Sharing Christ with a World That Couldnt Care Less
Jul 11, 2015 20:28:22 #
Dummy Boy wrote:
...do you keep her bones, close....?
My attorney says it's best to leave the issue buried.
Jul 11, 2015 20:30:51 #
Jul 11, 2015 20:46:46 #
[quote=no propaganda please]/ Church / Evangelism / Sharing Christ with a World That Couldnt Care Less
c
Brian G. Hedges
Sharing Christ with a World That Couldnt Care Less
8
Someone once quipped that an ambassador is a politician who was not elected to office but was given an office on the condition that he leaves the country![i] When we hear the word ambassador today, we naturally think of an American ambassador to another country. In ancient Rome, an ambassador was a representative of Rome to imperial provinces, sent with a message that declared the terms of peace with the Empire.
While modern people may recoil at the imperialistic imagery, the metaphor of ambassador is a helpful picture of the Christians role in evangelism. Pauls description of himself as Christs ambassador in 2 Corinthians 5:20 and its surrounding context, teaches us at least three things about evangelism.
Our Assignment
The basic assignment of an ambassador is to represent the one who sent him, faithfully delivering the message with which he is entrusted.
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
When we share the gospel, we represent the Lord, delivering his message to a world in need of reconciliation. In fact, we work in partnership with God, as he himself appeals to sinners through us (5:20).
Our Message
This passage also teaches us something about the gospel we share: the message of reconciliation (5:19). The message includes both the historical events of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the theological explanation of those events.
The historical events are implicit in the text, for example in verse 15b: him who for their sake died and was raised. Paul explicitly defines the gospel in terms of these events in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. But he also explains these events theologically, showing us how God has accomplished reconciliation through the death and resurrection of Christ.
The author and initiator of reconciliation is God himself: All this is from God (5:18a). In fact, as John Stott notes, God is the subject of seven verbs in verses 18-21. God is the great actor in salvation. All is of God, said William Temple. The only thing of my very own which I contribute to my redemption is the sin from which I need to be redeemed.[ii]
If God is the author, Christ is the agent, the one through whom God works to accomplish reconciliation.
· Christ has died for us: For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (5:14-15)[/quote]
This is utterly brilliant, thank you.
c
Brian G. Hedges
Sharing Christ with a World That Couldnt Care Less
8
Someone once quipped that an ambassador is a politician who was not elected to office but was given an office on the condition that he leaves the country![i] When we hear the word ambassador today, we naturally think of an American ambassador to another country. In ancient Rome, an ambassador was a representative of Rome to imperial provinces, sent with a message that declared the terms of peace with the Empire.
While modern people may recoil at the imperialistic imagery, the metaphor of ambassador is a helpful picture of the Christians role in evangelism. Pauls description of himself as Christs ambassador in 2 Corinthians 5:20 and its surrounding context, teaches us at least three things about evangelism.
Our Assignment
The basic assignment of an ambassador is to represent the one who sent him, faithfully delivering the message with which he is entrusted.
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
When we share the gospel, we represent the Lord, delivering his message to a world in need of reconciliation. In fact, we work in partnership with God, as he himself appeals to sinners through us (5:20).
Our Message
This passage also teaches us something about the gospel we share: the message of reconciliation (5:19). The message includes both the historical events of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the theological explanation of those events.
The historical events are implicit in the text, for example in verse 15b: him who for their sake died and was raised. Paul explicitly defines the gospel in terms of these events in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. But he also explains these events theologically, showing us how God has accomplished reconciliation through the death and resurrection of Christ.
The author and initiator of reconciliation is God himself: All this is from God (5:18a). In fact, as John Stott notes, God is the subject of seven verbs in verses 18-21. God is the great actor in salvation. All is of God, said William Temple. The only thing of my very own which I contribute to my redemption is the sin from which I need to be redeemed.[ii]
If God is the author, Christ is the agent, the one through whom God works to accomplish reconciliation.
· Christ has died for us: For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (5:14-15)[/quote]
This is utterly brilliant, thank you.
Jul 11, 2015 21:23:10 #
As far as I understand from Scripture, "the world" has not and never will care about Christ. How to reach them, then? Give them not a second's thought, just love all as commanded, and they will seek us: "hey, please take these burning hot coals off my head!"
Jul 11, 2015 22:29:39 #
ColdDrink wrote:
As far as I understand from Scripture, "the world" has not and never will care about Christ. How to reach them, then? Give them not a second's thought, just love all as commanded, and they will seek us: "hey, please take these burning hot coals off my head!"
Good point. We are commanded to preach the gospel and make disciples. However, it is the Holy Spirit who saves. Once we have told someone the good news, our part is finished, unless of course they accept Christ and then we can work at making disciples.
Jul 11, 2015 22:38:16 #
Rufus wrote:
Good point. We are commanded to preach the gospel and make disciples. However, it is the Holy Spirit who saves. Once we have told someone the good news, our part is finished, unless of course they accept Christ and then we can work at making disciples.
Yes, but it is in the telling of the "good news": by word or action? "Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words."
Jul 11, 2015 22:44:45 #
susanblange
Loc: USA
Rufus wrote:
It continues to get worse almost daily Blade. We are watching the total destruction of a once great country before our very eyes.
Proverbs 14:34. "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people". America has been corrupted by its wealth and power. There was a time when we were righteous and we were honored for it. History repeats itself and the USA, which is the lost house of Israel will once again be exiled out of our land and conquered by our enemies. The only reason we exist is because of a promise God made to Abraham. The Messiah is an American.
Jul 11, 2015 23:02:18 #
susanblange wrote:
Proverbs 14:34. "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people". America has been corrupted by its wealth and power. There was a time when we were righteous and we were honored for it. History repeats itself and the USA, which is the lost house of Israel will once again be exiled out of our land and conquered by our enemies. The only reason we exist is because of a promise God made to Abraham. The Messiah is an American.
Neither Jesus nor the Bible is exactly moral in nature. It is not directly about good and evil; that is knowledge of the "forbidden fruit." As Christians, we are about the Tree of Life and the Living Water. We sin, but that is not the worst of it; being unable to discern between soul and spirit, the finite and eternal, is to be thoroughly lost; this is the sin against the Holy Spirit.
Such vision can only be obtained by spirit and grace. This is where "Judge not, lest ye be judged" is finally understood. The minutia of sin is not our focus. This is not our separation from God or missing the mark. That is way people like Noah, Jonah, and David were close to God's heart. It is a deeper vision into our relationship with God.
Jul 12, 2015 22:32:32 #
susanblange
Loc: USA
ColdDrink wrote:
Neither Jesus nor the Bible is exactly moral in na... (show quote)
The bible was written for two reasons: 1) To teach us about God and his coming. 2) To enter into a covenant relationship with him. If we keep Gods laws and statutes, he will bestow on us eternal life. There is a reward for the righteous and they have hope in their death. Both Eve and God are the Tree of Life. The name "Eve" means life, or living. Women give life to children. Milk is the fruit of the Tree of Life. Light and water are critical for the proliferation of both plant and animal life. Fire is a symbol of holiness and "seraphim" or angels means "burning ones".
Jul 13, 2015 00:03:13 #
susanblange wrote:
The bible was written for two reasons: 1) To teach... (show quote)
Righteousness, in my eyes, is love. Love is what we are called to do.
Jul 24, 2015 18:51:05 #
I can't speak to a Christian's duty. I can speak to No Propaganda Please. A person who gives unselfishly of her time, patience, and workings for other people. Not minding in the fact that I am not Christian, prayed for me anyway. Has given me some very good advice.
If setting a good example is the measure of a person's worth, No Propaganda Please is worth a fortune. I for one am glad to know such a person.
If setting a good example is the measure of a person's worth, No Propaganda Please is worth a fortune. I for one am glad to know such a person.
Jul 25, 2015 06:18:49 #
I owe an apology to No Propaganda Please. I did not realize you were a husband and wife team. I should amend my previous post to read: People who give unselfishly of their , time , patience and working for other people. Both have said prayers for me which I deeply appreciate. Both are worth a fortune. I only wish they were my neighbors.
Jul 25, 2015 12:24:19 #
susanblange
Loc: USA
ColdDrink wrote:
Righteousness, in my eyes, is love. Love is what we are called to do.
God does not love everybody. He loves the righteous who love him. Psalm 146:8 "...the Lord loveth the righteous". SOS 1:4 "...the upright love thee". Proverbs 8:17 "I love them that love me..." Loving God is very important and is required for entrance into heaven.
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