Zealous Evangelism and Worship

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Phil.1:14)

We often think of boldness as a character quality that some have but not others. Or it might be a virtue to strive for. However, the biblical view of the sort of boldness that Christians are called to, specifically in evangelism, is not found in one’s personality or virtuous pursuits.

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The boldness Paul speaks of is the result of eyes on Christ: “…having become confident in the Lord…”

Boldness to speak flowed from a faith that looked to Christ. Such confidence should be thought of as worship. It was faith in His faithfulness and trust in His testimony.

The testimony of God, His self-declaration in scripture is the place we look to see his strength and kindness, faithfulness and grace, wisdom and humility. By looking to the excellencies of God our hope in God flourishes. Faith is built by viewing His faithfulness to his promises. Strength is formed as we see the strength of our God and King, strength that he blesses his people with (Psa. 29:11).

This is what it looked like for Paul’s brothers to “become confident in the Lord” and thus “speak the word without fear.” We need evangelism that is more than what we know about the Bible but instead flows from a worshipful confidence in God as revealed in the Bible.

Consider the Psalms 96-99:

• 96:2-3, “Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”

• 98:1-2, “Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.”

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There is a bond between worship and evangelism that cannot be divorced. Evangelism is proclaiming the excellencies of God to neighbor and people of foreign nations. Evangelism is done in a stance of worship; it is to praise the justice and grace, mercy and holiness of God. It is not merely telling others of His greatness but declaring the greatness of the Lord in whom we are worshipfully “confident”.

Do you lack zeal? Are you fearful? Do not try to be stronger and bolder. No, look to your Savior until you find yourself worshipping him. Read Psalm 96-99…Philippians 1…or another favorite text until your heart sings in worship. We read so that we are raised to worship. In worship our love is warmed and joy stirred. This is when the biblical evangelism of Psalm 96 & 98 happens. This is when you “boldly speak the word without fear.” (Phil. 1:14)

One final thought:

You say: My heart has been cold for so long; it seems I’ll never know a warm love for Christ as I once did.

That may be your momentary reality…and possibly a reality that has plagued you for months…maybe years. The step you may consider is to do what you know and not what you feel. You feel cold and fearful with no desire to speak of God to others. Practically the step is to begin to tell others of your Savior in hopes that as you remember his love and grace so that you too are effected (Rom. 1:15). This may begin in a small step of writing a letter to the person whom you know needs to hear of the great justice and mercy of God. Take up your pen and write. Maybe the Spirit will use those pen strokes to stir your heart with the wonder of the gospel: 

God sent His son… They called Him Jesus

He came to love… Heal and forgive

He bled and died… To buy my pardon

An empty grave… Is there to prove

My savior lives 

Bill Gather (Because He Lives)

Do what you know you are called to do, while asking God to stir your heart by seeing the wonder that he is and so worship him.

Conclusion

True, zealous, God fearing evangelism begins with putting the excellencies of God before our mind’s eye so that we find ourselves worshipping, and naturally telling others of our Savior.