Mark Dever: God Centered Evangelism
Blogging from the Ligonier Pastor’s Conference in Lake Mary, FL. CDs of the conference will be available for purchase at ligonier.org.
1. Do it honestly. Tell them it’s free, but don’t leave out the fact that it is costly. Biblical sermons should confront people with their sin. For the people of Jesus’ time, the cross was a grotesque image of death and torture, not a sentimental symbol to hang on a wall or a piece of jewelry.
2. Tell people with urgency. The fact is that when the gospel is presented, those who hear must decide, and decide now. There is no better deal coming along. There is no waiting for a better offer as if believing in Christ was akin to purchasing a cell phone.
3. Tell people with joy. This is wonderful stuff, after all! God actually saves people like us. That is more than enough reason to rejoice. There is no sacrifice we must make to repent and believe that is not outweighed by the joy of knowing Christ.
4. Use the Bible. Faith comes by hearing the word of God.
5. Tell people with your life. Our lives are meant to attest to the gospel. A church full of regenerate people goes a long way to winning the lost. Our lives will echo and affirm the truth of our witness.
In this regard, the question church growth-ers should be asking is not, “how can we speak to the world?” but rather, “how can we be distinct from the world?” Godly character and action by Christians gives the non-believer hope that there is something beyond their own pitiful situation. A church that looks like the world cannot offer such hope.
6. Remember to pray. Conversion is ultimately the work of God.
What is Evangelism?
It is not imposing our views on someone else, as the Air Force is now suggesting. Because of sin, all we can do is present the good news. God will do the coercing, not us.
Testimony may be a part of our evangelism, but it cannot be considered evangelism in and of itself. We can give testimony all day, but never give the gospel.
Social action or public involvement is not the gospel. These are fruits of the gospel, not the essence of it.
Apologetics is not evangelism. We can answer questions till we are blue in the face and still not broach the good news.
The good news, then, is God’s agenda for man. God, in his amazing love, has provided a Savior from sin. Conversion is the result of God’s working in the heart of man. We speak the former and God does the latter.
What is our Motivation?
Our motivation to evangelize should be from a desire to be obedient to God’s commission (Matthew 28), a love for the lost (Romans 10), and a deep love for God (John 15)--desiring that others might know that “I am the Lord.”
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. --J. ElliotToday Mark Dever spoke on God-centered evangelism. Such evangelism takes place when we:
1. Do it honestly. Tell them it’s free, but don’t leave out the fact that it is costly. Biblical sermons should confront people with their sin. For the people of Jesus’ time, the cross was a grotesque image of death and torture, not a sentimental symbol to hang on a wall or a piece of jewelry.
2. Tell people with urgency. The fact is that when the gospel is presented, those who hear must decide, and decide now. There is no better deal coming along. There is no waiting for a better offer as if believing in Christ was akin to purchasing a cell phone.
3. Tell people with joy. This is wonderful stuff, after all! God actually saves people like us. That is more than enough reason to rejoice. There is no sacrifice we must make to repent and believe that is not outweighed by the joy of knowing Christ.
4. Use the Bible. Faith comes by hearing the word of God.
5. Tell people with your life. Our lives are meant to attest to the gospel. A church full of regenerate people goes a long way to winning the lost. Our lives will echo and affirm the truth of our witness.
In this regard, the question church growth-ers should be asking is not, “how can we speak to the world?” but rather, “how can we be distinct from the world?” Godly character and action by Christians gives the non-believer hope that there is something beyond their own pitiful situation. A church that looks like the world cannot offer such hope.
6. Remember to pray. Conversion is ultimately the work of God.
What is Evangelism?
It is not imposing our views on someone else, as the Air Force is now suggesting. Because of sin, all we can do is present the good news. God will do the coercing, not us.
Testimony may be a part of our evangelism, but it cannot be considered evangelism in and of itself. We can give testimony all day, but never give the gospel.
Social action or public involvement is not the gospel. These are fruits of the gospel, not the essence of it.
Apologetics is not evangelism. We can answer questions till we are blue in the face and still not broach the good news.
The good news, then, is God’s agenda for man. God, in his amazing love, has provided a Savior from sin. Conversion is the result of God’s working in the heart of man. We speak the former and God does the latter.
What is our Motivation?
Our motivation to evangelize should be from a desire to be obedient to God’s commission (Matthew 28), a love for the lost (Romans 10), and a deep love for God (John 15)--desiring that others might know that “I am the Lord.”
Just because someone wants purpose in their life does not mean they have repented of their sins.
posted on 10/26/2005 | permalink | more bloggy goodness
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