I AM
"…before Abraham was born, I am!" John 8:58.

I teach a workshop titled "Evangelism Can Be Fun." But this morning it doesn't seem like fun. You see, as my church ponders planting a new Hispanic church, I feel overwhelmed by the challenge. My spirit is drowning in "What Ifs."

1. What if I don't have what it takes to initiate and lead this effort?
2. What if our volunteers drop out?
3. What if the Hispanics ignore us?
4. What if we make a lot of mistakes?
5. What if I wind up looking like an inept failure?

Such outreach doubts stifle the joy of passing salvation on to others. Have you ever been in this situation? Are you there right now?

While debating with the Jewish leaders, Jesus said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing My day; he saw it and was glad" (John 8:56).

When did Abraham rejoice to see Christ's day? The Lord's promise to Abraham in Gen. 12:2-3 included:

1. "I will make you into a great nation."
2. "You will be a blessing."
3. "All peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

These components are inter-linked.

• Without a son, no nation.
• Without a nation, no coming Savior.
• Without a Savior, no blessing of the nations.

Without a son in his arms, Abraham couldn't laugh. With Isaac bouncing on his knee, he "rejoiced at the thought of seeing Christ's day; he saw it and was glad." In other words, through Isaac, the child of promise, God assured Abraham there indeed would be a nation, and a coming Savior.

We, by faith, have also seen Christ's day and are glad in Him. Since His coming, His Gospel has blessed many of earth's peoples, but not all. The promise that "All peoples on earth will be blessed through you" still waits to be fulfilled in thousands of places.

• The Hispanics in my community.
• The unevangelized people where you serve.
• The thousands of remaining unreached people groups.

Will we reach out to these people with joy? Rather than glumly doubting God, let's take action trusting Him to complete what He promised Abraham 4,000 years ago?

In John 8, the Jewish leaders doubted what Jesus said concerning Abraham. "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews told Him, "and you have seen Abraham!"

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:57-58). (NIV)

This "I Am" of Jesus is unique. In other verses Jesus claims titles like "good shepherd" or "light of the world." But here Jesus bluntly declares, "I am!", thus claiming for Himself the personal name of God--I Am Who I Am (Ex. 3:14).

Evangelism is no fun at all when we focus on a list of "What Ifs" rising from our own human limitations. But what if we focus on our God, I Am? What if we focus on His mission promises? Then evangelism becomes an adventure of joy and laughter.

1. How did Abraham and Sarah feel about being childless?
2. What biblical promises do you sometimes doubt?
3. When was the last time evangelism made you laugh?