Public faith?
Our culture is slowly becoming strongly opposed to public proclamations of faith in Christ. How can we, as Christians, share our faith in such an environment? Do our evangelism methods need to be adjusted in any way, or do we just keep declaring the Gospel no matter how many people are offended?
17 Comments »
1. Comment by Douglas Summers
Hi,
Anyone who has been born again knows that we do not change the Gospel message with the changing of the attitudes of this world.
To one, we are are the smell of death…to the others, it is the sweet smell of a clean rainy Spring day…life….in Jesus Christ.
There is a peace in us from the work of God in Jesus Christ that the world can not know or understand.
Pray for all….contend for the Faith.
In Christ
Doug
2. Comment by Hank McClenning
Good Comment Doug.
We are told in the Bible the conditions under which a born again believer will face as a Christian. How does the world feel and will
treat a true Christian?
1. Jesus said “I send you out as lambs among the wolves”
2. “If they hated me they will also hate you.”
3. Because Christ suffered we will also suffer in this work.
4. Cor. – The natural man does not understand and thinks this is
foolishness to him.
5. Jesus warned his disciples of all the horrible things that will
be done to them for their faith and belief.
6. The Gospel Message stays the same no matter the the time period,
country, or audience. It does not change no matter what.
The message stays the same, it is up to the listener if they want o
believe or not.
Hank
3. Comment by Curtis Newman
I respectfully say that Jesus went out, sent out, and Met people doing what they do best,being themselves in their inviorment. I don’t mean to be judgemental but we seem to be spending more time argueing among ourselves. building Great Big Building, paying very high salaries, and wanting the people to come to our House rather than us doing what I think and believe Jesus and His tranees did. Also we could do better again I think if we met met where they are daily rather than judging, condeming, and on and on. We would do well to really get back to the Fathers Business. this is not our home and we need to let people know that this is temporary, we have better and longer awaiting for us. We need to act like Christ Followers. By the way STARTING WITH ME.
4. Comment by BiblosLXX
We are not to deliberately spread the Gospel so that people will get offended and never saved. But if God wants you to preach to a bunch of hardened sinners as a testimony against them, like Jesus did several times to the pharisees, then that is what you should do. The will of God always should be accomplished, but I caution you to test the spirits if you believe that God is telling you to deliberately piss people off. It is a possibility, but knowing that we are in an era of mercy and grace, one in which we are to love even our enemies, I caution you to double check before proceeding. There were times when Jesus did it because it was His Father’s will (Matthew 13:14-15), so, if it God has called you to do it, then do it. If not, then do it the way you believe God has called you to do it. In either circumstance, test the spirits and know that you are following God.
5. Comment by Susan
I don’t think people are so much upset by the sharing of faith and testimony as much as HOW we share. If it’s shared as judgmental and a proclamation that OUR way of worship and belief is the only way then that IS wrong, tactless and does no good. I have a friend who was told by his brother that he is NOT saved because he doesn’t worship in a Church. I believe a Church by the definition in the Bible is any place where people gather to worship, NOT a designated and acceptable building. I’ve read the same passages many times over the years and can get a different meaning each time based on where I am now. I have people tell me I’m NOT a Christian because I do NOT believe the same as they, a different political view, voted one way, dressed a certain way, etc. We are all sinners but strive to do good so the delivery to anyone is the key to successful sharing. There are many sects with in the Christian faith, some take the messages literally while others interpret as they wish. GOD is the only judge and as Christians we need to follow HIS word, not our personal beliefs that are made in order to justify our lives. Only God can say who is correct as man HAS changed the wording and incorrectly translated many religious documents. There are many other religious documents that are not being used because man has decided they don’t fit our personal convictions. From what I understand the Torah is the only religious Bible that has been consistently copied over the ages so who is right and who is wrong?
6. Comment by Scott Larrison
While we must never compromise the central message of the gospel, our methods of presentation may change. Our job is to be ready to share the message, be gentle and reverent while sharing and above all be guided by and filled with the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) Peter also wrote, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” (1 Peter 3:15)
7. Comment by Bruce
2 Corinthians 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: (KJV WEY WBS YLT NIV)
There are more in romans and through out the new testament. # 2 by Hank covers a lot of them. by his blood…Bruce
8. Comment by Debbie
I am having a hard time with the question as it is punctuated with “we” and “our.” WE don’t do anything. God provides the opportunity as evidenced by the grammar in MATT 28:19. We respond to the Spirit of calling when we are called. Therefore, there is not any acceptable methond only an acceptable message. “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.” (2COR 4:1-2)
Some folks are gifted with evangelist gifting and I have noticed they are able to preach Jesus at every turn, in every conversation without offense even in simple exchanges with a waitress over how good the food is, the gospel is preached. I do not have this calling and I have learned not to exhort people to witness. Their priesthood is their own and Jesus is their high priest. Let each man testify as he is led by the Holy Spirit, then, there is no “I” or “we,” but “Him.”
Curtis, I see you have been schooled in the five fold ministry. While it might be OK to preach the gospel to people in their own evironment, it is impossible in many cases to disciple them there. Teaching Scripture while people are ordering drinks in the bar is never going to lead to sanctification. How are you going to be set apart from the world and its evil activities? I go to church in a home with an unpaid pastor-teacher and it works quite well. There does not have to be an expensive building and salary involved, but were I to continue in the places I frequented before salvation, I would never grow Spiritually.
MARANATHA
9. Comment by Curtis Newman
comment back to Debbie. Not to argue the point but I see Jesus going out to the fields, towns, yes bars, to the woman at the well. Just for the point of it,,,,,not to argue the point I see no where in the Bible it says that drinking a beer is wrong, I am in no way asking you to agree or disagree, I just believe we have strayed away from the reason Jesus came to earth,,,,it wasn’t to build building, pay high salaries, gyms, etc, I in no way expect others to agree with me,,,I believe Jesus hung out and selected people that we today would not even speak to or associate with…Jesus did and He even selected them to help Him teach. No matter that is what this web site is for, I thought to agree and disagee, but to still Love Everyone,,,especially the ones still in darkness.
10. Comment by ceseeley
It doesn’t make any difference. When we are “Walking in the Spirit” we are obedient through Faith doing what God guides us to do in whatever, whenever, however way He Guides!
11. Comment by Debbie
Curtis,
I agree charity is always the key. If that is what you are called to do, you should do it. Just don’t forget to “disciple” the people you are converting. Save ‘em and leave ‘em to their own devices is not what Jesus advocated. Scripture does not condemn drinking a beer unless one is in leadership, (PROV 31:4) but if you are honest, most people in a bar are not there to drink ONE beer…I speak from the voice of knowledge; one will not do. There is a definite reason and place for the pastor-teacher gift and most people I have met involved in the five fold ministry do not believe in leadership, just conversion. Nowhere does Scripture advocate a lack of authority and submission to authority. It is evidenced in the very nature of the Trinity. I totally agree with your theory of buildings, salaries and programs and I reject those things. Jesus was schooled and versed in the Torah and that is what He taught. We should do the same with the canon of Scripture. As you said, it is definitely OK to agree to disagree. May God bless you as you move through the fields, towns and bars to keep you safe and that you might witness per 1THESSOLONIANS 2:1-20.
MARANATHA
12. Comment by Douglas Summers
Comment #8.
Amen, Debbie. Just one thing about Comment #11. Christ was not schooled in the Torah, He was the author of it…..as in all of the Scripture’s 
)
In Christ
Doug
13. Comment by Curtis Newman
I in no way wanted you to get that find them and leave them, I did not mean this in the slightest. I believe in finding, getting to know them, and loving them as they are, and then teaching them. I am truely sorry about the five fold minestry you keep referring to, I aggain believe like I believe Our Savior done, go out, find them , befriend them, and love them , and teach as much as they are willing to hear,, you stay with them, it is ot my thinking of finding, covert, and leave them. But I agree to disagree with you about the bars and others places that some believers seem to overlook. By the way I don’t read anywher abut the number of beers one can drink, I just can’t find it is Wrong to dink a wine, beer. but God will Judge me for my actions, oh by the way I don’t go to bars, I go to where people believe differently than me and try to meet them where they are and love them and teach them….but I hold firm to the Big Building, Big Salaries, and spending too much money on the comfort of us who already Know and Follow Him. We find the lost, not in our comfort building on Sunday but in the highways and by ways of life. I am not the enemy, I just have the courage to say what a lot of unsaved people already are saving about us. If I listen I might learn, and even sometimes agree. In All Christian love , I hope you will receive this in the spirit it was written. Curtis Newman
14. Comment by 'Guerite ~ BoldLion
We all need to be Bold as a Lion to witness to others. Yet there will be a time when they will hate you for speaking the truth to them.
There are time that we don’t know how to deal with them and trying to witness to them. We can’t do the trying. We all need the Holy Spirit to direct us to them and work with them.
We can’t make them saved. Only God alone will draw them to Him. We can share the gospel to them.
Hungry to eat His Word,
‘Guerite ~ BoldLion
15. Comment by matthew, mark, luke or john?
Rev. 13:7-10
We are commisioned by Christ to evangelise and speak the Gospel and we are not concerned with the opinion of mere man about us.
16. Comment by Debbie
Curtis,
AMEN…
17. Comment by matthew, mark, luke or john?
That is the way Corey because when we ‘example’ the love, courage, tenacity and devotion which God has in much bigger measures than us to others, it pulls them through all their separations from God. It can be a very long haul with some, many years of endless time spend with and on people, but it never fails, God always shows his amazing irresistable Grace in the end and they come to Him!
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