Category: Evangelism

conversation missions evangelism

When Our Society Declines: Being Missionaries Everywhere

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It’s not really fair to expect unbelievers to act like believers. We are in this world as lights, not as adversaries to the world. We are to love our enemies as well those who are not our enemies (which I think covers everyone). Most people do not follow Jesus, so we are to be missionaries everywhere. If we change our mindset then we won’t be so discouraged when our culture becomes destructive. Instead of thinking we have a right to live in the kind of place we want, it might help to think of ourselves as missionaries in our community and our world. We are in the minority and we cannot quickly change our culture. As missionaries we need to understand the culture around us. Since there is such a diversity of views wherever we go, our lives are a constant cross-cultural experience. Even talking to our neighbor is sometimes Continue Reading →

listening and understanding

Try To Understand Unbelievers

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It’s not reasonable to expect unbelievers to act like believers. Therefore, it is not appropriate to have an accusatory attitude toward them or express forms of accusation to them. We are in this world as lights, not as adversaries to the world. We love our enemies as well those who are not our enemies (which I think covers everyone.) If we should reach the point of discussing the way of salvation with them, then we need to say words to convict them of sin. Until then, we should try to understand unbelievers and convey God’s goodness and blessings for them. If we change our expectations, we won’t be so discouraged when our culture is destructive. In America, our dominant culture has become narcissistic and hedonistic. Self-rightousness abounds, reminding us of the Pharisees that Jesus faced; but American Pharisees are secular activists who condemn anyone who does not follow their preferred Continue Reading →

reach communitiies

How Do We Engage Our Communities For Jesus’ Sake?

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As Christians, how should we seek to engage our communities for Jesus? What is the highest priority? Many believers are disturbed by the decline in their country of interest in Christianity or even in living healthy constructive lives. People seem to be less able to form healthy relationships and don’t seem to seriously seek a transcendent life. This situation is not too different from what the Christians faced in the first three centuries of the Church. The early Christians did not take an adversarial approach to their society. Sometimes Christian writers would point out the sinfulness of their culture but they did not focus on this. Instead, they focused on living the Christian life. In other words, they had a different model of social engagement. Perhaps one could refer to their approach as “magnetic engagement”: the Church focused on drawing people by living attractive lives. A few believers were evangelists, Continue Reading →

evangelism missions

Kingdom Evangelism – What Your Unbelieving Friends Need To Know About Themselves

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It is important to be realistic about what is in the heart of unbelievers. Some Christians give the impression that the biggest reason people don’t follow Jesus is the bad example of Christians or other faults in the church. But this does not fit with Scripture. The reality is that the lost are corrupt. By the time people reach early teens they have adopted sinful ways. Most people want to be god of their own lives; they want to cling to destructive ways. Even if they are “nice” people and have been hurt by those who call themselves Christians, the truth is that they are just making excuses. (There are cases of real abuse that do create a huge barrier and we should recognize their pain) “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23, ESV). In other words, the lost are just like all of Continue Reading →

evangelism missions

Kingdom Evangelism

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When it comes to evangelism and missions, Jesus wants us to show the world what a citizen of the kingdom looks like. Immediately after the beatitudes in Matthew 5 we hear Jesus saying “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13, 14, NIV). (Paul says something similar in Philippians 2:14-16.) Then he gives the command “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16, NIV). Thus, after explaining what kind of people his disciples should be, he directs them to go out and display the kingdom of God in their lives. His point is that when others see what the kingdom looks like in us, then some of them will also become people who glorify – display – God and his kingdom. God is looking for seekers who will Continue Reading →