The story is told of a young man who gave his heart to Christ during children’s church. He was instructed that he needed to go next door to “big church” and tell them that he was saved and now needed to be baptized. The boy did not understand the instructions and went next door and said, “I have been saved, and I need to be advertised.” Even though you may smile and laugh at this mix-up, it is still actually true. Once you get saved, you get advertised. You are identifying as a believer in Christ being buried with Him in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life. This isn’t about promoting ourselves, but about pointing clearly and consistently to Christ.
To advertise means to describe or draw attention to, in order to promote. Are you advertising Christ in a way that causes others to desire a relationship with Him? It is knowing Christ and making Him known. In Kingdom Matrix, Jeff Christopherson stated, “At any given moment, I am either expanding the kingdom of God or expanding the dominion of darkness, period. Every decision you make. Every endeavor you are involved in. Every action you take. It advances the agenda of one of these two kingdoms.” There is no third kingdom, and there is no middle kingdom.
Which kingdom are you advertising for, and which kingdom are you advancing? Your life and your church are His tools to advance His kingdom. It starts by advertising that the King of the kingdom has taken up residence on the throne of your life, and you have submitted everything to Him. Jeff continued, “If local churches do not advance the kingdom of God, they reduce it. We march with Jesus, or we march against Him.” This requires identifying with Christ as His disciple, striving to carry out His kingdom agenda: “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
The first step in advertising that Jesus is your Lord and Savior is to walk with Him and abide in Him. Live a life that displays the transforming power of Christ and the Holy Spirit in your life. The importance of modeling a godly life while actively sharing our faith is underscored in 1 Thess. 1:7-8: “So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord….” You are to advertise Christ by being a living testimony of what He has done (redemption) and what He is doing (sanctification) in your life.
When advertising, you must consider the audience you are trying to reach. You need to build relationships with them so you can share the good news with them in a way they will listen and consider its truth. In the Evangelism Handbook, Alvin Reid said, “Evangelism is the communication of the gospel by saved people to lost people.” He defines evangelism as “Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ by word and life in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that unbelievers become followers of Jesus Christ in His church and in the culture.” Simply put, you are called to know Him and make Him known.
Who do you know far from God? What are you doing to build a relationship with them so that they may know and experience the love of Christ in their life? This requires intentionality and determination. Paul’s steadfast resolve in this task is evident in Acts 19:10: “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” Have you shared the good news of the gospel with everyone in your circle of influence? Evangelism is not only about living it out and being a good example, but also about sharing the gospel verbally.
Begin by praying for those you know who do not have a relationship with Christ. Build loving relationships with those in your circles of influence who are far from God. Then, be ready to share the gospel when the opportunity comes. Do you know how to clearly take the Word of God and show someone how to be born again? If they were to ask you to show them how they could become a child of God and know they have eternal life, could you? If not, you need to get trained and be ready to train others. Whether it is utilizing the Roman Road, Three Circles, or Dare to Share’s GOSPEL, be ready and prepared.
Why do we seem to accept disobedience in this area of sharing the good news with those who are in our circles of influence? The following statement by Dave DeVries may sound harsh, but it is worth pondering: “Why do churches elevate leaders in a local church who are not making disciples? We can’t follow disobedient leaders!” This is not promoting a numbers game where converts are like notches on our belt. It is not our job to “win” them or “convert” anyone. It is every disciple’s responsibility to share the “good news” with those whom God has placed in your life.
Are you ready to advertise that you are a believer, and that your heart’s desire and passion is that those you know and come into contact with would also become believers? “That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Rom. 9:2-3). He also stated, “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31). If you truly love people and care about them, then your greatest concern will be their eternal destiny.
Have you lost your burden for the lost? Do you need to ask the Lord to reignite your evangelistic zeal and fire? How can you once again be focused on advertising the King of kings in your life and on your lips to those God has placed in your path?
