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How far would you go?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Servent, Nov 12, 2009.

  1. Servent

    Servent Member

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    How far would you go to reach the lost?
    Would you shave your head?
    If you had a beard would you color it pink?
    Would you give your jacket or shoes to someone that had none?

    1Co 9:19 For though I am free from all, yet I have made myself servant to all, so that I might gain the more.
    1Co 9:20 And to the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain the Jews. To those who are under the Law, I became as under the Law, so that I might gain those who are under the Law.
    1Co 9:21 To those who are outside Law, I became as outside Law (not being outside law to God, but under the Law to Christ), so that I might gain those who are outside Law.
    1Co 9:22 To the weak I became as the weak, so that I might gain the weak. I am made all things to all men, so that I might by all means save some.
     
  2. thegospelgeek

    thegospelgeek New Member

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    It's not a matter of how far would I go if I knew it would reach the lost, but more a matter of what can I do to reach them. If growing a pink beard would do it, then sure. If cutting off my hand would, then sure. BUt how do I reach them in my community? Do I knock door to door and invite? Do I preach and testify until my voice is exhausted? Do I give charitably until all my possessions are gone?

    There is no guarantee that any of these reaches anyone. So what I do is what I feel the Holy Spirit leads me to do. Preach what I am shown. Testify when the opportunity presents itself. Witness at the Spirits guiding. And live the way God's word directs.

    I know to do this, yet I fail so many times.
     
  3. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    To me the three things you listed would be very easy. No problem at all. When I read the thread title I was thinking geographically. If I felt God was leading I would go anywhere in the world. There are places I would not feel comfortable going to, but if God was leading how could I not follow. One place I would love to go to, in their cooler time of year, is Nagaland in Eastern India where over 90% of the people are Christian. I would love to work in their seminary library. I am too old to learn a new language, but to help prepare students who will reach out would be my goal.
     
  4. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    My wife and I were ministering to one of our financially underpriviledged church members a couple years ago---it was freezing cold out--rainy, too--we brought her some hot soup and several bags of groceries--at least a months supply of food from our own pantry----we went outside her little house--freezin' cold---wiind howlin'--nothing between the North Pole and that little lady to stop the wind except a barbed wire fence(figure of speech here)---she had a tattered old sweater---all in one motion--my wife took her brand new jacket off and gave it to her---no questions asked--no lookin' back---the lady was saved--but it is still our privilege to minister to the ones who can't help themselves because of surrounding circumstances
     
  5. windcatcher

    windcatcher New Member

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    I think you could add a commentary to all these scriptures.......

    yet Paul retained his authenticity and sincere identity.

    If you will note, Paul was Jewish and had been a student of one of the most respected teachers, yet he was also Roman by birth. In one culture his faith was expected to follow his mother's but in the other culture his citizenship followed that of his dad. He wasn't talking about putting on an act..... just being pliable and aware of those experiences and positions which God in his preparation, had already instructed Paul, so that he lost no benefit of his experience in helping him with his understanding and approach to others.

    LIke Ms Obamb weating designer shoes while serving in a soup line.... if one is affluent and flaunts it in an obvious way infront of those who despair over the barest necessities.... then envy becomes a distraction to any sincerity of purpose which might have been intended. Imagine showing up to a soup kitchen to serve in a designer dress or with fashionable jewels.

    Paul essentially was saying to use some sense..... a man who winneth souls is wise...... it may be said he exercises wisdom and uses what works and takes the time to know or understand something about the ones to whom he's reaching out.

    He uses the language appropriate to the level of education. He uses the stories which are similar to the life experiences of those to whom he illustrates a point. A person used to living in the wild with a tribe for protection and none of the acutriments of modern life, would not understand a story about a rich man on wall street which includes technotogy, affluence, and perhaps moral or ethical situations to which he has neither heard no have no meaning to his existance.

    While I've started a jump point for others.....their turn cometh:
     
  6. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    The examples you give are pretty temporary and imo not a big deal at all. In fact, they are kind of easy compared to the day-to-day stuff of witnessing or being in missions. It's much harder to give your life to this than to just shave your head or dye your hair pink or whatever.
     
  7. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I'd go as far as my personality and giftedness allowed to without losing my authenticity.

    I'm not a beard guy so growing one and dying it pink would be inauthentic. (an example)

    That said I think we allow our commitments to peripherial beliefs to hold us back from going far enough.
     
  8. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    An irresistible soul-winning combination--a pink beard and the Holy Spirit.

    Sorry, I couldn't help it. I suffer from an affliction known as irresistible sarcasm.

    Seriously, does anybody really think that the Holy Spirit needs that kind of help?
     
  9. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    To many do.
     
  10. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    Changed my mind.
     
  11. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Well, it is a womens prerogative! :smilewinkgrin:

    Maybe thats why they should not be pastors.:saint:
     
  12. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    Ha, ha. :wavey:
     
  13. windcatcher

    windcatcher New Member

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    If one is called to witness and mission among bikers then likely God will give one an interest in motocycles and protective leathers and maybe some of the secular interest which may be customary to such groups as playing pool. However, riding a bike, wearing leathers, and playing pool is not the object of one's living. Nor does one add embellishment which is unnecessary to 'fit in' by tattoos, drinking, swearing, and riding crazy women.

    One dersn't have to become a sodomite to wittness to them.

    Why not submit to the call of God and let him guide you in your preparation in the calling to which he calls you instead of getting overly concerned with conforming to the customs of men.

    In tribal areas, missionaries may find that to be an acceptible witness, they have to learn to adapt to some of the harshness of conditions, some of the diets of the natives, and gain an understanding of some of the customs, beliefs and superstitions, and develop greater understandings of the native use of language so that translations and expression is clearer to the truth. I would imagine this requires an intensity of prayer and preparation, even in the field, and great reliance on the holy spirit to lead, and sensitivity to follow.

    I see no purpose or gain in drastically changing one's appearance such as green, purple, or pink hair and I don't see Paul's teaching this conformity. He definitely doesn't teach to engage in any immorality for the sake of 'identification'. If one has been called out of a sinful lifestyle and then feels a need to return to those in bondage to witness and share the gospel, it is essential that one keeps himself from situations which might ensnare them in sin, entrap them in appearance, or open them to a force of coercion. Churches and organizations which help with various ministries also offer opportunities to be accountable to advisors which may give independant and objective guidance in addition to prayerful support.

    The greatest change which draws people to Christ is the relationship one Christ makes in you in bringing you into conformity to him and changing you to reflect his goodness and love and his brokeness in compassion as separated from that which the world shows. If the only difference others can see in you is a cleaned-up version of themself then their acceptance of you may not mean the same as the receiving of the message you feel led to carry.

    As for your possessions, give as you feel led, expecting nothing in return. Whatever you give, forget. If God chooses to reveal a mutiliplication which reminds you of your gift, then be thankful and encouraged that he chose to let you know. If led to give and yet it seems empty without a reward, remember that you committed it to God and outcomes belong to him..... let it not bring you discouragement.

    May God be with and direct you in your quest to serve him.
     
  14. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    The greatest influence IMHO would be genuine compassion. People know when they are genuinely loved for Christ's sake. And they do respond.
     
  15. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    :laugh:

    lol I think you might have mistyped...:type:

    Absolutely!:thumbs:
     
  16. fixit3546

    fixit3546 New Member

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    So this young girl (16) joined out youth SS class. A rather gotihc looking young lady. her dress was almost trashy to the point i had to be careful where i sat lest i be flashed, if you know what i mean. I think she was unaware to some extent.

    over the last couple of years of influence from the other youth (very important, they accepted her) her teachers, but most important - the teaching of the word and leadership of the Holy Spirit. this girl has gradually changed into a beautiful young christian lady. With some modesty.

    Today, she is faithful in her church attendance. She leads in youth devotions and even teaches the SS class at times. She prays the most strange prayers;but not bad.....just different. she talks to the Lord...like He was anyone else...Her prayers are sincere.

    She still has some of the same style she had in the beginning, dark hair and fingernail polish.........but she has toned it down a lot. I think she knows where she came from and can relate to others that are where she was. she in involved in a community ministry that ministers to the "outcast youth" that may wander their way. in a sense she is able to be all things to all people........she can fit in anywhere.

    Just a couple of weeks ago, she expressed to me that she felt like the Lord may be calling her to ministry.........I think she may be right.

    I have to agree with what was said in a previous post. Use what God has equipped you with. ie ...don't run out and buy a motorcycle and leathers if that isn't you. leave that to me. I do ride. That doesn't mean you can't love us or minister to us. maybe if you want to ride, you could let us teach you and there would be your door to minister to us.........that make sense?
     
  17. Servent

    Servent Member

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    In what way?
     
  18. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Would you shave your head?
    Yes, I would. I did that once for a missions fundraiser. So I guess that literally qualifies as shaving one's head to reach the lost.


    If you had a beard would you color it pink?
    Sure, why not.

    Would you give your jacket or shoes to someone that had none?
    Yes, and have done so.

    These things listed aren't particularly hard. I can't imagine anyone saying they wouldn't do them. Most people have dont at least one of them.
     
  19. Servent

    Servent Member

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    I love kids & during our fall festival (I'm already bald headed) I did paint my goatee pink, I work in the maintenance dept. of a fair size school district, since that night I have had more kids than ever before talking to me, some are interested in coming to church. I was just queasy what some responses would be to the pink beard.
     
  20. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Here's a general question. Is there anything you'd consider off-limits in seeking to win the lost? Maybe that's another way of asking how far you're willing to go?
     
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