Love Is Essential In Evangelism
I look at the Bible and I see a God who is steadfast, slow to anger, abounding in love, grace, mercy, forgiveness. You look at the lives and mistakes of Abraham, Moses, the Israelites,David, Peter, Paul, and on and on. Even with you and I he is steadfast and never gives up in loving us. "For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only son that who believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. As a father I cannot fathom that kind of love. Jesus in the gospels time and time again loves the sinner. Eats with the sinner. Visits with the sinner. Accepts the sinner when others wouldn't (Zacheous). How many times on television do you see "Christians" gay pride marches yelling God hates faggots at homosexuals? Is that love? Is that the way to lead the lost to Christ? Is that the way to make a disciple of Christ? "Christians" in the past have bombed abortion clinics. Is that love? Is that the way to make disciples of Christ? Is that the way to save the lost? Jesus says all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." 1 John is an entire book on love. We must love. Why? What is God? Love. He who does not love does not know God because God is what? Love.
We all are sinners "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Do most people in churches see themselves that way? Why or why not? Is it important in evangelism? In reaching out to the lost why is love essential? Does the church of Christ love sinners, the lost, wanting to make disciples of Christ? Are we to self-focused(How to do worship, communion, woman's role in the church, who to fellowship with, instruments or not, Bible class or not, etc, instead of the lost)? How to the lost see the church of Christ? If good, then great! If not, then what can be done about it? How can we be warm and welcoming like Jesus to the lost? What can we do to become more outreach oriented as a whole? What is your church doing?
Let us be known for our love so the lost may recieve the grace of God that they desprately need. Amen.
I just thank God for his love and grace everyday, that His grace is bigger that we can ever imagine.
What do you think.
Share your thoughts.
posted by preacherman @ 3:23:00 PM
16 Comments:
A child who has been abused or mistreated needs to be loved. And so do all in this world who have been mistreated and abused by the prince opf the power of the air.
We must search and seek the mind and attitude of Christ in sharing the message of the Lord. He spoke plainly about difficult issues and we must as well, but it must be out of love. He told the young noble man to go and seel all the he had. A very difficult thing for the young man to do and led him to walk away from Christ, but before he delivered those words the scriptures say and He loved him.
It is a balance that comes from the same heart and mind f Christ and cannot be synthetically created.
Preach ... I think it starts with leadership. If your leadership is outreach oriented, then your congregation will be too. If the leadership is not evangelistic, neither will be the church. I've seen this in two different congregations.
I think it comes down to friendship/relationship evangelism. I read just yesterday where 86% of all new members were brought to Christ by a friend whom they had a relationship with. That says something about what we should be preaching and teaching.
If we hate sinners we hate ourselves.
Several churches I'm aware of practice love to the max, but usually only among themselves. Too often we get so involved in our own "church" relationships that we overlook those on the outside.
The church should be a refuge of love for us, but not a place to hide from the sinner who needs our help.
Preacher, my subscription was down, but is now up again. If you want to continue your subscription, please go here:
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I think this should segway into your next post titled, "Should The Church Apologize?".
I think it starts with our "ungracious" attitude toward the salvation we have in Christ. It is hard to remember Who He is and who I am and What He did and ......
You can't convince someone of something you ain't convinced of yourself.
AW
PM; Love is the first step in becomming a Christian.
That is what the Beatles sang ... "All you need is Love."
They may have been right.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Preacherman, I think you make a good point.
To something Trey said, 81% of those who do not attend a church said they have never been invited. That is from Thom Rainer's The Unchurched Next Door. It has a lot of other interesting research.
just come over from Laymond's blog,
and read your comment, about being well enough to blog,
hope you are feeling better,
I don't know what is wrong with ya,
but i know God does, so will be asking Him, to take care of ya! :)
blessings
Truth that is not under-girded by love will not bring people to Christ.
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
-Martin.
Preacherman,
Wouldn't it seem that if love was present in Jesus' evangelistic efforts and we are striving to be like Him, we should learn to love?
Peace
Neva
PS Thanks for stopping by Dancing in the Light--your comments are always appreciated.
N
Amen.
Love is always good.
Many blessings...
I appreciate everyone's comments and adding to the discussion. Love is essential. We must love! Don't forget it and live it!
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