Circles, Triangles, and Squares a look at postmodernism and The ChurchPeople are EVERYWHERE!
How do we create evangelism opportunities?
Be a completely convinced Christian
Equip yourself to share the message
Always be ready to meet a new friend
Build the relationship
Look for openings
Ask to share
Have an “open-door” policy
But how do we do these things?
Let's begin developing a strategy!
Circles, Triangles, and Squares a look at postmodernism and The Church
People are EVERYWHERE!
How do we create evangelism opportunities?
Be a completely convinced Christian
Equip yourself to share the message
Always be ready to meet a new friend
Build the relationship
Look for openings
Ask to share
Have an “open-door” policy
But how do we do these things?
Let's begin developing a strategy!
Where can Christians look for advice?
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”
(1 Peter 2:21)
Our Great Example
What Is Jesus' Basic Message?
(Cox, MMin621 Lectures) You were made in God's Image
Created for a righteous family relationship
His image is stamped deep within ourselves
Creativity
Free-Moral Agency
Personality
Intelligence
Relationships (inclination towards sociability)
Morality
The Bad News Is...
Sin has distorted His image in us
We abuse His image to our own destruction
The REALLY Good News is Reconciliation!
Is The Christian Message Valid?
(Cox on “McLaren”, MMin621 Lectures) Apologetics is two-fold
Prayerfully living out the Christian faith
Seeking after God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit
Trusting His providence and role in conversion
Revealing God to Mankind
There are physical proofs (Psalm 19)
There are spiritual proofs (Acts 1:3)
There are historical proofs (Acts and our existence)
There is the person of Jesus
1 – intellectually honest
2 – scandalously inclusive
3 – relationally electric
4 – graciously demanding
5 – powerfully noncoercive
What About Their Objections?
Postmoderns enjoy confrontation
1 – expect confrontation on various issues like “suffering”, “Christianity is unscientific”, “belief is a crutch”, “Christianity is a sexist religion”, historic corruption & oppression, doctrinal difficulties, etc...
2 – prepare by having a ready answer for why you believe (2 Tim 2:15)
3 – be ready to admit that you don't have an answer, but that you will study about it
4 – have someone(s) to bounce ideas off of
Assignment
Jesus says,
Every last particle of power and authority has been given to me. Now that you know that:
As you are going in the world, doing your daily things, seek first the Kingdom of God by making disciples for me, baptizing them by the authority of the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and be sure to teach them to make my life and teaching their example and guide.
You will never be alone, I am with you until the end of time. Amen.
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