Evangelism Chain

Evangelism Chain

⁴³ The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” ⁴⁶ And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

John 1:43-46

How strange it must have been to be in a crowd listening to this interesting man and then having him single you out from the whole crowd to say ‘Follow Me.’ But that’s exactly what happened to Philip. This was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and so he was still very much unknown but his words were already heart stirring and it must have been a shock to Philip to hear those words. It appears that Philip didn’t even have to think about it but heartedly joined this new preacher. Even more than that, Philip couldn’t help but tell another, Nathanael.

And so it begins, the chain of evangelism. Jesus called one man who went and called another. Both of those two would call others who in turn would call others. And that is how the church grew into a worldwide movement.

The times have changed. Technology has increased and the world has gotten smaller in terms of communication but this chain is still the greatest tool that God uses. God uses people to get people. He could send out angels or make the rocks speak and although he’d maybe get a bigger response, most would be followers of fear and not of relationship. That’s why he uses us.

Has Jesus asked you to Follow Him? Are you perhaps one of the people God is looking for to start a new chain? Or perhaps your already part of a chain. Perhaps someone called you before already and God is simply asking you to continue the chain. Either way, you have an important role to play. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Do you want to be that weakest link?

As we go along our days, bumping into and working with people, realize that God is creating opportunities in your life to create a new link. Not everyone will accept. Not everyone followed Jesus either, but some will. In fact you can be used to make many new links if you only allow God to work through you.

I pray that you all can have your spiritual eyes open to the doors that Jesus is opening around you. May you be mightily used by God in many different ways this week and in the weeks to come.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto