Three legs of a stool

Last Saturday I went to Leicester for a training day on running Christianity Explored. It was very helpful and energizing. In the first session we looked at three biblical foundations of evangelism with particular focus on 2 Corinthians 4:1-6:

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

These are my notes.

A. GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

Conversion is seeing knowing or seeing the glory of God in the face of Christ. It is seeing the true identity of Jesus.

This is an act of new creation comparable to the original creation. The same God who spoke words to create light, also effects this opening of our eyes.

Consequences if we do not rely on our sovereign God

1. The results of evangelism are our own. This has two further consequences:

> We either become proud; or

> We breakdown with the pressure.

2. Prayer is neglected

3. We feel that we have to change the Gospel to get results.

B. GOSPEL INTEGRITY

We should not preach ourselves, our own personal opinions, but Jesus who is outside ourselves.

We should not distort or underplay any part of the Gospel message, but be open about the whole truth.

Consequences if we do not present the Gospel with integrity

1. We point people to us and our ideas rather than to Jesus.

2. We lead people to eternal destruction.

3. We do not prepare people for the cost of the Christian life (e.g. Gospel tract).

4. We produce Christian hypocrites

C. OUR CREATIVITY

We should seek to serve everyone by being creative in seeking to reach as many people as possible (1 Corinthians 9:13-23). Requires energy and time to be devoted to thinking imaginatively and strategically.

Consequences if we are not creative

1. We do not limit those who we can reach.

2. We make people think that they are a 'target' because we give the impression that becoming Christian is becoming like us.

3. We make the Gospel seem irrelevant and make it difficult for people to apply it to their lives.

D. CONCLUSION

Ask yourself which component of evangelism are you particularly weak on?

Who do you need to listen to in your church to improve in that area?