Evangelising a close friend - Need advice

[Awakening234]

Tommorow I have a friend comming round who I have known for around 10 years and we are still friends today. He is kinda depressed as he is rapidly approaching 30 and feels he has not acheived what he hoped he would in life.

Firstly he is a non-believer but let me assure you, he has what one would call a heart of gold. He is compassionate and cares for others. He is studying to be a Social/Counciler/helper for mentally handicapped people and he works for various charities.
However, whenever I bring up the topic of Christ, while he is happy for me that I have my faith, he detests me imposing my views on him. He is quite hostile to the topic of Religion, believing it is what causes divisions among people & nations.

The thing is, I have been praying for months that the Holy Spirit enter his life and help him. I have already seen signs. Ie; he recently started speaking to his Alchoholic father who he had not had proper contact with for a while. But I also see the Sin in his life continue to keep him in bondage and blind to reality.

Anyway, he is comming tommorow and we're going to hang out ie; Drink some beer and watch football and just be a friend to him. He is also comming to me at a time of need in his life but I feel waving the Gospel in his face will just anger him. How do I approach a situation like this? Maybe I should pray and only bring the subject up if he mentions it first perhaps. Im not really experienced in Evangelism though. I'm scared of conflict but I also understand that as a friend, sometimes I need to tell him things he won't want to hear.
I'm lost really as to how to handle this...

 

[Peace Seeker]

I think that rather than words, sometimes the best witness we can give to non-believers is our own example of Christ in our lives - our lifestyle, our Christ-like personality, our Christ-like spirit, the calmness and peace in our heart, etc. Just shining the Light on the darkness by word and deed.

Regarding actually talking to him about your faith, do you have an example from your life that is applicable to his situation that you could relate to him, in a casual, non-threatening matter of fact way? Such as : "I know what you are going through and I know that without God I would not have been able to overcome and get through (fill in the blank)".
You know your friend better than anyone that may reply to you, so you will just need to let God (the Holy Spirit) decide for you on what you should or shouldn't do or say, and when, if at all. God is in control of everything and has His own timetable for everything, including saving souls.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Awakening234,
The one thing that you have is your very own testimony, you also have the example of your own walk with Christ. The testimony of yours on how you came to know the Lord as your Savior is something that he cannot dispute, because it's yours. If not quite sure on how to do this, may I suggest you write it down first. Being that he has known you probably prior to you being saved, the growth in your life might also be an example of how the Holy Spirit has helped change you into who you are today and who you will be tomorrow. Sometimes it will be the small things that others will notice. Maybe you used to curse up a storm and drink like a sailor (just an expression Navy folks nothing meant by it ) but now that is no longer a part of your life (Ephesians 4:22-24). There will things that you might not even notice anymore, because now you are that born again child of God (Work in progress, but aren't we all?).

It does sound like you've done plenty of the most important part which is prayer. This is the one thing that you don't stop doing because (Matthew 21:22) it won't be you makes the change in his life, but the Holy Spirit. Just make yourself ready to be used (Romans 8:28) by Him and continue to show your friend the love of Christ.

Just keep in mind the sin that you see in your friends life, he probably doesn't recognize as sin at all. Unless someone who doesn't believe is confronted with the Law of God, they have nothing to compare their behavior against. Society may very well tell him that what he is doing is okay. Son unless you are willing set God's law before him, in the hope that this will convict him, and thereby be ready of acceptance of God's Grace. He will either turn to Christ and you as God's vessel or turn away from God and you. You've already made it clear that what he has experienced or what he believes when it comes to religion, was not positive. So any interaction from you must be expressed with the love of Christ. You are not alone in this. The Lord will take care of you and guide you.
Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 30:21
Peace
C4E

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Stop trying to organize your friend's salvation. God is in control. Our slogan at my church is "Love them until they ask 'Why?'" All you'll do is drive yourself crazy and maybe mess up his visit. Besides, you may not be the person God has chosen to lead him across the finish line.

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)

 

[wilkette]

I tend to agree that this is a time you just need to show your friend love. I'm not always a fan of the "preach the gospel... if necessary, use words" mentality because if we never share with people who it is we put our hope in, they won't connect the dots and see that our actions are the result of our renewed hearts, made possible only by God's grace. In this case, however, your friend knows that you are a Christian, so that potential is there. I would keep praying as you have been, that the Holy Spirit would open his heart and create an organic opportunity for a spiritual conversation to arise. Then leave it in His hands.

 

[AbbysAunt]

Hi Awakening234,

Casting Crowns has a song that sort of goes hand in hand with this situation you are talking about. It's called " Love Them Like Jesus" and some of the lryics go like this " Love Them like Jesus carry them to Him His yoke is easy and His burden is light, you don't need the answers to all of lifes questions know that He loves them and stay by their side and love em like Jesus"

Just love your friend like Jesus does and keep carrying him in prayer to Jesus...we weren't made to save others but to only be used as vessels for God who does the saving through us. You said you have brought up the subject of Jesus He is happy for you but feels you are imposing your views on him. You have already talked to him it seems about Jesus now it's time to let God do the rest of the work and for you to keep on praying and keep on being that friend that God has made you and I can tell He has made you a very caring and loving person.

Philippians4:19 And My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

God will supply you with any and all things to help your friend and will also supply all your friend's needs. I will be praying for you and your friend in this situation. God bless you now and always

AA

 

[JRFifty]

I think it is important to present the creation message to people. Let them know that evolution is impossible and there is no such thing as cavemen. I'm 100 percent sure evolution is impossible.
This, of course is not the only way. But once someone can see evolution is impossible, you can show them the gospel. Many people in the Bible got saved off of hearing the basic gospel message.
How must I be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God, repent, and be baptized. I can see how baptism is important because it is like an outward expression of faith. I know its much more than that.
Keep praying for your friends and family. The Lord does hear and answer prayers!

 

[Truehearts]

Stop trying to organize your friend's salvation. God is in control. Our slogan at my church is "Love them until they ask 'Why?'" All you'll do is drive yourself crazy and maybe mess up his visit. Besides, you may not be the person God has chosen to lead him across the finish line.

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)

Agree, be a good testimony to him, once in while tell stories of how God helped you through rough times, be the Christian friend that's different from all the others. Show him love that he will see Jesus on you, don't be too pressured.. his salvation is not in your hands. Pray before you meet him. Relax and say "Lord, be with me today let every word from my mouth and mind be from You."
Keep it cool, know God is in control.
:shade:

 

[Jesuslovesu]

When someone already knows your that you are a christian, it is easier to give smaller "lessons" here or there. What the friend needs is you and your kind heart. The love and compassion that Christ has called us to share/show. Through that you are witnessing. Have a very nice visit with your friend!

 

[quitejaded]

I would just be a friend to him. IF he asks you how YOU would handle something or what YOU think, you can talk about your faith because that is a part of YOUR life. If your friend agrees with you or likes what he hears/sees, he will begin coming closer. But it is only through your EXAMPLE. You can never just dump this on someone and expect them to get it...

 

[Asanima]

I think it is important to present the creation message to people. Let them know that evolution is impossible and there is no such thing as cavemen. I'm 100 percent sure evolution is impossible.
This, of course is not the only way. But once someone can see evolution is impossible, you can show them the gospel. Many people in the Bible got saved off of hearing the basic gospel message.
How must I be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God, repent, and be baptized. I can see how baptism is important because it is like an outward expression of faith. I know its much more than that.
Keep praying for your friends and family. The Lord does hear and answer prayers!

This is generally a bad route to go through, as there are christians who accept Evolution. Evolution isnt necessarily opposed against Christianity.

 

[Awakening234]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I didint realise this would attract so much attention!

Stop trying to organize your friend's salvation. God is in control. Our slogan at my church is "Love them until they ask 'Why?'" All you'll do is drive yourself crazy and maybe mess up his visit. Besides, you may not be the person God has chosen to lead him across the finish line.

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)

I'll be honest I thought you were being a little harsh but I came to the conclusion you are absolutly right. It's not about "winning" someone to Christ. I know that the initial prepartion of the soul is done by the Holy Spirit, which is why I pray for him. When/if he wakes up from his sleep I don't know but I do know now (thanks to your replies) that the most important thing I can do that is in my power is be a good witness and I think I done that.

Something he said to me or along the lines of was "All the Morons I have to deal with in life/work/family, I can escape that when I come see you". I could have said, "the only reason i'm not a moron is becuase I have Christ in my life". But I felt he knew, I didint have to say anything there.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Praying all went well with the visit of your friend.

 

[Awakening234]

Praying all went well with the visit of your friend.

I think it did. Thanks. Its always a joy to be with old friends. But I realise that in order to help him be saved, it;'s not going to happen over night. Its going to take time, and prayer and for me to be a loving friend and hopefully reflect Christ the best I can. Strange, I went to Church today and I felt God was speaking to me indirectly through the Pastor about my friend and the issue we face..

 

[Christ4Ever]

Awesome! Sometimes all we have to do is make ourselves available. He will provide what we need and sometimes do this in the most unexpected way! Stay strong!
Psalm 27:1
The answer is no one!
C4E
Isaiah 40:29-31