Dear Friends in Christ at Peace Lutheran,

Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord (2 Tim. 1:6-8).  With these words, St. Paul encourages young Timothy to speak the good news of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We call this evangelism. WAIT! PLEASE, DON’T STOP READING NOW! There is still more I would like you to consider.

 Doing the work of an evangelist is spoken about in the Bible. Yet, for some reason, we often think it applies to someone else and not to us personally. In his book, Getting Closer to God, Pastor Don Ginkel uses this illustration. "Imagine that you are trapped in a large burning building in your community. Both your legs are broken, all your ribs are cracked (we're going to make this real bad), you can hardly breath, you are pinned to the floor, fire is everywhere, you are ready to give up and die, and someone rescues you. "Could you imagine later on one of your friends saying to you, 'Hey, how did you get rescued?' And you reply, 'I'm not going to tell you. It's a secret. Don't embarrass me by having to tell.' "Would you do that? Then why are you embarrassed to tell about your biggest Rescuer who saved you from the biggest fire, the fire of hell, who is your very, very best Friend and Savior, to whom you owe your life now and forever in heaven, Jesus Christ? My friend, it's time for you to stop being embarrassed about Jesus! You have a story to tell, and you know some people who are 'dying' to hear it! Tell it! Please?"

 Still wondering whom you could tell? Thomas Ranier in Outreach magazine writes: "One of the most underestimated reasons people return to the Church is that someone simply invited them back. Overall, 41% of the formerly churched said that they would return to the local church if a friend or acquaintance invited them. Younger adults are even more influenced by the power of the invitation. About 60% of those 18- 35 would consider returning to church if someone they knew asked them to come back."

 So whom will you invite to come and worship with you? Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you, Paul writes. What gift of God? The gift of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The joy which knowing Christ gives to you and that you want others to have as well. The forgiveness of sins you know Jesus promised you through faith and that is available for everyone else who comes to Him. An eternal heavenly home which Jesus promised you He is making ready for you and that He will come and take you to be with Himself there. This same gift is for all whom come to Christ in faith.

 So, why invite them? Don’t most people already know about Christ? Some do, but many don’t know Him other than as an expletive to be uttered when frustrated or to provide emphasis during conversation. They need someone they know and trust to invite them to worship and to trust the Lord who loves them.

 Why you? A better question is, why not you? You already have a relationship with them. Who better to invite them? Paul reminds us: God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord. Do not be ashamed to testify about the love of Jesus Christ. He is with you always, just as He promised. His blessings are for you, but for others as well. So go and tell, the wonders of His love.

Pastor Sollie