“Go and Make Disciples”

When I say the word ‘evangelism’ what do you think of?

Do you have a positive response, neutral, or negative? (Take a show of hands)

Consider the person in the street, what do you think their response would be? (If negative, could ask why?)

That passage we just heard is often referred to as the ‘Great Commission’. It’s been one of the defining statements of the church’s mission for nearly 2000 years.

“Go therefore and make disciples, baptising them in the name of the F, S and H.S.”

A strong statement – “Go and make disciples…” That’s evangelism!

I’m presently reading a book titled UnChristian, by David Kinnaman. It’s based on some very extensive research he and his firm have undertaken to determine the attitudes that young people who are outside the church have about Christians and Christianity. It’s very much from a North American context and we can’t translate it straight to Australia, but it’s still very interesting.

A couple of things stand out! In America, over the last decade, there has been a huge shift in the attitudes of young people towards Christians. Ten years ago 85% had a favourable image towards Christians and Christianity’s role in society.

Today, that has changed. 40% have a negative impression, 45% have a neutral impression and only 15% are positive towards Christianity. That’s in America. (Slide 1)

You can see that when it comes to ‘Evangelical Christians’ their perceptions are even worse!

Kinnaman identifies a crucial insight that kept popping up during this research: (Slide 2)

“We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for.”

In their national survey they found the most common perceptions of present-day Christians are:

• anti-homosexual (an image held by 91% of young outsiders),

• judgemental (87%)

• hypocritical (85%)

• sheltered - old-fashioned, boring and out of touch with reality (78%)

• too involved in politics (75%),

• and too focused on getting converts (70%).

Each of these words was used by over 70% of respondents!

Now this is America where there is a very strong, right-wing radical element that gives Christianity some bad press. I don’t believe Australia is the same, but I think there is plenty of reason to be concerned.

(Ask John Lord to tell of his conversation on the train this week to the young gay man)

Stress: I don’t want to get side-tracked here on the issue of sexuality. Whether or not homosexuality is acceptable to God is not the issue I want to address today. What I do want us to consider is the negative impact that man’s uncle had on him through his ‘Christian’ witness. That young man is now hardened against any further Christian evangelism. In an effort to ‘make a disciple’ his uncle has actually made an ‘unbeliever’.

A couple of years ago we were providing ‘men’s lunches’ here in the foyer, aiming at all the single blokes in the units around us. We had trouble getting them into the building. Jason Goroncy went to the units across the road handing out invitations but the men were really suspicious. They said they’d tried Christian things before, and it would start out alright but then the church people would come on heavy with their own agenda. These men had closed off and become hardened against any further attempts to share the love of Christ.

Perhaps the first step we face in making disciples today is just gently changing people’s perceptions of Christianity. It may well be that we face a negative mindset before we start.

From the research that Kinnaman has done he found that ‘outsiders’ wonder if Christians really care about them, (Slide 3)

“They feel like targets rather than people,” he says.

At home group on Thursday I asked if anyone there had ever felt like they were a ‘target’. I’m sure you can guess the answer! Without exception everyone of us said, “Yes!” I suspect I’d get the same answer here! Probably most of us are thinking of people knocking on our doors, trying to sell their religion.

When I’ve taken the time to talk to people at my door I’ve generally felt as if they are talking at me, not to me. I often feel a lack of respect for my views and for who I am. That’s seems to be the experience that many people have of Christianity.

Yet Jesus said, “Go and make disciples.” So what are we to do?

I would really like to encourage you to share your faith - to share that which makes a difference in your life, to share what it is that gives your life meaning and fulfilment.

But the way we witness must always be consistent with the gospel that we proclaim. Our words and our actions must be consistent.

I attended an Evangelism Conference in Sydney some years ago. I will never forget the keynote speaker, Bishop Mvume Dundala, a black African, giving an impassioned plea, when talking about the needs of young people today and the hopelessness so many have, and he implored us to let Jesus shine! Let him shine!

As you read the gospels the life of Jesus shines. Jumps out of the pages - this guy was different!

It’s strange, but people are always, and have always been, naturally inclined to selfishness and greed and revenge. In this world the strong dominate, and the rich get richer, and the poor get trodden on.

And along comes Jesus, preaching and living by another tune. Turn the other cheek; go the extra mile; love your enemy; blessed are the persecuted and the poor. He lived a life of tolerance, grace, forgiveness, freedom.

And ever since, people have been inspired to follow his example. The world has been changed and is a very different place because of that one man. And because of all the people that have chosen to follow his example. The light shone in the darkness and the darkness has never put it out.

Why do you believe?

For me, I believe because of experiencing Jesus shining through other people. My parents, some friends at Uni, and many others along the way. People through history who have followed the cause of love in the face of tremendous hatred and hardship - people like Martin Luther King & Mother Theresa; William Wilberforce & Caroline Chisolm.

People who have known ‘who they are for’, not what they oppose!!

Jesus shines when people put their life on the line, and return love for hate.

Jesus shines when we make sacrifices for others.

Jesus shines when we say to someone, “I forgive you”.

Jesus shines when we love someone who’s been mean to us.

Jesus shines when we bear no grudge, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile.

And where Jesus shines, there is love, freedom, hope, peace and happiness.

“Go therefore and make disciples, baptising them in the name of the F, S and H.S.”