The document discusses whether Christianity should be enticing or offensive in its message. It argues that Christianity should be offensive based on what the Bible says. It provides several reasons for this:
1) The Bible says that salvation comes through hearing the word of God, not by observing someone's lifestyle. The gospel message must therefore be verbalized rather than just demonstrated through lifestyle.
2) Jesus himself directly confronted people with the message of salvation, rather than just living a good lifestyle before them.
3) The apostles like Peter and Paul actively preached and taught about Jesus, rather than practicing "lifestyle evangelism."
4) The simplicity of the gospel - that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone
First Action, Then Manifestation
You have to have action, and then you get the manifestation. I just walked back over there as if I had all kinds of power, and started praying for them again. I had to fight devils with that bunch, though. They were all messed up in their minds.
I'm telling you, where demons and devils take over places, you have to watch yourself. They will do anything they can to you. Devils will pull every trick in the book to get to you. You can't trust any of them.Remember, Jesus said,Oh, faithless generation, how long shall I be with you, how long shall I suffer you? Bring him to me.
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
And he [Jesus] asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him." And he said, Of a child.
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:19-23
HOLY THURSDAY CORRECTION OF MISCONCEPTIONNkor Ioka
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
First Action, Then Manifestation
You have to have action, and then you get the manifestation. I just walked back over there as if I had all kinds of power, and started praying for them again. I had to fight devils with that bunch, though. They were all messed up in their minds.
I'm telling you, where demons and devils take over places, you have to watch yourself. They will do anything they can to you. Devils will pull every trick in the book to get to you. You can't trust any of them.Remember, Jesus said,Oh, faithless generation, how long shall I be with you, how long shall I suffer you? Bring him to me.
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
And he [Jesus] asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him." And he said, Of a child.
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:19-23
HOLY THURSDAY CORRECTION OF MISCONCEPTIONNkor Ioka
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
This is a study of Jesus being unorthodox. He went against the accepted rules of the Pharisees and it aggravated them to the point of wanting Him crucified.. Jesus did not come to conform but to transform.
John 1:6-13. Knowing God.
I. SAYING WE KNOW GOD IS NOT ENOUGH
II. KNOWING GOD IS OBEYING GOD
III. KNOWING GOD DOES NOT COME THROUGH WORLDLY WISDOM
IV. KNOWING GOD REQUIRES LOVE
V. KNOWING JESUS IS KNOWING GOD
VI. KNOWING GOD AND JESUS IS ETERNAL LIFE
Luke 9:59-60. How to Know you are Dying Spiritually.
I. THE STORY OF THE CROSS NO LONGER MOVES YOU
II. YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE
III. YOUR ARE FOOLING YOURSELF
IV. THE CHURCH SERVICES BORE YOU
V. YOU ARE NOT DOING WHAT YOU KNOW YOU SHOULD
VI. YOU HAVE NO INTEREST IN SAVING SOULS
VII. YOU FREQUENTLY MISS CHURCH SERVICES
VIII. WORLDLY THINGS ATTRACT YOU MORE THAN SPIRITUAL THINGS
IX. YOU ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE WORK OF THE CHURCH
In the Book of Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 5 to 16, Jesus provides us with His instructions on prayer. In those verses, Jesus says 3 times, “When you pray”. Thus, prayer is not an option. It is a requirement, a commandment. Jesus tells us what to do and what not to do when we pray. He starts and ends with what we are not to do, and between those, He tell us what to do. And after that, He tells us that our Father knows what we need.
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
WHY WAS CHRIST CRUCIFIED BETWEEN TWO ROBBERS?Nkor Ioka
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
This is a study of Jesus being unorthodox. He went against the accepted rules of the Pharisees and it aggravated them to the point of wanting Him crucified.. Jesus did not come to conform but to transform.
John 1:6-13. Knowing God.
I. SAYING WE KNOW GOD IS NOT ENOUGH
II. KNOWING GOD IS OBEYING GOD
III. KNOWING GOD DOES NOT COME THROUGH WORLDLY WISDOM
IV. KNOWING GOD REQUIRES LOVE
V. KNOWING JESUS IS KNOWING GOD
VI. KNOWING GOD AND JESUS IS ETERNAL LIFE
Luke 9:59-60. How to Know you are Dying Spiritually.
I. THE STORY OF THE CROSS NO LONGER MOVES YOU
II. YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE
III. YOUR ARE FOOLING YOURSELF
IV. THE CHURCH SERVICES BORE YOU
V. YOU ARE NOT DOING WHAT YOU KNOW YOU SHOULD
VI. YOU HAVE NO INTEREST IN SAVING SOULS
VII. YOU FREQUENTLY MISS CHURCH SERVICES
VIII. WORLDLY THINGS ATTRACT YOU MORE THAN SPIRITUAL THINGS
IX. YOU ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE WORK OF THE CHURCH
In the Book of Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 5 to 16, Jesus provides us with His instructions on prayer. In those verses, Jesus says 3 times, “When you pray”. Thus, prayer is not an option. It is a requirement, a commandment. Jesus tells us what to do and what not to do when we pray. He starts and ends with what we are not to do, and between those, He tell us what to do. And after that, He tells us that our Father knows what we need.
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
WHY WAS CHRIST CRUCIFIED BETWEEN TWO ROBBERS?Nkor Ioka
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
What is death? What is life? Why is it true that we cannot truly live until we accept our mortality? How did the resurrection of Jesus Christ forever defeat death? Who is Jesus Christ and how was He able to accomplish what no other person in the history of man accomplished? What will happen to you when you die?
The New Testament shows us repeatedly that those who were helped by Jesus would tell others about Jesus. This is a pattern that reminds us that this is our purpose also.
The 4,000 Year HinduCalvinism Delusion Arguments - In Depth Part II - Session 6Jeremy Richard
Calvinism. Reformed Theology. Hard Determinism. This is the major cancer in Protestant Christianity that many a Theologian have tried to combat but with very little success. Reformed Churches are exploding. Reformed Pastors are infiltrating churches and taking them over, satisfied if half the congregation leaves after their Calvinism is brought into the light since that still leaves them with the business organization and in charge. Calvinist board members are secretly recruiting these seminary-trained Pastors behind the backs of other board members and by the time the people of the church find out, it is too late.
Why is Augustine a hero to both the Roman Catholic Church and the Reformers? There was a huge, dangling thread on the sweater that the Church was wearing. That thread was pulled during the research which caused three more threads to be exposed and each time a thread was pulled more threads would show themselves until the entire sweater began to unravel to reveal the nightmare underneath. The answers that were found during this dig through history and the biblical texts will absolutely shock you as 1,600 year old truths will be revealed from under the Gnostic grime.
Christians tend to think that Calvinism only affects Calvinists and as long as they believe their nonsense over there then it doesn't affect them. But this mistaken view couldn't be more in error. HinduCalvinism affects almost everything you think you know about the bible and there is almost no subject in the biblical text that is untouched or unaffected.
Steel yourself for the millennia long adventure through history presented in these pages. They will change your life.
Buy it now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMT22STS
Top reviews from the United States
Kristina
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Thought-Provoking and Important Book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2022
Buy it, read it. Then read it again. This book is not only a must-read for anyone coming out of Calvinism, but is also important for any Christian who is in a church.
For me, even just this first section of the book was amazing! If Calvinist doctrines have harmed the faith of yourself or someone you love, understanding its errors is the first step toward healing and renewed growth. As a parent, understanding the subversive infiltration of Calvinist teachings into Christian thought is the best way to inoculate your children against falling prey to its heresies.
But there is so much more to this book than just providing the reader with a solid defense against Calvinism. This book will turn everything you thought you knew upside down, from your perception of yourself to your conception of the Creator.
This is an excellent, important book, and I highly recommend it.
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
The Power of Permission
I. The Permission of Light
Matt 5:15-16
II. The Permission of Submission
Phil 2:5
III. The Permission of Constraint
Phil 4:5
IV. The Permission of Peace
Col 3:15
V. The Permission of Authority
Col 3:16
Conclusion-
The admonition is a man must
Put a prohibition on the acquisition
of human intuition and ambition
and be in submission to
the new creature’s position
by giving exhibition to the scriptures
definition of acceptable permission.
“So” Nehemiah
1. The “So” of Prayer- Nehemiah 2:4
“So I prayed”
2. The “So” of Purpose- Nehemiah 2:11
“So I came”
3. The “So” of Plod- Nehemiah 4:6,10,18,21
“So we built”
4. The “So” of Persistence- Nehemiah 6:3
“So that I cannot”
5. The “So” of Perfection- Nehemiah 6:15
“So the wall was finished”
6. The “So” of Personality- Nehemiah 5:15
“So did I”
7. The “So” of Power- Nehemiah 8:11
“So the Levites stilled all the people”
Conclusion:
Small words have their position as do seemingly insignificant people;
So take Nehemiah’s example and apply yourself to your position as God accomplishes His mission.
“So” Nehemiah
1. The “So” of Prayer- Nehemiah 2:4
“So I prayed”
2. The “So” of Purpose- Nehemiah 2:11
“So I came”
3. The “So” of Plod- Nehemiah 4:6,10,18,21
“So we built”
4. The “So” of Persistence- Nehemiah 6:3
“So that I cannot”
5. The “So” of Perfection- Nehemiah 6:15
“So the wall was finished”
6. The “So” of Personality- Nehemiah 5:15
“So did I”
7. The “So” of Power- Nehemiah 8:11
“So the Levites stilled all the people”
Conclusion:
Small words have their position as do seemingly insignificant people;
So take Nehemiah’s example and apply yourself to your position as God accomplishes His mission.
ISAAC FACING FAMINE
TEXT: GEN 26:1-11
I. FALSEHOOD- VS 7, 8
A CONVENIENT LIE FOR ISAAC.
II. FRUITION- VS8
A SUCCESSFUL DECEPTION
III. FOUNDATION- VS10
THE SIN OF SELF-JUSTIFICATION
IV. FORBEARANCE- VS11
THE MERCY OF GOD.
THE WAY OF ESAU
I. SELF-WILLED- 27
PROVIDER
PRUDENT
POPULAR
II. SELF-SUFFICIENT- 29, 30
DEMANDING
DECEIVED
III. SELF-RIGHTEOUS
VALUE
VANITY
CONCLUSION: SAFETY
PHONY PROPHETS FOR PROFIT
TEXT: 2PET 2:1-3
I. COUNTERFEIT PREACHER.
2PET 2:1
II. CORRUPT PHILOSOPHY
2PET 2:2
III. COVETOUS PLEBES
2PET 2:3
CONCLUSION- A PRODUCT TO PLUNDER
2PET 2:3
HOW SHALL WE SING THE LORD'S SONG IN A STRANGE LAND
TEXT: PS 137:4
I. BY SEEING THE WAY AHEAD IS THE WAY FORWARD.
EXOD 14:10, 15
II. BY SEEING PAST MIRACLES AS PROBABLE FOR PRESENT PROBLEMS.
MARK 6:47-52
III. BY REPRIMANDING YOUR HUMAN MIND.
2COR 1:8-10
CONCLUSION-
ONLY A MIND SUPERIOR TO THIS WORLD CAN “SING THE LORD’S SONG IN A STRANGE LAND”.
A PRAYER FOR COMPREHENSION
TEXT: PS 119:18
I. OPEN
Matt 13:13
2Cor 4:4
Ps 19:1-2
John 3:3
1Pet 1:23
Isa 29:10-12
Eph 1:17-18
II. THOU
Ps 119:130
Jer 15:16
III. WONDROUS THINGS
Jer 6:10
Ps 119:95-97
Heb 8:5
Heb 10:1
CONCLUSION
HOS 8:12
1COR 2:9-10
Ps 119:18
When Etiquette Interrupts the Party
TEXT: GEN 21:8-19
I. PRESUMPTION
A. WEANING- GEN 21:8
Rom 12:15-16
Isa 28:9-10
2Thess 3:10
B. WOUNDING- GEN 21:9
Prov 20:11
Luke 6:44
Matt 7:20
Matt 7:1
1Cor 8:12-13
Gal 4:28-29
II. CORRECTION
A. WANDERING- GEN 21:14
Gen 16:9
Eph 5:3-4
Gen 26:8
B. WANTING- GEN 21:15
Gen 21:14
Gen 16:10
1Cor 10:13
C. WHINING- GEN 21:16
III. INSTRUCTION
A. WHY- GEN 21:17
Gen 16:13
2Cor 4:9
Eccl 12:1
B. WHERE- GEN 21:17
Ps 40:1-2
Ps 66:18
Gen 21:17
C. WATER- GEN 21:19
Gen 16:13
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
Homily: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Sunday 2024.docxJames Knipper
Countless volumes have been written trying to explain the mystery of three persons in one true God, leaving us to resort to metaphors such as the three-leaf clover to try to comprehend the Divinity. Many of us grew up with the quintessential pyramidal Trinity structure of God at the top and Son and Spirit in opposite corners. But what if we looked at this ‘mystery’ from a different perspective? What if we shifted our language of God as a being towards the concept of God as love? What if we focused more on the relationship within the Trinity versus the persons of the Trinity? What if stopped looking at God as a noun…and instead considered God as a verb? Check it out…
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptx
Liefstyle evangelism
1. Should Christianity be enticing or offensive?
(1Cor 2:4) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
THE LIE OF LIFESTYLE EVANGELISM
Are men won to Christ by one's lifestyle?
1. Lifestyle Evangelism Refuted by the Scriptures
One is saved by the Word of God and not a Christian's lifestyle.
(Heb 2:1-3) Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at
any time we should let them slip.
2) For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a
just recompence of reward;
3) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the
Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
(1Pet 1:23,25) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth for ever.
25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached
unto you.
No one is won to the Saviour simply by observing the life of a dedicated Christian.
Romans 10:17 Notice, the Scripture does not say, 'Faith cometh by observation, and
observation by a good lifestyle.'
Romans 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
I Corinthians 1:21, " ... it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that
believe."
The Great Commission
In Mark 16:15 "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
The last invitation of the Bible is found in
2. Revelation 22:17: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say,
Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life
freely."
This is a verbal message that is heard - not observed.
Romans 10: 13, 14 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How
then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him
of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
Notice the Bible raises a question: "And how shall they believe in him of whom they have
not heard?" It does not say, 'How shall they believe unless someone lives a good Christian life
before them?' That is simply not in the Bible.
Notice again, " ... and how shall they hear without a preacher?" It doesn't say, 'How shall
they hear without someone to live it before them?'
It is impossible to find so-called lifestyle evangelism in this clear passage which gives the
whole machinery of salvation. Those who make fun of confrontational evangelism make fun of
the Bible because the Bible knows no other kind of evangelism.
II. Lifestyle Evangelism Refuted by the Saviour
If anyone was ever able to lead a soul to salvation by His lifestyle, it would have certainly been
the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible says in Hebrews 4:16, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with
the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." When
Pilate turned Him over to the angry mob, He said, "I find no fault in him" (John 19:6). The Bible
states in II Corinthians 5:21, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin ... "
Though Jesus was perfect, there is no account in the Scripture where anyone was ever saved by
observing His lifestyle. Jesus was the greatest personal soul winner who ever lived.
The woman at the well
John 4:4 He went to this well to create an opportunity to tell a fallen woman about the living
water.
Jesus confronted the woman. He even confronted her with her sin, saying that she had had five
husbands and the man with whom she was living was not her husband. He went on to say in
verse l0, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink: thou
wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." There is no way to read
lifestyle evangelism into the story of the wonderful conversion of.
Zacchaeus
3. Luke 19:5, “... make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house." That's
confrontational evangelism.
Matthew,
(Mark 2:14)Jesus said, "Follow me." And the Bible says, "And he arose and followed him".
That's confrontational evangelism.
We do not know of one single case in all the Bible where anyone was ever saved by observing
the lifestyle of Jesus. And even if that were the case, that would not be an argument for lifestyle
evangelism because Jesus Christ was God in human flesh. He was perfection personified, and no
human being can ever attain to that lifestyle.
Jesus in praying for future generations
John 17:20, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through
their word." Jesus knew that all who would believe on Christ would do so because of a verbal
message. That is why He prayed for those who would believe on Him THROUGH THE WORD
of other Christians, not through the lifestyle of other Christians.
III. Lifestyle Evangelism Refuted by the Saints
Let's take the woman at the well
John 4:39, "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the
woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did."
This poor, fallen woman could not have possibly witnessed with her lifestyle. She had been
married five times and was living with a man who was not her husband. Perhaps everyone in
town knew her sinful lifestyle. But when she told them about Jesus, many believed.
The Scriptures plainly say that many "believed on him for the saying of the woman
which testified ... " They did not believe because of her lifestyle but because of her saying - that
is, a verbal message.
John the Baptist
John 1:6-8: "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for
a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe. He was not that
Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light."
Now how did John witness, with his lifestyle or with his lips?
4. John 1:23, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness." Notice, he did not say, 'I am the life
of one demonstrating in the wilderness.'
The book of Acts tells of multitudes who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 5:42 says, "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and
preach Jesus Christ." Notice they were teaching and preaching. No lifestyle evangelism here. As
a matter of fact, this was aggressive New Testament soul winning. They did not wait for people
to come to them; they were going from house to house teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:4, "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word."
That is confrontational evangelism. That is verbalizing the Gospel.
Andrew led his brother Simon Peter to Christ.
John 1:40-42
"One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's
brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias,
which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him,
he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation,
A stone."
There is no lifestyle evangelism here; this is confrontational: "He findeth his brother". "He
... saith unto him."
IV. Lifestyle Evangelism Refuted by Sinners
The rich man and Lazarus:
Luke 16:19-31. "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and
fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at
his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's
table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died,
and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he
may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But
Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and likewise
Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this,
between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you
cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee
therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that
he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him,
5. They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them. And he said. Nay. father Abraham: but if
one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses
and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Then the rich man said in verses 27, 28, "I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send
him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also
come into this place of torment."
The rich man did not ask Abraham to send Lazarus back to live a good Christian life before
his five brothers. The fact of the matter is, Lazarus was a good Christian, but the rich man was
not saved as a result of Lazarus' lifestyle; and neither would his five brothers be saved unless
Lazarus testified to them. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"
(Rom. 10:17).
V. Lifestyle Evangelism Refuted by Sensible Logic
The Bible emphasizes the urgency of salvation.
2Corinthians 6:2 says, "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." And
Hebrews 4:7 says, "To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
If the matter of salvation is urgent, why should we wait several weeks or even months to witness
to a friend or even a stranger? Those who teach lifestyle evangelism say that we should live it
before the individual perhaps weeks, or even months, before we present a verbal witness. In the
words of lifestyle evangelists, we should "incarnate" the Gospel before we verbalize it. To do
otherwise is so-called "evangelical mugging."
If salvation is the most important thing in the world - and it is - then why should we run the
risk of a man's dying and going to Hell before we finally get around to a verbal witness?
I believe in living a consistent, godly Christian life; and a good testimony makes the soul winner
more effective and productive. But there is no teaching in the Bible that we should demonstrate
Christianity several months before trying to lead a soul to Christ.
Conclusion - The message is offensive Gal. 5:11…is the offence of the cross ceased.
(1Cor 1:23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks
foolishness;
(1Pet 2:7-8) Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the
stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8) And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being
disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
6. Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you,
(but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of
men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto
them.
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death,
not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of
wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. KJV
Rom 2:14-15 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the
law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in
their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else
excusing one another;)
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might
be given to them that believe. Rom 3:9,Rom 11:32
Rom 5:8-9 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Balak:
Num 22:2-4 2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was
sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of
Israel. 4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about
us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at
that time.
Rahab:
Josh 2:9-11 9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your
terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10 For we have heard
how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did
unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly
destroyed. 11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any
more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in
earth beneath.
Gideon:
Judg 7:13-14 13 And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow,
and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and
came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. 14 And his fellow
answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for
into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
Judg 7:16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every
man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.
7. A. It is Offensive Because of its Simplicity – Clarity Gal. 2:21
1. It simply results in eternal life
2. It simply requires faith alone
3. The Cross simply presents Christ Jesus alone
B. It is Offensive Because Of Its Conclusions Gal. 3:22
1. Concluded us ALL under sin, and therefore, ALL will die
2. The Cross has concluded that ALL need Christ
C. It is Offensive Because of it’s a Sacrifice; it was a bloody, violent judgment for your sins!
(Isa. 53:7)
D. It is Offensive Because Of Its Challenge
1. It tests our desire to know the truth
2. It tests our faith to trust and follow His words
3. It tests our commitment to get saved, serve Christ, stay with Him
Does Jesus Christ and His words offend you? Then that is a good place to be.
The WORDS of eternal life, and are meant to push you to make a decision - God hates apathy,
and complacency. How much do YOU hunger and thirst for things that are true, and eternal?
You are in a bad way if that hunger is not there! But if you do hunger for eternal things, then
Christ is your answer - but only by faith that turns from sin, and clings only to HIM!!