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Thoughts/opinions?

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by LarryN, Sep 2, 2003.

  1. LarryN

    LarryN New Member

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    "Methods are many, principles are few-
    methods may change, principles never do."
     
  2. PastorSBC1303

    PastorSBC1303 Active Member

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    Larry, I would agree with that statement. It reminds me a favorite saying of my missions professor in seminary "You must allow your theology to determine your ministry, not vice versa." Too often we allow our methods to determine our principles, when in reality we must let our principles determine our methods.
     
  3. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    I agree 100% with both of you. This should also apply to our politcal views. Our principles should dictate where we stand politically, not the other way around. [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    §ue
     
  4. Matt Black

    Matt Black Well-Known Member
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    Agreed. We cannot let the existential tail wag the theological dog

    Yours in Christ
    Matt
     
  5. Dan Todd

    Dan Todd Active Member

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    Amen, Amen, Amen, and Amen!!!
     
  6. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Agreed. But that said, some methods are good, some bad. Some effective, some less.

    And "it is never right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right."

    Example: Witnessing our faith is commanded. Do I sit in a bar or bordello and tell people about the life-changing message of the Gospel?
     
  7. Hardsheller

    Hardsheller Active Member
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    Only if there are sinners in those places! :D
     
  8. TheOliveBranch

    TheOliveBranch New Member

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    There are plenty of sinners everywhere, why try to talk to one with his mind half-cocked?
     
  9. Hardsheller

    Hardsheller Active Member
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    There are plenty of sinners everywhere, why try to talk to one with his mind half-cocked? </font>[/QUOTE]Not everybody in a bar is half-cocked as you put it. Some are there who don't even drink.

    The problem with most Christians is that they won't go where they have to get their hands dirty in order to witness. They prefer sinners all lined up on a church pew on Sunday Morning eagerly awaiting the invitation.

    Sorry but it doesn't work that way.
     
  10. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

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    Maybe there's an in-between, Hardsheller...

    We all have neighbors and folks we work with. Some of them go to bars or houses of ill repute or whatever. We don't have to go there to find them -- we just need to be friends with the folks the Lord has put around us. Let them see the difference in our lives. Let them start to trust us enough to ask questions.

    Will we be ready to answer? That is the other thing we are told to do -- be ready to give an answer.

    Perhaps it's better to think of luring them OUT of those places rather than joining them in there? I cannot imagine a person in a bar or wherever who would not be feeling terribly defensive if an evangelist entered. Defensive and angry and probably belligerant. Not the best opening moves, I don't think... [​IMG]
     
  11. TheOliveBranch

    TheOliveBranch New Member

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    Can you imagine the next time your church goes out for visitation that they all plan to go to the nearest bar? We go door to door, or to the nursing home, or even to a visitors house. But the bar?

    Do you bring your Bible into the bar with you?

    I would also consider going to a persons garden and helping them weed while I witness. Or even dig a few ditches or help change a sewer line, if getting dirty is what you think needs to be done. Maybe you could stop the group from work who's planning to go to the bar and witness to them before they go.
     
  12. TheOliveBranch

    TheOliveBranch New Member

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    Sorry, back to the original question:

    Where did you get the quote?
     
  13. Hardsheller

    Hardsheller Active Member
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    Olive,

    What is your problem with going into a Bar to witness? Are you afraid? Are you worried that some of your Independent Baptist Buddies might see you?

    Of course you take your Bible with you. One Church in Houston, Texas had special jackets made identifying their church and all the men who went Bar Witnessing wore those jackets.

    I can't for the life of me understand why this is such a big deal for properly motivated Christians!! :eek:
     
  14. Hardsheller

    Hardsheller Active Member
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    I think most lost people are defensive anyway in the face of an agressive witness regardless of whether it's at their front door or in a bar.
     
  15. TheOliveBranch

    TheOliveBranch New Member

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    Hardsheller, Do any of you have a few while you're there? I have a problem lowering my standards to go to a place where they have the advantage over me. They see you as coming to their level, therefore you have lowered your standards, if you have any. After they get saved, if they get saved, do you encourage them to leave their old ways for a new life in Christ, or do they continue in sin so that Grace may abound?

    So, you can tell I'm an Independent Baptist. How did you know? [​IMG]
     
  16. Hardsheller

    Hardsheller Active Member
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    You do like Jesus did. You call out sinners from sinful places.

    (Mat 11:19 KJV) The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

    Of course you encourage them to leave their sinful life. NO YOU DON'T DRINK if you're witnessing in a bar.

    I have a friend who conducts Bible Studies in the Casinos of Las Vegas for Showgirls. Is he lowering his standards to go into the Casinos. I don't think so - He's doing what Jesus did.

    I know you're an independent Baptist because you said so in your profile! [​IMG]
     
  17. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

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    I think most lost people are defensive anyway in the face of an agressive witness regardless of whether it's at their front door or in a bar.

    Right, which is exactly why I said we should be their neighbors, co-workers, earn their trust, and then be ready to answer the questions they have.

    Jesus welcomed the prostitute, but she came to where He was -- He did not seek her out in her place of business!
     
  18. LarryN

    LarryN New Member

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    In reply to TheOliveBranch's question about where I got this quote:

    I don't remember where i heard this, but the statement stuck in my mind. It was in the context of always being open to new ways to evangelize. It may have been John Rawlings, but don't *quote* me on that. =)
     
  19. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Quotes by Rich Elliott
    River of Revival Ministries
    http://riverofrevival.homestead.com

    ~ Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them.

    ~ Methods are many, principles are few; Methods often change, but principles never do!

    ~ The higher you are placed, the more humbly you should walk.

    ~ To avoid unnecessary temptation is half of the battle in overcoming evil.

    ~ Backsliding starts the minute praying stops.

    ~ Think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station through which I speak to you every hour.

    ~ Write it over all your difficulties, pen it across all your disappointments, inscribe it on all your fears, post it over all your troubles - I am able.

    ~ He who has mastered the grace of forgiveness is far more triumphant than he who has managed to see that no wrong to him has gone unavenged.

    ~ If you won't admit you've been wrong, you love yourself more than truth.

    ~ I have promised a safe landing - not a calm passage.

    ~ Doing doesn't count unless loving motivates it. Loving doesn't count unless doing demonstrates it.

    ~ True obedience neither procrastinates nor questions. Follow Me.

    ~ There is no education like adversity.

    ~ Live so that when people get to know you, they will get to know Christ better.

    ~ I formed you. Sin deformed you. Christ transformed you.

    ~ Don't be concerned about what others think of you, but do be concerned about what others think of Me - because of you.

    ~ To have a crown, be willing to bear a cross.

    ~ Your faith must be a first-hand discovery, not a second-hand story.

    ~ No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of anyone else.

    ~ When you turn green with envy, you're getting ripe for trouble.

    ~ As long as vengeance would seem sweet, there is still bitterness in your heart.

    ~ Those that cannot obey, cannot command.

    ~ Character is what you are in the dark. Allow My Word to transform you from being a character, to having character.

    ~ He does not love what is good who does not hate what is evil.

    ~ Room for improvement is the largest room in the world.

    ~ People ask Me why I don't do something about the homeless and starving people of the world. Don't they realize that I am asking them the same question?

    ~ Courage is fear that has said its prayers.
     
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