The Gospel works!
If you speak it into the ears of the hearer:
…preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. 2 Tim. 4:2 AMP
All followers of Christ are called to be evangelists[1], to reach the unsaved for the kingdom of God, to rescue them from eternal death.
We’re not all summoned by God to be preachers, but evangelism definitely requires some preaching.
Not to worry; every time you open your mouth for Christ, you instantly become Holy Spirit-equipped to do so:
“For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Lk. 12:12 NKJV
“…the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things. and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Jn.14:26 NKJV
What Jesus says to you is found within His gospel. That’s why you want to get that word in your heart.
Then Holy Spirit will help you share it.
However, your evangelism (speaking the promise of the gospel) will fall upon deaf ears unless you give the hearer a compelling reason for them to act upon it.
They need to see the danger of embracing worldly thinking and behavior.
In a compassionate manner, you must present the old ‘fire and brimstone’ message. He or she must feel the danger of the situation that they are in.
You must prepare them for hearing the salvation message by getting them to see why they need it. Then, the gospel will sell itself.
Therefore, for you to be properly prepared for the Holy Spirit to use you for this endeavor, you must separate yourself from the world first.
And then pray ardently for the Spirit to facilitate your execution of the message as you get ready to deliver it.
What are we trying to do? We are attempting to reposition the hearer to receive their resurrection from sin and death.
How? By inducing a spiritual longing, a yearning for redemption and making them aware that in and of themselves, their own faith in the world and in themselves won’t cut it.
We must impart the knowledge that only by embracing the gospel, will they get the faith from God that will make their deliverance happen. They cannot receive it by any other means or actions of themselves.
God is the one doing the saving, through the sacrifice of His Son.
The required efforts of the recipient are to do is his or her best to give up their sin. And they must be informed that the worst outcome possible, is that from rebuking the gospel:
…you will die [unforgiven and condemned] in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am the One [I claim to be], you will die in your sins.” Jn. 8:24 AMP
The Bible is crystal clear about the path to redemption:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved…” Ac. 16:31 NKJV
So, once you help your hearer really see their present plight, then the gospel can be preached. Especially as you simultaneously assure them that the gospel deliverance distinctly applies to them.
Emphasizing that they will be free of their sins, accepted by God and that they no longer need to live in fear of death, or of destruction by the power of the devil.
Moreover, telling them that they will now live a life bathed in the love of the Father and the Son, through their renewed spirit-connection in their born-again selves.
It would also be good to instill in your new ‘Christian’ some wise wariness; letting them know that there are malevolent spirits in this world that will try to cause them to stumble in their walk to follow Jesus.
Teach them that despite their self-recriminations that arise over their old sins, God still loves and accepts them and will help them to get up and face another day. All the while as He keeps their unique place awaiting in heaven.
Let them know that the moment they received Christ, they were transformed by the Holy Spirit into their heavenly life immediately. Still, emphasize again that those evil forces in this world that would darken their soul once more.
So, they must strengthen themselves by living as Christ did, to the best of their ability.
Anyone who approaches you asking questions about salvation already has God working inside of them. God’s talking to you through them at that point, saying, “I’m sending you another one. You can do this. The gospel will sell itself.”
We also lovingly help our hearer see their wretchedness. Then we open their eyes to the mercy of God – where punishment is a thing of the past.
Fire and brimstone message? God only warns of hell to implore His children to come to heaven.
We must preach as long as they are willing to hear – patiently, until they either get it or reject it. The result falls into the space of the hearer’s free will. But at least you can open the door… Goodnight and God bless.
[1] Mk. 16:15