Featured Is The Way of the Master too negative?

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Being argumentative hardly seems to fit Peters exhortation. We are called to be fishers of people, not winners of arguments.

 

Let's turn the table. How do you like to be approached about your faith? Myself, I prefer not to be stopped on the street and questioned. How about you?

 

I've tried to get this across to you before. 1 Cor 12 talks about there being many members in the body; some are mouths, some are hands, some are feet. But they all work to the same goal.

Approaching others with the gospel is the same: some of the people you approach are going to be mouths; some are going to be hands; some are going to be feet. You have to discern which they'll respond to; when to use the mouth, when to extend the hand, or when to use the feet--or, in some cases, use the mouth to figuratively give them the foot, if you know what I mean.

 

I don't know much about WOTM and Ray Comfort. However from what you said in your first paragraph, I don't want to learn more. Especially in view of what you've said you want to do in paragraph 2.

Brother, when you step out onto the streets to preach, preach FOR something (Someone). Being "well rounded" shouldn't have anything to do with taking the Gospel of our Saviour to the lost. There's already too much negative ("against") in their lives. Why fill their lives with more of the same? Within this context, the less "well rounded" that I can be, IMO, the better my service can be to bring Him glory. Let His hands on His potter's wheel determine our shape and not what we strive to be.

In closing, why do you need a title -- I am a Way of the Master evangelist -- to do what God has called you to do? While it may not be intended, that phrase has an air of boastfullness about it. Love no man or man's "Way" to the point that you say more than "I'm just a simple preacher carrying a message from my Saviour."

Just a simple layman expressing some thoughts this morning.

 

To me, it is just another marketing tool. On visitation for the church, I go door to door usually. One never knows what kind of reception awaits. However, I just say what comes out of my mouth, and let the flow of the consversation go forward. I have never considered using a pattern, or cookie cutter model. I just talk about the Lord.

The worst encounter I ever had, and I mentioned this in another thread sometime back was on a mission trip to eastern Kentucky (I live in west Kentucky) One door opened and this young fellow said wait a minute. He brought out a wooden box with a rattlesnake in it, and wanted me to prove my faith to him by sticking my hand in the box. No approach gimic would have helped there. After a few seconds of being shocked, I finally said, "Sir, you have a good day, and God bless you" and walked to the next door. I guess that is sort of like dusting off the sandles like the disciples did.

 

St. Francis....preach the gospel always, & when necessary use words.:thumbsup:

 

AMEN!

(see my sig)

 

I don't know if I'd say WOTM is too negative. However, it requires that the person your speaking with has certain presuppositions. In the increasing "no religion" and post-christian world, WOTM doesn't really work.

Edit: I must say though. I believe ANYTHING that gets people to sharing their faith is worthwhile and can be useful.

 

If that's the case.... it doesn't really matter what evangelism method you use. The ones that are to be converted will respond to whichever method you use, the ones that won't will always be a bit hostile to it. The only important thing is that your doing something.

 

Those who are dead in sins will react negatively toawrds the Gospel, that is until/unless God "wakes them up!"

My main complaints are that we cannot reason, nor force one to get sdaved, that ids the HS job, and their message seems to imply that God demand us to repent and forsake all sins before getting saved, NONE of us can do that!

 

Hmmm, have you studied guys like Jonathan Edwards and/or George Whitefield? I was saved by listening to George Whitefield (outside open air sermon) THE METHOD OF GRACE. Whitefield convicted me of the Sin of Unbelief in that sermon. You can get a copy of it on line or buy the sermon (read by Max McLean) from here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012Y1ALQ/?tag=baptis04-20

 

IMO, the bold is the heart of the matter.

I'm not a preacher, yet at times I want to climb on the largest soapbox that I can find to rant and rail against so much of what's going on in this world today.

IMO, for the most part, that won't accomplish anything that would bring glory to God. Unless it is an "accomplishment" to drive the lost further from our Creator. Unless it is an "accomplishment" to just let off some steam. It's far better to let off that steam by cutting grass, swinging an axe, or anything else that causes beneficial destruction on something other than human beings.

Isn't our commission whether layman or "titled" position in the church, to take the Gospel to the lost? Each, in our own way, as God directs us, to share/preach the Good News. Using the pants issue as an example, because there are people who hold strong opinions on both sides. Isn't it better to HELP bring a lost woman to Christ first and foremost?

Give her time for the Holy Spirit to bring about conviction. Then, if you are opposed to pants on women to discuss it with her. PROVIDING the church you attend, has taken that position, as well. If you have that strong conviction and your church doesn't, the issue isn't between you and the woman. It's between you and your church. And, your decision to make about finding one that does agree with you. There are ways to address to divisions within the church, ways to bring the lost to Christ, and for those who have strayed. These are not always the same and it is our responsibility to keep them separate, in accordance with the scriptures.

I may be wrong, but I can't see a street corner preacher doing anything except seeking the lost to bring them into the flock. There are other venues for other aspects under this umbrella called "Christians".

In closing, why do you need to spend so much time with podcasts, books and such? Aren't you well steeped by now in those who share your viewpoints? Isn't it time to just pick up your Bible, and preach as the Lord leads you? Isn't it time to turn loose from the hands of other men and grasp His Hand to bring forth His message?

PS: The reason why I'm asking these questions of you is that yesterday, for only the second time in my life, I led a Bible study at my church. It was time for me to get off my duff and put my excuses behind me. Only you and Our Lord knows whether it's that time for you.

 

It escapes me now, but have you ever been through the book written by Blackaby on learning to recognize where the Lord is working and join in that work? If so, would you consider that an Way of the Master as having any common elements?