On Sunday, we learned that the scriptures define the problem as being "dead in our trespasses and sins" (see Eph. 2 and Col. 2 in particular). Another analogy is that we are "spiritually blind" from seeing the glories of Jesus Christ (see 2 Cor. 4). Nothing natural can reverse the effects of death or blindness. Nothing short of the supernatural power of God can reverse or change people from death to life, from blind to seeing.
Our urging, our fervency, our slick programs, our ... you name it, can not produce the salvation people need. I'm struck by Paul in 2 Cor. 4; he says, "we refuse to practice cunning or tamper with the word of God... we will renounce all disgraceful, underhanded ways... instead, we will (as the NIV puts it) put forward the truth plainly." Plainly. Just, "here's the gospel." If its veiled, its veiled. If God has opened their eyes, they'll see.
I'm not suggesting we don't work at being effective evangelists. I'm not saying we shouldn't look to removed obstacles to faith for unbelievers. But our hope is the supernatural power of God to save sinners. When the Philippian jailer cried out, "what must I do to be saved?" the apostles didn't say, "check this box; pray this prayer." They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved." We must do similar things.
Give your feedback. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this or the sermon.
Blessings.
Pastor Brian
6 comments:
Have heard a couple subtle references to 'irrestistable grace' the last few sermons... Am I hearing right?
I appreciated that we need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. WE can have a person say a sinner's prayer, BUT God needs to be a part of this so that the person can truly be born again. One person plants, another waters, but God gives the increase.
Hello Anon,
Because I don't subscribe to some underlying assumptions within some of the typical theological camps, I don't subscribe to or embrace irresistible grace as its outlined in TULIP, though I have similar intuitions of a Calvinist like the supremacy of God, our need for God to initiate grace, and his love of us prior to our love of him.
Hello Betsy,
Let me challenge this way because I know you love the Bible and want to follow the bible: I'm guessing you and I would agree that our evangelistic efforts should be in accordance with the scriptures. If so, what biblical warrant is there for praying a sinners prayer to be converted? And what are the biblical "steps" or examples of evangelism?
Anyone can answer that.
Pastor Brian
I believe a person must know they have a need in their life.
They must recognize they are a sinner. Not to hard. exa. Did you ever lie?
Understand Jesus is the only one who can give us audience to God and acceptance.
Confess your sin, acknowledge Jesus died for you, and confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord.
There doesn't have to be a feeling or tears. God knows what is in the heart.
This is the easy part. Where many fail is continual followup with the person. This is where as I believer I need to be faithful.
To respond to Brian's challenge, these are a few Biblical examples of evangelism/conversion (sorry for the length):
1) Acts 11:21 The apostles "preached the Lord Jesus"...." and a large number who believed turned to the Lord."
2) Acts 14:1 Paul & Barnabas spoke the word of God in the synogogue and "a great multitude believed"
3) Acts 16:14 "And a certain woman named Lydia....a worshiper of God was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul."
4) Acts 16:31 When Paul & Silas were imprisoned and the earthquake hit - the jailor asked "What must I do to be saved?" "And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved."
5) Acts 17:22ff - Paul's sermon on Mars Hill. Here's an example of Paul knowing his audience/culture and choosing his words with them in mind, but still speakly the gospel clearly, boldly, and simply. Beginning in verse 30b he says "God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." Verse 34 says "some men joined him (Paul) and believed", (and vs 32 indicates some did not)
6) Galatians 2:16 says "Nevertheless knowing that man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."
The common word used for those converted is the form of the word "believe". Even in the OT, Abraham is referred to as having "believed, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness". The dictionary in the back of my Bible describes the Gr. word used every time above for "believe" as commit to, put in trust with, assurance, faith, fidelity. Perhaps one aspect of what has happened is that our modern/american culture reads the word "believe" and understands it, unfortunately, to be a simple mental assent. Therefore evangelism is affected by that perspective, whether the evangelist realizes his error or not. He will not expect life change that comes from God's Spirit igniting in a person's life, but he will only desire to hear the person mention a few rote words, which will satisfy his understanding of "believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved", no matter if the signs of the new birth are there or not.
To respond to Brian's challenge, these are a few Biblical examples of evangelism/conversion (sorry for the length):
1) Acts 11:21 The apostles "preached the Lord Jesus"...." and a large number who believed turned to the Lord."
2) Acts 14:1 Paul & Barnabas spoke the word of God in the synogogue and "a great multitude believed"
3) Acts 16:14 "And a certain woman named Lydia....a worshiper of God was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul."
4) Acts 16:31 When Paul & Silas were imprisoned and the earthquake hit - the jailor asked "What must I do to be saved?" "And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved."
5) Acts 17:22ff - Paul's sermon on Mars Hill. Here's an example of Paul knowing his audience/culture and choosing his words with them in mind, but still speakly the gospel clearly, boldly, and simply. Beginning in verse 30b he says "God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." Verse 34 says "some men joined him (Paul) and believed", (and vs 32 indicates some did not)
6) Galatians 2:16 says "Nevertheless knowing that man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."
The common word used for those converted is the form of the word "believe". Even in the OT, Abraham is referred to as having "believed, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness". The dictionary in the back of my Bible describes the Gr. word used every time above for "believe" as commit to, put in trust with, assurance, faith, fidelity. Perhaps one aspect of what has happened is that our modern/american culture reads the word "believe" and understands it, unfortunately, to be a simple mental assent. Therefore evangelism is affected by that perspective, whether the evangelist realizes his error or not. He will not expect life change that comes from God's Spirit igniting in a person's life, but he will only desire to hear the person mention a few rote words, which will satisfy his understanding of "believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved", no matter if the signs of the new birth are there or not.
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