One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts16:14 ESV)
Talk
Evangelism can seem like a scary thing. People’s eternal souls are at stake! The Bible is a huge book, with complicated concepts! We just are not that good at talking! We are not good examples of Christ, how can we convince anyone else?!
But we can relax.
Paul might just be the most famous gospel-teller in history. We read the letters he wrote, and we easily imagine that he was knowledgeable, articulate, passionate, and personal. He was a great evangelist.
But Paul persuaded no one into Christianity, the Lord did. Paul argued no one into faith, the Lord did. Paul debated no unbeliever into belief. The Lord did.
The Lord opened Lydia’s heart. Paul did not.
And that is how everyone comes to faith, today, too. We have one job. We simply have to speak about what Jesus means to us. We do not have to use big words, or fancy theology, or emotional tricks. Jesus matters to us. All we have to do is talk about that. Using our own knowledge, personalities, situations, histories, passions, and experience. No matter how new, or boring-seeming, or confusing, or embarrassing our relationship with Jesus might seem to us… talk about it.
The Lord will open the hearts of our listeners.
We are peculiar, God carries the heavy burden of evangelism.