Evangelism is not just for famous preachers or big revivals, it is for all believers. The Great Commission calls each of us to go and tell them, to be a witness for Jesus by sharing what the Lord has done in our lives. Discover how your story can make an eternal difference.
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Introduction
When we think of the Great Commission, we often picture great evangelists preaching to multitudes in stadiums or under revival tents. Names like the Apostle Paul, Billy Graham, Amy Semple McPherson, Saint Patrick, Martin Luther, Dwight Moody, and Luis Palau come to mind. God used them powerfully, but the truth is this: the Great Commission is not just for a few; it is for all believers.
Some are called to proclaim Christ to the nations, while others are called to share Him with their coworkers, neighbors, or families. Either way, each of us is called to go and tell them, to take part in evangelism as a faithful witness for Jesus. This is the essence of the Great Commission: making disciples by sharing the good news of what God has done in us.
Let us look closely at a powerful example from Scripture, then apply it to our own call to evangelism today.
The Demon-Possessed Man – A Transformed Witness
In Mark 5:1-20, we read about a man’s life that was utterly destroyed by demonic oppression. He lived among tombs, bound in chains, and tormented day and night. But when Jesus arrived, everything changed. With a word, the demons were cast out, and the man was clothed, healed, and restored to his right mind.
Naturally, he wanted to follow Jesus everywhere. But look at what Jesus told him, recorded in Mark 5:18-20:
Mark 5:18-20
(18) As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. (19) Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." (20) So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
This is evangelism in its purest form. Jesus did not ask him to preach crusades or organize revivals. He told him to go and be a witness, to share with his own people the mercy he had received. And Scripture tells us in verse 20, “So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”
Each of us has a story. You may not have been freed from a legion of demons, but you have experienced God’s forgiveness, His healing, His guidance, or His peace. Your story is your testimony, and Jesus calls you to share it. Think about one person in your family, workplace, or community who needs hope. Share your story of God’s mercy with them this week.
What Does It Mean to Be a Witness?
On a hike with my son’s scout group, I once had a deep conversation with another parent, who is an attorney, about evangelism. I asked him, “In court, what is a witness?”
He replied, “A witness is someone who testifies about what they have personally seen, heard, or experienced.”
I asked, “Can a witness testify about something they think happened, or heard secondhand?”
He said, “No. It must be personal.”
This is exactly what Jesus told His disciples, recorded in Acts 1:8.
Acts 1:8
(8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Being a witness for Jesus does not mean quoting complicated theology or reciting secondhand stories. It means telling others what you have personally experienced; how the Lord has changed your life. This is evangelism. This is living out the Great Commission in our everyday lives.
Your witness is unique. No one else has your exact story of God’s work. Do not underestimate the power of sharing how Jesus has met you in your struggles and victories, no matter how great or small. Pray for boldness from the Holy Spirit. Then look for a natural opening in a conversation to tell someone, “This is what God has done in my life.”
Revivals – Carried by Everyday Witnesses
History is filled with great revivals: Martin Luther’s Reformation, the Wesleyan awakenings, the Pentecostal outpouring, and more recent campus revivals across the United States. These movements sparked waves of evangelism, changed cultures, and brought countless people to Christ.
But here is the truth: revivals spread not just because of famous preachers but because ordinary believers went and told others what the Lord had done. Everyday Christians became witnesses for Jesus, sharing their testimonies with friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
That is how the Great Commission is fulfilled; one story, one conversation, one life at a time.
Revivals endure not because of their size, but because ordinary believers carry the flame home. Every believer who goes and tells them is part of God’s continuing revival in the world today.
You do not need to wait for a large revival to share your faith. Revival starts when you allow the Spirit of God to work through your obedience to tell others about Jesus.
Ask God to open your eyes to the opportunities right in front of you. Ask him to let you see others the way He sees them. Your neighborhood, workplace, or classroom could be the spark for revival if you simply obey Christ’s call to go and tell them.
Conclusion – Go and Tell Them!
You do not need a pulpit or credentials to obey the Great Commission. You already have everything you need: the Holy Spirit’s power and your personal testimony. That makes you a witness for Jesus.
- Share how God gave you the strength to overcome addiction.
- Tell about His healing power in your life; physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
- Live out your faith in such a way that you earn the right to speak about Christ’s love.
Whether speaking to one person across the table or a thousand in a crowd, the call remains the same: Go and tell them.
This Week
This week, take time to write down your personal story of what Jesus has done for you. Pray for one open door to share that story with someone in your circle of influence. Then step out in faith; be bold, be loving, and go and tell them. This is how we live out the Great Commission together.
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