Comments on: Principles for Evangelism http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ken Fleck http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/comment-page-1/#comment-32211 Ken Fleck Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:18:06 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/#comment-32211 Jesse, I appreciate your willingness and heart to talk on this subject. I pray God encourages and empowers each person that reads this to be a bold witness wherever they are at because God has given us divine appointments all around us. Mark Cahill's book "One Thing You can't do in Heaven" has been one of the biggest encouragements in my journey. Keep fixing our eyes on Jesus. Ken Jesse, I appreciate your willingness and heart to talk on this subject. I pray God encourages and empowers each person that reads this to be a bold witness wherever they are at because God has given us divine appointments all around us.

Mark Cahill’s book “One Thing You can’t do in Heaven” has been one of the biggest encouragements in my journey.

Keep fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Ken

]]> By: Chris http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/comment-page-1/#comment-31900 Chris Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:21:42 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/#comment-31900 Re: point of contact Based on a variety of sources including books and evangelists and of course Scripture itself some might say that the point of contact that believers and unbelievers share is that we are all made in God's image, yet we suppress this truth (cf. Romans 1) Re: point of contact

Based on a variety of sources including books and evangelists and of course Scripture itself some might say that the point of contact that believers and unbelievers share is that we are all made in God’s image, yet we suppress this truth (cf. Romans 1)

]]> By: A Word on Evangelism « PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/comment-page-1/#comment-31355 A Word on Evangelism « PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:12:22 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/#comment-31355 [...] 21st, 2007 · No Comments The topic of evangelism is an important one amongst Christians. As a matter of fact, it is one ofthe essential factors for church growth. Yet, like prayer it is one of the most neglected engagements and lifestyles of Christians. Perhaps this is due to fear of rejection, fear of confrontation and alienation, or simply don’t know how. If the latter is an issue, here’s a short, but helpful article “Cold Evangelism” by Jesse Johnson (a classmate of mine from TMS) in Pulpit Magazine. Furthermore, I’d also recommend “Principles for Evangelism.” [...] [...] 21st, 2007 · No Comments The topic of evangelism is an important one amongst Christians. As a matter of fact, it is one ofthe essential factors for church growth. Yet, like prayer it is one of the most neglected engagements and lifestyles of Christians. Perhaps this is due to fear of rejection, fear of confrontation and alienation, or simply don’t know how. If the latter is an issue, here’s a short, but helpful article “Cold Evangelism” by Jesse Johnson (a classmate of mine from TMS) in Pulpit Magazine. Furthermore, I’d also recommend “Principles for Evangelism.” [...]

]]> By: Maturing in Faith http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/comment-page-1/#comment-31030 Maturing in Faith Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:59:11 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/#comment-31030 "Please forgive me!" Absolutely! Honestly, I was not offended at all. I have a dry sense of humor and it is difficult to transfer that to print. I really do appreciate you reaching out. Thank you (Mike) for an accurate summary of what I was trying to get across. “Please forgive me!”

Absolutely! Honestly, I was not offended at all. I have a dry sense of humor and it is difficult to transfer that to print. I really do appreciate you reaching out.

Thank you (Mike) for an accurate summary of what I was trying to get across.

]]> By: Dave N http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/comment-page-1/#comment-30905 Dave N Wed, 20 Jun 2007 03:58:32 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/#comment-30905 Maturing... I am really sorry if I came across rude. I honestly just thought you were missing much of the context from your comments and was suggesting reading through it again slowly, digesting the entire post in its entirety. I understand your concerns, but in the context of the entire post, I think these concerns are answered. I obviously came across different than how I intended -Please forgive me! Maturing… I am really sorry if I came across rude. I honestly just thought you were missing much of the context from your comments and was suggesting reading through it again slowly, digesting the entire post in its entirety. I understand your concerns, but in the context of the entire post, I think these concerns are answered. I obviously came across different than how I intended -Please forgive me!

]]> By: Mike http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/comment-page-1/#comment-30880 Mike Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:29:42 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/#comment-30880 I see Maturing's point. Varying the "entry point" in regards to different situations sounds awfully similar to finding out people's felt needs and showing them how Jesus helps. While I don't think this is what Jesse was saying, I understand the caution against this. It's a good concern. The thing that's always bothered me about the point of contact position is that there really is no point of contact between a believer and an unbeliever (2Co 6:14-18), except that they're dead in their transgressions and we preach the Word of reconcilation. So Maturing's point, I believe, is that every unbeliever is in the same situation: they're dead in their sin. So we do bring the Law to the proud, grace to the broken, and comfort for the hurting. The only point is that every unbeliever is proud, broken, and hurting because of their spiritual state. That, I believe, was the intention of the post. If the idea is that we have to put the spiritual need on hold for a bit so we can figure out their physical need and meet that first, I disagree. That sounds awfully emerging. "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables" (Acts 6:2). We seek the kingdom for unbelievers first, and we watch how -- if the eyes of their hearts are enlightened -- all those physical needs pale in comparison to "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe" (Eph 1:18-19). MIKE I see Maturing’s point. Varying the “entry point” in regards to different situations sounds awfully similar to finding out people’s felt needs and showing them how Jesus helps. While I don’t think this is what Jesse was saying, I understand the caution against this. It’s a good concern.

The thing that’s always bothered me about the point of contact position is that there really is no point of contact between a believer and an unbeliever (2Co 6:14-18), except that they’re dead in their transgressions and we preach the Word of reconcilation. So Maturing’s point, I believe, is that every unbeliever is in the same situation: they’re dead in their sin.

So we do bring the Law to the proud, grace to the broken, and comfort for the hurting. The only point is that every unbeliever is proud, broken, and hurting because of their spiritual state. That, I believe, was the intention of the post. If the idea is that we have to put the spiritual need on hold for a bit so we can figure out their physical need and meet that first, I disagree. That sounds awfully emerging. “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables” (Acts 6:2). We seek the kingdom for unbelievers first, and we watch how — if the eyes of their hearts are enlightened — all those physical needs pale in comparison to “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Eph 1:18-19).

MIKE

]]> By: Maturing in Faith http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/comment-page-1/#comment-30874 Maturing in Faith Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:27:49 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/#comment-30874 "I suggest you re-read the post again, slowly and exhaustively." I thought I was among friends! I will try to read a little slower next time. Point 4 proves my point...we do not need to know the emotional situation of ones "mind". It is the power of the Holy Spirit, through the gospel, that penetrates the "heart and conscience". No hard feelings Dave and thank you for reaching out. Maturing in Faith “I suggest you re-read the post again, slowly and exhaustively.”

I thought I was among friends! I will try to read a little slower next time. Point 4 proves my point…we do not need to know the emotional situation of ones “mind”. It is the power of the Holy Spirit, through the gospel, that penetrates the “heart and conscience”.

No hard feelings Dave and thank you for reaching out.

Maturing in Faith

]]> By: Dave N http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/comment-page-1/#comment-30873 Dave N Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:13:22 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/#comment-30873 "Are we reaching out to the co-worker because he is an addict? Or, are we reaching out because we feel he might not be saved." Jesse answered this very clearly. With all do respect, please re-read the post on what our goal should be in evangelizing. (Point 4 - begins "Our goal in evangelism...) I suggest you re-read the post again, slowly and exhaustively. Thank you for the interaction, my friend! “Are we reaching out to the co-worker because he is an addict? Or, are we reaching out because we feel he might not be saved.”

Jesse answered this very clearly. With all do respect, please re-read the post on what our goal should be in evangelizing. (Point 4 – begins “Our goal in evangelism…)

I suggest you re-read the post again, slowly and exhaustively. Thank you for the interaction, my friend!

]]> By: Maturing in Faith http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/comment-page-1/#comment-30869 Maturing in Faith Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:53:21 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/#comment-30869 I guess I am a little confused. No, I would not evangelize to my daughter the way I would a co-worker. I will "train up" my daughter. I would, however, evangelize to the co-worker, college student and mourning mother the same. I understand what is trying to be said. The point is the same for everyone; however, how we "get" to the point is different according to the situation. My question is, what is the situation? Are we reaching out to the co-worker because he is an addict? Or, are we reaching out because we feel he might not be saved. I guess I am a little confused. No, I would not evangelize to my daughter the way I would a co-worker. I will “train up” my daughter. I would, however, evangelize to the co-worker, college student and mourning mother the same. I understand what is trying to be said. The point is the same for everyone; however, how we “get” to the point is different according to the situation. My question is, what is the situation? Are we reaching out to the co-worker because he is an addict? Or, are we reaching out because we feel he might not be saved.

]]> By: Dave N http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/comment-page-1/#comment-30861 Dave N Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:07:34 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/06/19/794/#comment-30861 Maturing...."I would consider this (borderline) seeker-sensitive.....The message of the gospel is the same for everyone." I think you missed the context when Jesse said, "The evangelistic conversations you have with each will necessarily be different." Would you evengelize your 10 year old son/daughter the same you would to a strung out drug addict who happens to be a co-worker? The conversations will be different, though the gospel message of God's saving grace will be exactly the same. I would not consider this seeker-sensitive. Sorry to be redundant, but to quote Jesse again from this post... "Our goal in evangelism is to clearly proclaim who God is, why people are lost, what Christ did to save us, and what our response should be. When this message is clearly preached, the Holy Spirit will save people. That is what the gospel does, and that is what the Holy Spirit does. What we do is proclaim the message, and pray for the person to repent." Thank you Jesse for this Biblical truth! Maturing….”I would consider this (borderline) seeker-sensitive…..The message of the gospel is the same for everyone.”

I think you missed the context when Jesse said, “The evangelistic conversations you have with each will necessarily be different.” Would you evengelize your 10 year old son/daughter the same you would to a strung out drug addict who happens to be a co-worker? The conversations will be different, though the gospel message of God’s saving grace will be exactly the same. I would not consider this seeker-sensitive.

Sorry to be redundant, but to quote Jesse again from this post… “Our goal in evangelism is to clearly proclaim who God is, why people are lost, what Christ did to save us, and what our response should be. When this message is clearly preached, the Holy Spirit will save people. That is what the gospel does, and that is what the Holy Spirit does. What we do is proclaim the message, and pray for the person to repent.”

Thank you Jesse for this Biblical truth!

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