All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
How do you approach others about Jesus?
by Jim Cymbala
The apostles never tried to finesse people when they were presenting the gospel. Their communication was not supposed to be “cool” or soothing. They aimed for a piercing of the heart, for conviction of sin. They had not the faintest intention of asking, “What do people want to hear? How can we draw more people to church on Sunday?” That was the last thing on their minds. Such an approach would have been foreign to them.
Instead of trying to bring men and women to Christ in the biblical way, we are consumed with the unbiblical concept of “church growth.” The Bible does not say we should aim at numbers but rather urges us to proclaim God’s message in the boldness of the Holy Spirit. This will build God’s church God’s way.
Unfortunately, some churches now continually monitor how pleased people are with the services and ask what else they would like. We have no permission whatsoever to adjust the message of the gospel! Whether it seems popular or not, whether it is “hip” to the times, we must faithfully and boldly proclaim that sin is real but Jesus forgives those who confess.
Nowhere does God ask anyone to have a large church. He only calls us to do His work, proclaiming His Word to people He loves under the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit to produce results that only He can bring about. The glory then goes to Him alone—not any denomination, local church, local pastor, or church growth consultant. This is God’s only plan, and anything else is a deviation from the teaching of the New Testament.
Today we have an anti-authority spirit in America that says, “Nobody can tell me I need to change. Don’t you dare.”
Both in the pulpit and in pastoral counseling we have too often given in to this mentality and are afraid to speak the truth about sin. We keep appealing to Paul’s line about becoming “all things to all men” (1 Corinthians 9:22), not noticing that in the very next paragraph he says, “Run in such a way as to get the prize” (verse 24). Adapting our style to get a hearing is one thing, but the message can never change without leaving us empty-handed before the Lord.
Jim Cymbala began Brooklyn Tabernacle with less than twenty members in a small, rundown building in a difficult part of the city. A native of Brooklyn, he is a longtime friend of both David and Gary Wilkerson and a frequent speaker at the Expect Church Leadership Conferences sponsored by World Challenge throughout the world.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary O on
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Hi Tammy, God bless you!
This is just me. I look for an open door to speak the word to a person. I also look for a heartfelt need. Other times, these moments are thrust upon us. I mean that in a positive way. That defining moment when God says...speak to him/her now or do thus and so now. Maybe a key is to expect it. If you look at my life, you won't see a lot of people won for the Lord. But you may see someone who is there to help others when they fall. I bandage the wounds. If things are very bad and at their worst God may ask me to step forward to help. We don't all have the same purpose and function in the body of Christ. We can't all be evangelists. It seems to me if a ministry has a lot of evangelists, then they expect all to be an evangelist. If a ministry has a lot of prophets, then all are expected to prophecy. We all can't be the leader. Otherwise who does the following? I don't get why we can't let God speak and let each ministry shine for His purposes. I think He knows what each church needs and He's big enough to send what is needed.
Love,
Mary
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Permalink Reply by Tammy on
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Thank you for your reply Mary. I want to look deeper into some of your statements because I've always wondered that. I'll get back to you or the discussion.
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Hi Tammy, God bless you!
It may seem weird, but I've had people fall off a bicycle right in front of me. It seems like a good time to live love to help somebody. A lady dropped her groceries right in front of me. The reason I remember the groceries incident is she said...I know who you are, you're a Christian. I reached down and helped her carry her groceries. Does anyone else ever have this happen? I really don't have to do an evangelist type thing.
Love,
Mary
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Permalink Reply by ScribeD on
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Thanks for sharing, Tammy. I am of the same opinion.
If I had encountered these modern smooth and soothing types, I'd still be lost and in my sins. In fact, I'd probably be dead already. Thankfully, I came to Christ hearing an uncompromising message from a guy who had "been there" deeper and darker than I was.
There is a treason against Christ under way in the church today. It bothers me a lot.
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Permalink Reply by thewatchman on
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Me too Scribe...and amen.
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Hi Scribe, God bless you!
I come from this dark place too. I doubt that I would have listened to the smooth types. I know what you're talking about. If the person that witnessed to me did not have Holy Spirit, I probably would have said who are you to talk to me. That was a long time ago. My past seems like a dream now. I've been changed. :-)
Love,
Mary
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Amen Mary. Important to recall how far you have come, but not get lost back there. The past is gone, you are new creation.
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Thanks Scribe, God bless!
I have to tell someone. This last Friday (about closing time) a lady I work with approached me and said...I bought this book about Jesus. Can we talk about Him? My answer...Of course!...I would love to. My thoughts...God, is this a pop quiz? To me, it's a gift from God. People are so busy this time of year. I don't want to blow it. My first temptation is to cram as much as I can into her brain. I want to say what's important, but don't overload her. It's clear that God's had a hand in this, so there must be something He wants me to say. Thanks for listening. :-)
Love,
Mary
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