Worship First, Witness Always: Why Evangelism Begins with Worship

Do you believe the Bible can be trusted?

If so, then we must ask: Do we love people enough to tell them what it says?

At the heart of Christian life and theology is worship, adoring God for who He is and what He’s done. The Church exists first and foremost to glorify God. But when we truly behold His majesty, worship doesn’t stop with us. It overflows. It compels us outward. That’s where evangelism comes in. Not as a chore, but as the natural result of knowing and worshiping God.

Yet many of us hesitate. We fear awkwardness. We feel unqualified. We convince ourselves that evangelism is for the extroverts, the trained, or the bold.

But here’s the truth: Every Christian is called to share. Evangelism isn’t for the few. It’s for the faithful.

As John Stott put it, “Both our theology (evangelism) and our activity (evangelizing) derive their meaning and importance from the good news – the evangel.”

In other words, what we believe about God fuels what we do for God. Evangelism is not a separate category from theology. It is theology in action. When we rightly understand who God is, what Christ has done, and what’s at stake for the lost, we must speak.

The Theology Behind the Telling

Our faith teaches us that God is holy, humanity is sinful, and the only way back to Him is through the cross of Christ. From Genesis 3 onward, we see a God who seeks sinners and provides salvation through a promised Savior. The Bible calls this atonement, Jesus taking our place to bear the punishment we deserved (Rom. 3:25; 2 Cor. 5:18-19).

This gospel, rooted in God’s character and His redemptive plan, demands a response: repentance and belief. And someone must speak it.

That someone is us.

As J.I. Packer notes, the essentials of evangelical theology include the supremacy of Scripture, the majesty of Christ, the work of the Spirit, the necessity of conversion, the priority of evangelism, and the beauty of fellowship. These aren’t just doctrines to affirm. They’re a mission to live.

Being, Doing, Telling

So what does faithful evangelism look like in everyday life?

Being: You are salt and light (Matt. 5:13–16). The aroma of Christ (2 Cor. 2:14–16). An ambassador of heaven (2 Cor. 5:20).
Doing: You are called to fish for souls (Mark 1:17), bear fruit (John 15:8), reconcile others to God (2 Cor. 5:17–21), make disciples (Matt. 28:18–20), and pray for the lost (Rom. 10:1).
Telling: You declare the gospel (Mark 1:15), bear witness to Christ (Acts 1:8), proclaim His excellencies (1 Pet. 2:9), teach the truth (Acts 5:42), and exalt the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).

Evangelism doesn’t require a degree. It requires dependence. Dr. Chuck Lawless puts it well: “Evangelism is telling the good news of Jesus Christ, depending upon the triune God to draw His own unto Himself and His church.”

We don’t save. God does. But He calls us to speak.

Pray for Boldness, Speak with Clarity

If you’re unsure where to start, begin with prayer. Ask God to give you a heart for the harvest (Matt. 9:38). Ask Him to open doors, and open your mouth (Col. 4:2-4). Read your Bible. Listen to gospel-rich sermons. And when the opportunity comes, speak the truth in love.

You don’t need to know everything. You just need to know Jesus, and love people enough to share Him.

“Our great object of glorifying God is, however, to be mainly achieved by the winning of souls. We must see souls born unto God…The ambassadors of peace should not cease to weep bitterly until sinners weep for their sins.” – Charles Spurgeon

Let’s be worshipers who witness.

Let’s speak the gospel clearly and joyfully.

And let’s celebrate one changed life at a time, for the glory of God.