The Balanced Messenger Colossians 4:5. Two Extreme Styles of Faith Sharing Fearful Freddie All ears...
-
Upload
maria-fitzgerald -
Category
Documents
-
view
215 -
download
1
Transcript of The Balanced Messenger Colossians 4:5. Two Extreme Styles of Faith Sharing Fearful Freddie All ears...
The Balanced Messenger
Colossians 4:5
Two Extreme Styles of Faith Sharing
Fearful Freddie• All ears• “My life is my witness”• Runs from
opportunities• Just doesn’t want to
offend . . .
Marvin Mouth• All mouth• “Words are my witness”• Runs off at the mouth
or over people.• The gospel MUST
offend!
For effective faith sharing, we need a balance of Biblical wisdom and holy boldness.
The First Necessity: Biblical Wisdom
• The Meaning of Wisdom– The Words• Sophia = Skill for living• Phronimos = Discerning, Sensible• Akeirios = Pure, unmixed, innocent
– The Definition = Wisdom in evangelism is the skillful use of common sense with pure motives.
The First Necessity: Biblical Wisdom
• The Way of Wisdom
The Way of Wisdom
• Meet people where they are.
• Identify opportunities.
• Be a good listener first.
• Be gracious when speaking.
• Resist the impulse to be argumentative.
The Way of Wisdom
• When given the opportunity, do set forth your case.
• Be prepared to answer.
• Give answers with humility.
• Let the gospel alone be the offense.
• Know when to quit.
The Balanced Messenger
Colossians 4:5
Two Extreme Styles of Faith Sharing
Fearful Freddie• All ears• “My life is my witness”• Runs from
opportunities• Just doesn’t want to
offend . . .
Marvin Mouth• All mouth• “Words are my witness”• Runs off at the mouth
or over people.• The gospel MUST
offend!
For effective faith sharing, we need a balance of Biblical wisdom and holy boldness.
The Second Necessity: Holy Boldness
• The Meaning of Boldness– The Words• Therreo = confidence Heb. 13:6• Tharseo = cheerful, positive, optimistic Acts
23:11; 28:15• Tolmao = pure, innocent Phil. 1:14• Parrhesia = openness, outspoken Acts 28:31
– The Definition = Boldness in evangelism is the courage to speak openly, confidently, and cheerfully about the Lord.
The Second Necessity: Holy Boldness
• The Hindrances to Boldness– The Fear of People John 7:13– The Shame of the Gospel Rom 1:16
The Second Necessity: Holy Boldness
• The Reasons for Boldness– Our message should make us bold. 1 Thes 2:3-4– Our motives should make us bold. 1 Thes 2:5-8• We want to please God not people.• We are genuinely concerned for others.
– Our desire to obey God should make us bold. Acts 4:19; 5:29
– Our prayers should make us bold. Acts 4:29
The Second Necessity: Holy Boldness
• The Steps to Boldness–Use the art of listening.–Use the written word (notes, letters, cards,
email).–Prepare your words for various situations
(prepared spontaneity) .– Focus on the other person.