Jesus said that the problem is not the harvest, but the lack of harvesters (Matt 13:38). Why don’t more enter the field?
They think no one is interested. We need to trust the promise that if we faithfully spread the word, “it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper” (Isa 55:11)! If we believe that there is no one in our community that will respond to the gospel if taught, why bother? Know that many congregations are having evangelistic success! If others can be successful, so can we! The harvest is white, and there are opportunities everywhere.
They fear rejection. We are surrounded by a culture that is easily offended. Unfortunately, many Christians have allowed the culture to change them, instead of the reverse. This fear of rejection is the most commonly stated reason why Christians tell me they don’t talk to their friends and neighbors about the gospel. We need to be reminded that the opposite of fear is faith, and that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6). Jesus has told us that when we go out and share the gospel, “I will be with you, even to the end of age” (Matt 28:20). Picture Jesus by your side, and it will help you to build courage and brush aside your fears!
They lack training. It has always amazed me that most congregations see the need and value of “men’s training classes,” to teach men to be more effective and edifying in our assemblies, but do not see a need for training classes on how to teach the lost. “Teach these things unto faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2). Evangelism is not complete until the evangelized become the evangelist!
They are not thinking of the lost. Too often we get involved in many worthwhile activities that may use up our energies so that there are no resources available for outreach. Maintenance is important, but so is mission! An individual’s discipleship must go beyond just showing up at assemblies and doing Bible lessons. While these are vital, they are not a substitute for winning souls. Every Christian needs to see himself as “an epistle … known and read of all men” (2 Cor 3:2). When it is time to die, we can’t take anything physical out of this world, but we can take souls into heaven, rejoicing!
They lack joy and assurance. John tells us, “These things I have written to you, that you might know you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). We possess joy when we come to trust in Him and in God’s grace, as we “walk in the light and He is in the light” (1 John 1:7). If Christians don’t possess the assurance of their salvation, they can’t have joy in their hearts. This is the joy that should naturally flow out of us! If one is not confident in his own salvation, how can he ever hope to inspire confidence in others?
They lack examples. To be blunt, the reason why many congregations do not offer classes on how to do personal work is that it is rarely being done. Who could teach the class? If the local evangelist is not willing to set an example and spend his time teaching the lost, how can he expect the members to do so? Look hard at the congregational culture. If winning souls is not an expectation, and there is little modeling of this by church leaders, is it any wonder that personal evangelism becomes rare? As Jesus admonished, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matt 10:24).
We are saved to serve, won to win, taught to teach!!