What can we say? Has it ever trouble you that the bible rarely, if ever, explicitly commands Christians to actively share the gospel with those around them.?
Here are our thoughts...
There are at least 3 beliefs taught clearly in the Bible that so completely imply the necessity of evangelism that direct commands to actively share the gospel are simply not necessary.
- We are commanded to love our neighbours. How can we say we are loving them if we withhold from them the most important gift we have to offer?
- From Genesis 12:1-3 onwards we see that the nations are on God's heart. The unfolding plan of salvation shows us that the gospel going out to all people is the key thing that God is doing right now in the world. If we are part of God's family then we need to be involved in the family business.
- As the Apostle to the Gentiles Paul's missionary strategy was to preach the gospel in the key cities of each region. Having established the gospel in each major city he would then leave it to each of those churches to take the gospel to the rest of the city and the surrounding areas (see Paul's outrageous boast in Romans 15:19 which only makes sense if this was Paul's strategy). As the product of Paul's missionary endeavors we have now been entrusted with the task of continuing the mission.
5 comments:
you've used the e-word...!!
i suspect that the reason that guilt is associated with evangelism instead of freedom is to do with:
1. the inadequate preaching and understanding of what evangelism really is.
2. lack of prayer and genuine dependence on the Spirit's work - in repentance, in calling, working in His strength
3. a misunderstanding of the church's current place in society, and therefore ineffective missional strategy
4. the propensity to place the task of evangelism and missions ahead of personal holiness and ongoing forgiveness and repentance
5. self righteousness and hypocrisy in the church
what a difference between feeling guilty about not evangelising and bursting at the seams to proclaim Jesus.
it seems like the latter are the ones who genuinely met Jesus in the gospels.
my question really is -
what would it really look like for every person (at CCSI) to be a missionary to the culture (sydney) that they are a part of every day?
an answer to that one would involve more than just understanding the bible - but also understanding the culture and GOING to people where they are at.
as jesus did.
so how do we REALLY do it?
Wowwwies - FIRST TIME BLOGGER! Nervous... Will I get hooked?
Clinks?!
J, Thoughts in brief:
- Church-blame stuff is lame?? Of course churches could do stacks of stuff better, but surely the key reason people are feeling guilty about evangelism is because they know it's important and they know they're not making a good enough effort? [What would be a good enough effort?? Well, that's a question!]
- Disclaimer from me: I don't necessarily have a problem with us feeling some guilt. It's a natural and healthy thing for us to feel when we should be doing something differently. I understand that the Bible says Xians definitely are NOT GUILTY through Jesus, but that's different to feeling guilty.
- Lack of Prayer - cheers - AGREED!
- The other stuff - would have to ask many more q's.
- The what would it look like q.; I reckon you answered it: it would look like the way Jesus did it, and the way the apostles did it.
- HEAR HEAR: we do know enough Bible, we do know the gospel. HEAR HEAR: Let's indeed get out there being all things to all people, in our culture, where the people are at, and share this sweet message!
Am certainly feeling like more time getting into that culture and spreading that gospel and less time blogging already!
Well, how did I go?
Nick,
I think you did ok. Congrats on your first post!
Jumbo,
I like what you're saying but I am not sure that I agree entirely.
- Preaching - You can't always blame ineffective preaching for hard hearts. God's word goes out. He is in control with what he does with it.
- Pray & dependence on the spirit - This is all true, but I don't think it is the cause but a symptom of a BIGGER problem, that being distrust of God as revealed through his word - or even no idea what his word says. Now that can go back to preaching but as followers of Jesus we are not 'dependant' on the public preaching of the Bible to workout how to follow Jesus. Don't we read the Bible for ourselves? If we are, won't we be motivated to share the gospel as well as pray and depend on God?
Anyway... just some thoughts.
Maybe we're just too lazy & proud?
Suds
J,
Interested to know what YOU think is the church's current place in society. Very late comment I know - not sure if anyone goes back to read old posts. Guess I'll find out...
phil
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