Six reasons to put Jesus at the heart of evangelism

The heart and soul of evangelism is lifting up Jesus as Lord. As I said last month: ‘Jesus is Lord’ represents bullseye. This is what we aim to communicate. And when our friend receives this message, they have received the sum and substance of the gospel.

So last month I made the theological case for putting Jesus at the centre of our evangelism. This month I want to rejoice in the simplicity of it all. It is wonderfully clarifying to lay other things to one side and simply make much of Jesus. Let me give you six liberating implications:

1. Jesus simply is the most interesting and attractive subject

You might have some cracking gags, moving anecdotes, contemporary illustrations and memorable catchphrases. You might even have compelling ways of describing the mechanics of salvation. But none of these can compare to the power and beauty of Christ.

2. When Jesus is central, faith is seen for what it is – a receiving of Christ as He is offered

Simpler than ‘banking the cheque’ of forgiveness, or whatever other illustrations we sometimes use, it is far better to hold out Christ and say ‘Look and live!’

3. Decision is dethroned – which is a wonderful thing

Now, it’s true that an ultimatum is forced on the unbeliever when Christ is offered to them. They must now consider what they will do with Jesus. But the evangelist does not go around offering ultimatums. We go around offering Christ. As Steve Holmes, the St Andrew’s-based theologian, has said: ‘We don’t so much tell the world to believe in Jesus. Far more, we tell the world about Jesus such that they do believe.’ When we focus on Christ we allow faith to be what it is: a response to Christ. Instead of saying ‘Have faith!’, we say ‘Have Christ!’ The spotlight does not fall on the listener and their willingness to summon up the necessary response. The spotlight falls on Christ Himself.

4. You don’t have to worry about offering cheap grace

If you’re placarding Jesus as Lord, you’re not offering ‘a blank cheque’ for free. You’re offering the Lord for free. It’s not a licence to sin that you’re dispensing freely, it’s a Lord of Righteousness that you’re offering. But you really are offering Him – and offering Him freely. In this way conversion and discipleship are held together. The person who simply receives Christ has unmistakably received a new Master.

5. You don’t sell Christianity on the back of some abstract fringe benefits

If I’m preaching on a story like the calling of Levi (Mark 2:13-17), I tell people: ‘Jesus called Levi out of the life he knew – a life of financial and social security – and into… what? Jesus didn’t promise anything to Levi. I’m sure this tax collector wanted to ask ‘Where are we going?’ But Jesus would probably just answer ‘You’ll see.’ Levi might want to know ‘What should I bring?’ ‘Just yourself,’ would come the reply. Jesus said: ‘Follow me.’ That’s it. The one thing Levi would get if he followed Jesus, was Jesus. And if you follow Jesus today, the one thing you’ll get – guaranteed – is Jesus. But if you know Him even a little bit, He’s the one thing you’ll want. Do you want Him?’

6. Because of this, you don’t have to fence all your promises of forgiveness and freedom and new life with ‘…if you really, truly-ruly believe’

Since faith is receiving the Christ who is offered, there’s no chance of the listener trusting an abstract promise in vain. Those who receive Jesus receive Jesus.

If we want people to have faith, there’s really one thing we need to do. As Romans 10:17 tells us: ‘Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.’