Jesus and Evangelism

In this teaching series we've ended up with at least three main styles of evangelism. We checked in with Jesus to see what his style was like.

Jesus the friend:
Luke 7:36-50 (Jesus anointed by a sinful woman)
Matthew 9:9-13 (the calling of Matthew -- who is the evangelist here? Matthew is holding the dinner.)

Jesus the door-knocker:
John 8:3-11 (woman caught in adultery)
Matthew 5:19-20 (the law)

Jesus the bullhorn guy:
Mark 9:43-48 (cut off your hand if it causes you to sin)
Luke 11:37-53 (woe to Pharisees)

Some observations that came out of our conversation:

1. There's a difference between judging whether someone is "worthy" of heaven or hell, and judging how we should live each day in the here and now. The first is God's job, and the second is more ours.

2. Jesus tended to show more grace toward outsiders, and was harsher toward errant church leaders. Interestingly, he tends to be the Bullhorn guy mostly to the church! Does this mean we should have more "bullhorn" in church?

3. With people outside the church, very often they come to us (as they did to Jesus). Within the church, it is more important that we go to one another.

4. Bringing people to Jesus is a process that can take several years. I know many people who have been damaged by the church and are slowly recovering from that. Unfortunately many of the Pharisaical types of Jesus’ day have come into the church and are very busy turning people off to the message of Christ. To say it is sad is an understatement.

5. One of the special challenges of our culture is that many sins have been “de-sinned.” So sometimes it is not just about accepting a person, but educating people about the nature of God. We need to be frank and open about the sin problem. However, we also need humility. We come to Jesus just as broken and screwed up as anyone else.

6. When we get pleasure from condemning "bad" people it's akin to saying to the parent of a child who committed suicide, "What a load off you -- that kid was bad news." When sin creates a breach in someone's life, God is the first whose heart breaks. We need to be people of soft, breakable hearts.

7. Regarding the work of salvation (earlier post): When we repent of sin, God gives pardons. But a pardon is only in effect if the person who has been pardoned accepts the gift. The work of repenting and the work of accepting are ours. The work of pardoning is God's.