If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing...(1 Cor. 13:2b)

The Workplace as a Mission Field
When we think about evangelism in the workplace we must look at Jesus as our ultimate role model.  There are several things we learn about Jesus' methods of speaking into the lives of those He came in contact with.  Jesus used the workplace as the setting to reach many people.  Consider this: where do the majority of people spend the majority of their time interacting with the majority of the lost world?  The only place that fits that description is the workplace.

Consider that of Jesus' 132 public appearances in the New Testament, 122 were in the workplace.  Of the 52 parables Jesus told, 45 had a workplace context.  Furthermore, Jesus spent His adult life working as a carpenter before He went into a preaching ministry.  This is one of the more interesting observations about the life of Jesus.  He did not begin His "public preaching" ministry until he spent His adult life serving mankind as a simple carpenter in His earthly father's small business.  If Jesus spent those ten to fifteen years in a workplace job, and only three years in public ministry, what does that say about the importance of work?  God uses work to accomplish many things in the lives of His followers.

One thing we notice about the method of Jesus in speaking to those in the workplace was that He dealt with each person in a unique and personal way.  There were no formulas.  Today the church often seeks to develop the latest and greatest evangelism program to present the gospel and gain a conversion.  Jesus went beyond these methods.

Gospel of Salvation versus Gospel of the Kingdom
"'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven'" (Matthew 6:9-10).

Although there are situations where "tactics" might work well, Jesus modeled an approach that dealt with the whole person, not just salvation.  The church has often preached the "Gospel of Salvation" instead of the "Gospel of the Kingdom."  What is the difference?  Well, in the New Testament you find Jesus speaking to people about the Gospel of the Kingdom many more times than the Gospel of Salvation.  The Gospel of the Kingdom is mentioned 66 times in the New Testament.  Jesus saw that people not only needed salvation, but they also needed to experience God in every aspect of their lives.  This is the Gospel of the Kingdom.  If God's plan was only about salvation, we would all go to heaven immediately after receiving salvation.

In Jesus' ministry, it was often a healing that brought someone to faith.  Or an encounter with a demon.  Or a struggle with an ungodly lifestyle.  All of these issues dealt with life and the kingdom of darkness.  Dealing with these issues often led to a commitment to Jesus.  That's why He brought the Kingdom of God to these people.

When a person understands who he or she is in Christ and is motivated to love Christ and serve Him, evangelism is a natural byproduct of the relationship.  Jesus modeled this when He answered the disciples' question regarding the greatest commandment.  "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"  Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:36-40). 

The bottom line priority for every believer is to love God and to love others.  Evangelism is the fruit of a love relationship with God and love towards others.  So often we try to motivate people to evangelize out of guilt, shame, or duty.  This usually yields little fruit that does not last.  I am not saying that tools are not appropriate to use when sharing the gospel.  I am only saying that everything proceeds from the heart.  In order for a believer to bear fruit (of which evangelism is but one part), he or she must have a transformed life that will yield fruit from obedience motivated by love for the Father.

The question for you and me is, "How can God use men and women in the workplace-like ourselves-to impact our workplace, communities, cities, and even nations?"  Let me assure you, God wants to demonstrate His love and power in your workplace.  Then you will experience God's evangelism program.