Hybels Motivates Christians to Evangelize
Throughout his book, Just Walk Across the Room, Mega-church pastor Bill Hybels stays on his message that all Christians, labeled "Christ-followers" by Hybels, are "called, equipped, and expected to share the gospel." Sharing the gospel, according to Hybels, is as simple as walking across the room and is powerful enough to impact eternity for those living far away from God. Hybels shares this message throughout his book that targets all Christians in hopes of motivating readers to take in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. In keeping with his informal style, Hybels shares his convictions through bullet points, stories, anecdotes, paraphrased stories from Scripture and simple teachings. Underscoring all of his writing is his firm belief that all people need Jesus Christ for salvation, and God is counting on all Christians to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Hybels assures his readers that anyone can do the work of an evangelist for Jesus; while, he also reminds readers of the eternal consequences or benefits that are at stake in the transaction. Christians are never alone in the work of sharing the gospel. Hybels writes,
"One thing I've learned is that life's great moments evolve from simple acts of cooperation with God's mysterious promptings -- nudges that always lean toward finding what's been lost and freeing what's been enslaved. The adventure of collaborating with God involves bestowing the greatest gift a person can receive -- the gift of amazing grace -- on undeserving (and often unsuspecting) people like you and me."
Part of Hybels message is for people to become aware of the "nudges" from the Holy Spirit to share the gift of God with people. Hybels frames this collaboration as an adventure to see what God is going to do next to transform people's lives.
It all starts for Hybels in Jesus' being willing to leave heaven to give his life for sinners who were doomed to death and hell forever. Jesus Christ left the glories of heaven and "wrapped himself in human flesh, and he walked across the cosmos in order to stretch out a hand to people like you and me." Hybels believes this message of grace and salvation through and through. He preaches it and shares his conviction that every person in the world would live a "vastly better life if God's love, grace, and redemption were operating in their lives." For this reason, he feels compelled to approach all sorts of people in hopes of being able to point them to Jesus.
Hybels writes that evangelism is work, hard work that involves putting your heart on the line to offer grace and acceptance and love to people, some who are far from God. Hybels summarizes the dynamics involved in personal evangelism with the Holy Spirit as "Living in 3D." This is the method for interacting with others to facilitate leading them to Jesus:
1. Develop Friendships by engaging in the lives of people around them.
2. Discover stories before sharing their own story and God's redemptive story
3. Discern next steps by following the Holy Spirit's direction.
Living in 3D begins and ends with love.
Hybels concentrates on Jesus' evangelistic encounter with the woman at the well in the 4th chapter of the Gospel of John. Jesus exemplifies the keys to successful personal evangelism for Hybels. His method includes the following:
* Bridge the chasm between you and another
* Ask a question
* Practice patience
* Beware of rabbit trails
* Give hope to the hopeless
* Tell people with confidence the promises of God!
In the encounter, Jesus demonstrates his passion for the "Grander Vision" of the kingdom of heaven. Hybels encourages readers to nurture their passion for this Grander Vision that will keep their eyes on the eternal prize of saving souls.
Christians cannot help but to be inspired at least to begin thinking and praying about sharing Jesus with neighbors. Hybels articulates the eternal importance of people committing their lives to Jesus and how all Christians are responsible for helping to lead others to that momentous decision. The message boils down to telling others "God loves you," "Jesus chose to pay for you," and "The choice is now yours."
Readers may become distracted by the many stories of Hybels' own exploits and the promotion of Willow Creek. Hybels includes more than a few stories of himself on sailing adventures, flying airplanes, globetrotting to conferences and throwing parties. I think the lowest point of the book is when he seriously counsels Christians on proper tipping habits as being integral to successful evangelism. The author seems to shine the light on himself a bit too much in the book, and that can be a negative with readers who have a less than favorable view of mega-churches and celebrity pastors.
I have definitely been thinking more about personal evangelism since reading Just Walk Across the Room. I have asked the Holy Spirit to lead me to people and facilitate conversation about Jesus. Many of Hybels' examples are about long-term relationships that eventually bore fruit as trust and friendship laid the foundation for the sharing of the gospel. This is a process anyone can engage in with people non-Christians. I think Hybels' overall brings a fresh reminder to do the work of an evangelist as we proclaim the good news of God's grace in Jesus Christ.
Buy Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith by Bill Hybels At The Lowest Price!
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