Ideas on how to love and serve others in church

[evangelist6589]

Your debt is your addiction. It controls you, you don't control it.

So vehicle repair costs and medical costs plus student loans are addictions? Last year I had some unemployment time after I moved and I did not collect a check because I quit when I moved. Unfortunately I had costs come up.

 

[evangelist6589]

What do you mean by compromise John? Doesn't your church believe all men are sinners and need to trust Jesus Christ to be saved just like you?

The difference is the method. Look at these two videos. One is a street preacher like you who yells at the people and tells them the are sinners and going to perish. Look at how abusive the people are to him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ30MEcd3Sk

Now, in my opinion this makes Christians look bad. I am all for Christ being preached, but this is nothing but a spectacle. You cannot even hear the message. This is what happens when you insult folks. Note that his shirt says "Stop Sinning" on the front. That will get a reaction every time.

Now look at this fellow, I have shown you him before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq2W20Vcy0s

Look at the crowd. Look how they are listening. Don't you agree this is much better?

Try being nice to people John and they will listen. Jesus didn't scream at people in the street.

Now I am going to show you something shocking John, it is scripture about Jesus.

Isa 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

Jesus didn't yell at people in the street John, despite what you have been told. He taught people, he had them sit down, it was quiet and orderly.

Wait a minute here.. The second video is part of a class assignment so obviously the student will be listening if they expect a decent grade. Nice try.

 

[Winman]

Wait a minute here.. The second video is part of a class assignment so obviously the student will be listening if they expect a decent grade. Nice try.

Where did you get that information? I did not see that anywhere.

This is what the video said;

Cliffe Knechtle has a good dialogue with students at Texas State University. Recorded in October 2013.
The "Give Me An Answer" ministry began as an outgrowth of the dialogues Cliffe Knechtle has had with students on various university campuses throughout the United States. These universities include the University of Maine, Harvard, MIT, University of Florida, University of Texas, University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota, University of California Los Angeles, University of California San Diego, Berkeley, Stanford, University of Hawaii and the University of Washington. Cliffe spoke on these campuses in front of the Student Union or Library at noon for five to ten minutes. At the close of his initial remarks, he'd open up the time for questions and answers, which usually turned into a two to four hour dialogue with students. His crowd size ranged from 25 - 500 students at a time, and between classes, new students would join the discussion. This is an extremely effective way to reach a large number of university students with the Gospel of Christ.

Where does it say this was some sort of assignment?

Maybe you should try talking to people like this man does, then maybe you would get 500 people at a time to listen to the gospel without screaming and cursing at you.

You do not like to learn.

 

[Inspector Javert]

without screaming and cursing at you.

If they are not screaming and cursing at him, then he will not be convinced that the "World hates him, and he is being persecuted for righteousness' sake".

IMO...he takes a certain comfort in being cursed at because he can tell himself that he is TRULY preaching the gospel. If people actually listened, I think he'd be concerned that he was compromising the gospel, or being too "seeker sensitive or worldly" or preaching a "cheap grace".
See here:

I want to serve but I won't compromise.

He needs to SEE "the gospel" be the stumblingblock and rock of offense that the Scriptures say it can be. Not considering the possiblity that his presentation is the "rock of offense" and not the gospel per se. Honestly, if people took his preaching to heart and listened and responded positively, I actually think he'd second-guess himself.

 

[evangelist6589]

My critics multiply like Rabbits!

If they are not screaming and cursing at him, then he will not be convinced that the "World hates him, and he is being persecuted for righteousness' sake".

IMO...he takes a certain comfort in being cursed at because he can tell himself that he is TRULY preaching the gospel. If people actually listened, I think he'd be concerned that he was compromising the gospel, or being too "seeker sensitive or worldly" or preaching a "cheap grace".
See here:


He needs to SEE "the gospel" be the stumblingblock and rock of offense that the Scriptures say it can be. Not considering the possiblity that his presentation is the "rock of offense" and not the gospel per se. Honestly, if people took his preaching to heart and listened and responded positively, I actually think he'd second-guess himself.

 

[Inspector Javert]

My critics multiply like Rabbits!

Note, how you take a certain form of satisfaction in pointing out how "criticized" you are....

Think about it Evan.

It's a comfort to you isn't it?

 

[evangelist6589]

If they are not screaming and cursing at him, then he will not be convinced that the "World hates him, and he is being persecuted for righteousness' sake".

IMO...he takes a certain comfort in being cursed at because he can tell himself that he is TRULY preaching the gospel. If people actually listened, I think he'd be concerned that he was compromising the gospel, or being too "seeker sensitive or worldly" or preaching a "cheap grace".
See here:


He needs to SEE "the gospel" be the stumblingblock and rock of offense that the Scriptures say it can be. Not considering the possiblity that his presentation is the "rock of offense" and not the gospel per se. Honestly, if people took his preaching to heart and listened and responded positively, I actually think he'd second-guess himself.

Hogwash. I have had many chats with people on the streets and taken some out to lunch and given food to the homeless. You just want to attack me.

 

[evangelist6589]

Where did you get that information? I did not see that anywhere.

This is what the video said;



Where does it say this was some sort of assignment?

Maybe you should try talking to people like this man does, then maybe you would get 500 people at a time to listen to the gospel without screaming and cursing at you.

You do not like to learn.

WinMan I got a DVD for you to buy as its abut open air preaching and the MANY different styles of it. You do not seem educated on this topic.

http://gostandspeakdvd.tumblr.com

 

[Inspector Javert]

Hogwash. I have had many chats with people on the streets and taken some out to lunch and given food to the homeless. You just want to attack me.

I'm not "attacking" you......
I'm pointing out my (mere opinion) that you derive a certain form of comfort in being "attacked".
I've seen that before.

You don't have to take what I say to heart. But it's not meant to hurt you or deride you in any way. Some hard-line I.F.B's are like that sometimes....not convinced they are doing the right thing unless they are being "attacked".

You may take it or leave it:
Just don't play the martyr.

 

[Winman]

WinMan I got a DVD for you to buy as its abut open air preaching and the MANY different styles of it. You do not seem educated on this topic.

http://gostandspeakdvd.tumblr.com

John, I am not going to buy those DVDs.

All I can say is the guy speaking at the university seems to be doing a much better job of getting people to consider the gospel than that other guy. That first video was embarrassing if you ask me. Jesus said not to cast pearls before swine, and those folks were swine. That said, standing and yelling at people calling them sinners will rile folks up every time.

It's up to you, but I would rather have a decent orderly scene where folks are listening and asking questions. But maybe that is just me.

 

[Inspector Javert]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq2W20Vcy0s

Never seen this guy before...
I like it!
I like it a LOT!

Thanks for sharing....
I'm gonna look this dude up! Reaching real people, where real people exist, and in a meaningful way to them.

That's good stuff.

Thanks for sharing this Winman :wavey:

 

[Inspector Javert]

That said, standing and yelling at people calling them sinners will rile folks up every time.

That's because, whether they admit it to themselves or not in "so many words"...most modern Americans already KNOW they are sinners....

It's usually pretty easy to convince them of that...that's why they are already looking for a solution. Problem is, they don't know where to turn.

Screaming to the masses that they are screwed up is not usually effective...they want the cure, that's where Christ comes in.

Christ is what they DON'T know. They are already reading the Dhali Lama, listening to Deepak Chopra's heresies on Oprah, turning to Kundalini Yoga and Buddhism because they know they're screwed up....they're just looking for a REAL source of light.

Evan thinks they need the "Law" still....
They probably don't.....

They need the cure.

 

[Winman]

Never seen this guy before...
I like it!
I like it a LOT!

Thanks for sharing....
I'm gonna look this dude up! Reaching real people, where real people exist, and in a meaningful way to them.

That's good stuff.

Thanks for sharing this Winman :wavey:

Well, he engages people, especially young people. He does a pretty good job of answering a lot of tough questions. He does't insult his audience or yell at them, and as you see he draws big crowds. I have no idea how many persons he has actually led to the Lord.

I certainly prefer this to the other video where the crowd was trying to drown out the preacher yelling through a megaphone. I don't see that as productive at all, in fact, I think it makes Christianity look foolish. I am glad folks want to get out and preach the gospel, but I do not think this method of calling people sinners very effective.

 

[evangelist6589]

John, I am not going to buy those DVDs.

All I can say is the guy speaking at the university seems to be doing a much better job of getting people to consider the gospel than that other guy. That first video was embarrassing if you ask me. Jesus said not to cast pearls before swine, and those folks were swine. That said, standing and yelling at people calling them sinners will rile folks up every time.

It's up to you, but I would rather have a decent orderly scene where folks are listening and asking questions. But maybe that is just me.

You wont hear my argument, then I won't hear yours. Its that simple.

 

[evangelist6589]

John, I am not going to buy those DVDs.

All I can say is the guy speaking at the university seems to be doing a much better job of getting people to consider the gospel than that other guy. That first video was embarrassing if you ask me. Jesus said not to cast pearls before swine, and those folks were swine. That said, standing and yelling at people calling them sinners will rile folks up every time.

It's up to you, but I would rather have a decent orderly scene where folks are listening and asking questions. But maybe that is just me.

First I do not agree with those that wear shirts antagonizing people nor those that hold up signs doing the same thing. Also when I open air I do not attack homosexuals, nor others, but I just randomly preach verses and usually start in Romans. As a consequence I do not get the attention like those holding up signs and or wearing shirts but thats okay.

 

[evangelist6589]

I believe I made my decision about the booth. I will visit it but I will witness on my own. Contrary to popular critic belief I do not think street preaching is the only way to witness, although my critics will never hear this side of the story. At this event I do not plan to street preach, just talk with anyone that will listen.

 

[ShagNappy]

My critics multiply like Rabbits!

If you meet a man in the morning and he is a jerk to you, you have met a jerk. If everyone you meet is a jerk, YOU are the jerk...

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Debt addiction is more than compulsive shopping. Someone who is addicted to debt uses debt as a crutch for solving their financial and personal problems without any plan for living differently or getting out of debt. They also use it as an excuse for never improving their financial situation, and in fact rather like to wallow in their difficulties by suggesting they are far too big to resolve or that life circumstances make it impossible to solve, rather than just digging in and resolving to pay off the debt, no matter how long it takes. Other signs include living paycheck to paycheck and never planning for the future, constantly being in financial crisis, or being unwilling to take care of oneself in order to pay creditors.

Sound familiar, John?

 

[annsni]

Evan - Is your wife working as well to pay off debts? You both have no children so this is the time to buckle down and get that debt paid off. You buy books. Put that money towards your debt instead. Use your local library and your church library. Sell those things you don't need. You CAN pay off debt - I've seen it done on very small salaries by people who live in expensive areas. The key here though is .... desire. If you desire to pay off your debt and be a man of your word (you promised to pay it off when you took the debt), then you do everything possible to pay it down, even going so far as to sell plasma if needed.

 

[evangelist6589]

Evan - Is your wife working as well to pay off debts? You both have no children so this is the time to buckle down and get that debt paid off. You buy books. Put that money towards your debt instead. Use your local library and your church library. Sell those things you don't need. You CAN pay off debt - I've seen it done on very small salaries by people who live in expensive areas. The key here though is .... desire. If you desire to pay off your debt and be a man of your word (you promised to pay it off when you took the debt), then you do everything possible to pay it down, even going so far as to sell plasma if needed.

Actually she has a child and her income goes towards him. We live in a costly area of Colorado. I do not buy many new books as most are USED or FREE believe me I shop online sites. But regardless it would be less than $300 so a pinch in the wind of my debt level due to student loans from a long time ago.

The key is to continue to eye job sites for better paying positions allowing me to make progress on my debts. I remember a caller called Dave a month or so ago with a under 30K job like mine and allot of debt. He suggested she better her job skills as what she made was just living money.