How To Get Invited Back?

Oftentimes when Christians try to evangelize, they speak in a way that has a tendency to turn people off.  It might be a judgmental attitude that accompanies their testimony, or an expectation for someone to convert to Christ instantly as a result of their sharing their testimony.  

As the early church set Paul and Barnabas apart and sent them to spread the Good News, they started first by preaching in the local synagogues, both to the Jews and God fearing Gentiles.  Importantly when they were done sharing the Good News, the people in the synagogue invited them to speak further.  What can we learn about Paul and Barnabas approach to evangelism so we might get invited back by those we share the Good News with?

Acts 13:38-43

Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 41 “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you.’” 42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

1. Since they were speaking to a mainly Jewish crowd, they made sure to connect the Good News of Jesus to the stories of God's faithfulness to His people in the Old Testament.  In verses 16 to 36 Paul summarizes God's penultimate goal which was to bring Jesus the Messiah through the line of King David to save all people.
2. Paul uses the words "fellow Israelites" and "fellow children of Abraham".  Paul identifies himself with his own people.  He starts with the common ground of their heritage.  He is one of them and he builds trust by reminding them of this.  
3. Paul boldly and clearly preaches the gospel.  Paul doesn't water down the gospel to make it palletable.  He proclaims to them that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is made known to them.  He lets them know that Jesus can do what Moses and the Law could never do for them.  Jesus could make them right with God. They would be justified by grace through trusting in Jesus' death on the cross for them.   

What can we learn?  

Paul was bold and courageous.  Though he took time to meet the people where they were at and establish common ground, ultimately he preached the gospel in its purest form and didn't hold back.  He took the risk of being offensive, especially when he challenges them not to be "scoffers" and warns them about what the prophets predicted to those who didn't believe. 

I don't know about you but sometimes I hold back when I share the Good News with others. In my effort to not offend someone I don't clearly proclaim who Jesus is and what he did for us.  Someone once told me that they only thing that should be offensive is the gospel.  Meaning we shouldn't knowingly offend someone, but the pure nature of the gospel may be offensive to some.  I.e. Many people don't want to admit they are sinful and need a Savior.

But at the end of Paul's message we something interesting, the people were curious and invited Paul back.  It was the gospel boldly proclaimed, not Paul which was drawing the people to find forgiveness through Jesus alone.  

Like Paul and Barnabas we have been set apart to share the Gospel with all people both by our words and our deeds.  Who can you be more bold with in your life? Who knows maybe they will invite you back to hear more!