The C's Of Evangelism

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.