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Presenting the gospel today Evangelism is a natural byproduct of a healthy church. The word when received engages us to do his work. When we find out what God has done for use we become eager to serve Him and with the Spirit present and active we do not need to be coerced or pushed into doing work, like the cults do. We do it joyfully, eagerly because it is from our heart and it is fulfilling his will. When presenting the gospel it is always a good idea to give the person their current spiritual state so they know why they need the gospel. Only when one knows they are drowning ARE THEY WILLING TO call on the lifeguard. Jesus is the lifeguard, he is the firemen, the policeman in that respect. He is the lifeguard that save us from drowning, He as fireman rescues us from the fire, he is the policeman that will preserve and protect us. He is our “all in all,” let’s make him that for others. But to give the gospel to others one must be prepared for objections and questions. The basics of the gospel is God’s way to repair mans severed relationship with God. Any teacher or preacher that does not include man’s separateness from God because of sin is not focused on the gospel. And they will not use it correctly for those in need of it. The gospel needs to be defined in its points Furthermore, the gospel needs to be explained. This is why when presenting the gospel it is just as important to explain “the who” of the Gospel as the what. What Jesus did only becomes efficacious because of “who He is.” What am I saying? The Who, (Jesus being God) is just as important as the what (that He died for our sins.) This is especially important to reach those that are in cults. Why? Because nearly all those in the cults will agree and say that Jesus is the Son of God. But to them he is not God (the Son). To a Jewish mindset of the first century calling one the Son of God, God’s son was clearly being an equal. This is why they picked up stones to stone him “for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God." (John 10:33) this is something Jesus said several other times. Today we have a western culture view and his statements are not as obvious, especially when one is trying to convey to culturized unbelievers what is being said in the Scripture you are also addressing what they heard. We need to stay away from Christian terminology and use everyday meanings that they can grasp. Telling someone they will be justified by faith, sanctified by the spirit, glorified by the resurrection means nothing to those unfamiliar with the Bible. The message must be understood to be believed. It is up to us to bring the heavenly message down to earth for them to understand it. Try to remember how you were before the grace of God broke through. Especially those of you who were not brought up with a religious or Christian background and went to church. Remember Prov. 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.” Be aware of those who eat up your time and spend your effort away. Have patience and work with people as long as you see progress. |
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