Sermon Central
When a football team has moved the ball down the field so that it is inside the 20-yard line, within striking distance of the goal, it is described as being in the "red zone." Every team develops specific strategies for the "red zone" - special formations and plays to be effective in getting the ball across the goal-line.
In evangelism, it is essential to know about, be sensitive to and have a strategy for seekers who are in the "red zone." They often have to travel a long spiritual journey before they come to faith in Christ. Often they have objections, fears, hurts or anger that they need to work through. When they finally come to a place where they are open to God and sense that something is missing in their lives, they have entered the "red zone."
I met a former atheist two years ago. His life has been a long journey for him; he has cystic fibrosis. Although he was often angry and depressed, the believers around him kept encouraging him toward Christ. A couple of months ago, when he joined a Bible study on the Christian life and truly began seeking God, it was obvious that he was in the "red zone." Last week, he crossed the line of faith and became a believer. As you can see from this example, seekers tend to show clear signs that they are open to making a decision to Christ. The Christians supporting this seeker were prepared to act the "red zone" conditions the moment they began to exist. As a result, the seeker came to Christ, and all rejoiced in the touchdown.
Whenever a seeker enters the "red zone," believers must avoid certain mistakes that might hinder the seeker from finding Christ, such as:
1. Being unaware of the "red zone."
Effective play-calling is determined by such factors as how much time is left on the clock, what down it is and where the ball is on the field. Do they have 80 yards to go, or 50 or 30? Or are they in the "red zone"? The answers to these questions affect how the players will proceed.
In the same way, as we get to know people, it is essential to find out where they are spiritually. Are they angry, turned off, confused or open to God? God is always at work in the lives of those around you. A question I have found helpful in determining someone's degree of spiritual openness is, "What is your church background?" By asking this question, you are giving people the opportunity to tell you about their spiritual journey. Your goal is to draw them out, get to know them and, in the process, find out if they are spiritually responsive. God wants us to find out where they are so that we can cooperate with Him in moving the ball down the field. And, if they are in the "red zone," He wants us to do all we can to help them cross the line of faith.
2. Not preparing for the "red zone."
Football teams work hard on special plays just for the "red zone" so the ball will get across the goal-line. We need to know what to do to help a seeker cross the line of faith. Many Christians are not sure of what to do or say at this point. In our How to Share Your Faith training, we teach that there are four plays we need to execute with confidence in the "red zone": 1) Present the Gospel in a simple, clear and compelling way. 2) Help the seeker cross the line of faith if they are ready. 3) Respond in a positive way if they are not yet ready. 4) Respond well to questions, even if we don't have the answer. If we know how to execute these four plays with confidence, we are in the best position to help seekers in the "red zone" reach the goal.
3. Not listening to the Coach.
The coach is always involved in the game by sending in signals and giving direction to the players. As we move through life, we encounter people with a wide variety of attitudes toward God. Some of them have been quietly turning toward God in their hearts. God knows who they are and will prompt you as you move among them. Remember when Philip saw the court official from Ethiopia? "The Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go up and join this chariot…'" (Acts 8:29). In the same way, God wants you to be sensitive to His promptings. He will quietly nudge you toward those who are responding to Him.
4. Not dismissing the trash-talk.
In the "red zone," the negative voices of the enemy are intense. The trash-talk whispered in your mind will try to make you feel inadequate, spiritually unqualified or fearful of rejection and failure. Those voices are not coming from God. He wants you to dismiss the voices of the enemy and focus on the goal of helping the seeker to Christ. When you share your faith, God's Spirit will be speaking to the heart of your listener. Remember, it was God who "opened Lydia's heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul…" (Acts 16:14). You are not working alone in the "red zone," and God wants to use you. Dismiss the trash-talk and focus on working with Him.
5. Not helping the ball carrier cross the goal-line.
Often, seekers need help crossing the goal-line of faith. It won't usually happen if you just tell them to pray on their own and receive Christ. Many seekers have recited prayers in church without any sense that their prayers have been heard, and they usually lack confidence that their prayers will be answered. They often want and need someone to guide them through a prayer helping them to express their heart-felt repentance to God. Always offer to assist them in praying to receive Christ. You will be amazed at how many will want your help.
6. Not spiking the ball.
When someone crosses the goal-line, everyone on the team celebrates. It is a great victory. Often the ball carrier or someone on the team will "spike the ball" in the end-zone to celebrate the event. Once a seeker has received Christ and crossed the line of faith, "spike the ball" for him. Help him to celebrate. Explain to him the significance of what just happened. In How to Share Your Faith training, we use the acronym ESPN as a helpful outline for explaining it:
Eternal life - Whenever you close your eyes on earth for the last time, you will open your eyes in God's presence in heaven (John 5:24).
Sins forgiven - All of them, even the ones no one else knows about (Colossians 1:14).
Personal relationship - You have begun a personal, growing friendship with Jesus Christ (John 17:3).
Never leave you - You will sin again, but He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5).
Write these phrases down for them to reinforce what God has promised. It is a way of "spiking the ball," so they will always remember the significance of crossing the line. It is an important way to help a new believer feel secure in God's love and to forever be grateful for what God has done for them.
When a seeker comes to a place where they are open to God, we as believers need to be prepared. God may work in a seeker's life for years before it turns toward Him. God wants us to become aware of this openness so we can assist in helping people to Christ. Being prepared with an effective game plan for "red zone" evangelism can make a huge difference in the lives of those around you. They will forever be grateful for your sensitivity and clear guidance when they needed it the most.
