That's What Calvary's For...

That's What Calvary’s For...

Gulf Coast / 1-27-2012 / Speaker: Pastor Jonathan

Text: I Corinthians 6:9-11 “(11) And such were some of you…”

Introduction: Talk about Calvary.

• Walk through the wounds

• Talk about the religious people of Jesus day.

o They needed the Cross

o Same is true today.

o The world needs Jesus and so does the church.

I. The Misconception of Christianity

A. The world thinks the church ought to be small.

1. Jesus spoke of a worldwide outpouring…

Matthew 24:14 – And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

2. The communication of the Gospel produces results!

B. They think the church has no power.

1. The reason they feel that way is because we have promoted a gospel that is not producing…

2. God help us get back to the day where the minister stands in the pulpit and cries… “My speech and my preaching…”

3. “Jesus” said, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you…”

I Still Believe in Pentecostal Power!!!

C. They think we are a social club and they choose their church based on networking opportunities instead of getting their hunger satisfied for God.

1. No one can change this misconception about the church except us…

2. It happened in the early church with communion. (They began to party with the Lord’s Supper)

D. The question is, "Why does the world have the mindset that they do about the church?"

1. I think it’s time for the Church of Jesus Christ to STAND UP and deal with the devil’s propaganda!!!

II. New Testament Examples of Conversion

A. Woman at the Well

1. John 4

B. Palsied Man

1. Luke 5:17-25

C. The Apostle Paul

1. Acts 9:1-6

III. If we are going to win the lost today we are going to need the right mindset.

A. Humility – I Corinthians 6:9-11 “And such were some of you…”

1. We are not going to win the world to Jesus by criticizing them…

2. We won’t make them serve God by forcing them to fit into our “pre-determined mold” ("Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its mold...." Romans 12:2 Phillips)

3. The farther we get away from our conversion experience the more we forget what life was without God.

B. Love – I John 4:7-11

1. Love God… Love People

a. My love for you is not determined on whether I can convince you of my ideals… Rather, it is determined by the work of Jesus Christ on Calvary.

b. We will never win the lost if we don’t “LOVE THE LOST”

2. Lost People Matter to God!

C. Closing: Roman Road Mindset

Walk the Roman Road…