The ¡§C¡¦s¡¨ of Evangelism
Central Assembly, El Sobrante, CA
September 5, 2003
Tim Hohm, tim@revtim.com
Acts 10:34-35 (NIV)
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism [35] but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
1. Other Cultures
No difference between Jews (God¡¦s chosen) and Gentiles (Outsiders) ¡V Jesus came once for ALL.
Jesus Christ, Ministry¡X Witnessing: God sent His Word to Israel; He sent Jesus Christ preaching peace.
„± God sent His Word to Israel. Israel was the first nation to receive God¡¦s Word. Salvation is of the Jews
Romans 9:3-5 (MsgB)
If there were any way I could be cursed by the Messiah so they could be blessed by him, I’d do it in a minute. They’re my family. [4] I grew up with them. They had everything going for them¡Xfamily, glory, covenants, revelation, worship, promises, [5] to say nothing of being the race that produced the Messiah, the Christ, who is God over everything, always. Oh, yes!
John 4:22 (NLT) You Samaritans know so little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.
„± God sent His Word to Israel by Jesus Christ, God¡¦s very own Son. It was Jesus Christ who brought the message of God
(see John 1:34 for discussion).
However, God¡¦s Word was not meant for Israel alone. Jesus Christ did not come just for Israel¡¦s salvation. God is no respecter of persons. God accepts people from every nation, all those who fear Him and work righteousness.
Romans 3:29 (NIV)
Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
Philip. 2:9-11 (NIV)
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
[11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
From Preacher¡¦s Outline Bible Study:
Jesus made known that His message was life-changing -- world-changing : ¡§Christ is Lord of all.¡¨
Not only of...„h the Jews„h the privileged„h the poor„h the religious but of...„h the Gentiles, every nation„h the heathen„h the people who truly fear Him and work righteousness
2. Other Castes
position, rank, social order, status
According to the experts, over a million more Americans slipped into
poverty last year. The numbers nationwide grew from 11.7% to 12.3%.
These figures represent real human beings. All of us need to be extra
sensitive regarding the poor, and especially those who are part of the
church family.
Luke 5:27-32 (NIV)
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, [28] and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
[29] Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. [30] But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ’sinners’?"
[31] Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Tax Collector: a tax collector was bitterly hated by the people. There were three reasons.
1. Tax collectors served the Roman conquerors. Most tax collectors were Jews, but in the people¡¦s eyes they had denied their Jewish heritage and betrayed their country. They were thus ostracized, completely cut off from Jewish society and excommunicated from Jewish religion and privileges.
2. They were cheats, dishonest and unjust men. Most tax collectors were extremely wealthy. The Roman government compensated tax collectors by allowing them to collect more than the percentage required for taxes. Tax collectors greedily abused their right, adding whatever percent they wished and felt could be collected. They took bribes from the wealthy who wished to avoid taxes, fleeced the average citizen, and swindled the government when they could.
3. They were assuming rights that belonged only to God. God alone was King in the eyes of the Jews. To pay taxes to earthly rulers was an abuse and a denial of God¡¦s rights.
Luke 7:36-50 (NIV)
Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. [37] When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, [38] and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
[39] When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner."
[40] Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
[41] "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
[43] Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
[44] Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. [46] You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. [47] Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
[48] Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
[49] The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
[50] Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Woman caught in Adultery
John 8:10-11 (NIV)
Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
[11] "No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Jesus shows us, it doesn¡¦t matter your position in life, it doesn¡¦t matter your status, it doesn¡¦t even matter if you are totally living a life of sin ¡V Jesus is the Doctor ¡V He came to save everyone, to set all free from that life of sin!
Galatians 5:1 (MsgB)
Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.
John 8:34-36 (NIV)
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. [35] Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. [36] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Ministry of Paul -- a missionary to all ¡V to spread the gospel to EVERYONE!
3. Other Colors
Illustrations:
Doug at Pocatello
(Master¡¦s Commission and became a speaker to many thousands of inner-city schools.)
Intro: We Welcome All!
Phone Call 11 Days ago.
Message of the Gospel
Video
4. The Cross
1 Cor. 1:23-25 (NIV)
but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, [24] but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Our Charge by Jesus himself
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Jesus Reveals His Great Mission: The Greatest Mission of All
Luke relays it like this: The Ministry of Jesus
1. The mission of calling outcasts
2. The mission of calling sinners to repentance
3. The mission of bringing real joy
4. The mission of dying
5. The mission of a new life and spiritual movement
Matthew 18:3 (NIV)
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Luke 19:10 (NIV)
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
John 3:16-17 (NIV)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 12:46 (NIV)
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
1 Tim. 1:15-17 (NIV)
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. [16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. [17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev. 3:20 (NIV)
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
