Loving Roman Catholics Well
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Appendix A
The Issue of Fear
Leighton Ford once wrote, “I’m an evangelist, and have been witnessing and sharing my faith since I was fourteen years old. I have preached to crowds of 60,000 people, and yet I still get nervous when talking to an individual about Christ.” Yes, fear is common.
Larry Moyer, a noted evangelist in the United States, has some helpful material for overcoming fear in evangelism. I include it here, with permission from Larry. It was very helpful to me when I was beginning this journey as a young Pastor.
Overcoming Fear and Acquiring Increased Boldness
Question: How can I overcome my fear in sharing the gospel? Satan would like nothing better than to have believers live in fear of sharing Christ to the point that they never open their mouths to proclaim the life giving, greatest news in the world. The single biggest reason that believers don’t evangelize is … “I’m afraid.” Afraid of rejection, afraid of blowing the chance, afraid of questions, afraid of losing a friend, afraid of failing, or afraid of being labeled a religious nut! Fear in evangelism can make you wither like a plant without water, or it can choke you out like a plant surrounded by weeds.
Let’s be clear on two points:
1) Greater is he that is in me that he that is in the world.
2) Fear in evangelism is _(normal)_!
Even the apostle Paul was not exempt from fear in evangelism, and he asked for boldness. What was it about Paul that helped him overcome fear and share the gospel with boldness, even in difficult circumstances? In I Thessalonians 2:1-10, Paul lays out four fundamental principles that we can apply to
help us overcome fear with boldness. He sets the scene for us in verse 2 by explaining that he and Silas were spitefully treated in Philippi. Note Acts 16:12-24. They were attacked, stripped, whipped, and bound in stocks in the public square. Certainly, they had reason NOT to be bold in the next town!
And yet, in Thessalonica, Paul says that “we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel.” Why were they bold? Read and study I Thessalonians 2:1-10. Discover in the verses as indicated below four principles for overcoming fear in evangelism. (I have included the answers for you.)
1. (vs. 2) The source of Paul’s boldness was __ (God Himself)____.
It is all about Him and it all comes from Him.
2. (vs. 3) You know God’s (message)___.
What was it? (The gospel)_-the word gospel means Good News.
Remember the angel at the birth of Christ in Luke 2 who said, “For behold, I bring you good tidings (news) of great joy which will be to all people.” The message you have is:
• From God
• Good news
• For all people
What it was not
• From error – the ravings of a deluded fanatic
• Uncleanness – moral impurity
• Deceit – guile or trickery in order to capture a prey
Knowing that you have the right message of good news, that is, God’s message, is a key principle in overcoming fear.
3. (vs. 4) You are God’s (messenger)__.
• You are __(approved) by God. You are approved. We are stewards of the gospel, given the opportunity to use His gospel to glorify Him.
• You are __(entrusted) _ with the gospel. We are partners with Him and the job we have been entrusted with is the exciting one of telling someone else about Him.
• We are to be _ (pleasing) _ God. Our desire is to please the One who has approved us and entrusted us with His good news.
You are the one God wants to use—to partner with—to bring the good news of His Son to your lost friends. He wants you to have the joy of sharing in this task with Him. Satan is a master intimidator and will try any means to convince you that you are not worthy to share the gospel. God says you are. What a great gift. You are the one He wants.
4. (vss. 5-8) You have God’s _(motive)__ .
Paul shows the purity of his heart and motive—that of God’s heart and motive. In these verses, he states three things that he was not motivated by and one thing he was motivated by in three ways.
He was not motivated by:
• __(flattering words)__ - speaking as an orator using empty compliments for selfish reasons—either to elevate himself or to convince them for his own gain.
• __(cloak of covetousness)__ - covering up a greedy desire for converts to build his ego and/or money to fatten his wallet.
• __(glory from men)_ - his own recognition.
He was motivated by YOU. Four times in two verses he states his motivator—YOU—the non-believers of Thessalonica. He had this heart in three ways—he was:
• __(gentle among you)_ - sensitive to them as a nursing mother cares for her children.
• _(longing for you) _ - affectionate—he liked them and cared about their well-being.
• __(caring) __ - they had become dear to him—he loved them.
Now, let’s clear up some misconceptions.
Misconception 1
If evangelism scares you, then you don’t love Jesus.
Response
Evangelism scares everyone. The issue is not are you afraid, but will you go ahead despite your fears.
I Corinthians 2:3; Ephesians 6:19-20
Misconception 2
You should not witness until your life is all it should be. You could do more harm than good.
Response
If you wait until your life is everything it should be, you will never evangelize. Satan knows that, so speak the message you have and live the life you should.
Misconception 3
He is disappointed with your results in evangelism, you have not led many people to Christ.
Response
It is not how many you bring to Christ that matters. That is God’s responsibility. It is your faithfulness in bringing Christ to others that matters.
Note Acts 1:8; John 4:37.
Misconception 4 (Added by Larry Miller)
Obedient evangelism requires that we boldly preach the gospel to everyone as soon as we interact with him or her.
Response
We learn in previous material that this is often not the case. Often, we need to cultivate the soil and understand the person’s mindset. We need to be sensitive to whether God, the Holy Spirit, has given us an open door of opportunity into the person’s heart. Paul might have had this in mind in Colossian 4:3–4. And on some (perhaps many) occasions our overly aggressive and confrontive approach causes a resistance on the part of the non-Christian. However, an ambassador does have a message to speak for the one he or she represents, in this case Jesus Christ. Note 2 Corinthians 5:17–21.
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About the Book
Many self-professed evangelicals believe most Roman Catholics are saved and are brothers and sisters in Christ. But is that really true?
The answer must be found by comparing the official Roman Catholic way of salvation to the way defined and described in the authoritative Holy Scriptures. To this day, their official viewpoint regarding the way of salvation is that stated in the Council of Trent (1545-1563), written to correct the heresies of the Protestants.
Many evangelicals are surprised, even stunned, when they learn about the official Roman Catholic way of salvation.
The author summarizes this official view, focusing on the issues of authority, sacramentalism, justification, grace, and faith. Based on his years of pastoral experience in a predominant Roman Catholic culture, the author is convinced that most Catholics believe in the official version of how they are to be saved.
With loving sensitivity and concern, the author affirms that most of them are likely not saved. Therefore, we must move toward lovingly and effectively evangelizing them.
About the Author
Larry E Miller has theological training, Th.M. and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary, and practical ministry experience, having served thirty years as a pastor in the city of New Orleans. It was there he developed a heart of deep concern for the salvation of Roman Catholic people. Following his pastoral ministry, he founded Equippers Ministry International, equipping pastors and other spiritual leaders.