Building Bridges For Evangelism

1. Building Bridges For Evangelism

3. Building Bridges In Evangelism • Building bridges for the “un-churched” • Every person deserves the chance to either accept or reject the gospel of Christ • Holding the gospel with partiality is sin (James 2:1) • There is a tendency to overuse the “casting my pearls before swine” reasoning (Matt 7:6) • The power in evangelism is the gospel, not my ability to choose or judge (Rom 1:16-17) • Do we see people as being suspects or prospects? • Try to start where they are at (Acts 17:22-31) • Paul began with Genesis 1:1 – God made the world and everything in it! Why? Polytheistic people • See what they know & believe and start where their lack of understanding or faith begins

4. Building Bridges In Evangelism • Building bridges for the “un-churched” • We must remain focused on the greater need of salvation & not be sidetracked by symptoms • Why didn’t Jesus point out the marriage problem first? She had a deeper need! (John 4:10, 16) • In the world, many people’s lives are a mess… Often we want to fix the mess before the real problem • When we help them fix the greater problem, the symptoms will begin to heal with learning • Remember the importance of relationships… Acting in a self-righteous manner will do nothing but destroy the building process

5. Building Bridges In Evangelism • Building bridges for those in religious error • It’s very important to start building from common ground (Acts 17:22-23) • Some feel compelled to start attacking all of the differences – Bouncing from one to the next • Paul finds commonality – The importance they placed on being religious then taught them about God • It’s not just about making the truth palatable, but establishing a foundation from which to work • Consider the common ground that exists between us & many in error regarding becoming a Christian

6. What Must I Do To Be Saved? Denominational Picture The New Testament Picture • Hear the gospel • Believe the gospel, believe in Jesus, believe in God • Repent of your sins • Confess Jesus • Say sinner’s prayer… Accept Jesus as your personal Savior • Be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit as an outward sign of the inward man • Hear the gospel • Believe the gospel, believe in Jesus, believe in God • Repent of your sins • Confess Jesus • Be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins

7. Building Bridges In Evangelism • Building bridges for those in religious error • It’s very important to start building from common ground (Acts 17:22-23) • Some feel compelled to start attacking all of the differences – Bouncing from one to the next • Paul finds commonality – The importance they placed on being religious then taught them about God • It’s not just about making the truth palatable, but establishing a foundation from which to work • Consider the common ground that exists between us & many in error regarding becoming a Christian • A language barrier often exists (Prov 16:20-24) • What we mean and what they hear may differ greatly • Some phrases we often use are foreign to their ears… Don’t assume they understand… Listen carefully!

8. Building Bridges In Evangelism • Building bridges for those in religious error • Don’t feel compelled to be a “Fast And Super Bridge Builder” (Matthew 23:23-24) • Some issues are weightier matters of the law and some issues are not weightier matters of the law • Weightier matters are foundational principles on which everything else is built and operated • When trying to build a bridge, don’t get bogged down in the specifics until the weightier is established • Don’t hide the truth, but be tactful (Col 4:4-6) • Tough questions arise: “Are only members of the church of Christ going to Heaven?” – Etc. • Often the truth is painful and costly enough without my making it more abrasive by my approach • Show humility, a desire to learn, & be open to change

9. Building Bridges In Evangelism • Building bridges for those looking to leave behind institutionalism… • During the 1950’s and 1960’s there was a terrible division over several issues: • Church involvement in widow’s & orphan homes, benevolence for the world, social meals, etc • Basic Point: Does the church have the right to do anything that an individual Christian can do? • During this “split” there were some very unchristian behavior on both sides – Left 2 separate groups • Since this those on the “institutional” side have seen a digression from the NT pattern: • It didn’t end with the social meals & orphan homes • Entertainment has become a major focus, modernism reigns, man-centered worship & programs

10. Building Bridges In Evangelism • Building bridges for those looking to leave behind institutionalism… • An opportunity exists as some are looking to turn away from the problems they now see • Christian attitudes must be maintained: • Personality problems were a major factor when the division was taking place (Gal 5:22-24) • Change is a growth process and everyone must allow everyone else room for growing & understanding • Part of our attitude is to not be content with the division that exists (John 17:21; 1 Cor 1:10-11) • Church autonomy must be kept (I Pet 5:2) • In the 50’s & 60’s too much influence and control was exercised by some men over other churches • Can’t approach this bridge building as a denomination

11. Building Bridges In Evangelism • Building bridges for those looking to leave behind institutionalism… • Everyone must go back to the NT and regain a strong respect for authority (Matt 7:21-23) • Authority is a subject that is often overlooked today and many are ignorant of it as a result • Unless there is a mutual desire to pursue 1st Century Christianity there’s no foundation to build upon! • This presents a great challenge – We cannot be accepting of practices that contradict the New Testament pattern • As people look to change practices, we need to lend them our support & our prayers… Change is not easy! (2 Cor 13:11-14)