The Essential Foundation
"And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. (Mar 13 : 10)
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame [and] everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
(Dan 12 : 2 - 3)
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins (Jam 5 : 20)
The Target
We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed (2Co 6 : 3)
Salvation of the Souls
receiving the end of your faith -- the salvation of [your] souls (1Pe 1 : 9)
The Target
He said to them, "The harvest truly [is] great, but the laborers [are] few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Luk 10 : 2)
Salvation of the Souls
So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (Joh 20 : 21)
"I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors" (Joh 4 : 38)
The Message ….
Christ’s Message
"You are the light of the world. A city
that is set on a hill cannot be hidden
(Mat 5 : 14)
The Gospel is:
Mainly god’s message of Love
Mainly directed to Man’s spiritual need for redemption
Be aware of people’s condition (hungry, tired, bored, lonely, poor, mistreated, rejected)
BUT
Understand what and how people think, feel, and aspire to & do.
Hard-working
Struggling for financial security.
Many People Are
Can be generous and helpful to neighbors.
Regard pleasure as a priority.
Committed to causes that generally line up with their self interests.
Hate to be patronized.
Can easily detect a hidden agenda in relationships.
Will resist high pressure from any group.
If single, may flock to bars for human contact & support.
See science as more reliable than religion.
Many People Are
Consider Christianity’s claim to uniqueness to be bigoted in the extreme.
Believe psychology probably has as many answers as religion.
View God as a harsh or a kind, distant grandfather.
Will resist high pressure from any group.
Believe God is probably irrelevant to their existence.
Rarely see the Bible as a source of help.
Many People
Vaguely wonder if there isn’t some truth to the new cults.
See Christians as judgmental killjoys.
Will quickly point to the hypocrisy of so-called people of God on TV who take advantage (money) from supporters.
Many People are also
If graduating from college, fear that they won’t find a job.
Worry about the risks of marital commitments.
Doubt that their family relationships will ever be stable and satisfying.
Worry that old age will find them alone and disabled
Others Are
Poor or Sick
Just trying to find food & shelter
Accept death easily
No need to think much
Forgotten, worthless & aimless
Preaching
They will trust us
The
Result
In preaching, we need, at least,
to sit, listen & walk where they walk
We must be convinced that the Christian faith:
1. Always targeting others – for the benefit of others.
Christianity is Realistic
2. Its truth has transformed our lives.
Jesus Christ dealt with people’s needs
Materialistic
(The five loaves)
Spiritual
(Salvation & Forgiveness)
Physical
(Touches of Love)
6. Dig for answers to their possible questions
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
5. Be Committed to God
4. Be Understanding
3. Be an Example (Evaluate Yourself)
2. Be Informed (of the world around you)
1. Be Involved
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
1. Be Involved
If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? (1Jo 4 : 20)
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
1. Be Involved
Start with the person next door
Get involved in other’s life and your Evangelism will begin to take off
Do not rely only on words (help, sacrifice, act, give time, give yourself)
Listen with your Heart NOT with your Mind
The Gospel is not a pill to be taken BUT a Life
2. Be Informed (of the world around you)
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, [And] attend to your herds; (Pro 27 : 23)
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
2. Be Informed (of the world around you)
Will give you common ground to build on
Will help you relate the Gospel to real situations
Will help you understand people’s problems
Abortion, the Economical Status, the working problem, ….. etc
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
3. Be an Example (Evaluate Yourself)
that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Phi 2 : 15)
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
3. Be an Example (Evaluate Yourself)
Don’t be a superficial professional preacher - you won’t convince them
Your Spiritualities
Your Actions
Your Beliefs
Your Attitude
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
The Christian is Different
Use of time
Use of money
Strength
Values
Relationships (Honest & Sincere)
Day Activity (Studies, entertainment, helpfulness …. etc)
Do you overindulge yourself? (food, sex, money …. etc)
How do you respond when disappointed or down?
Do you live in an “Ivory Tower”? (Isolated - over busy in church that you have no time for the unbelieving world … )
"They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world (Joh 17 : 16)
The Christian is Different
Avoid Hypocrisy
BE REAL
People can feel if the person in front of them is a real/true religious person or not
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks (Luk 6 : 45)
4. Be Understanding
Of the world’s weaknesses
Of the world’s temptations
Of the world’s greed
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
5. Be Committed to God
Don’t be Influenced
Don’t hide your Christianity
Face challenges to your faith
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
6. Dig for answers to their possible questions
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
NEVER
be a Singer of what you don’t understand
6. Dig for answers to their possible questions
How can you witness and explain clearly that Jesus Christ is THE RIGHT & THE ONLY RELEVANT SOLUTION?
5. Be Committed to God
4. Be Understanding
3. Be an Example (Evaluate Yourself)
2. Be Informed (of the world around you)
1. Be Involved
Three Kinds of Faith
1. Conformity Faith
Living in an environmental faith (routine) NOT in a Living Faith
(Goes to church, attend meetings, serve, contribute in activities .…)
No Genuine Desire from Within
2. Informational Faith
Three Kinds of Faith
(All your life in church, church activities, Sunday school..)
Have all information BUT nothing else
3. Commitment Faith
Three Kinds of Faith
Being A Christian
Believing & Living Accordingly
Even the demons believe and tremble (James 2 : 19)
Faith/Believing is not enough - you must REACH God as A Living Present Person
Commitment
Invite Jesus into your life
Love
Do His will
Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven (Math 7 : 21)
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments
(1 John 2 : 3)
Two Essential Ingredients for Faith to know Jesus Christ Personally
Faith Needs Action
(Heb 11)
Gave
(Offered)
Feared
Obeyed
Lived like a stranger
Waited
Blessed
Took Power
Kneeled down in worship
Commanded
Refused
Preferred
Loved
Left
Became
strong
Kept the Passover
Passed
through
Fell
Accepted
Martyrdom
Understand
How do you treat God?
As a living person??
Or as a picture??
Evaluate Yourself
Be honest with yourself