Jailhouse Revival--Evangelism in a Crisis

 Discipleship for the Darkest Times 

3 Types of Evangelism in a Crisis

This was originally posted on my Our Longview blog. We began looking at this episode from Acts 16 last week. The passage spoke of Paul and Silas being arrested, stripped, badly beaten, thrown in the dungeon, and locked in stocks. It was a very bad day, to say the least. As we noted last week—in the context of Mother’s Day—often the things our children face are not what we might have planned. Some disappointments and circumstances might be trivial, while others may be tragic.

• Sometimes they don’t get enough playing time on their sports teams or they never get a speaking line in the play.
• Sometimes they are passed over for a well-deserved promotion.
• Sometimes they are picked on, or bullied, and that always bothers a parent.
• Perhaps they may be treated unfairly by a teacher, or a boss. Been there, and bought the T-shirt.
• Sometimes there are accidents, disasters, and other tragedies.

It seems like their world was rocked…but as we read last week, after a killer day we see them praying and singing hymns in the dark and smelly dungeon. They weren’t complaining or thinking of themselves. In the midst of their pain and discomfort, they prayed and sang of their belief and gratitude to God and people listened. Is it possible that their best evangelism occurred at those points of greatest weakness?

If we are yielded to the grace of Jesus, no disaster can destroy our testimony.

However, “You can’t prepare for a crisis in a crisis.” –Ron Mehl

Since we live in the Pacific Northwest, along the Cascadia Subduction zone, disaster preparedness experts tell us that “the big one,” an earthquake in the Magnitude 8-9 range is not a matter of “if”, but “when.” Our neighbors to the south face talk of the “big one” regarding a disastrous quake along the San Andreas fault. What is the largest earthquake you have experienced? I experienced many earthquakes in California including one that tossed me out of bed!

The first large quake my family experienced in Oregon was in March 1993, at 5:34 a.m. called the “Spring Break Quake” (Mag. 5.6) and was quite loud like a freight train coming through the house, and was accompanied by sharp shaking.

The second quake, in February 2001 (Mag. 6.8) the “Nisqually Quake” caused buildings in Portland to sway for 20 to 30 seconds. In Beaverton and Hillsboro, it was a slow rolling motion that tended to make you feel a little motion sick. Apart from the potential for death and destruction, what about an earthquake is most unnerving? For me, it is discovering that what we thought to be solid and unmoving is quite fluid (liquefaction) and unstable! This experience is not limited to physical earthquakes but can be just as emotionally unnerving when our support system is rocked or lets us down.

However, as we saw in the story of Paul and Silas in prison, 

A crisis allows us an opportunity to practice…

1. Overflow Evangelism (Matt. 12:33-35; Luke 6:43-45) …sharing our faith with others is most fruitful when it comes from a consistent overflow of God’s love and hope in our lives. They may be in crisis as well and in need of God’s love through us! Here are a few passages that touch on this idea.

• Matt 12:33-35 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. (also Luke 6:43-45) 
• Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
• John 7:37-39 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

Will we be ready or not, when the moments of crisis come? What will overflow from our lives?

• Not Ready…

Some in the Bible were not ready when a crisis came. Peter was not ready when he was “squeezed” on the night Jesus was arrested. What came out of his life at that time? Fear, denial, anger, and profanity as he rejected even knowing Jesus…and then bitter tears as he realized what he had done (Matt. 26:69-75). Jesus had warned him to pray so that when temptation came he would not follow it to the place of sin and failure—but he slept instead (See Matt. 26:40-43).

• Ready…

The young Daniel (Daniel 1) was taken from his home as a captive, forced to learn a new culture and language and serve a foreign government but he would not disobey God. He wouldn’t eat the king’s habit-forming meat and wine but proposed a test. The diplomatic pursuit of his convictions was noticed. “And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.” (1:7) Later, as a leader, Daniel’s habit was to pray three times a day… so when a crisis came he was spiritually ready for it  (See Daniel 6). He didn’t fail like Peter, but survived a night in a den of hungry lions! Daniel’s faithfulness deeply influenced the king, as did God’s miraculous deliverance of Daniel from the hungry lions! So much so that the king issued a decree for his entire empire…

       Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages 

                             that dwell in all the earth: 

                                       “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, 

                                      that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear 

                     before the God of Daniel,

for he is the living God,

                               enduring forever;

           his kingdom shall never be destroyed,

    and his dominion shall be to the end.

    He delivers and rescues;

    he works signs and wonders

          in heaven and on earth,

    he who has saved Daniel

                       from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:25-27)

What is the overflow of our lives? Is it love, joy, peace, trust, and gratitude even in seasons of intense lament and loss? May our evangelism be sourced in such an overflow in our lives.

A second type of evangelism that surfaces in a crisis is that which is squeezed out of us in the crush of overwhelming circumstances. I call this “Olive Press Evangelism.”

2. Olive Press Evangelism

Olive oil comes from crushing pressure on the olives. Ancient processing methods used a large rolling stone to crush the olives. Then the crushed olive paste was placed in baskets and further pressed with large stone weights, and later levers were employed to increase the pressure. The oil from the first pressing is the lightest (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and is used for food. The last pressing under the most weight produced a darker oil that was generally used for lamps. Could what comes out of us at the most stressful times of our life become a light to others? Yes. God can take our greatest pain and use it for good if we are fully surrendered to his heart. So, again, when we get squeezed, what comes out? Quite simply, what comes out is what we have inside—either evidence of the fruit of the Holy Spirit or our own sinfully selfish attitudes (what the Bible calls our “flesh”) See also Galatians 5:16-24.

• Abraham—Trusting God’s Promise… When Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac, he believed that God would raise him from the dead. See also Genesis 22:8; Hebrews 11:17-19.
• Three Hebrew Children—Faithful Resolve…When Daniel’s three friends were threatened with being thrown into a furnace heated seven times hotter than normal they believed God could deliver them but even if he didn’t they would not bow. See also Daniel 3:16-18.
• Jesus—Loving Care for Others… I shared last week how when Jesus was on the cross and saw his mother and stopped dying for a moment and took care of her needs (John 19:25-27). Also, in response to those who hurled insults and mocked him, Jesus prayed from the cross, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

It is from the example of the olive press evangelism of Jesus on the cross, as well as from his earlier teachings that we can see the third type of evangelism that followers of Christ often have the opportunity to practice in a crisis—enemy evangelism.

3. Enemy Evangelism

Read Acts 16:27-31 and notice how Paul and Silas functioned in their crisis...

When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open,

                   he drew his sword and was about to kill himself,

                                           supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 

But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 

   And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear

                   he fell down before Paul and Silas. 

          Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,

                                                                          you and your household.”

Our mission is not just to share the message of God’s love and forgiveness with people we like, but with those who have set themselves against us. John S. Leonard in his book, Get Real: Sharing Your Everyday Faith Every Day (New Growth Press. 2013)  suggests that “Fully biblical evangelism is, in fact, enemy evangelism— loving, blessing, and praying for our enemies. We don’t need Jesus in order to love our friends— most of the time! We don’t have to rely on his grace to be kind to those we care about.”[1]

He continues to emphasize the need for divine empowerment in such an unnatural ministry.  “Enemy evangelism is dependent on Christ and the Holy Spirit. Friendship evangelism puts the focus on us, limiting the power of the gospel to our ability to be friendly.”[2]

So what should we do differently in our efforts at evangelism? Leonard suggests that,

Instead of making friends, hoping that one day they will be interested in the gospel, we should find people who are interested in the gospel and befriend them. Christians will ask me, “What should I do if none of my friends are interested in the gospel?” The answer I give them is, “Keep your friends; their interest in the gospel could change any day. Just make room in your life for some new friends who are interested in the gospel.”

       Better to practice evangelism that is friendly than “friendship evangelism.” We know no strangers because everyone we meet is owed common courtesy and friendship.[3]

Jesus made it clear that it was no big deal to be loving to those who love you—kind to those who are kind, friendly to those who are friendly—but what about your enemy?

                  You have heard that it was said, 

                  ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 

       so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

   For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good,

                  and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

         For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?

                            Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 

        And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?

                            Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 

                  You therefore must be perfect, 

                               as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)

Paul and Silas not only were friendly in their evangelism, but they practiced “enemy evangelism.” Like the God they served, they had no joy in the death of their enemy but cried out to save him from a ritual suicide. That kind of love changes people.

In politically charged times like this, we need to be reminded that, as people of God, we are not to celebrate the fall of our enemies (See Proverbs 24:17-18; Psalm 35:15; Prov. 17:5; Eze. 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9).

So how can we turn our crises into opportunities to trust Christ more, grow stronger in grace, and maintain our authentic witness? How can we stand firm when everything and everyone around us is being shaken? Maybe we can learn from a simple earthquake drill.

Three Basic Spiritual Lessons from an Earthquake Drill

What is it that we are taught to do if we are caught in an actual earthquake? PSAs and school drills encourage us to resist the natural impulse to run and instead, we are to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On."

What do we do when the structure of our life collapses? Or when our support system seems to start falling apart? When we realize that we are on shaky ground due to our own sin and weakness or the sin of others against us?

“Drop”—Fall to our knees in confession and prayer (Phil. 4:6-7; 1 John 1:9) In regards to our need in a crisis, we are instructed to refuse to run in anxiety but to drop in prayer. Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, which was birthed in persecution,

Do not be anxious about anything, 

                           but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

                  let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We don’t have to be strong and in control of our circumstances. We do need to be quick confessors whether of our own sins or of our need for the presence of God. In regard to our sins, confession allows God to clean the sponge of our souls,

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

“Cover”—Put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18) In an earthquake one of the greatest dangers is that of being struck on the head by falling debris. So, in a spiritual crisis, we need to cover up with the protection God supplies. Paul calls it “spiritual armor” in his letter to the church at Ephesus,

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 

                 Put on the whole armor of God,

                 that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

    For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,

                                  but against the rulers,

                                        against the authorities,

                                        against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,

                                       against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God,

         that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,

       and having done all, to stand firm. 

                                                       Stand therefore, 

              having fastened on the belt of truth, and 

              having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

    and, as shoes for your feet,

              having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 

     In all circumstances take up the shield of faith,

                 with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

                and take the helmet of salvation,

                        and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

                 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance,

                                                     making supplication for all the saints, 

Hold On”—Don’t let go of the promises and presence of Christ Jesus. The Psalmist writes of how when we hold fast to the Lord, the Lord becomes our deliverer and protector, the One who answers us when we call.

 “Because he holds fast to me in love,

                                   I will deliver him;
                                   I will protect him,

  because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
                                   I will be with him in trouble;
                                   I will rescue him and honor him.
             With long life I will satisfy  him
                                      and show him my salvation.” (Psa. 91:14-16)

I love how Peter, on the Day of Pentecost quoted Psalm 16:8-11, describing how God is present with us in the resurrected Christ Jesus so that we might not be shaken,

God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, 

because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 

For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
    for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
    my flesh also will dwell in hope. (Acts 2:24-26)

The kingdom citizenship we are receiving in Christ cannot be shaken and will remain after all that can be shaken has been removed (Hebrews 12:26-29). 

Other verses to consider: Rev. 3:10-12; Hosea 12:6; Psalm 63:8; 119:31; Rom. 12:9; Josh. 22:5; Heb. 12:1-3; Jer. 17:7-8.

---

[1] John S. Leonard, Get Real: Sharing Your Everyday Faith Every Day (New Growth Press. 2013) (Kindle Locations 917-919).

[2]  Leonard, 2013 (Kindle Locations 924-925).

[3]  Leonard, 2013 (Kindle Locations 939-944).