Will you be out witnessing this weekend?

[JohnDeereFan]

Perhaps.

But then the question must come - are they truly believers.

Good question. Spurgeon said that if a man doesn't have a zeal to share the Gospel with the lost, it's because he hasn't experienced it, himself.

Again, not making any judgment of salvation, but look at your own experiential walk?

Did it not have a point of conviction, of deep understanding of the need of Christ, and following a continued growth of experiential learning?

Yes, but only after I heard the Gospel

The true believer bears fruit (not "soul winning" but fruit of character in which no law can be made against) unto harvest. That is the witness -- they are true believers for they have a testimony to share.

I disagree. Our testimony doesn't explain the law to the lost and waiting for the lost to come to us, looking for our testimony, is not Biblical. Going to the lost, is.

 

[agedman]

I disagree. Our testimony doesn't explain the law to the lost and waiting for the lost to come to us, looking for our testimony, is not Biblical. Going to the lost, is.

I would in no way discredit that purposed sharing the gospel is Biblical.

What I am stating is that without the character expressed through the fruits of the Holy Spirit, there is no witness - no testimony. James - show me your work (character)... He must have been from Missouri.

It is also true that the witness and testimony does not have to present to the person in a first hand fashion - such as one might do in street evangelism or knocking on door type visitation. That does not mean those ways are inappropriate, but not exclusionary.

For example:

When in prison, the guard overheard the witness and testimony given (prayer and praise). He burst into the cell demanding answers.

There is Scriptural example then that "waiting for the lost to come to us, looking for our testimony," is a Biblical practice . Another time would be the crowds that came and pressed up Christ to "see" for themselves what was reported.

However, there is also the example of Philip being taken to a specific place that the gospel be shared.

What believers should understand is that God uses both the prayer and praise conversations between believers in a restaurant that may be overheard in the next booth, just as much as the purposed direct - "I am going out to witness" - times.

The believer doesn't have a choice - they are a witness - they have a testimony.

 

[preachinjesus]

Witnessing is what you are, not a weekend activity.

As others have said...well said, well said. :thumbs:

 

[JohnDeereFan]

What I am stating is that without the character expressed through the fruits of the Holy Spirit, there is no witness - no testimony. James - show me your work (character)... He must have been from Missouri.

Is it the Gospel - or, more specifically, the Holy Spirit working through the Gospel - that saves? Or is it the character of the person sharing the Gospel?

There is Scriptural example then that "waiting for the lost to come to us, looking for our testimony," is a Biblical practice . Another time would be the crowds that came and pressed up Christ to "see" for themselves what was reported.

Actually, it's not.

They were praising God, not witnessing to the jailer.

What believers should understand is that God uses both the prayer and praise conversations between believers in a restaurant that may be overheard in the next booth, just as much as the purposed direct - "I am going out to witness" - times.

God uses all sorts of things. That doesn't mean that we're to ignore God.

The believer doesn't have a choice - they are a witness - they have a testimony.

So what witness are you giving when you don't care enough about the lost to share the Gospel with them?

 

[Revmitchell]

Personally I pray for God to bring forth his elect to salvation and use me to do so when I go out witnessing.

What do you do with them once God answers that prayer?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What do you do with them once God answers that prayer?

Thats a good question! Im curious, you obviously dont like the direction the local IFB is taking & you are not finding a Reformed Church to your liking.......so where would you send them......whats phase 2?

 

[Revmitchell]

Thats a good question! Im curious, you obviously dont like the direction the local IFB is taking & you are not finding a Reformed Church to your liking.......so where would you send them......whats phase 2?

I am SBC and have not attended an IFB church since I was a kid. I do not send them anywhere I personally take time to invest my life in them to disciple them.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I am SBC and have not attended an IFB church since I was a kid. I do not send them anywhere I personally take time to invest my life in them to disciple them.

Sorry...was directing my question to Evangelist.

 

[JamesL]

To answer the original question, I will not be "out" witnessing, I will be " in" witnessing.

Everyone is called to witness, or be a witness, in different capacities. For some, it is to be a witness by letting their light shine through their good works.

Others have been sent to the highways and byways. I think that our hearts burn for a particular demographic, or place, or someone who is where we once were

I have been called to the lost, in church. This is where I was. For 15 years my heart has ached for the lost who sit under ambiguous teaching, and leave each week in the same lost state because they never heard clear truth

My witnessing may be directly with an unbeliever, or it may be with those who peddle ambiguity.

For instance, recently there was a "convert" who said a "sinner's prayer" and was immediately scheduled for baptism three weeks later. The day comes around, and the convert is so excited. He said "today is my spiritual birthday"

I told that to his Sunday School teacher, and she fawned and said, "isn't that great?"

I raised an eyebrow and said, "ehh, I thought that happened a couple of weeks ago."

Her eyes got as big as saucers, and her entire frame slouched. I think the weight of the implication hit her with full strength, because she said "oh, my goodness."

She had been the one to supposedly lead him to Christ, yet had left him with the impression that baptism is the way to merit God's grace. And this is not a guess on my part, for he made that exact claim not long after that.

So I witness to the lost, in church. I don't presume to know what state anyone is in, I just preach Jesus, and Him crucified, in every setting there. Then I leave it in the hands of God to make a seed grow.

I'm at a different church now, with the same aim - to glorify the Son

 

[saturneptune]

But everybody is called to share the Gospel.

It's that easy.

Sometimes. It also comes from practicing.

The part of knocking on doors that makes me a little queasy is not the message, but not knowing what is going to happen when someone opens the door. Also, I do agree that the more you do it, the easier it gets. I think I told BB this earlier, but on a mission trip to eastern KY a couple of years ago, a guy brought a box with him to the front door with a rattle snake in it. He asked me and my partner to stick our hands in it to test our faith. I did not know what to say at first, but after a few seconds, I wished him a good day and moved to the next door. That visit takes the cake of all the places I have been.

Everyone is called to share the Gospel, which is why I do not understand why so few people show up for planned visitations. When I say visitations, I mean either cold calling or trying to get a person that was once a regular attender back into church.

 

[evangelist6589]

I'm always 'prepared' to witness as the word calls us to prepared in season and out of season to give an answer for the hope we have.

Not everybody is called or gifted to do the work of an evangelist. If I just went up to random people warning them of their sin and hell, the love & forgiveness of Christ I would just botch it. Not my gift. Some are gifted with teaching, administration, helps, etc.

I've been out on Evangelism teams years ago and one guy who obviously had an incredible gift in witnessing, led many to the Lord and it just came naturally as if he had very little difficulty in knowing what to say, when to say it and how to react to every question/rejection.

A gifted teacher will also in the same way have it just come out of them naturally because these gifts are from the Holy Spirit, not our flesh. Even though Evangelism is not listed as a gift per se, neither is a lead vocalist in a choir/praise team or a musician or a writer of Hymns, Doctrinal books, etc but those are special gifts that is apparent to anyone they are gifte.:godisgood:

Hi Florida Believer.

I appreciate your response. However what you have been taught is incorrect as the Bible clearly says that all of us are to be out witnessing. Leading someone to the Lord has nothing to do with a gifting or ability, but entirely on the Holy Spirit and will of God. Florida Believer I dare say you have been taught incorrectly and I desire to help you learn about Biblical Evangelism and the way Jesus did things. Here is a FREE book for you to read.

http://www.freewonderfulbook.com

Again the book has no cost if you order it from the page.

 

[evangelist6589]

Witnessing is what you are, not a weekend activity.

If you do not warn others of Hell how is that Biblical?

 

[evangelist6589]

Now there is a good answer. :thumbsup:

Its the wrong one and not one supported from scripture and certainly not one that Jesus taught whom had allot to say about Hell.

 

[evangelist6589]

Our evangelism team isn't going out this weekend, as the temperatures are expected to be in the single digits and the roads and sidewalks here are treacherous.

Where do you live? I hope you can be safe.

 

[evangelist6589]

why not? In the bible, witnessing is intentional.

excellent response.

 

[evangelist6589]

So should our lives be.

But that is not witnessing.

 

[evangelist6589]

OK. Let's say your life is. How does that explain the law and the Gospel to the lost?

Well said, well said...

 

[evangelist6589]

Why then, did the Christians in the Bible go out into the cities to purposely share the Gospel and not just wait for the lost to come to them?

I'm assuming you must be an Arminian.

He is. But what puzzles me is that their are Arminian whom are big on "soul winning" and are out witnessing weekly if possible.

 

[evangelist6589]

Funny that some folks will talk all day about their favorite sports team or some movie they just saw, but when it comes to sharing the Gospel with the lost, they'll make up any excuse to get out of it.

Exactly!!! Well said.

A great devotional

http://www.wayofthemasterminute.com

Friday, January 24, 2014
Friendship Evangelism

Listen

If you saw someone who was about to drink deadly poison, what would you do? Would you warn him? Wouldn't there be a sense of urgency on your part to stop him from putting that cup to his lips? Would you passively become friends with him and let him drink as you talk with him about other things? "Friendship evangelism," which never warns people of any danger, is the ultimate betrayal of trust. How can we call ourselves that person's "friend" and not warn them? Friends don't let friends go to Hell. Who do you know who isn't saved? Why are you hesitating to warn them? How will you feel if today he or she is snatched into eternity and gone forever? Don't put off what you know you must do. There goes another minute. Gone forever. Go share your faith while you still have time.

 

[evangelist6589]

Good question. Spurgeon said that if a man doesn't have a zeal to share the Gospel with the lost, it's because he hasn't experienced it, himself.



Yes, but only after I heard the Gospel



I disagree. Our testimony doesn't explain the law to the lost and waiting for the lost to come to us, looking for our testimony, is not Biblical. Going to the lost, is.

What book did he say this brother?