How Does One Evangelize?

[Kokavkrystallos]

A big problem with today's evangelism is people are declared saved when there is no change, or if truly saved (for only God knoweth), the change is slow, and slight, and so miniscule. The scripture is clear the true elected believer will show fruit and bear fruit; they will be a new creature in Christ, they will deny themselves, they will put on the new man which is after righteousness, they will not sin, and they will love the brethren.

If not, their salvation may be in question, and God knows who are His. So many look for excuse to excuse their sin rather than renounce sin and cut off their sin, root it up, chop it off, separate from it, and be holy for the LORD is holy.

Do not avoid the hard scriptures that demand a godly walk and a conforming to Jesus. Beware lest ye be carried away with the error of the wicked. Turn to Christ with all they heart and surrender unto Him now, for today is the day to stop kicking against the pricks and to enter into the sheepfold.

What is sin? The Bible is very clear what sin is: Anything against God's law, including even the thought of it as Jesus magnified the law. Turning away of the poor (and I have seen Christians do this): lying and cussing (I posted a full message on this). There are so many Bible passages on this topic, yet it's largely ignored, and people lie and cuss all the time.

Cussing and Profane Swearing

Psalm 141:3, "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." First, I have to say I was looking up this opening verse as I was already deeply into handwriting this message in my notebook, and when I flipped my Bible to Psalm 141, at the top of the page I had written "Watch...

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Drunkenness and drug abuse, which is sorcery: pharmakeus. Any sexual relationship outside of marriage between a man and woman, and that were born a man and woman. The Bible is clear on these things without negotiation or loopholes, as many try to find.

Fighting (striking hands) unless it's defending your family or your country. I don't even think professional fighting is becoming a true believer in Christ. Strife, railing, boasting, bride, theft, idolatry, which includes idolatry of things or persons that take up more of our attention than God.

A.W. Pink wrote the following in "Present Day Evangelism" in 1948:

"The “evangelism” of the day is not only superficial to the last degree, but it is radically defective. It is utterly lacking a foundation on which to base an appeal for sinners to come to Christ. There is not only a lamentable lack of proportion (the mercy of God being made far more prominent than His holiness, His love than His wrath), but there is a fatal omission of that which God has given for the purpose of imparting a knowledge of sin. There is not only a reprehensible introducing of “bright singing,” humorous witticisms and entertaining anecdotes, but there is a studied omission of dark background upon which alone the gospel can effectively shine forth.

But serious indeed as is the above indictment, it is only half of it—the negative side, that which is lacking. Worse still is that which is being retailed by the cheap-jack evangelists of the day. The positive content of their message is nothing but a throwing of dust in the eyes of the sinner. His soul is put to sleep by the devil’s opiate, ministered in a most unsuspecting form. Those who really receive the “message” which is now being given out from most of the “orthodox” pulpits and platforms today are being fatally deceived. It is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but unless God sovereignly intervenes by a miracle of grace, all who follow it will surely find that the ends thereof are the ways of death. Tens of thousands who confidently imagine that they are bound for heaven will get a terrible disillusionment when they awake in hell!"

Preach Christ and Him crucified, whose blood atones for our sins and purchases redemption; who lived without sin, and imparts righteousness to us, as well as imputes righteousness, that we may live holy lives and be conformed to Him. Preach hard and without compromise, and know that there is no such thing as an easy one time conversion without sacrifice, because Jesus told you to count the cost of being a disciple.

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 20-25)

Amen.

 

[rturner76]

I think the best way to evangelize is to be an example of a true follower of Jesus Christ. You know those people who seem to have a glint in there eye, are polite, don't swear or talk trash, and are the first ones to volunteer to help someone or bring a lot of good food to a potluck? To me, that is the best way to evangelize rather than telling everyone you know "You can avoid hell by saying these words to God." Our best words are communicated through our actions. When I have come across these people who are helpful, patient, slow to anger and are just always first in line to help someone or offer them support. I would always think "There's something special about this person." What has often been the case is that those individuals basically say "it's how I show God's love to the world." Those people are really after Jesus' heart. The people who say "Believe in Christ but there's no need to actually BE a Christian" are fooling themselves and us IMO.

It's not that those good deeds save us in and of themselves but it is clear proof that one has had a change of heart and devotes their live to God, meaning they obey him.

 

[Kokavkrystallos]

I think the best way to evangelize is to be an example of a true follower of Jesus Christ. You know those people who seem to have a glint in there eye, are polite, don't swear or talk trash, and are the first ones to volunteer to help someone or bring a lot of good food to a potluck? To me, that is the best way to evangelize rather than telling everyone you know "You can avoid hell by saying these words to God." Our best words are communicated through our actions. When I have come across these people who are helpful, patient, slow to anger and are just always first in line to help someone or offer them support. I would always think "There's something special about this person." What has often been the case is that those individuals basically say "it's how I show God's love to the world." Those people are really after Jesus' heart. The people who say "Believe in Christ but there's no need to actually BE a Christian" are fooling themselves and us IMO.

It's not that those good deeds save us in and of themselves but it is clear proof that one has had a change of heart and devotes their live to God, meaning they obey him.

Yes, and that should be a given. All Christians are called to behave in such manner, and shouldn't have to be told so. This should come naturally. And yes, when people see that something different it bears more weight to an unbeliever, especially when they ask how to get what you got.

 

[rturner76]

Yes, and that should be a given. All Christians are called to behave in such manner, and shouldn't have to be told so. This should come naturally. And yes, when people see that something different it bears more weight to an unbeliever, especially when they ask how to get what you got.

You understand reality and the use of the English language. Why is it so hard for the majority/.

 

[rturner76]

Yes, and that should be a given. All Christians are called to behave in such manner, and shouldn't have to be told so. This should come naturally. And yes, when people see that something different it bears more weight to an unbeliever, especially when they ask how to get what you got.

Yes, and as they say in N/A, "you can't keep it unless you give it away."

 

[TreverSlyFox]

I'm fairly lucky because I am a Lay Franciscan monk (Friar) in the only protestant monastery in the country. So it's fairly easy for me as the Habit brings questions when I wear it, leading to evangelizing. I've never understood someone who says they are saved but it didn't cause a major change in them. For me it was my mouth, I had a very foul mouth and it never embarrassed me, then I was saved and profanity was like a slap in the face and extremely embarrassing to me and it happened instantly. The second I said yes to God's gift I was changed, my look at life was different and all of a sudden I had a conscience (I call it the Holy Spirit being with me). So when someone says "I didn't notice a change in me when I was saved." It mystifies me and I don't understand it. I can't imagine NOT evangelizing; I firmly believe God creates opportunities. I'm not a Stree Preacher and I could not go door-to-door, it just isn't me. But I do have opportunities to evangelize in my life and He creates them.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hello @TreverSlyFox, I was going to say welcome to CF, but I see that you are not a new, but a returning member, so WELCOME BACK TO CF

I'd love to hear a bit more about what being a Franciscan Friar at a Protestant (Baptist?) monastery is like, especially since I was unaware that Protestants had monasteries. How does a Baptist become a Franciscan Friar anyway

As far as the habit you wear being an advantage to you, I think I've kind of experienced what you are talking about, firsthand.

I was part of a fairly large ecumenical prison ministry for several years, and while we had no priests, we did have two nuns in the group who showed up in their habits, and WOW were they ever well-received because of them. Their habits seemed to engender a kind of immediate trust that was simply astounding, even among the Protestant inmates (and that was always so important and helpful to the ministry as a whole). I must say that most of us were envious to a degree, because breaking the ice with a new group of inmates was often pretty difficult, and it was something that we had to do more often than not from week to week.

Again, welcome back (and I'm hoping that you'll be able to stay for awhile too)!

God bless you (Numbers 6:24-26)!!

--David

 

[TreverSlyFox]

Ahhh, yes. The "Knights of Prayer" are the only non-denominational "Evangelical, Celtic Christian, Franciscan" monastery that I know of in the world. To my knowledge, there are only 1,700 of us in the world. We are Lay-Monks (Friars), we are not sequestered in a monastery but are out here in the world. We receive no financial support from the monastery and are self-supporting through work and/or donations. Our mission is to pray during the hours, 9 am, noon, and 3 pm. We are also expected to seek out areas where we can be of help with whatever expertise we have. At my age (76) and living in an extended care facility my opportunities are limited but not gone. You have gotten the wrong impression that we are a Baptist monastery, which we are not, but a non-denominational monastery that any faith may join, the only requirement is the will to join and believe in the Apostles Creed. Though we are not required to wear a habit, I have found it to be quite effective in bringing about opportunities to evangelize. The other difference in our monastery is that we have both Male and Female Friars, married or single.

As to how I got here well, I was raised Roman Catholic, went to Catholic Schools, taught by Penquines (School Sisters of Notre Dame), and Mass 6 days a week, catechism 5 days a week until I was 16. I always loved the Franciscan Brothers but when I left the church at 17-18 I figured I'd never be a Franciscan Monk. So military, 2 marriages, the last of 41 years, being saved at 52 years old by a Baptist preacher. After the wife passed I ran into the Knights of Prayer and checked into it, made an application, and was accepted some 6 years ago. I professed my vows last year and made them permanent. I took a DNA test a few years ago and found out my ancestry is part Jewish through my mother's line. So now I tell people they have met a Baptist, Jewish, Franciscan monk. That makes quite a good conversation around the dinner table!

A Brother in Christ,

Brother Timothy, OKP

 

[Dan Perez]

I think the best way to evangelize is to be an example of a true follower of Jesus Christ. You know those people who seem to have a glint in there eye, are polite, don't swear or talk trash, and are the first ones to volunteer to help someone or bring a lot of good food to a potluck? To me, that is the best way to evangelize rather than telling everyone you know "You can avoid hell by saying these words to God." Our best words are communicated through our actions. When I have come across these people who are helpful, patient, slow to anger and are just always first in line to help someone or offer them support. I would always think "There's something special about this person." What has often been the case is that those individuals basically say "it's how I show God's love to the world." Those people are really after Jesus' heart. The people who say "Believe in Christ but there's no need to actually BE a Christian" are fooling themselves and us IMO.

It's not that those good deeds save us in and of themselves but it is clear proof that one has had a change of heart and devotes their live to God, meaning they obey him.

This is how you evangelize is Eph 3:9 , To make all see what is the DISPENSATION of the MYSTERY , the one having

KEPT SECRET from the AGES in GOD , the ONE having created the all things by Jesus Christ !!

dan p