How far would you go?

No alcohol, strippers, or beauty contests. I think we could all agree on that. Maybe. I could probably be wrong.

 

I was going to make a humorous remark but realize it could be taken the wrong way, so I didn't.

 

I can't think of anywhere I wouldn't go if there were an opportunity to witness and I felt led to do it. I've talked about Christ to people in New Age and Wiccan bookstores, and I've led or been part of outreaches at Marilyn Manson concerts, Rev. Moon events (several times), at a Buddhist event (it was pretty much all Western followers like I used to be), at a Sri Chimnoy event (he's dead but was holding "peace" concerts to recruit young people), in downtown D.C., and others places. I think it's best to witness with a group going somewhere together, or at least one other person.

I wouldn't do anything sneaky to witness -- like pretend to be something I'm not and then "surprise" people that I'm a Christian. I think that's one of the worst things to do.

 

Marcia, I salute you. My question mainly related to methods and strategies, more than people. I think we all share your conviction that no group of people is off-limits.

 

Oops, I'm afraid alcohol is not off-limits to some. Have you heard of the beer-hall Bible studies?

 

I am pretty sure that none of those three choices is where I would witness, but if I was given a choice of that or an "alternative life-style bar"..........................

Seriously, I believe common sense and the Holy Spirit's lead would solve lots of these questions.

 

That's why I said that I could probably be wrong. Should have said I AM wrong. Some folks confuse grace with a license to sin under the guise of being all things to all men.

 

If it's sinful or if it is clearly crosses the line of common sense, it's off limits.

 

I spoke once to young people meeting in the upstairs room of a tavern. There was beer and pizza (I did not partake of the beer). This was actually an outreach of a group of singles ministries in that city who banded together to hold these meetings, bring in speakers, and share the gospel. I am all for this as it is being done carefully and purposefully, and several churches/Christians doing it together, so there is accountability.

There was no drinking of hard liquor and the purpose clearly was not to get drunk or event to drink. The people coming were interested in the topic of the talk. It was a nice informal way to share the truth.

 

this sounds so contradictive to me, christians hanging out in worldly places to spread the word. you shouldn't go anywhere you might even the slightest be tempted nor should you be in an environment that allows and fosters sin

 

I wasn't "hanging out." This was not just walking into some bar but a meeting held in a special room set aside for the purpose of the talk. It was very decorous.

 

We had a bunch of strippers at our church the other night.
















Took 'em about six hours to finish the floors.

 

If a group of men go to the front while a group of ladies goes to the back, witness while passing out tracks, one of the strippers comes to your church, gets saved, did you "go too far"? Did Jesus go too far by leaving Heaven to come to this sinful world? Just how far is too far anyway?

 

I would sell everything I own, pack up my babies, and move 5,000 miles away from all things familiar. I would start over again (over and over) and learn another language. I would live in a remote village, over an hour from the nearest McDonalds.

Beyond that, I don't know.

 

Amen brother, amen and amen. If we are no willing to sacrifice all, i.e. the "rich your ruler," or go where we do not want to go, i.e. Jonah, then we are not willing to follow God where he leads.

 

Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world........................." He did not say to stay in Christian ghettos. So you would be against the Christians at the seminary in Prague who go weekly to downtown bars in Prague to talk to, to witness to, and to help prostitutes break away from that evil practice. Jesus was criticized because he ate with sinners and he talked to women. If he were here today he would be talking to and ministering to people in bars, on skid row, to people with HIV/AIDS, etc.

A person can stay in the home, go only to church and perhaps never be tempted, but they have done nothing for Christ in doing so. Temptation is a part of life and if we fall we confess, we repent and God forgives and we continue on working for his kingdom even in unsavory places. Remember David and his sins ... but he repented, God forgave and he continued. In fact scripture says David was a man after God's own heart. It is not just the down and out who need witness, it is also the up and out. To do nothing is always wrong. To do something is sometimes wrong, but more often it is right.

 

Nope.

Nope.

Not to reach him. Maybe to love him.

To reach the lost I would preach the Gospel. God's sheep know His voice.

 

I don't see anywhere Jesus said to go out into nuetral ground and compel them to come in. I don't see where Jesus said the devil has dominion and for Christians to never pull any out of the fire. I never see where Jesus said upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will stay intact