The Gospel Way Catechismنموونە

QUESTION 25: Why Do We Tell People About Jesus?

ANSWER

We tell others about Jesus because of love: love for God who gave his only Son as the only Savior, love for our neighbors whose salvation we desire, and love for the gospel that reveals the truth about our world.

“Evangelism is not primarily about selling products and services; it’s about sharing what you love and believe.” Those are the words of Guy Kawasaki, the chief evangelist of Canva, former evangelist of Apple. Today’s world often sees influential figures and celebrities acting as brand ambassadors. They are passionate about certain products or services, using their fame and charisma to persuade others to follow their lead. Brand evangelists love a product so much they can’t help but talk about it with others.

While the concept of brand ambassadors is prevalent in marketing, it differs significantly from sharing the message of Jesus. Brand evangelists often get involved in marketing in part because of their desire for personal gain or popularity. But Christians don’t market the gospel, because the gospel is not a product. Christians announce the gospel, because the gospel is news. And the motivation for sharing this news is a genuine love for God and love for our neighbors. We’re not promoting a brand of church or Christianity; we’re proclaiming the message of salvation from sin and death.

The “why” behind our mission to tell others about Jesus can be distilled into a single word: Love. Love is the driving force, the engine of motivation, that propels us to engage in sharing the message of Christ with the world. Love is the heartbeat of evangelism—sharing the gospel. We are not driven by fear, insecurity, or coercion. We are on a mission motivated by love—love for God, love for our neighbors, and love for the gospel. This love compels us to share the most precious gift we’ve ever received: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Our love for God, who gave his only Son as the only Savior, is the deepest motivation for our mission. John 3:16 is the cornerstone we build on. Our love for the world is only possible because God loved the world first and sent his Son to be the Savior.

As we grow in our love for God, we naturally grow in our love and compassion for our neighbors. Our actions aren’t rooted in judgment or condemnation, but in a sincere desire for the well-being of others, both in this life and for eternity. We share God’s heart that all would come to repentance. We recognize that apart from Jesus, people face the peril of spiritual separation from God. There is no other name under heaven by which humanity can be saved (Acts 4:12). Our mission is not merely a religious duty but a heartfelt response, grounded in the love of God himself and his concern for humanity. Evangelism flows from compassion, just as God’s desire for people everywhere to turn from sin and turn to him in faith flows from his compassionate nature.

Our love for the gospel is grounded in the reality that we are not just delivering a simple message; we’re handling dynamite. We know the gospel to be the dynamic power of God for salvation. We know the gospel tells the explosive truth about our world. We love the gospel because we’ve seen how powerful it is when the Spirit applies it to human hearts. We believe the gospel can transform broken lives, offer hope to the hopeless, and heal the wounded. Love: this is why we share the good news of Jesus.

Reflection Questions

What are some loveless motivations that may lead people to share the gospel, and how would love make a difference? Reflect on your motivations for evangelism. Consider how love for God, love for your neighbors, and love for the gospel motivate you to share the message of Jesus with others.

Can you share a story of when you talked about Jesus with someone? Think about a specific experience where you shared the gospel with someone. Reflect on how the conversation went, what you learned from it, and how it shaped you and the person you shared with.