Styles of evangelism
\\ If we are going to be effective in reaching people for Christ we are going
to have to start showing people that we really care. Evangelism and missions
must be relational in nature. There is no record of Jesus walking up
tosomeone out of the clear blue sky and saying: I am the Messiah and then
him beginning to show his care for them. No, he showed his care for them
first and then he revealed himself to them.
A story is told about a man who was on a luxury liner and suddenly he falls
overboard. He can't swim and in desperation he begins calling for help. Now
it just so happens that there were several would be rescuers on deck who
witnessed the incident. The first man was a MORALIST. When he saw the man
fall overboard he immediately reached into his briefcase and pulled out a
book on how to swim. He now tossed it to him and he yelled: Now brother, you
read that and just follow the instructions and you will be alright.
The man next to him happened to be a IDEALIST. When he saw the man fall
overboard he immediately jumped into the water and began swimming all around
the drowning man saying: Now just watch me swim. Do as I do and you will be
alright. The person next to him happened to be a member of the INSTITUTIONAL
CHURCH. He looked upon the drowning man's plight with deep concern. He
yelled out: Now, just hold on friend. Help is on the way. We are going to
establish a committee and dialogue your problem. And then, if we have come
up with the proper financing, we will resolve your dilemma.
The next man on deck happened to be a representative of the school of
POSITIVE THINKING. He yelled out to the drowning man: "Friend, this
situation is not nearly as bad as you think. Think dry!" The next man on
board happened to be a REVIVALIST. By this time the drowning man was going
down for the third time and desperately began waving his arm. Seeing that,
the revivalist yelled out: Yes brother, I see that hand, is there another?
Is there another? And finally, the last man on deck, was a REALIST. He
immediately plunged into the water, at the risk of his own life, and pulled
the victim to safety.
My friends, the harvest is plentiful, but the WORKERS are few. We need
realist in the church willing plunge into the water and go to work.
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