I heard a good phase today.
“What you win them with, is what you win them to”
This is a terrific phrase because of the truth within it. When it comes to Christianity and more specifically the concept of leading people to Christ, it should be Christ that wins those people over.
More and more today we have large churches that make attendance into a numbers game but Jesus didn’t do this. Jesus spoke the word of GOD without shame and without apology; he did not shape the message to fit the people in other words. He instead wanted the people whom were willing to shape themselves to the word.
There are a lot of churches and preachers that are trying to shape the word to the people in order to win more people over which at face value sounds good because there are lots and lots of people attending these churches and listening to these preachers however what were they won with?
When you win people over by presenting the bible and its wisdom in a more appealing way but overall compromise the fullness of the word to make it seem more “doable” or to cater to the world then have won people over to a self-serving form of Christianity. People need to come to Jesus on his terms not their own.
Jesus never chased anyone down and made deals with them to make them follow him, he never compromised the word to get followers as a matter of fact he did the opposite.
Consider the story of the wealthy young ruler who spoke to Jesus
In Matthew chapter 19: 16 through 22
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good[e] Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call me good? [f] No one is good but One, that is, God. [g] But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ [h] and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” [I]
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. [j] What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And what happened after this? Jesus was sorrowful that the man chose his possessions over GOD and left instead of denying himself and worshiping his possession (Idols). But what did NOT happen was that Jesus did NOT go after him and say, never mind maybe you could sell just some of your stuff and give the money to the poor, or maybe you can just keep your things and follow me anyway. Jesus didn’t compromise it is how it is, are you in or are you out.
That is the true Jesus and if you are winning people over to Christ then be mindful that you are winning the them over with Christ, because as the quote says “what you win them with is what you win them too” and how sad it would be to end up in front of the Lord and have him say as he said in the beginning of Matthew “ you cried to me Lord, Lord but I did not know you.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Very interesting Info on Christianity and science
There is some very interesting Information I found online, on the website of one Mr. Bob Dutko. He has a series of cd teachings called the top ten proofs and they are all geared toward a specific topic of information that is normally used by Atheist’s or Non believer as arguments against the GOD and Christianity.
He has some samples of the cd’s he sells, I am by the way going to be purchasing a few of these and will report more information after I have done so but some of the more intriguing samples he has are
Reasons evolution is scientifically impossible and how the creation of the universe is not possible without GOD all very informative and very interesting I have included some links for you to check them out below.
Each of these samples ends with the statement “to better arm you to defend the faith” which I like and I have to say I have shown these samples to a friend who was seeking Christ in his life but at the same time hung up a little bit on what the world says is true and this made a huge impact on him. So please share listen and discuss and get yourself a few cds from Bob Dutko if you feel like this may be a good piece of knowledge you might use to spread the gospel to some of your friends and family.
Here is Bob Dutkos Website were you can listen to these and several other samples on different topics.
http://www.toptenproofs.com/products.php
Are you taking up your cross?
In light of some recent information (i.e. bible scripture and some audio teachings) I have recently understood the premise being presented in
Luke 9:23
New International Version (NIV)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
To understand this we must first understand what a cross represents. It’s obvious that Jesus didn’t want us to drag physical crosses where ever we went, its equally obvious that he didn’t mean that we should wear crosses as a sign of our faith at least not in context with this verse.
What I believe Jesus to be talking about here is the fact that his teachings and the words of god that he brought to us eventually resulted in his death on the cross, and for us to “deny ourselves” and “take up our cross” would mean that you deny your own wants and your own will and share the word of god even in light of the consequences that you may be hated or mistreated and indeed even killed as a result. Jesus said no servant is greater than his master which means that you as a servant of Jesus can’t expect to be treated better than Jesus was.
How was Jesus treated? Some listened to him and accepted his words, even less people followed his words, but the majority of people suspected him of being a liar and of being a blasphemer, many hated him and his message and some even persecuted him and killed him.
He died on the cross, having paid the ultimate price, are you willing to pay that price? Are you willing that people hate you and persecute you? Hate you and do violence to you all because you are doing everything you can to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ?
I think that this statement in Luke is saying that in order to be his disciple you need to deny yourself, or not think of your own fear, not tremble in the shadow of the ideas that you will be shunned and hated and possible beaten and killed and profess your Lord Jesus no matter what. That is the cross you take up as a Christian, Love Jesus at all costs; preach the word by any means. If you’re worried about yourself and your wellbeing then you are not being faithful … you aren’t being a Christian and you are not baring your cross and denying yourself and you are not being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Luke 9:23
New International Version (NIV)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
To understand this we must first understand what a cross represents. It’s obvious that Jesus didn’t want us to drag physical crosses where ever we went, its equally obvious that he didn’t mean that we should wear crosses as a sign of our faith at least not in context with this verse.
What I believe Jesus to be talking about here is the fact that his teachings and the words of god that he brought to us eventually resulted in his death on the cross, and for us to “deny ourselves” and “take up our cross” would mean that you deny your own wants and your own will and share the word of god even in light of the consequences that you may be hated or mistreated and indeed even killed as a result. Jesus said no servant is greater than his master which means that you as a servant of Jesus can’t expect to be treated better than Jesus was.
How was Jesus treated? Some listened to him and accepted his words, even less people followed his words, but the majority of people suspected him of being a liar and of being a blasphemer, many hated him and his message and some even persecuted him and killed him.
He died on the cross, having paid the ultimate price, are you willing to pay that price? Are you willing that people hate you and persecute you? Hate you and do violence to you all because you are doing everything you can to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ?
I think that this statement in Luke is saying that in order to be his disciple you need to deny yourself, or not think of your own fear, not tremble in the shadow of the ideas that you will be shunned and hated and possible beaten and killed and profess your Lord Jesus no matter what. That is the cross you take up as a Christian, Love Jesus at all costs; preach the word by any means. If you’re worried about yourself and your wellbeing then you are not being faithful … you aren’t being a Christian and you are not baring your cross and denying yourself and you are not being a disciple of Jesus Christ.