Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in The Chosen was an unknown actor, until this series soared in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently they’re filming for its sixth seson.
Recently Roumie to spoke by video to a conference of “Digital Missionaries” and religious influencers urging them to continue spreading the gospel online.
“As someone who’s been blessed to portray Jesus in The Chosen, I’ve seen firsthand how a story shared online can touch a heart, soften a soul, even change a life,” Roumie observed. “You’re doing the same, whether it’s through a post, a reel, a comment thread, or a live stream—you’re showing up in these digital spaces with the heart of Christ.
Often we bemoan the negatives of the internet, iPhones, and social media citing the dangers, abuse, and temptations to sin. Yet, just like any tool, the modern means of technology can be used for good or evil. Often called, “online outreach” Roumie said this is what “evangelization looks like today. It’s not just pulpits and church walls—it’s Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, blogs, all of it.”
While ThePreachersWord is a very small fish in a massive ocean, we have seen first hand in the past 13 years the influence for good through our little blog. Daily people from around the world are encouraged, edified, and pointed in some small way to the Lord and the Gospel. Several of our preaching colleagues are using blogs to make a difference as well.
We know of churches who are effectively using their web-page, facebook posts, Instagram, pod casts, as well as YouTube to teach, arouse interest, and create contacts. I was told by one of my preaching friends how many visitors their congregation was having following the COVID shut down, because they had watched the worship service on line, heard the gospel preached, and learned about the church on their web page.
While personal contact, building relationships, and nurturing a family atmosphere of fellowship can never be replaced by the internet or online teaching, it can be a great supplement to our traditional means of spreading the gospel. Plus, well thought out messages on line, can awaken and energize people spiritually who may otherwise never be reached.
In his closing remarks to the conference, Roumie said, “You never know who’s watching or listening or scrolling, and whose life might be changed just because you shared a little hope.”
Those of us with an online presence have a great responsibility to do our best, to shine the light of gospel, and glorify God to a world that is groping in the darkness of sin. Furthermore, our posts and videos may serve to lift the spirits of a discouraged and disheartened brother or sister.
Of course, the reverse of that principle is true as well. What we say, post, or publish, may discourage, create confusion, incite anger, and alienate other preachers, pastors, and Christians of good-will. This warning is not just for those with a larger platform, but all of us who are on social media. We each have a personal responsibility to be kind, caring, and loving with our online engagement.
Let this inspired exhortation sink in.
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:29-32).
This scriptural warning not only applies to our speech as we personally interact with others, but what we post on line. Let’s not undo the good of our online presence by angry retorts, unkind slurs, unfounded accusations, and endless arguments over personal opinions, political preferences, and even doctrinal differences. Most of the time the latter is better served by personal contact and private study. At least, if we must respond online, let’s do so by “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:16).
Let’s use all the tools at our disposal to “preach the Word,” let our light shine, share the Good News, and give no occasion for our adversaries to reproach or defame us.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
As important as evangelism is, I think it is important to remember to teach the Gospel to new Christians or to Christians coming back to the Church in later life. Babies and young children are eager to learn. That said, as they suckle milk they are comforted. Feeling comforted and safe, they are not so eager to be weaned onto solid food.
As the Pauline Epistle writer says: “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready” 1 Corinthians 3:2…for there is still jealousy and quarrels among you…are you not walking in the ways of man?
Think about it, it takes awhile for babies to understand and recognize their mother’s and father’s voices. It takes even longer for them to learn how to talk…let alone to walk. Babies need their mother and their father and their siblings or aunts and uncles to help them learn how to walk and talk as mature Christians!
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