Evangelism

1
Evangelism

• Putting our faith into practice!
• Coastland University

2
Barriers To First Century Evangelism

• Christians were resisted and rejected by the
  established religious leaders of the day (Acts
  517 1 Th. 214-16)
• Christians were looked upon with suspicion by the
  government (Acts 1620-33 2130-33)
• There were some hypocrites in the church (Acts
  53 1 Cor. 51 1121 66)
• There were many cults the accepted religion was
  pagan

3
Barriers To First Century Evangelism

• There was occasional strife among Christians
  (Acts 61 151-2, 37-39 Gal. 211 Phil.
  115-17)
• The apostles had a reputation for being
  uneducated (Acts 413)
• There were vicious rumors spread about them
  (Acts 611, 13 176 2128, 38 245 2822)
• The leaders were often under attack (Acts 518,
  40 760 121-2, 4 1350 1812 2130 2222)

4
Against the odds, they shared

• A changed life (Mt. 38 Lk. 38)
• Christian character (Gal. 522-23)
• Godly living (Rom. 619-22 Eph. 58-10 Phil.
  19-11 Heb. 1211 Jas. 317-18)
• Spiritual development (2 Pet. 15-11)
• Good works (Col. 19-11)
• The simple Gospel -1Co 22 For I determined to
  know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and
  Him crucified.

5
Faithfully Bearing Fruit

• Edifying the brethren (Phil. 121-26)
• Helping needy saints (Rom. 1526-29)
• Praising God (Heb. 1315)
• Giving to the Lord (2 Cor. 910)
• Teaching the lost (Rom. 113 Col. 13-6 Phil.
  414-17)

6
Evangelism In The Early Church

• They were in love with God (2 Cor. 514-21)
• They were involved with people (Acts 246-47
  513-16)
• They demonstrating complete Faith in Jesus! (2
  Cor. 47-18)
• They felt the urgent necessity of proclaiming
  their faith (Acts 541-42 2018-24)
• My motto is simply this, Just one more

7
Evangelism In The Early Church

• They were more concerned about souls than about
  earthly possessions (Acts 244-45 432-35 Heb.
  1032-34)
• They believed the world was lost (Rom. 39-18,
  23 1 Jn. 519) everyone was in a cult!!
• They were so filled with the message of salvation
  they had to tell it (Rom. 114-17 1 Cor. 916)
• Their dedicated lives attracted the world (1
  Pet. 211-12)

8
They had a great call and vision

• Jesus told the to go into all the world and
  preach the gospel
• They were looking for lost souls to save, not to
  escape the world
• They were commissioned to go to the uttermost
  parts of the earth.
• They knew that Jesus would not come back until
  the fullness of Gentiles are saved.

9
Facts That Ought To Concern Us in the Church

• Of all the reported church members in America
• 5 Do all the work
• 10 Help a little
• 20 Never pray
• 25 Never read the Bible
• 30 Never attend church
• 40 Never give money for religious work
• 50 Plus do not believe Jesus is the only way to
  God
• 60 Never attend evening meetings
• 70 Never support foreign work
• 80 Never attend a midweek Bible study
• 90 Never worship at home
• 95 Never win a soul for Christ

10
Facts That Ought To Concern Us in society

• Pluralism
• Moral Relativism
• Postmodern thought
• Gay agenda
• Ecumenicalism
• Intolerance of Christians

11
Americans should not expect one battle, but a
lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever
seenWhat is at stake is not just Americas
freedom. This is the worlds fight. This is
civilizations fight. This is the fight of all
who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance,
and freedom. President George W.
Bush September 20, 2001Much of the
Worlds governments want to come together. It is
in the United Nations charter and their ultimate
agenda!Rev. 17 17 "For God has put it in
their hearts to execute His purpose by having a
common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to
the beast, until the words of God will be
fulfilled.
12
Definition of Pluralism Theory that there are
more than one or more than two kinds of ultimate
reality Varieties of ultimate truths
availableNo one absolute truthExercised in the
form of Tolerance ! In Oct. 2000 the UN
had a summit for all the religious leaders of the
world - they signed an agreement
basicallyaffirming there are many ways to God
and that all religions should come together
13
Since pluralism says there are no absolute
truthsNEW tolerance states, All values,
beliefs, lifestyles, and truth claims are
equalNow we must agree that another persons
position is just as valid as your own even if
it is based on Biblical Truth!Now you must give
approval, endorsement, sincere support to their
beliefs and behaviors.This is setting the stage
for the anti-christ!
14
We must stand for truth in these last days!Law
of Non-Contradiction Two contradictory ideas
cannot both be trueJoh 146 Jesus said to
him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life
no one comes to the Father but through Me. Not
through being good, the Church, or anything
else.All other teaching is of the anti-christ
and preparing the world for his appearing.
15
1John 218 Children, it is the last hour and
just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even
now many antichrists have appeared from this we
know that it is the last hour.
16
Rejection of moral absolutes

• It is hard to proclaim the forgiveness of
  sins to people who believe that, since morality
  is relative, they have no sins to forgive.
• Gene Veith, Postmodern Times, p.16

17
The Difficulty of doing Evangelism Today!

• J.P. Moreland says
• As we approach the twenty-first century, It
  doesnt take a rocket scientist to recognize that
  our entire culture is in trouble. We are staring
  down the barrel of a loaded gun and we can no
  longer afford to act like it is loaded with
  blanks.
• Love God with all your Mind
• P. 21

18
The Difficulty of doing Evangelism Today!

• If truth and reasonableness are not uppermost
  in our presentation of the truth to a pagan
  culture, already predisposed to regarding
  religion as a set of private feelings, then we
  will constantly hear this response. Well thats
  fine if having those feelings helps you.
• Love God with all your Mind
• P. 30

19
Barriers to Communicating the Gospel

• Rejection of moral absolutes
• Skepticism
• Indifference towards truth

• Our methods must deal with these barriers
• Our methods must accommodate those who are not
  ready to consider the claims of Christ now!

20
Why go the extra mile?

• The Apostle Paul said, I have become all things
  to all men so that by all means I may save some.
• I Cor. 922

21
Jesus The Model Soul Winner

• Jesus was motivated by his love for the lost
  (Mt. 935-38)
• Jesus sought out the lost to save them (Lk.
  1910)Jesus came to seek and to save the lost
  
• Jesus looked for opportunities to talk about
  salvation
• He stayed attuned to the spiritual needs of the
  people in the world around Him
• He went where the sinners were

22
Jesus The Model Soul Winner

• He reached out to lost souls (Lk. 191-10)
• Jesus was interested in all who wanted to know
  the truth
• Jesus was interested in even the worst of people
• Jesus made the evangelized the evangelists (Mt.
  101-16 Mk. 519 Lk. 101-16 Mt. 2818-20)
• Jesus excluded no one
• Jesus established relationships with people

23
We need to do the following

• Start by speaking to the heart, not the head
• Ask God to give you discernment about the person
  you are witnessing to
• Hear their heart issue, not the smoke screen
• Speak with love and excitement

24
The Vine And The Branches

• The secret to life is being in the Vine (Jn.
  156)
• The secret to being in the Vine is bearing fruit
  (Jn. 152, 6)
• The secret to bearing fruit is abiding in Christ
  (Jn. 154-5)
• The secret to abiding in Christ is obeying Christ
  (Jn. 157, 10)
• The secret to obeying Christ is loving God (Jn.
  159)
• The secret to loving God is knowing God (Jn.
  1515)
• When you know Him and Love Him you cant help but
  tell others about Him!

25
How are most people saved?

• The Institute For American Church Growth asked
  10,000 people this question "What was
  responsible for your coming to Christ?" They
  replied
• I attended a revival service .005
• I visited a church 1
• I had a special need 2
• I just walked in 3
• I liked the programs 3
• I like the Sunday School 5
• I liked the minister 6
• One to one evangelism 79

26
Why You Need To Be Involved In Evangelism

• To fulfill your commission from the Lord (Mt.
  2818-20 2 Tim. 22)
• To save the lost (Rom. 116-17 Jn. 644-45)
• To be like Jesus (Jn. 1315-16 Lk. 1910)
• To be like early Christians (Acts 528, 42 84)
• It is our mission (2 Cor. 514-15 Rom. 114-17)
• To demonstrate your love for God and Christ (Jn.
  1415, 21, 23-24)

27
Why You Need To Be Involved In Evangelism

• To demonstrate your love for others (Rom. 91-3
  101-3 Tit. 31-7)
• To be involved in the greatest work on earth
  (Mt. 1626 Jas. 519-20)
• Because people are going to hell
• To mature and grow as a Christian (2 Pet. 318)
• To experience the joy of salvation (Acts 839
  1634 Phil. 41 3 Jn. 3-4)

28
Definition Evangelism

• Telling the good news about Jesus to people who
  do not know Him,
• and inviting and persuading them to commit their
  lives to Him as their Lord and Savior.

29
Motives for EvangelismWhy Every Christian Should
Be a Personal Witness
30
A. Gods Glory

• Let the Nations Be Glad John Piper
• Isaiah 6619 "They shall declare My glory among
  the nations"
• Psalm 961-4Sing to the Lord, all the
  earth!...Proclaim good tidings of His salvation
  from day to day...Tell of His glory among the
  nations,His wonderful deeds among all the
  peoples!For great is the Lord, and greatly to be
  praised."

31
Go and Make Disciples!

• Mat 2414 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be
  preached in the whole world as a testimony to all
  the nations, and then the end will come.

32
B. Gods Love for the World

• John 316"For God so loved the world..."
• II Corinthians 514, 15"For the love of Christ
  controls us,

33
C. Gods Will

• Ezekiel 3311"'I take no pleasure in the death
  of the wicked
• I Timothy 23-4God desires all men to be
  saved and come to know the truth."
• II Peter 39not wishing for any to perish, but
  for all to come to repentance."

34
D. Christs Purpose

• Matthew 2028Jesus came to give His life as a
  ransom for many."
• Luke 532" to call sinners to repentance."
• Luke 1910"to seek and to save the lost."
• John 1010Abundant Life

35
E. Christs Command

• Great Commission
• Mat 2819 "Go therefore and make disciples of
  all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
  the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

36
F. Obligation of the GospelWe have to tell the
Story

• Romans 114-17"I am under obligation""I am not
  ashamed of the gospel."
• I Corinthians 916"for I am under compulsion,
  for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel."

37
G. Our experience We love to tell the Story

• John 925one thing I do know. I was blind but
  now I see.
• Acts 420"we cannot stop speaking what we have
  seen and heard."

38
They need someone to tell them!

• Rom 1013 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF
  THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
• Rom 1014 How then will they call on Him in whom
  they have not believed? How will they believe in
  Him whom they have not heard? And how will they
  hear without a preacher?
• Rom 1015 How will they preach unless they are
  sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE
  THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD
  THINGS!"

39
Evangelism is a process!

• I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God
  made it grow.
• I Cor. 3 6

40
My Definition of Evangelism

• So abiding in Christ that you cant help but
  fall in love with Him. You are filled with His
  joy and it overflows to everyone you meet.
• Yours Truly
• John 738 "He who believes in Me, as the
  Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will
  flow rivers of living water.'"

41
Evangelism involves Apologetics

• Jud 13 Beloved, while I was making every effort
  to write you about our common salvation, I felt
  the necessity to write to you appealing that you
  contend earnestly for the faith which was once
  for all handed down to the saints.
• 1Pe 315 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your
  hearts, always being ready to make a defense to
  everyone who asks you to give an account for the
  hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and
  reverence

42
What is Apologetics?

• Giving People Answers Apologetics
• I Pet. 315 says,
• But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone
  who ask you to give the reason for the hope that
  you have. But do this with gentleness and
  respect.

43
Is There a Need for Apologetics Today?

• Apologetics is offering each person evidence and
  reasons for the truth of Christianity that turns
  the gears of his/her mental machinery.
• Robert Koons, Notes Effective Apologetics
  Workshop ISI, June 1998

44
Biblical Apologetics in Action
What does it mean to be ready in I Pet. 315?

• The Greek word for ready (Hetoimos) is used of
  anticipating Christ's return in Matt 2444 and
  Luke 1240.

It means to eagerly anticipate their objection or
question.
If I tell Cody to get ready to go, his response
is based on where we are going. To the Beach
he is hetoimos. To school he is ready but not
eager.
45
What is the Goal of Apologetics in Evangelism?

• 2Ti 42 preach the word be ready in season and
  out of season reprove, rebuke, exhort, with
  great patience and instruction.

46
How do we share the Gospel?

• Can we use the Bible to prove for a Muslim that
  Christianity is true?

47
Yes! The Bible is Gods Word!
But what if they reject the Bible?
Then start with your testimony!
48
Starting At a Different PlaceWhy?

• They dont believe in absolutes.
• They have difficulty with the concept of sin.
• They dont like to be told what the truth is.
  They want to discover it for themselves.

49
Starting further back

• Under these conditions, evangelism means
  starting farther back We cannot possibly agree
  on the solution that Jesus provides if we cannot
  agree on the problem he confronts.
• D.A. Carson, Telling the Truth Evangelizing
  Post-moderns, P.386

50
Pastor Brett Peterson, Coastland University
Ministry is not a future goal, its a daily call

• Trust in the Holy Spirit
• To empower us to speak in a way that makes a
  difference (Acts 141)
• To empower us to live godly lives (Phil 114)
• Hear the discrepancies / contradictions (Acts 17
  22-30)
• The contradictions can be between what they say
  they believe and how they live.
• The contradictions can be between two things they
  hold that are mutually contradictory.
• The contradictions can be in the statement
  itself.
•  
• Illuminate discrepancies by asking questions
• Questions to uncover the meaning of certain
  unclear terms
• Questions to expose false belief systems
• Navigate around barriers
• Determine whether it is a legitimate question or
  a smoke screen?
• Find out what their biggest barrier to
  Christianity is?
• Find out what would motivate them to get answers
  in these areas?
• Keep the door open for sharing the gospel (2 Tim.
  42)

51
Evangelism is not a program!
It is much more than memorizing and giving the
four spiritual laws! Sharing the Gospel must be
real. It must be Spirit led. It must flow from
who you are, not what you know!
52
How should we defend our faith?

• Always be ready to make a defense to everyone .
  . . with gentleness and reverence
• 1 Peter 315

53
Apologetics - Whats it all about?

• Apologetics is the science and art of defending
  Christianitys basic truth-claims. Gordon
  Lewis

54
OK lets get equiped

• What tools do you need to proclaim the good news?

• Most important is that you are totally in love
  with Jesus!

55
First Question God
Question Does God exist?
56
Cosmological argument

• This argument is concerned with the origins of
  the universe.
• Many believe in the Big Bang

• The first cause of the universe is assumed to
  be God.

57
Design argument

• The observable order and purpose in the universe
  indicates intelligent design.
• This designer is taken to be God.

58
Moral argument

• Our inherent sense of right and wrong argues for
  an absolute moral authority.
• That authority is understood to be God.

59
Second Question The Bible
Question Why should I believe the Bible? Its
just another ancient holy book.
60
Testing a documents validity

• Internal evidence what the document claims for
  itself
• Bibliographic evidence from the original
  documents to the copies we possess today
• External evidence how the document aligns with
  facts, dates, persons from its own contemporary
  world

61
Testing a documents validity Internal evidence

• Old Testament Thus saith the Lord
• New Testament Jesus words were considered Gods
  words

62
Two Key Questions to Ask

• How many manuscript copies do we have?
• How close are the copies to the original?

63
Testing a documents validity Bibliographical
evidence

• The New Testament

• Over 5600 Greek manuscripts extant
• Over 10,000 manuscripts of the Latin Vulgate.
• Over 9200 other translations

64
Number of New Testament Manuscripts
65
Dating of New Testament Manuscripts

• Work Written Copy Time Span
• Plato 447 BC 900 AD 1200 years
• Gallic Wars 44 BC 900 AD 1000 years
• Tacitus 100 AD 1100 AD 1000 years
• Aristotle 384 BC 1100 AD 1400 years
• Illiad 900 BC 400 BC 500 years
• New
• Testament 90 AD 125 AD 30 years
• NOTE Now part of Matthew was discovered and
  dated to 43 AD!

66
Testing a documents validity External evidence

• Historical records

• Archaeology
• Every discovery has proven the Biblical record

67
Third Question Jesus
Question Wasnt Jesus just another great
religious leader?
68
The historicity of Jesus

• The events of Jesus life are recorded in the
  context of real history.

• Extra-Biblical Sources

• Jewish
• Roman

69
The identity of Jesus

• The Works and Claims of Christ

• Forgave sins
• Performed miracles over nature
• Healed people of diseases
• Fulfilled Messianic prophecies
• Allowed others to worship Him

70
The identity of Jesus

• The Works and Claims of Christ

• Claimed He had absolute, moral authority
• Claimed to be God, Messiah, and the way to God
• Allowed others to call Him God and Messiah

71
What are the options?

• Choose one

• Liar
• Lunatic
• Legend
• Lord

72
The only reasonable choice

• A man who was merely a man and said the sort of
  things Jesus said would not be great moral
  teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on a level
  with the man who says he is a poached egg--or
  else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make
  your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son
  of God, or else a madman or something worse
  (C.S. Lewis).

73
The Resurrection of Jesus
74
The reason for the empty tomb

• The disciples stole the body??
• The disciples were deceived??
• The Jewish leaders took the body??
• Jesus didnt really die??
• Jesus was raised from the dead!!

75
The importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ

• The resurrection certifies that what Jesus
  proclaimed about Himself is true, that He is the
  Son of God (Romans 14).
• His completed work of redemption has made it
  possible for us to have direct access to God.

76
Jesus is the Lord of History!

• Its all true!

Jesus Christ is worthy to be entrusted with our
lives, our purpose, and our destiny! He is the
only way! We must proclaim our faith!
77
So why dont we share our faith?

• FEAR!

78
Nine of ten Christians neversharetheirfaithwi
thanyone.
No wonder the church is dying!
79
Four major fears that keep people from witnessing

• Fear of being rejected
• Fear of not knowing enough
• Fear of offending
• Fear of being ridiculed.

80
Success in witnessing is

• Living out your Christian life
• Sharing the gospel
• Trusting God for the results
• Success is NOT bringing someone to Christ.

81
God can use your witness, but He cannot use your
silence.
82
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?
83
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17
• 2Ti 17 For God has not given us a spirit of
  timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
• 2Ti 18 Therefore do not be ashamed of the
  testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but
  join with me in suffering for the gospel
  according to the power of God,
• 2Ti 19 who has saved us and called us with a
  holy calling, not according to our works, but
  according to His own purpose and grace which was
  granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
• 2Ti 110 but now has been revealed by the
  appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who
  abolished death and brought life and immortality
  to light through the gospel,

84
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17

I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
85
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17

I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
A. Our Adversary
86
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17

I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
A. Our Adversary
B. Our Attitude
87
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17

I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
A. Our Adversary
B. Our Attitude
1. What is fear?
88
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17

I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
A. Our Adversary
B. Our Attitude
1. What is fear?
2. What is an attitude?
89
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17

I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
A. Our Adversary
B. Our Attitude
1. What is fear?
2. What is an attitude?
3. What is this kind of fear?
90
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17

II. What God will do to enable us to witness to
others
91
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17

II. What God will do to enable us to witness to
others
A. Accept His authority over us
92
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17

II. What God will do to enable us to witness to
others
A. Accept His authority over us
B. Accept His appointment for us
93
How to Overcome Your Fear of Witnessing to
Others?

• 2 Timothy 17

II. What God will do to enable us to witness to
others
A. Accept His authority over us
B. Accept His appointment for us
C. Accept His ability through us
94
FIVE OPENING QUESTIONS

• Do you have any kind of spiritual belief?
• To you, who is Jesus?
• Do you think there is a heaven and a hell?
• What happens to someone when they die?
• What does it mean to be a Christian?

95
I pray that you may be active in sharing your
faith, so that you will have a full understanding
of every good thing we have in Christ. Philemon
v. 6
96
Witnessing to People of Other Religions
Jn 44-29
Mt 1521-28
I. Understand the basic assumptions
A. Give careful thought to the way you phrase
questions.
B. Inquire about peoples understanding of the
Bible.
97
Witnessing to People of Other Religions
Mt 1521-28
Jn 44-29
II. Understand the special concerns
A. Talk about significant issue without using
Churchese language.
How do you describe the basic human problem?
What is the main religious concern you have about
your life?
98
Witnessing to People of Other Religions
Jn 44-29
Mt 1521-28
II. Understand the special concerns
Tell me more about your perception of Jesus
Christ.
Let me tell you what Jesus Christ means to me.
99
Witnessing to People of Other Religions
Jn 44-29
Mt 1521-28
II. Understand the special concerns
B. Insist on defining terms yours and theirs.
100
You Cannotfailif you areFaithful
101
Think a method of evangelism

• Trust in the Holy Spirit

To empower us to speak in a way that makes a
difference Acts 141
To empower us to live godly lives Phil. 114
Remember we are just the instrument! God chose
the weak things of the world to shame the
strong. I Cor. 127b
102
Hear

• Hear the discrepancies / contradictions

We want to hear their discrepancies /
contradictions and use them as leverage to help
the person to see their views more clearly.
103
Removing Illusions
Sometimes people may not be motivated to change
until they see the problem!
104
Some Limitations to Using a Mirror Approach in
Evangelism

• Confronting people with the truth in a harsh
  manner can be a real turn off!

The Apostle Paul said it this way, And if I have
the gift of prophecy, and know all And if I
deliver my body to be burned, but do not have
love, it profits me nothing, I Cor. 13 2a 3b.
105
Types of Contradictions

• Hear the discrepancies / contradictions in their
  statements.

• The contradictions can be between what they say
  they believe and how they live (Gal 214-16).

• It can be between two things that they hold that
  are mutually contradictory, e.g. idols (Acts
  1722-30).

• It can also be in the statement itself.

• It can also be in the statement itself.

106
Words vs. Actions

• The contradictions can be between what they say
  they believe and how they live.

• Example
• Paul challenged Peter about his inconsistent
  behavior.
• Gal 214-16

107
Contradictory Beliefs

• 2. It can be between two things they hold that
  are mutually contradictory, e.g. idols.
• Acts 1722-30

108
Contrary BeliefsExamples
Show that they cant hold both conflicting views!

• A. Jesus is my Savior.
• vs.
• B. I can measure up.
• A. The Bible is reliable.
• vs.
• B. I must do good works to be saved.
• (Eph. 28-9 Titus 35)

109
Contradictory Statements
3. The contradiction can also be in the statement.

• Just because a statement is sayable does not mean
  that it is meaningful.
• Example
• I cannot utter a word in English!

110
Contradictory StatementsExamples
What are some of the common discrepancies /
contradictions we hear from others?

• You should be skeptical about everything
• Always avoid making absolute statements

111
Contradictory StatementsMore Examples

• What are some other common discrepancies /
  contradictions we hear from others?

• God is so far beyond us that we can not really
  know anything about Him.

• There is really no absolute truth.

112
Illuminate
Illuminate discrepancies by asking questions

• Questions to uncover the meaning of certain
  unclear terms

• Questions to expose false belief systems

113
Clarify the Terms!

• Salvation?
• Sin?

114
Clarify the Terms!
115
Clarify the Terms!Illustration

116
Questions for Clarification
What do you mean by ?

• Blood of Jesus
• Savior
• Good
• Died for us
• Son of God

117
Reverse the Burden of Proof
Remember, when someone throws a questions at you,
like a boomerang, let it come back around to them
first!
Q Isnt Christianity only a Crutch?
A What do you mean by Crutch?
118
Challenging False ThinkingOverview

• Does it matter what we believe?
• Can all religious views be essentially right?
• Why dont you believe that the bible is reliable?
• Do you think people will be held accountable for
  the way they live their lives? If so what is the
  standard?

Illuminate discrepancies by asking questions
119
Clarifying Their Beliefs
Most non-Christian I talk to who believe in God
say they are getting to heaven by

• Being mostly good
• If good deeds out weigh bad deeds
• High standard
• Following the Ten Commandments
• If you treat others well
• Try your best
• Being sorry for the bad things
• Being humble

What question do you want to ask these people?
120
Exposing Their False Beliefs
Exposing false belief systems

• Do you think Hitler will be in Heaven?

• If Hitler will not be in Heaven, what is the
  standard which we will all be judged by?
  (Matt. 548 Js. 210)

121
Illuminating False Beliefs
Can all religious viewpoints be right?

• No!
• Either Jesus is the Messiah or He isn't.
• If He isn't the Messiah, then the Christians are
  wrong. If He is the Messiah, then the Jews are
  wrong.
• So one way or another somebody's right and
  somebody's wrong! Everyone can't be right at the
  same time, can they?
• Greg Koukl, Christian Apologist
• Taken from web-site at http//www.str.org

122
Exposing the False Beliefs of Atheism
With a hard core Atheist
Ask them what are their reasons for believing
that there is no ultimate reality whether it be
Theistic or Pantheistic (All is God), especially
since most people believe in some kind of
ultimate reality?
123
Exposing Weakness
Ask questions that expose the weaknesses of their
own beliefs
How did you come to that conclusion?"
124
Navigate
Navigate around barriers

• I have an arrangement with the Man upstairs
• Im not interested
• Thats good for you
• Oh yeah, Im a Christian
• How can your way be the only way

125
Navigate Around Barriers
Determine whether it is an intellectual or
emotional question or concern?
126
Remember that sometimes people carry a lot of
baggage on their way to the cross
127
Dealing with intellectual Barriers

• Determine whether it is a legitimate question or
  a smoke screen.

128
A Formula for Unmasking the Real Barrier

• If I could answer your questions in a way
  that would make sense to you, would that help
  you to more seriously consider a belief in God
  and Christianity?
• What kind of evidence are you looking for?

129
Speak to Their Heart Felt Issues

• Find out
• What their biggest barrier to Christianity is?

• What would motivate them to get answers in these
  areas?

130
Common Barriers 1

• Example of a common barrier

All religious beliefs have equal validity!
Show them that comparing Christianity with other
religions is not like comparing apples with
apples!
131
Removing the Barriers
Christs claims and proof of claims are totally
unique compared to any other major religious
leaders

• Buddha pointed to the way, Muhammad claimed to
  be a prophet of God, but Jesus Christ is the only
  major religious leader that ever claimed to be
  God, who fulfilled prophecy, lived a sinless
  life, and then died on the cross and rose from
  the dead.

132
Common Barrier 2

• Example of a common barrier

Being unwilling to commit to a religious
perspective
Question to Ask
If it were possible for you to know the truth
about religious issues, would you want to know
it?
Jesus said, You shall know the Truth, and the
Truth will set you free John 832
133
Keep
Keep the Door Open for Sharing the Gospel

• Preach the Word be prepared in season and out
  of season correct, rebuke and encouragewith
  great patience and careful instruction (NIV).
• 2 Tim. 42

134
Keep the Door Open for Sharing the Gospel

• Dont get so caught up in removing barriers that
  you forget to remember the goal!

• Look for opportunities in conversations to
  transition to spiritual things.
• For example

135
Transitioning to the Gospel
Transition to the Gospel From the topic of
Creation/Evolution

• Transitions to the Gospel
• The good news about all the evidence for
  creationism is that it affirms that you and I are
  not merely an accidental by-product of nature.
• God does have a purpose for our existence. We
  have intrinsic value as Gods creation. The bible
  teaches us that God desires a relationship with
  us.
• Has anyone ever explained to you how you could
  know God more personally?

136
Our Goal is to share the Gospel

• Gospel is good news!
• After you share, ask them if they want to
  experience new life in Jesus Christ
• Ask them if they will pray with you
• Get their email address or phone number and give
  them yours or Pastor Bretts 949-677-0903
• Follow up make sure they get involved in church!