm not a cook,

a professional cook, don't mean I don't. Yeah, I don't feed

my wife. I don't feed my kids. I don't feed the pe. The people who

need food. So it's like, it's not an excuse. You know what I'm

saying? Yeah, no, that's good.

That's good.

I would also challenge, I believe, if you might not be sharing

the good news of Jesus going to someone. Can I tell you about

my Lord.

And savior, Jesus Christ?

You are evangelizing all the time and you don't even know it.

You know what?

I evangelized.

Yeah.

I have the best massage therapist out there. Oh, cheap.

They have an appointment on Sunday. My bag is pressed.

Everyone link in the description. Go see my girl. Let

me know. I'm serious. I talk about the things that I love.

Yes.

All the time. You know what? Zur loves in and out. I know, because

he evangelizes us.

Right.

Where are we going today? In and out.

That's right.

So why would we not ask people who are obsessed with Jesus talk

about Jesus? That's not. But culture, and I would argue the enemy

wants to make it weird.

100%.

100 wants you to feel like it's awkward when it's like, why

can't I, in natural conversation, talk about, like, church

was fire Yesterday, last night at the jungle, I had a great time.

Filled us.

Yes.

By worshiping God.

Yeah.

Why can't I tell my neighbor that?

I agree. I agree. And I think. I think it is like, you know, I think

of that. That verse, it talks about, like, if you live for The.

For the approval of man. Yeah. What is the verse? Oh, my gosh, I

can't think of it right now, but I'll have to Google it. But just

like the idea of living for the percept for the good perception

of man, like you will. That is the reward, you know, like the reward

of living for the approval of others, like, that is the most you're

going to get out of this. But if we're, you know, I think of the

Sermon on the Mount, you know, like, if you're being persecuted

for the, For Christ's namesake, like, there is more reward

to that than just the rejection. You know what I'm saying?

And so I think, I think it does have to do with like, being

perceived as that weird, psycho Christian person or like being

rejected or losing friendships or whatever. But I think of Paul

and just talking or not Paul, but just, yeah, it was Paul. Whenever

he's like, everything that I had, I counted all as loss for the

glory of the gospel and for the glory of Christ Jesus. And so

I think ultimately, and I guess this goes back, like, all that

to say, coming back to my, my, the thing that I said I was going

to say that I wanted to wait for us to discuss. Now we're coming

back. Like, no, I had, I wanted to wait until after we'd kind

of gotten a little bit of discussion. But I guess my question

to people who are wrestling through this and a question that

the Lord had convicted me with in this season of, like, being insecure

about it is like, who is the gospel for? Like, who. Who is it

for? Who is the beneficiary of the gospel? And of course, we are

all beneficiaries of the gospel. Like, we received the grace

of God. Salvation. It is a gift so that none of us can boast.

It is for the surgeoners to come back into the family of Christ.

But I also would challenge you guys to realize that us coming to

faith in Christ is also for Christ. That is people coming to

faith isn't. So we can boast on these people receive the seed

that we planted. But it is this person gave their life to Jesus.

Praise God. Like, glory goes to God. And so the gospel is for

the lost to come to salvation. But I also it like, they come to

salvation for the glory of God, you know, and so I'm like, what

is the gospel for? Like. And if your gospel is like, so that way

I can live a peaceful life, and so that way I can be chilling

myself. Exactly. And so that I can approach the throne of grace

with confidence, knowing that I won't be rejected. And if that's

the end of the story, then I think that's a shortened view of

the gospel.

Correct.

I love that because. So I believe missions and evangelism go

hand in hand. There's a book by Pastor John Piper. He talks. It's

let the nations. Let the nations be glad. And he talks about

how missions exist because worship doesn't. Right. So because

that place, that person isn't worshiping God, therefore it is my

mission to evangelize to them, to share the gospel with them. That

worship to God can happen. Does that make sense? Like, I'm.

I'm just tracking with what you're saying. I just lost my train

of thought.

That literally happens to me all the time.

Say, please.

It tracks.

Yes, it does.

I swear it tracks. But, you know, well, maybe.

Maybe it'll come back. Maybe it'll come back. But, yeah, I mean,

I think ultimately you just have to question, like, who is the

gospel for? And I was talking about Ephesians earlier, and I was

thinking more. I was wrestling more about it. Oh, not Ephesians.

Jude. And Jude is like one chapter. Like, it's one. It's a book

in the Bible, but it's one chapter long, which is like, the

funniest thing to me. But Jackie Hill Perry, oh, my gosh, this

is the first time I mentioned her all season. Shout out. But she

wrote a book or, like, a guideline for Jude called Contending

for the Faith. And there was a specific two verses that really stuck

out to me where it's in Jude one at the end of the chapter, and

it says to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present

you before his glorious presence without fault and with great

joy. Joy to the only God, our Savior, be glory, majesty, power

and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages

now and forevermore. Amen. And I just feel like, to me, that, like,

summarized the thought of, like, the gospel, like, who is the

gospel for? It is for the lost to come to faith for the glory of

Jesus Christ.

And that's really where my tie in was. Right. It's because that.

That is why we evangelize, why we go on mission is so that way.

It is for the glory of God. It is for his. His worship, like, for

us to magnify and glorify Him.

And.

Yeah, I just love what you just said specifically about just

reading Jude.

Yeah.

Because I don't know, for me, like, when I think. I think that

is maybe that what I see in Culture. What I observe in culture

is that even sometimes the way we win people, I think can be dangerous.

Because who are we winning people to? Are we winning them to.

Just to be free of their sin? Are we winning them for the glory

of God, like, to. To glorifying God, like, you know what

I'm saying? Like. Okay, I'm. All right. Never mind. Hold on. This

is a little bit of tea. Just a little bit. Okay. So. But here. Here's

why I. I'm not going to name any names, but I heard a pastor talk

about how their church had given minivans to single mothers,

and there was a single mother who took it, and they didn't come

back to the church. But, like, over and over and over again, I just

heard him say, and we gave her a minivan, and she never came back.

And it just. I don't know. In my heart, it was like a big red flag.

It's like, what, are you trying to win them over to your church

with a. Because you gave them a minivan?

Yeah.

Or are you winning them with the gospel that they would be saved

to Christ?

Yeah.

Maybe the reason, like, she got what she came for. She got the

minivan.

Yeah.

Peace.

Yeah.

You know what I'm saying?

Yeah.

She didn't get what she really needed.

Yes, exactly.

That's good.

Yeah.

Yeah. I. Yeah. Do you guys have any, like, questions you guys

have heard in Yalls ministry walks of, like, of evangelism? Why

I have a hard time with it.

This. This sentence that people say to me grinds my gears.

And I want to give grace. Yes, absolutely. But I hear it so often.

I always want to bring clarity. It's.

Yeah.

Like, I know I should, but, like, I just don't want to shove

my faith down someone's throat. Then don't. Like, no one's

asking you to. That is not synonymous to sharing the gospel.

Ask people questions.

Yeah.

Where do you go to when life sucks?

Yeah.

You know? Yes. Like, yes, 2020 was the easiest year to share the

possible.

Yeah.

There's still brokenness in 2025.

Right.

Right.

And so I really. I. When someone says that to me, I'm like,

man, can we just go right now? Because there's a reason, like we

said earlier, Matt Hunter is making gospel appointments because

his dad showed him, but he has seen. I believe it's in Luke 12,

where it says, and when they bring you before the synagogues and

the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about

how you should defend yourself or what you should say for the Holy

Spirit. Will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.

So if you're a believer in Christ and the spirit is inside you

and you initiate in shaky knees that conversation, I've seen

people fall in love with sharing their faith because they

realize, oh, my gosh, that person didn't reject me, or it went

a certain way, or they gave their life to Christ. And then you're

humbled of, like me, like, sinful, broken me. Got to be a part

of this person's story. The trajectory of their life and eternity

changed man. That dog will hunt and will never stop sharing

the gospel. So I think my encouragement when they're like,

I don't wanna. You know, like I said earlier, the enemy wants you

to think it's uncomfortable. All these lies. My challenge would

be, go for it. And if you're like, man, that sunk. They slammed

the door in my face and. Or that friend hasn't texted me back.

Yeah.

I think what wins people over is our authenticity.

Yes, I agree.

Hey, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. If you don't

want to talk about faith. I have a friend.

Yeah.

She knows I work in a church. She knows I'm obsessed with Jesus.

She kind of avoids asking me questions, and she's told me I don't

want to talk about faith. Okay. But then when I've walked through

really hard seasons, as you asked me about it, I say, jesus is

my rock.

Yeah.

Jesus my cornerstone.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I don't know if that makes.

No, absolutely. I think it's, like, doing life with people. I think

I. And I kind of goes back to, like, the holy huddle thing. It's

just, like, kind of easy sometimes to get stuck in your holy

bubble.

Right.

And so I think it's comfy, and I think it's. It's being intentional

and. And going back to, like, being supplied with, like, opportunities.

Like, Holy Spirit, give me, like, give me what I need to say

today. Like, give me the opportunities. Like, open the doors.

Let me meet a person of peace. I do it and he'll do it. You know,

like. And so I think it's. I think it's foolishness to think that

it's on us. Like, I. I have to freak out about this. I need to stress

out about, like, having all of these, like, like, appointments.

And I'm like, the Lord is like, he goes before us and he does

the work. And, like. And scripture is, like, very open to

talking about it. Like, no one can come to the Father or no one

can come to the Son, unless drawn by the Father. And so it's

like you. Even if you did, like, meet with someone and God is

not working on them, like, it's not.

It's.

You know what I'm saying? Like, I'm just like, I, I think it's.

We can. The fear of rejection and the fear of being perceived differently

is like a valid fear, but it shouldn't stop you. It's not valid

enough to stop you from realizing that the potential that

you have is only because of the Holy Spirit in you.

Yeah. Yeah.

Does that make sense?

No. It makes so much sense. And I just want to piggyback a little

bit of what you both are saying and maybe again, just as an

encouragement to those that are listening and watching this video,

is that it is not our job to save them. It is our job to share

our faith. Like, it is up to God. It is the work of the Holy Spirit.

And we do pray and we seek the Lord, say, God, would you break down

the stronghold of unbelief? God, would you save them? Would you

draw them to the sun? Like, we're, we're praying. But ultimately

that's not our job. It is the spirit of God who convicts them of

sin and draws them to faith and makes Jesus is irresistible to

him. But it is our job to share our faith.

Yes, I agree. I agree. And that brings me back to my next question

of is, is it a sin?

Are you sinning?

Is it a sin if I don't share my faith? Like, is. Because I, I

love what you said about, like, shoving the gospel down someone's

throat. Because. No, like, don't do that. Like, please, please

don't do that. Like, don't. Because I feel like I've even, like,

again, I have. I have a really, a group of friends. I have

a lot of group of friends that just don't have the same beliefs

that I do.

Sure.

But I'm not. I don't hide it from them. I'm very open about it.

Same thing. Like, they know my rock is Jesus Christ. Like, they

know that I love Jesus more than I love my husband. Like, they,

they know those things, you know, and so it's like my life of

faithfulness, like, to Jesus. And also, even, even. And especially

in the times where I feel down or where I have fallen short of,

like, the calling that the Lord has put me on. Like, they understand

that I always, like, the answer is always Jesus. Like, if

in sin, repent and go to Jesus. If, like, glory, all glory

to King Jesus, you know, like, they they understand that. And so

I feel like there's something to be said about, like, you know,

like, but you living a life of faithfulness, and I'm giving glory

unto King Jesus, like, that is a way of sharing your faith.

Yeah.

Does that make sense?

Yeah. I was joking when I said no.

No. Yeah. Yeah.

But just to clarify the point, I think what it comes down to is

obedience. Right. Because at the end of the day, like, I think

a good litmus test is James, chapter 4, verse 17, which says to

James 4:17

him, who knows what he ought to do and doesn't do it to him, it

is a sin. Yeah. So, like, for example, I'm walking into Inclusion

coffee, and I'm praying, holy Spirit, is there anybody here who

you want me to share my faith with today? And as I'm walking around,

the Lord puts on my heart a young gentleman who might be alone,

maybe just reading a book. And in that moment, I say, actually,

that's not who I'm supposed to share my faith with.

He's so busy.

He's so busy, he's reading his book, and I'm disobedient to the

Spirit, to him who knows what he ought to do and doesn't do it

to him. It is a sin.

I agree.

And so if I know in that moment I am to evangelize, I am to

share my faith, and I don't do it.

It is a sin. Yes, I agree.

And walk in the freedom of. There's grace for that, too. I remember

reading Radical by Francis Chan at a discount tire and being

like, this is such a good book. Like, I want to be radical,

and blah, blah, blah. Yeah, provide someone. And y' all. This

girl sits. The Lord is like, this girl sits next to me, chatty,

like, same age, like, probably begging for me to share the gospel.

Like, the Lord was like, here you go. I said, I'm reading my book

about being radical.

I'm trying to read about evangelism. That is so. That's real.

And the Lord was like, so did you not, like, want to? And I walked

away, and the Lord encouraged me so quickly and was like, I can

send another laborer. Pray that the next person is obedient

for this girl.

For sure.

I think about that all the time. Yeah.

No, I. Yeah, all the time. And I feel like we all have stories like

that or like, the Lord prompted you to do something and,

like, because. And have you ever been in a situation where evangelism

or evangelism where the Lord asks you to share the gospel with

someone and you're like, so annoyed about it or is that just

me? No, I was on a. I was on an airplane. I was on a flight one

time and I was so tired. It had been the longest week. I was

so excited to be home. It was like a three hour flight and I. I

can't sleep on planes. Fun fact. And so I was like, I'm already

exhausted. And I sat down and there was nobody next to me or on

this side. And I. And so I was like, okay, bet, like, I'm gonna

take the window seat. And so then I sat in the window seat and

then this girl came on. She was like the last person on the flight.

Yeah.

And she sat down next to me and she was like, so, like, bubbly

and just like, super excited and like, just very want. She like,

wanted to get to know me. And I was like, so not a fan of it.

And like, I was like, I'm an introvert.

Like, I was like, I'm tired. Like, I'm so exhausted. It's been

the longest week. Like, I just want to get home. And I felt the

Lord convict me. He was like, you are never going to see this person

again. Like, and you have the hope that you already know that she

doesn't.

Right?

And it was so convicting. And like, it humbled me in, like, in

a way that I depended even more on the Lord because I was like,

dang. Because of my. My bad attitude. Like, I. I feel like I

already disqualified myself from sharing the gospel. But in his

grace, like, he's still going to equip me. And I had the greatest,

like, the best conversation with her. Like, and it. And I got.

And you know, she had. She opened up, like, really quickly and

talked about, like, church hurt that she'd experienced. And

so she, like, grew up in the church and she had a really bad church

hurt. And I got to share it with her about, like, about Fielder

and just like, kind of the things that we do and the posture

that we have and it just like, you could just tell that she was

just, like, really shocked about it. And she was like, well,

like, I just. I had a friend that her dad was like, the head pastor

of this church. And, like, and she just started telling me all these

things that she heard about lead pastors. And I was like, funny

you should mention it. Like, I'm actually the executive assistant

of ours and just got to like, really share with her, like, an honest

perspective. And it was just really, really sweet. And so it started

with super bad attitude. Like, just such a freaking sinner. Like,

I was like, I'm busy. Like, I need to, like, chill and just listen

to my music and try and pass out on this plane. But the Lord,

in his kindness, like, pretty much. And. And I just. I think about,

like, the. There's, like, a phrase that I feel like we say a

lot about the fish are jumping in the boat. And I feel like that

there is a season where that is happening. Like, I feel like the

Lord is giving a lot of favor to us and. And people that don't

know Jesus, that are in a desperate place that wants reconciliation

to the brokenness that they see in the world and the hope that

they feel like there has to be out there. And so, yeah, just, like,

that's good. Yeah, that's just my. My personal story, like, about

bad attitude and, like, evangelizing.

Yes. I remember when I was a new believer in college, and, like

you said, we're on fire. I had this gift. I remember going on my

first mission trip. We're at the mall, and something that, like,

has helped me ensure in the gospel or in conversations is just

finding something in common with someone. Right. And so me and

my friend run into this girl. She's wearing, like, a Doctor who

shirt. My friend watches Doctor who. We're yapping. We're

yapping.

Yeah.

We get to spiritual conversation. Homegirl shuts down.

She leaves us in the, like, I don't know, whatever, buckle. We

were at the mall, and my friend was like, wow, that was amazing.

And I'm like, I was lame. Like, she dusted us off, and she

was like, we. We got to be a part of, like, still sharing the

gospel with her.

That's right.

And really talking about the. The scripture that talks about, some

will throw the seeds, some will water, some.

Will plant, but the Lord is going to blow it.

And I remember being discouraged. And I came back home

and I told, like, my Bible study group that. And one of my friends

had just come back from Beach Reach. Similar thing, like, sharing

the gospel all the time over. Over the course of a week. And he

was like, you just never know where you're at in someone's journey.

And he was like, statistically, someone might say

that they need to hear the gospel seven times before they placed

their faith in Jesus. And he was like, you were probably number

four. You could have been number one. And he's like, we all

want to be number seven. Like, we want to dunk our friend and, like,

be there. And he was like, do not be discouraged. And I remember

thinking, like, oh, I'm making this about me?

Yeah.

Like, I want the glory. And so going back to what you said earlier,

the glory goes to God. He's doing the work.

Yeah.

Even though that girl is on the radio, I pray that she gave her

life to Christ.

Yeah.

But later in that trip, I'm at this junkyard talking to this man,

talking about how my life felt like a junkyard. And, like, the spirit

was just giving me words to say, and he gave his life to Christ

right then. And I was like, dude, I don't even know. I could

speak Spanish like this, like, well, but Lord, I don't know where

he's at today. So, like, the faithful obedience in those times,

even when our heart posture isn't in it, God is so nice.

He's so nice. Oh, my gosh. I can't, like, the amount of times

I've been like, oh, you're right. My be like, literally all

the time. I also kind of as. As we've been talking about it, I

also want to ask, like, what is. Like, I don't know, what if you

don't feel a burden for the loss? Like, what if you legitimately

just, like, you don't have that burden? You're just like, I

know that there's a need, and I know that they need Jesus, and

I know that there's so many people dying, going to hell every

day, but I just, like, I just have a lot going on in my life or,

like, not even, Like, I'm just. I'm good. Like, I don't. What

if you don't have a burden for the lost?

I think you just need to pray, honestly, like, because I just think

of the. I don't know, like, it really is, like, would we just begin

to pray? God, would you break my heart for what breaks yours? Like,

would you? Because I think we need to ask. We need to say God,

yeah. Right now, I am not burdened for the lostness around

me. So would you just open up my eyes to see the brokenness? And

then, honestly, I think what it needs. What if. If somebody's

at a point where they're saying, I'm not broken for the lost

around me, I think. I think genuinely they need to ask, am I

broken over the sin in my own life? Because the reality is, is

probably there might be unconfessed sin. There might be just

not realizing that, like, man, I'm taking lightly the mercy and

grace of God. Like, those are some serious questions. Because I

think when we realize our brokenness, it helps us. Well, one,

we receive men like, man, what A great mercy and grace I receive

from God. But then it opens up our eyes to say, like, man, I'm not.

It's not just me. There's a lot of brokenness around me.

Yeah.

I need to share my faith.

No, I agree. What do you.

This verse is in my mind and I can't find it. There's a verse that

Paul talks about, like, the prayer could even be to get to that

place where he's like, I basically, I would be without Christ

for you. If you could come to Christ, I would give it to you. I'm

butchering that verse.

Yeah.

Edited in later. Put it up on the screen, end up the same.

Just kidding.

But there's that verse comes to mind.

Yeah.

That Paul was so burning for people that he would rather not even

be with Christ. So. Than they could.

Yes.

Is a place I don't even know if I can get to at this point. But

when you. I think I would. I want to just talk to these people

that have these questions because I would ask them about the

people in their life that they know. Don't know Christ. And I would

ask them how they're doing. Because the friend I mentioned earlier

who's like, conjurice. I would easily. I feel the way Paul feels

because I've done life with her and I love. My love for her has

continued to grow.

Yeah.

Be like. So I think I would agree with you. Wednesday nights,

James Plug is a great place. We pray for the loss every week.

Yeah.

And it's been cool because I might get the element. I might find

a name that I wrote down.

Yeah.

But seeing the different handwriting, seeing the different

people that. And I don't know if it's a co worker. I don't know

if it's a family member. Sometimes people put notes. But my

favorite thing is when I get a name that, like, I know. Oh, this

is Becky's friend.

Yeah.

Or this is my friend's husband.

Yeah.

That I can participate in praying for. That has burdened me

more for. Yes.

That's good.

I agree.

Shameless Plug.

No, I agree.

Night prayer gathering.

Yeah, I agree. And I think. I think a lot about. For example, I

feel like we've used this reference before, but. For example,

my husband. I'm obsessed with him. I love him. He's the best. I

love him so much. I talk about him as you should. I talk about him

now. I'm talking about him right now. Like, you know, and so

I feel like you are.

Hold on. Sorry. Sorry. The image just came in my mind. We're

at community group and we're watching John Mark Comer, and I just

look over, you know, they're playing with seeds and they're playing,

they're holding hands. So when she says she upsets, I'm like, oh,

she obsessed.

We have video content.

We have evidence of that obsession, guys. Guilty as charged.

But what I'm saying is, like, I'm going to talk about him because

I love him and because I spend a lot of time with him. And, and

so I feel like the more time you spend with Jesus, the more time

you spend in prayer, the more time you spend. Like, that is ultimately,

like, our goal is like, to be more like Christ. Like, that is sanctification.

Like, correct. And so you, you become who you are around. And so

I feel like your prayer life, if you're like, if your answer is

like, I just don't feel a burden for the lost, I would challenge

you, examine your prayer life. Like, what does that look like? Is

it. And I'm not going to say it's a sin for you to pray against

your personal issues. Like, if you're having personal issues, like,

or if you're having, like, it's really hard circumstances, you

know, health, like relationships, whatever it may be,

finances, like, there, there's so many things that you can be suffering

with that are, that are kind of keeping you in that place. But

I just think that if your prayer life a lot of times is focused

on your own personal, like, time, then I would challenge you

to try and invite other people into your prayer time. Like, let

me pray for my dad who doesn't know Jesus, or let me pray for so

and so who I know is going through a hard time. Or let me pray

for this person that they would give their life to Christ one

day. Like, invite other names into your prayer time and just see

what the Lord does with that. Because I feel like if you're like,

I'm not burdened for the lost, then maybe you're just surrounded

that you just, you forget that that is a need, you know, like, because

you're just not surrounded by it and you're not reminding yourself

of that.

Complacent.

Exactly.

Exactly.

So, yeah, that's just another question. Is being discipled mandatory,

too? I don't know if that's a word I feel like I've heard. Like.

Like, yeah, decide. Like, I'm.

I am a disciple.

I am a disciple. Yeah, I'm being discipled. I'm discipling.

Whatever. Is it necessary? Like, you know, it's kind of off

Topic, but I'm gonna bring it in anyways. Is it necessary?

I mean, yes.

Play blank period.

I just want to go back. Matthew 28:18 to 20. Jesus says,

Matthew 28:18–20

all authority, heaven and earth, go and make disciples. And

I think, just to clarify, right, Like, Jesus is not saying

just to make converts of a religion, right? He's saying, go

and walk with people. Show them what it means to follow me.

Meaning, not just like, what did Jesus say? What does it mean

to follow him? Deny yourself, pick up your cross, and then follow

me. Would you walk with somebody to the point that they're

recognizing that Jesus is their only. Like, should be their

only aim in life, that they're willing to give up everything for

the sake of knowing him? That's what discipleship is. That's

what making a disciple is like walking them along that line. I would

just say, yes, like, that. That is what we are called to. It's

not just. I don't know. I don't want to get flabber. But, you

know, I don't want to just say, hey, let's just, you know, like,

I'm just trying to share my faith so that way somebody can sit

in a. In a. In a pew or sit in a seat at church. Like, no, we're

called to not just get them saved, but sin. You know, that's

what we talk about here. Like, they're saved to be sent.

Yes.

Not just saved from their sin, but saved for a purpose.

Yeah. No, that's great.

I'm currently on the discipleship team because to me,

it could take a level of audacity to say, I'm good. I got

this Christian thing figured out. I don't need help. Because when

I think of discipleship or the people that are investing in me or

my community group, it is people that are spurring me on to

love and good works. It's people who are helping me understand

not just what's this question I have in the Bible, but keeping

me accountable. I have blind spots. They're called blind spots

for a reason. People to tell you, hey, you came off kind of sassy

last night. Like, are you good? And me for. Just say, no, I'm

irritable. I'm. You know, I think sometimes people can think

that, like, I'm saved, like, I'm good. This is the finish line.

But it's the starting line. You can't say, I ran a marathon just

by starting one. You didn't. And God talks about and gives illustrations

of, like, run the race with endurance. Our life is a race And

I can't run this race.

Yeah.

Without me pulling over to the side and Becky holding my leg when

I have a Charlie horse, you know, Like, I can't run the race

without people cheering me on with signs, you know, giving me water.

And to me, that is what discipleship and community is, is

people to help me run the race.

Yeah.

That would be my answer of yeah. Do I have to be discipled?

Yeah. Yeah.

I think it's a heart posture thing of.

Are you humble enough to be.

Are you okay? Yeah. Like, I don't want to evangelize. I don't

want to be discipled. Do you want to follow Christ? I don't know.

Yeah. Yeah.

Like. Like, it's not supposed to be easy. Yeah.

Counting the cost. Like, if. If. If the Lord were to tell you,

like, I don't know. It's just. I. I just. I. And I think, like,

if we were to ask ourselves that question, like, let's say, hypothetically,

like, I'm at freaking Kroger or something, and. And there's, like,

a cashier there, and the Lord puts it on my heart. Like, I want

you to share the gospel. Like, share the gospel. I will give you

the words to say. And I argue with him. Like, I. Sometimes I feel

like it's easier for us to say no to the Holy Spirit, but it's like,

the Holy Spirit is God. Like, if God and all of his majesty was

right there in front of you, it's okay. If God, all of his majesty

was right there in front of you, like, you know, would you also

say no? You know what I'm saying? Like, I think it's just a

posture of, like, whenever I find myself quenching the spirit,

I need to remind myself, like, this is the Holy Spirit. This is

God in all his glory and his majesty, Jesus Christ, the founder

and perfecter of my faith. This is the person that I'm saying

no to. What am I valuing more than this, than my obedience? Does

that make sense?

No. That makes sense.

So anyways, that's good.

Yeah. I think scripture that comes to mind, too, is his commandments

are not burdensome. Yes. So these things he's asking you to do,

even in the front, it might be a cost or it might be hard. Will

bring you so much joy in obeying Tiger once you step into

it. It does take that act of faith. And something Zur and I were

talking about the other day, too, as we want to minister to young

people. And I never wanted to be this person of, like, it's your

Generation. Because people say that to me, and I'm like, what? You

can't blame a whole generation. But I am observing, due

to technology or different things, that maybe my younger friends

are growing up that I didn't have. Yeah. Even initiating a conversation

with a stranger or someone they don't know as well is terrifying.

So to me, to ask a college student to be like, let's go evangelize.

Let's share the rest.

Let's find people that is. That is a handy. And jump.

Yeah. It's like skydiving for them. Yeah. Yeah.

The first jump was just initiating a conversation with a

stranger is what I feel like I'm teaching students now. And then

it's asking the question, what's your spiritual background?

Like, you got a faith? Because like you said earlier, you talk about

Carlos, I talk about Eric. I'm upset. And so why? Why not? And so

I think even giving the grace to know, what are the fears? What

are the excuses? And saying, that's okay. Let's do this together.

And that's what discipleship.

Yes. Yeah.

That's what community is for. You're not alone. I can walk away,

like, me and my friend at the mall and be like, I mean, I was discouraged.

Then she encouraged me of, like, we did it. Like, we were obedient.

Yeah.

Just your sandals. She was a person of peace.

Yes. And I think obedience, like, is the reward.

Yes.

So, like, even if you, like, can't see the results of your obedience

or, like, they do reject you or they spit in your face, whatever

it is, like, let obedience be the reward. Like, that your actions

gave glory to King Jesus. And so I also think a lot about this

verse. I feel like the Lord has really been like. Like etching

this verse into my brain recently of just, like, restore to

me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to

sustain me like God. I ultimately, like, I need God to help

me be obedient. Like, I need the spirit in that, too. And so,

like, there's. There's freedom in that. And knowing that we can't

do this and knowing that if you feel ill equipped, join the club.

Like, that's. That's literally all of us. And so, yeah, I would

just, I guess, like, my final challenges to anyone listening that

might be trying to feel, like, shame or guilt or anything like that.

Shame is not from the Lord. Reject that. Rebuke that in Jesus

name there is grace, and that there is forgiveness and repentance.

And so I guess my challenge to y' all would be if you don't feel

a burden for the lost. Pray for it. Ask the Lord to bring that

in your heart and ask the Lord for opportunities like, and exercise

it like a muscle. And if you don't know how to do it or you feel

ill equipped, you're allowed to ask for help. Like, you're allowed

to ask someone, like, hey, I've noticed that this seems to be

really easy for you. Like, can you help me? And like, let the Lord

use someone else to come alongside you in that process. That

is discipleship. That is the purpose of community. So, yeah, those

would be my final thoughts.

I love that. Yeah. Any final thoughts for me would really just

be. I think we have incredible resources.

Yeah.

Incredible people here at Fielder Church. And so again, just

for anybody listening, anybody that's watching the YouTube video,

reach out to us. We would love to walk alongside you to give you

the resources to train you up, to go with you to evangelize. Because

there is a lost and dying world and we want to do it with you.

Yeah, yeah, I agree.

Let's go to ETA together. Hey, I'll bring my stroller. I think two

verses that come to mind out of Matthew. You know, we are memorizing

scripture together as a church, as a community, and one of

them that we're not there yet. That I don't say this to shame you,

but I want to bring a reality that in Matthew 10:33 it says, but

Matthew 10:33

whoever denies me before men, I will also deny before my Father

who is in heaven. And so having the boldness to say, I'm not

ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of salvation for those

who believe. Yes, there's power in sharing the gospel, but

like we said earlier, you, if you're a believer, you have the Holy

Spirit, he's going to give you everything you need. You're still

within.

Yeah.

So like, the next one that we are memorizing is saying, like, therefore

let your light shine before men that they may see your good works

and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Yes.

Yeah, that's my final thoughts.

I don't know what else.

Let's speak.

No, I agree, I agree. I was also thinking like, if you are, if

you're listening to this and you're like, ah, this doesn't really

apply to me. Or you're kind of, maybe not hard hearted to it,

but you're just like in one ear, out the other kind of thing.

I'm going to read Hebrews 10:26. For if we go on sinning deliberately

Hebrews 10:26

after receiving the knowledge of the truth. There no longer remains

a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment and

a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. And again,

this isn't. Not to. This isn't to shame you necessarily, but just,

like, something to consider. Like, the gravity, the value that

the Lord places on sharing our faith and on the gospel. Like, like,

he. I. I think, like one of our pastors said one time about how

the Lord chose his people to be the method for the gospel to be

sent. And so it's like, you're chosen for this. Like, and so even

if you don't feel it or you feel inadequate or there's fear,

like, just remind yourself of that. Like, I have been chosen for

this. Like, the Lord has selected me to do this. And so let

your obedience be that. Like, don't continue to, like, quench the

spirit. Don't continue to be disobedient when the Lord is ask

to move forward in those conversations. So.

Oh, yeah, and to quote, sorry, go ahead.

Well, send us stories. If you're, like, encouraged by this,

and you're like, man, I went and the Lord did answer my prayer.

We want to hear about it. We want to praise God.

Amen.

For sure.

I agree.

And to quote the great Jenny Allen, she said, wake up, because

the church is plan A. There is no plan B.

Yes, that's right.

We got to go.

But. Okay, now let's go. We're going Kroger, right?

I'm going to uta.

Thank you guys for listening. We hope that this encouraged and

challenged you and maybe even invited you to have some good time

in prayer with King Jesus and ask him to convict you or to reveal

anything in your heart that's preventing you from seeing the value

of it. And for those who are, like, excited about this opportunity,

we're excited with you. We're here to support you and to evangelize

with you. So please, like, reach out. Let us know how we can

help. And we just love you guys so much.

Love, y' all.

Peace.

Peace.