A Two-fold Strategy For Evangelism Part 1 & 2
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· 16 viewsChristians are to live as children of light, meaning a separation from sin (sinners) and even lovingly exposing sin in others!
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Light is both intellectual and moral.
Every Christian should be a lamppost reflecting the light that will become radiant at Christ’s coming.
Practicing Biblical Separation
Practicing Biblical Separation
These things vs. 6
lying, unrighteous anger,stealing,corrupt speech, bitter anger, sexual immorality, impurity,covetousness,filthiness, foolish talking, crude joking.
partner(vs 7): to share in their sinful practices.
“be careful of the company you keep”
We are to practice separation from unbelievers.
Why
Why
Not What You Are Anymore
Our Former Lifestyle was darkness. This is common among men.
Mankind’s natural darkness
Intellectual (Ignorant of God)
Our Spiritual life was darkness
They do not have the spiritual organ for receiving light.
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Light, Noun, and Verb (Bring To, Give), Lighten
Light requires an organ adapted for its reception (Matt. 6:22). Where the eye is absent, or where it has become impaired from any cause, light is useless. Man, naturally, is incapable of receiving spiritual light inasmuch as he lacks the capacity for spiritual things, 1 Cor. 2:14. Hence believers are called ‘sons of light,’ Luke 16:8, not merely because they have received a revelation from God, but because in the New Birth they have received the spiritual capacity for it.
Moral (Total Depravity)
Not in darkness, but are darkness.
Men are morally dark. Not that all men do all the bad they can do, but that their whole person is affected by it. Their mind, their will, their affections, and their actions demonstrate it.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil.
We were not only victims of Satan, but contributors to his kingdom
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
You are the light
When God saved you, you became the light. Not by doing deeds of righteousness, but by becoming one with Christ. (In the Lord)
You have a new heart, new desires to hate sin and forsake it.
You become light by becoming one withChrist. (In the Lord)
A Christian has a purpose to forsake sin, not in order to be saved, but because he is already. (You are light)
Not by doing deeds of righteousness.
This means avoiding joining with sinful people.
How?
How?
Clarification
Not every type of interaction, but avoiding sinful lifestyles.
Not business deals (but maybe if sinful)
Not being friendly (but maybe if they are corrupting)
Separating from every corrupting influence. Not joining in sinful actions.
Even believers in un-repentant sin we are to avoid
Even believers in un-repentant sin we are to avoid
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
1 Cor. 5:9-12
Evil deeds are fruitless.
Plants don’t produce in darkness, sin does not produce good things.
Walking in the Light
Walking in the Light
Light defined as Goodness, Righteousness,and Truth
Goodness, Righteousness,and Truth
Light=holiness=fruitfulness
Evil deeds are fruitless.
Plants don’t produce in darkness, sin does not produce good things.
No Such thing as a fruitless Christian.
Demonstrate by your life the difference. Produce the fruit of the light!
Discerning God’s Will through experience
Takes wisdom to learn the “skill of godly living”
You must thoughtfully discern, apply,and practice. ESVSB
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The goal is not self-righteous glory but to challenge others to come to the light.EEC
Paul’s command is direct and simple: Christians who are to produce the righteous fruit of light are to have nothing at all to do with the unfruitful deeds of darkness.1
1 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 211). Chicago: Moody Press.
Be an example that will convict sinners.
Our lifestyle should be a witness against sinful men.
Examples
Purity instead of profanity, honesty instead of dishonesty
Part 2
Every Christian will have to practice this priniciple in some way. It’s not reserved for the hyper-fundamentalists or the super strict. But separation from sin, and in some instances sinners is a matter of obedience.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
-You’re not the only one who struggles with it. You’re life might be characterized by this more than others, but your not the
-This is first a matter of obedience. (What God requires of us)
Secondly, this is how we live in our culture.
Opening Your Mouth
Opening Your Mouth
We cannot just ignore sin in our world, we must expose it.
“I’d rather light a candle than curse the darkness.”
In other words, I don’t want to confront anyone and just leave them alone.
To ignore evil is to encourage it; to keep quiet about it is to help promote it. The verb here translated expose (from elegchō) can also carry the idea of reproof, correction, punishment, or discipline. We are to confront sin with intolerance.1
1 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 212). Chicago: Moody Press.
How?
By direct confrontation!
The Word Expose: means to reprove or convince through argument or discussion.
Reprove them
Why?
Why?
Because their actions are shameful!
Example: The recent celebration of Child Drag. Drag is the act of dressing up in “hyper-exaggerated and overly -sexualized female makeup and clothing.”
The rescent
“These mainstream media outlets encourage these young boys for “being who they are,” for standing up to critics and “haters,” and for being an inspiration to other children who might want to dress and perform as the opposite sex.”
Clipped from: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/sexuality/children-in-drag
-Other sins are likewise shameful. Adultery, intoxication, lying etc...
All must be brought to the light.
How?
How?
Privately if possible, publically if necessary.
By direct confrontation!
Eph.4:
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Lovingly
Wisely
Graciously
With Kindness
Respectfully
But Directly
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Pastor Jeff refers to this as the shock factor. We must shock men by exposing their unfruitful works of darkness!
Speak the Word to them!
Speak the Word to them!
Speak the Word to them!
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
That story, strange and unlikely as it is, is repeated countless times every day in an infinitely more tragic way—as people see the gospel of light and life and turn back to the old way of darkness and death.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 208). Chicago: Moody Press.
If we are the salt, then we cannot sugar coat the message.
This means confronting error. Speaking up, and even purposely correcting sinners.
There is Risk
There is Risk
“· The by-product of “becoming light” () is to be an exposer of darkness and the deeds of darkness. This = persecution! Jesus, Apostles, Reformers, Today” Pastor Jeff
10 They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth.
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
It’s not popular to talk about homosexuality as a sin, that abortion is wicked, but we are called to be an exposer.
Additional Reasons Why...
Additional Reasons Why...
To not do so would leave them in sin, and would allow their sin to increase. They are not going to come on their own.
That story, strange and unlikely as it is, is repeated countless times every day in an infinitely more tragic way—as people see the gospel of light and life and turn back to the old way of darkness and death.
That story, strange and unlikely as it is, is repeated countless times every day in an infinitely more tragic way—as people see the gospel of light and life and turn back to the old way of darkness and death.
That story, strange and unlikely as it is, is repeated countless times every day in an infinitely more tragic way—as people see the gospel of light and life and turn back to the old way of darkness and death.1
It is as if a person were lost in an abandoned mine. The more he tries to find his way out, the farther he goes into the mine. Every tunnel he takes leads either to a dead end or to another tunnel. He has no idea where he is or which way to go. His eyes are wide open but all he can see is oppressive blackness. After a week of groping about the cold, dirty tunnels and shafts he notices a faint light. With all his remaining energy he makes his way toward that light and eventually finds his way to the outside. But because the light is so bright and hurts his eyes, he begins to wonder if he is really better off. He remembers a few things in the mine that gave him temporary enjoyment by distracting his attention from his plight. And he goes back into the mine to live.
That story, strange and unlikely as it is, is repeated countless times every day in an infinitely more tragic way—as people see the gospel of light and life and turn back to the old way of darkness and death.
That story, strange and unlikely as it is, is repeated countless times every day in an infinitely more tragic way—as people see the gospel of light and life and turn back to the old way of darkness and death.
That story, strange and unlikely as it is, is repeated countless times every day in an infinitely more tragic way—as people see the gospel of light and life and turn back to the old way of darkness and death.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 208). Chicago: Moody Press.
1 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 208). Chicago: Moody Press.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 208). Chicago: Moody Press.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 208). Chicago: Moody Press.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 208). Chicago: Moody Press.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 208). Chicago: Moody Press.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 208). Chicago: Moody Press.
The Goal is to bring clarity. Bring to light what men do, are in order that they will see and appreciate the glory of Jesus Christ.
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
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The Goal is to bring clarity. Bring to light what men do, are.
Application
Christians avoid this because their own issues have not been dealt with.
Christ’s Call to Those In Darkness
Christ’s Call to Those In Darkness
Awake oh Sleeper
Don’t sleep through God’s time of grace.
Arise from the dead
Repent of your sins
That story, strange and unlikely as it is, is repeated countless times every day in an infinitely more tragic way—as people see the gospel of light and life and turn back to the old way of darkness and death.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 208). Chicago: Moody Press.