Platforms to Pillars - Evangelism

·38 min·3 clips

Lou Smith confesses he's a social media influencer after avoiding the topic for three and a half years.

The episode is a sermon by Lou Smith at 938 Church titled 'Platforms to Pillars - Evangelism'. Smith opens by confessing he has avoided talking about a specific topic for three and a half years, then reveals he is a social media influencer with a YouTube channel called 'Reluctant DIYers'. He explains he built trust and influence through home repair videos. Smith transitions to challenge the audience, stating everyone is an influencer in their daily lives. The sermon is part of a series shifting the church from a platform to pillars, focusing on spiritual gifts like evangelism. The main passage is Acts 1:1-8, where Jesus tells disciples they will be witnesses. Smith defines evangelism by first stating what it is not: not a sales pitch or test of biblical knowledge. He cites the Oxford Dictionary definition involving public preaching and personal witness. He references Ephesians 4:11-12 about roles like evangelists equipping believers. Smith discusses the Greek word 'martus' for witness, meaning someone who saw an event. He shares a 2019 Barna Group study on Christian millennials, showing many feel equipped but unsure about evangelism due to cultural resistance. Smith turns to Luke 4:17-21, where Jesus reads from Isaiah in Nazareth, declaring scripture fulfilled. He explains the context of Isaiah 61 and Jubilee year. To illustrate tailoring messages, Smith uses AI-generated examples: one for baby boomers/Gen X and another for younger millennials/Gen Z. He emphasizes meeting people where they are, citing 1 Corinthians 9:22 where Paul becomes 'all things to all people'. Smith outlines three considerations for being an influencer for Christ. First, there is no one-size-fits-all method. Second, start in your 'Jerusalem' using concentric circles of concern from a book, ranging from self to person X. Third, rely on the Holy Spirit for power, referencing Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28's Great Commission. He shares a personal story from a conference in San Antonio where a conversation about sneakers led to faith discussions. Smith notes success in evangelism means sharing and leaving results to God, quoting Will McRaney Jr.'s 'The Art of Personal Evangelism'. He contrasts churches without evangelism pillars to those with them, emphasizing growth and baptism. The sermon concludes with a prayer and announcements about church activities.

As heard by us

A church message links social media influence with Jesus' announcement of present hope.

Lou Smith brings evangelism down from theory and into the ordinary world of posts, influence, and everyday videos. He opens with a candid note about being a social media influencer, moves through a home-repair example, and then ties that public-facing instinct to Jesus reading…

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Why you'd press play

You want to think about social media as a place for faith, not just pressure-fitted door adjustments.

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