Evangelizing

I had a chance to do something similar not too long ago, although on a much, much smaller stage than RW. The local Department of Human Services and the local CASA (court appointed special advocate) volunteers were having some problems with each other, and the director of each organization asked me to come and speak to both groups together. While we were discussing what they wanted, the DHS director said, "We aren't asking you to come here and preach a sermon." My response was that I understood that, but being a pastor and being a Christian was not something that I do, it's who I am and it will come out in the things I say and I can't change that.

So I got to speak for almost an hour to this group of people that literally hold the futures of all the children in foster care in their hands. I talked a lot about communication and trust, used a lot of Scriptures references, mostly from Proverbs. At the end I told them that as a pastor it was my privilege to pray for them, and with their permission I would like to pray with them then. It was pretty much unanimous, they wanted me to pray with them so I did. It was pretty cool, a local baptist pastor praying with about 20-25 state social workers. I didn't say much about Jesus, if anything. I didn't give an invitation or lead a sinners prayer. I didn't even take up an offering :thumbsup: (although the thought did cross my mind) What I did do was open the door to build some very important relationships.

Here's the result so far. If we can raise the money (and money isn't a problem for God) we will be taking all the foster children that want to go to church camp with us this summer. So from me spending an hour basically telling grown-ups to play nice, I believe there will be several lives changed for eternity this summer.

:godisgood: ALL THE TIME!

 

dan e.,

I don't think its about whether or not we genuinely love people. The OP is correct, sometimes we think we have to give a gospel message absolutely every time we talk to someone who isn't saved. However, most people who do this are honestly doing it from a heart of love for the lost person. Their method is just a tad overzealous, and it can cause problems. gb's is a perfect example as he was being invited to speak about a particular topic, and it would have been innappropriate for him to "preach" at them.

This also translates into talking with friends and relatives who ARE saved but have backslidden. The temptation is to badger them, try to convince them to get back into church, nag at them every time we talk to them. But that closes the door of communication. I know of a man who had gotten away from God and his church, and one big reason he was able to come back was his family (still faithful to his church) talked and visited with him about many things without always mentioning his not going to church and his lifestyle. So when God did get hold of him again, he willingly came back to church and now he's a church planter himself in Minnesota.

 

Here is my nickle in the pot ** clink ***

If we witness without saying a word about Gods greatest witness, we have lost our witness.

By that same token:
If we only witness verbally without witness to the needs of people again we have lost our witness AND His testimony of His great love.

I think we must combine them both but in the wisdom of God. I share up front first AS I develope a friendship with them. In my college years I had to many unsaved 'friends' die before I shared because I was trying to build that friendship first. We are to share Christ in Love for the sake of Love and if we do this I have yet to find a person walk away as we build that friendship. It also at the first allows them to know where I stand. I heard a story told by an SBC evangelist "Freddie Gage" changed how I dealt with people from then on. It goes like this:

There is a man who is on trial for crimes, and as he stands before the judge everyone is certain his end was garrenteed. But there is a testimony yet unheard that can change the outcome and verdict of that trial, and it is yours. So you come to court dressed in your best clothes, acting in the most christian like manner humaly possible. You shake everyones hands, and befriend the whole crowd. Seated where all can see you, you are the picture perfect. The Judges looks at you, then he looks at the man. The Judge raised his gavel and pounds it against his desk while saying "Guilty as charged!"

The moral of the story is that you looks couldn't save him, your attitude couldn't save him, and niether could your friendship save him. Though these are important to your charactor witness, it was your testimony yet unheard that sentenced that man to Judgment.

Now aside from the obvious that God would not allow anyone whom He knows will be His to go to hell - you get the message of the story. You are there for a reason and that is to share Christ verbally, physically, emotionally, and phycologically. We are to be a living example in EVERY area but foremost verbally that the seed will be in their heart and God can deal with it, plant, and water it.

Anyhoo - IMO

 

Jon and dan, amen. Talk is cheap. Everyone does it. Living your faith is what others notice. We are told to be ready to give an answer for our hope. If we do not live lives that are different, who will be asking questions?

About your friend, dan, good job! You are the kind of friend everyone needs.

 

Romans 10:17

Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.


Where in the Bible does it say that it would have been inappropriate to present the narrow way to God? What book, chapter and verse ? You will not find it.

Unless the very word of God is spoken there is no witness.

 

But at the same time, Jesus did only give the truth (at times) and did not stick around to develope friendships. A witness MUST also declare what they have both seen and heard otherwise they are no witness at all. You can not have one with out the other nor can you say that one is more correct than the other for without both you are NO witness of Christ

 

It is a mischaracterization to say that preaching the gospel is just simply giving out information and asking someone to agree with you.

In this statement you disregard the work of the Holy Ghost to convict the heart. You disregard His work that illuminates the cross. Jesus said when I am lifted up I will draw all men unto me. if Christ has not been preached he has not been lifted up. If the cross has not been preached Christ has not been lifted up. There can be no slavation without the preaching of the cross.


1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

 

I would be interested to see the scriptual basis for this view.

 

I believe the gospel is not magic but by its very nature has power because it is truth.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

There is power in the words of God. And every time the Words of God are spoken the Holy Ghost stands behind them and uses them to illuminate the mind and heart of the one receiveing those words. It isnt magic but it is the very power of God.

What I am saying is one can be regenerated without your testimony. But one can never be regenerated with out the Word of God.

The scripture I am looking for from you is what passage you read and studied to come to the conclusion that Gods words are not enough.And we must add something to them in order to lead someone to the Lord.

 

1 Peter 3:1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.

I can speak from experience that this is one of the reasons my husband came to the Lord. When I tried to witness to him or even talk about the Lord, it irritated him, so I followed this scripture and let my behavior speak to him. Sometimes words are enough, sometimes not, and sometimes it takes both words and behavior.

 

Not meaning to speak for Dan, but where do you get from anything said here that something needs to be added to the Word to lead someone to Christ?

 

Don't mean to butt in here, but perhaps I have some germane Scriptures. The Gospel stands alone. There is no word or concept to add to it. However, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). Again, we are to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior" by our godly life (Tit. 2:10).

To me it is not "either/or"--either witness about the Lord Jesus with the Gospel or show it with your life. It is both. Woe to the believer who tries to witness while having a dirty life. But on the other hand no one gets saved without hearing the Gospel.

As for whether we should give the Gospel the first time, my faith in Christ is who I am. I am nothing without Christ. If someone wishes to know me they must know that Christ saved me and leads me, or they know nothing at all about me! So what kind of Christian would decide he shouldn't tell someone about Christ the first time? Would it offend them and send them closer to Hell? How in the world can a lost person get closer to Hell than they already are--one heartbeat away?

 

Well said brother, well said.