Evangelism Courses Part 1

Biblical Witnessing and Evangelism Courses Part 1

Session 1

The 1st Key to Evangelism : The Law

“I do not believe that any man can preach the gospel who does not preach the law” – Charles Spurgeon

It is critically important to understand the Biblical foundation for evangelism in order to reach the lost. A critical factor is evangelism courses.

And there was a time when I was living without the law: but when the law gave its orders, sin came to life and put me to death;  – Romans 7.9

“I am a good person”

Every person typically believes that they are basically a morally good person. The reason is because we have all been given a conscience that tell the difference between right and wrong, and we do what we can to appease it. The question is, is simply appeasing our own conscience sufficient, or is there a reason why we have a conscience?

God alone is good, as the Bible reveals to us, and any good that comes from a person, comes from God or is a reflection (or shadow) of what God has put inside of us (Ps 14.3; 2 Corin 5.21; Phil 3.9; Col 2.17). For both the unbelievers and for those whom believe they are saved, yet are not, God reveals to us that His law which is perfect for converting the soul;

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  – Psalms 19.7

So what is it that converts the soul, the Bible is clear it is the law of the Lord. Now many may claim the term in the Old Testament for ‘law’ [Torah in the Hebrew] can also be translated to ‘word’ or saying that the word of the Lord converts the soul. While this still remains true, let’s see the Bible’s more defined specification of this subject when dealing with sinners;

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully, as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;  – 1 Timothy 8-10

Here in the Greek the term for law is nomos, which is literally the law, and we can’t escape the very nature of the type of sinful lifestyles referred to here in these verses, each echoing the 10 commandments. God’s law is meant to stop the mouths of the whole world that they may be guilt before God. This is to keep sinner for justifying themselves and to understand that they are just as guilt as everyone else in the world.

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.  – Rom 3.19

God’s law is what teaches us to come to Christ because there is no other way to be saved, it is our schoolmaster that teaches us what sin is, and everyone, by their own conscience is convicted that they have sinned. Sin is transgression (breaking, going against) of the law of God, and the law of God reveals we are left guilty before Him because of Sin.

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.  – Rom 3.20

the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.  – Gal 3.24

Parable: Salvation from the Civil Law

Suppose someone came up to you and said “I have some good news to tell you, I have just paid a hefty fine on your behalf of $50,000.” You would probably not take this persons ‘good news’ as good, but rather foolish because you didn’t even know you had a fine, and even insulting because they are insinuating that you are guilty of breaking a law.

However, if the individual revealed to you the nature of your crime and the justice of the law, you would then understand the guilty verdict and be exceedingly grateful for the fine payers sacrifice; is they said something such as; ” You where found speeding through an intersection at a handicapped children’s playground at 60mph with a posted speed limit of 10 mph due to poor visibility, what you did was extremely dangerous. The speed limit was clearly posted and you where caught by police surveillance at my station, but I decided to pay the fine for you.”

Bringing to light the persons crime and revealing their guilt gives a clear picture of the justification for punishment and the gratefulness for any mercy given. Giving a clear understanding of the law that a person had violated enables the good news to make sense. In the same way when we approach a sinner and tell them Jesus died for their sins, it can seem offensive or juts plain foolish because they have no understanding of the divine laws of God they are violating.

Wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  – 1 Corin 1.8

People are very quick to justify themselves and point out their own rational that they are basically a good person, and that there are a whole lot of other people that are far worse then they are. However when a person has revealed to them the violations of Gods law in their lives, they will be convicted as transgressors (James 2.9), and the good news will become the path to salvation for their souls.

Objections to the Law

This was the very elementary doctrine Jesus was referring to when he condemned the teachers of the law, that they has apparently hidden away the ‘key’ of knowledge from people, keeping them from entering the kingdom of heaven.

Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”  – Luke 11.52

Matt 23.14-34 – Jesus gives details that through their traditions they turn men away from God’s true meaning of the law into mere human traditions, keeping people away from the heart of God’s commandments which results in keeping them form the key of knowledge. The Pharisees had distorted God’s law with their own made up traditions & laws.

You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.  – Mark 7.8

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the purpose of God’s Law?
2. How can you use God’s law effectively
3. How did the teachers of the law in Jesus day make the law ineffective?

Course 1.1 – Salvation & Grace

There is a war going on. The Bible says that mankind is an enemy of God through their wicked works. Men are continually committing acts of violence, hatred and destruction everyday. It is up to every individual to make peace with God in their own lives and to stop rebelling against His ways.

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,  – Col 1.21

The grace of God is displayed in a most horrific and bloody manner. God reveals to us His salvation by breaking and bruising His Son, and spilling His blood on the cross. Grace is God’s unmerited favor, or undeserving favor. We did not do anything to deserve His grace. This world is full of evil and only through sacrifice, and God’s eternal sacrifice in His Son, can we find salvation with Jesus taking our place of punishment on the cross. Men will scarcely accept grace until they truly understand the law and sin that they are being saved from!

“They will never accept grace, until they tremble before a just and Holy law.”  – Charles Surgeon

Revealing God’s Grace

As witnesses and Christians we must come to a place where we understand what the best way of displaying God’s grace to the lost and unsaved is. When we take in consideration to first apply a principle we find in Romans, we can see that when the law of God truly enters into the heart of a person, the offense of sin is made known and amplified (abounds); then after truly understanding sin, its guilt and consequences, then the grace of God will be amplified (abounds) when they understand the dreadful hell that awaited them.

The Bible teaches at this point the great power of God’s grace that comes to cover their sins, the truth of this is exemplified in the hearts of men when they understand the depths of the almighty act that only God could performed to save their eternal souls.

Moreover, the Law entered, that the offence might abound: but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.  – Romans 5.20

This verse teaches us that it is our goal not only in our preaching and witnessing to the lost, but in our own lives, to continually amplify (or magnify) God and God’s works. The great salvation God has graciously given should be a continual amplification in our thinking and hearts as well. A meditation for our daily lives and thankful thought kept in the secret place of our hearts.

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.  – Psalms 34.2-3

People travel the freeway of their lives thinking they can speed down unnoticed, justifying themselves, saying that “everyone else is speeding”, “besides I’m only going 10mph over the limit.” God doesn’t care nor see my sin.

He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”  – Psalms 10.11

Then when the flashing red lights of the police (God’s law and our conscience) comes on suddenly we realize the error of our way and say, OH NO!, 10 MPH over the speed limit, what am I doing, I better slow down… RIGHT NOW. That’s when we realize lust is the same as adultery in God’s eye (Matt 5.27); little white lies are false witness (Rev 21.8); choosing your own way is rebellion against God (1 Sam 15.23), all worthy of eternal punishment.

The Law of Christ

Christians, or those in Christ, are no longer under the law of God, but under grace. When we become saved, we are no longer under the rules of the law, but under the Spirit and are free form the law, so that we are free to do every good work!

In the same way the physical law of gravity causes object to fall to the earth; yet birds are able to fly because of the physical law of aerodynamics. Due to their shapes and speed they supersede or move from one law to another. People who believe and become Christians do the same, they move to the law of life in the Spirit of Christ which is superior to the law of sin and death.

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. 15  What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!   – Romans 6.13-15

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.   – Romans 7.6

Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.   – Romans 7.3

Questions / Discussions:

1. Who is an enemy of God?
2. What makes an unbeliever an enemy of God?
3. is it alright for believers to go ahead and sin? why not?
4. what is the difference between a believer and non-believer?
5. what law is a believer under?

Course 1.2 – Problems with Modern Gospel Messages

“The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell.”  – William Booth

HISTORY

Of Modern Gospel Preaching

Up until roughly one century ago, all throughout England, Europe and America, the most prominent Christian ministers had used the law of God to preach on God’s holiness, righteousness and justice, to lead people to the knowledge of sin. It was at roughly the turn of the century that churches had seriously adopted a ‘people friendly’ gospel where they just simply shared the love and merciful attributes of God, and scarcely touched on all the other divine infinite attributes of God.

This has scared recent generations of people with a ‘god loves you no matter what’ mentality and given people the impression of a powerless, all-loving god with no divine justice or morality, in fact in some ways it leads to a very idolatrous understand of whom the one true God really is. To see the difference just look at one of the preaching styles of one of the most prominent ministers of the 18th century, John Wesley:

Wesley was a preacher of righteousness that exalted the holiness of God, and when he would stand there with a 2-3 hour sermon that he was accustomed to deliver in the open air, and he would preach on the holiness of God and the righteousness of God and the justice of His wrath and His anger, and then he would turn to the sinners and tell them about the enormity of their crimes and the enormity of their sins and their open rebellion.

God would so penetrate their minds and conscience that it was reliably reported that on one occasion that he has 1800 people lying on the ground utterly unconscious, because they had seen the enormity of their sins and the weight of their own guilt.

“I’m doing fine, I don’t need God”

Many modern gospel messages consist of a selfish appeal to the human nature;

• come to Jesus for a better marriage
• come to Jesus for obedient children
• come to Jesus for a better life, joy & peace
• come to Jesus for health, wealth, and prosperity

All of which is as just as self an appeal to the lustful human appetites as a couple thieves sitting in a coffee shop deciding they are going to rob a bank. They are looking for selfish satisfaction to provide for their own desires and needs and willing to test any possibility out to achieve that.

People fall into the trap of coming to God so they can use God, as a means to get what they want out of life, and fulfill some selfish want, rather than being transformed, so their heart matches God’s heart and they cry out for what He desires. So the question you have to ask yourself is God a means to getting you end result, or is HE the final reward of your work, labor & suffering?

Is God the Ends or the Means?

Gospel of God’s Love & Grace

Many churches and ministers focus primarily on God’s love and grace saying that Jesus loves them with little details beyond this, and go on to focus on man centered messages for a ‘better life.’ Many churches in different countries focus very intently, due to cultural trends, only on God’s love and mercy and skip over God’s law and His holiness. Then people become discourages and upset when they go through trials or when God disciplines them for their sins, not understand why God allows negative things to happen in their lives.

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”  – Heb 12.6

Gospel of Happiness

Many teach and preach that you should come to God for joy and happiness in your life. That living for God is all about coming to Him so you can be personally satisfied. Although it is true that we should come to God so we can be satisfied, it lacks the details about coming to God so that we can be satisfied with Him above all things. That finding your joy in Him is true peace, the Bible also teaches that we will face trials and persecutions:

Choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  – Heb 11.25

Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.  – Acts 14.22

The Whole Gospel

We can never really be sure what a person needs in their lives, so it is always best to present the entire gospel, unless personally convicted by God to do otherwise, rather than just a single part of it to everyone, every time.

God Is Holy

People must understand God is a holy and just God who will punish and destroy all sin. He will pour out His wrath on sinners and destroy them from the earth, punishing them with eternal hell for offending His infinite glory and perfection. God is glorious and perfect and His power extends throughout all eternity.

The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.  – Psalms 5.5

and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8  in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9  They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,  – 2 Thess 1.7-9

Man Severed His Relationship with God

Mankind sinned against God and continues to do so, severing their ties with the creator. Humanity is a criminal before God and deserves all of God’s wrath because he is a sinfully wicked, selfish and lustful being. The world is full of evil and sin and is under condemnation because of it. It suffers and so do the people in the world constantly.

As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corin 15.22

Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned  – Rom 5.12

God’s Law

God created a holy and just law that is the revelation of His perfection and glory. It shows He will not tolerate sin , but rather hates it because it is an offense to Him. God reveals that people naturally tend towards sin and evil and their natures are branded for sinful desires constantly.

We are all criminal before God, each of whom desires their own selfish self fulfillment. Even if we tell one lie we are worthy of Hell for defiling Gods perfect law of righteousness.

As for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”  – Rev 21.8

God’s Grace

But God provided a way to escape His wrath by taking our punishment for us. We must come to Him and believe and put our trust in Him continually in our life. By faith we are saved in Him. And the ultimate prize when we die isn’t heaven, it’s that we get to be with our God in heaven, and that should be the treasure of our hearts. For when we are changed in Him, the selfish desires of our heart change, and now our greatest satisfaction is God!

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God  – Eph 2.8

Offense of the True Gospel

The whole gospel may be offensive to some people because they believe their God is only a God of love and compassion. This is idolatry and blasphemy against the one true God. Yes, God is love and is compassionate, but He is holy, and perfect and just. He is the destroyer of evil and crusher of wickedness. He is the Almighty, All-Powerful Creator who does whatever He pleases. He demands perfection and Holiness, and destroys everything that is contrary!

In His mercy and compassion He created the way back to Him, now it is each and every persons individual choice either to put their trust in Him, or turn away from Him. People desire to hear what makes them ‘feel’ good, and without spiritual influence, the most alluring and seductive thing will appeal to their own carnal and sinful nature.

People often get caught up making up their own god, and put in their imagination whatever they want god to be like, usually something that approves of their lifestyle, rather than listening to His word and letting Him tell them who He is and what He desires.

Consequences of the Modern Gospel [Parable of the Sower]

The consequences for not using God’s law to convert the soul, is seen in the parable of the sower:

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,

21.  yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22.  As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.  – [sower parable] Matt 13.19

The hearer who only receives the word but eventually returns to his life without God, occurs due to one of the following reasons:

1. God’s word is not understood, so it is taken form their heart
2. It is received, but the person stops believing when they face trials, evils and suffering in the world
3. It is received but the cares of this world, and deceitfulness of wealth choke out the Word of God sown in their heart.

Case Study

There have been multiple case studies performed in America, that show up to 80-90% of church converts cannot be accounted for after their commitment to Christ. That means that 80-90% of church converts begin to turn back from the faith soon after their conversion.

How to present the true Gospel

So instead of primarily appealing to the selfishness of human desires, we need to first reveal to the person that they are a guilty criminal of God’s law under condemnation, so they understand their sins, and separation from God. Then, we need to lead them to the God who desires to have a relationship with them. All other idols should be knocked down form the pedestal of the human heart so that Christ is treasured above all things.

If we appeal to someone on the ground that they may enter into heaven or obtaining some type of selfish satisfaction to their own natural desires, we are again only appealing to their sinful nature, and in the end they will only believe superficially. The beauty and glory of God should be revealed to a person so that they may desire to know Him, and trust in Him, and treasure Him above all things, that they may come to God and ask to be born spiritually by faith.

Witnessing Moment:

• Witness: Hi How are you?
• Person: Good Witness: Beautiful day we are having eh?
• Person: Very
• Witness: Another masterpiece that God has created!
• Person: uh huh!
• Witness: Do you know what gets me to serious think about God?
• Person: no what
• Witness: His 10 commandments! did you know that the Bible says that if you look at a woman with lust you have committed adultery in your heart, and if you tell one lie you are guilt of being a liar? That’s just 2 of the commandment, they alone leave us pretty guilt huh?
• Person: they sure do!
• Witness: Have you broken any of these commandments
• Person: I sure have.
• Witness: You know God doesn’t want you to go to hell, Jesus Christ died on the cross so that in turning to Him we may have forgiveness for sin. He desires to have a deep intimate relationship with you and there is no one who is worth of being the center of our lives except Him!
• Person: Thanks.
• Witness: Thank you, God bless you

Questions / Discussions:

• 1.)    What method is most productive to share the gospel?
• 2.)    who are you representing when you share God message with someone?
• 3.)    what are some consequences for not sharing all of God’s message with someone?
• 4.)    How do you share the whole message of the gospel with someone

Course 1.3 – The Seriousness of Sin

There is a difference in heart conditions that one says “We are all sinners, and sinning is no big deal,” compared to those who say “We are all sinners, that’s why we need to cling to Jesus.” There are two completely different positions in our heart, one is complacent or content with sin in their lives or they gently brush over sin and believe that sin its no big deal.

We think we understand the seriousness of sin, but many have yet to grasp the deep, insult and crime that sin is before a Holy, Righteous and Perfect God. Every sin insults His creation and His ordinances. God is beautiful and Glorious, and we throw dirt upon Him name and the beauty that He created every time we sin.

“I’m a sinner, but I ask for forgiveness.”

People shrug sin off as a simply bump in the road, but God’s heart breaks over it. That is why He looks for those who are of a contrite or sorrowful spirit, who’s hearts break for the things that His heart breaks for.

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.  – Psalms 24.3-4

While witnessing you will find some proclaim “I’m a really bad person,” but its just a way to shrug of conviction. You can still take that person through the 10 commandments to give them the understanding of the law of God, and how exceedingly sinful sin really is, while prayerfully asking the Holy Spirit to bring them to a place of conviction under  the gravity of the depth of how horrible their crimes against God really are.

Moral Conviction

The only two people who really know if you are saved is YOU and GOD! That is why the Bible says do not judge another mans servant (Rom 14.4).

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.  – Romans 14.4

There can be an outward manifestation of superficial belief that lasts in a person’s life for years, then that person falls away, or many whom are prodigal sons who turn back to God at the end of their lives. This is why it is important to never judge any person you meet and know only GOD and YOU know what the truth is in your heart really is. When we witness, it is always important to keep from judging any other person whether or not they are saved, but rather love them.

Always be willing to hear their story in fellowship and give them the truth of God’s word, the WHOLE gospel. It is impossible for any man to either keep God’s law or be good people (Rom 3.10, Ecc 7.20, Luke 18.19), every human heart battles with their own personal wickedness. We are supposed to seek God, turn from sin, humble our hearts before God and pray to Him. It is a believers duty to turn form sin and seek God in their lives, continually, otherwise we will default back into selfish sinful natures:

(God says) if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  – 2 Chron 7.14

That is why salvation all comes down to the person who believes and trusts in God is saved! Rom 10.9 What difference is there between a believer who lives a life of sinfulness because they believe they are no longer the law, and an unbeliever? This is truly a dangerous place to be in, it is a dangerous thing to ride the fence to see how far away from God we can go before we ‘fall away.’

When a person has seen the gloriousness of God, instead of living a selfish life of sinfulness, they are called to be obedient and should rather see how close they can draw to Him! Knowing God and still living a sinful lifestyle is also dangerous because God will disciple those whom are His, and the enemy loves to take advantage of those who are not living under God’s protection. This is the difference between legalism and a relationship, its not a question of where the lines are in the sand that we shouldn’t step over, its a pursuit of a love relationship with our God!

Course 1.4 – Confronting Sinner

“Scratching people where they needed to be itch and addressing their ‘felt needs’ is a strategy of the poor steward of the oracle of God. This was the recipe for success for the false prophets of the Old Testament”  – R.C. Sproul

“I may be a sinner , but I’m doing the best I can and I’m sincere. “

God sees your sincerity, but how can one claim to be truly sincere and say they are really trying to do their best, when they know the right way to God and still reject it? Appealing your sincerity to God is not the way to heaven, God tells us Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Turning Sinners away from Sin

Jesus used the 10 commandments to show sinners the righteous standards of God (Luke 10.25, 26; 18.18-20). People must see the righteous and holy standard of God by which they will be judged  before they will be able to part from sin. The Bible teaches we are to turn away from sin, and help others do the same.

By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.  – Proverbs 16.6

let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.  – James 5.20

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.  – Proverbs 11.30

The alternative to desiring sin, is to hunger and thirst for righteousness. We are to create that thirst in the lives of others:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  – Matt 5.6

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.  – Matt 5.13

Make Sinner Tremble

“If you have never trembled before the law and judgment of God, you have never fully understood the infinite power of Gods wrath (2 Thess 1) and the terrible power of His destruction in hell forever for the ungodly.”

When kind David broke the 10 commandments in 2 Sam 12.1-14, God sent Nathan to rebuke him: Nathan gave king David a parable about something he could understand, sheep, because David was a shepherd as a boy. Nathan told the story about how a rich man who had many sheep, killed a poor mans pet lamb to feed a stranger. David was furious, he knew the law, he ever quoted Moses law saying he shall repay fourfold  and even die for his crime. then Nathan proclaimed “You are that man, why have you despised the commandments of God and done evil in His sight?.” David proclaimed and admitted “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Imagine if Nathan gave a typical modern day gospel message because he was afraid of rejection concerning David’s sin. “David, God loves you and has a great plan for your life but there is something keeping you from it, its called sin. But don’t worry, we have all sinner and fallen short of the glory of God.” David may have responded with ok that sounds good!

Rather then seek repentance and admit his crimes. Nathan put it in a light so that David could have his own crimes revealed in his heart for what they where. Nathan the prophet gave him the truth directly and waited for David’s heart to seek repentance, then he shared with him the grace of God message. It was David’s guilt that caused him to seek repentance and admit his crime to God. Here is an except of one of the most prominent preachers on the righteousness of God, Paris Reidhead:

“If I had my way I would declare a moratorium on a public preaching of “the plan of salvation” in America for one to two years. Then i would call on everyone who has use of the airwaves and the pulpits to preach the holiness of God, the righteousness of God, and the Law of God until sinners would cry out, “What must we do to be saved?”

Then i would take them off in a corner and whisper the gospel to them. Don’t use John 3.16. Such drastic action is needed because we have gospel-hardened a generation of sinners by telling them how to be saved before they have any understanding why they need to be saved.”

Questions / Discussions:

• 1.)    How do you turn a sinner away from sin?
• 2.)    What are some of the goals of a person witnessing God’s word?
• 3.)    Why did King David seek repentance in 2 Sam 12?

Witnessing Moment

• Witness: “Hi how are you?”
• Al Coholly: “Awful”
• Witness: “What’s wrong
• Al Coholly: “I’ve got all kinds of problems”
• Witness: “what sort of problems”
• Al Coholly: “my wife left me, i smashed my car up with a DUI the other day, and i have over $5000 in fines.”
• Witness: “how did all that happen?”
• Al Coholly: “basically i just drink too much”
• Witness: “do you see your need for Gods forgiveness in your life?”
• Al Coholly: “nah” Witness: ” [share 10 commandments and the gospel]
• Al Coholly: “i know im guilty and if i died tonight id go to hell, i just have too many things and problems in my life to workout right now.”
• Witness: “listen al, everything you go through in life is nothing compared to facing eternal judgment and damnation before a holy and just God if you refuse to repent. I don’t want you to go to hell and neither does God, there is nothing more import then Him in your life, He is the almighty creator that gives to all men life and every good thing. He is the only one that can satisfy your soul, living for Him is more precious then gold and He desires you to be with him.”

Course 1.5 – The Ten Commandment

In order to lead people to God using the 10 commandment you must understand them and be able to lead a persons heart with them to a place where they hold their hands over their mouth and say “I am guilty.” Remember the purpose of the 10 commandments is ultimately to reveal to a person they are a sinner and are guilty before God of

1. Crimes of breaking God’s rules for humanity,
2. Disgracing His purpose for creation and
3. Rebellion against His way.

Everyone is guilty of sin, and of every kind of sin; therefore everyone should understand how deeply evil and wicked their hearts are and how desperate they are in need of a savior to help them. For those who are saved, we know we are no longer under law and are no longer subject to them, but rather are subject to grace and freedom in Christ. We also understand that all the law is summed up in one statement:

“Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.”

The breakdown of all the commandments reveals how we fall short of this very simple concept all the time, daily and how we must depend on and have God dwell inside of us to even accomplish a real passion for simply loving other people. [10 commandments – as found in Exodus chapter 20]

1ST COMMANDMENT – YOU HALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME

Don’t worship false Gods! Man continues to have false Gods. anything that you devote your life to and seek as your ultimate treasure and gain is an idol, and becomes your own god. Some gods are wood, metal, money, drinks or even other people and some are in the imagination. People make gods to suit what they desire the most in their life, this is idolatry.

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  – Mark 12.29

God is to be our highest esteem and focus of all our thoughts and emotions all the time daily. We should think, remember, mediate, esteem, adore and continually worship God in everything we do, purposing everything we commit the things of our lives to be for His Glory. He deserves it all and more!

2ND COMMANDMENT – YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FOR YOURSELF ANY GRAVEN IMAGES

Neither shall you bow down and worship them nor serve them, for I the LORD am a jealous God. Don’t worship the true God in a false manner! This would not only include idolatry, but even for true believers attempting to make some sort of an image to represent the true God of the Bible.

It shall not be done at all. There is nothing we could make or imagine that could come close to sufficiently representing God, it would only become an insult to Him and His infinite glory. We should never pray to, worship. kneel (in divine reverence) before anything made by anyone, not even anything God has made! We where created to pray to, worship and kneel before God Himself, the Creator, alone!

People can make idols out of anything, even their own families. God should be esteemed above all things, so that our love for anything is a mere shadow and would appear as hatred in comparison, because we would be so quick in heart to serve God before anything else. God is the one responsible for giving everything in our lives to enjoy, even our own families, this is why He is truly worthy of such love and devotion above everything else!

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  – Luke 14.26

Rather then stand and fight against this sin. God tells us that idolatry is one of the 2 types of sins we are to run or flee away from in His word:

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  – 1 Corin 10.14

Many who call themselves Christians claim they know and love God, but they have made a God to suit their sins, a God who has no wrath and doesn’t condemn people to hell, this is idolatry.

3RD COMMANDMENT – YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD IN VEIN

… for the lord your God will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vein. Ex 20. To slur someone’s name is to insult the very person, to make light of Gods name is an insult to Him. When someone uses Gods name as a curse word, they are taking the most holy and sacred name and reducing to a common filthy curse word. In fact, every single idol word a man speaks, he shall give an account for on the day of judgment.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,  – Matt 12.36

God’s name, glory and presence are synonymous Ex 33.19. when using the name of the Lord in vein, people say they are simply using it as a word, that they really aren’t saying the name as a curse word. This proves they have no regard for the sacred and holy name of God or of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to honor the name of God as sacred, even Godly Jews dare not even speak the name God, even writing the letters as G-d.

4TH COMMANDMENT – YOU SHALL KEEP THE SABATH DAY HOLY

First of all it needs to be established that the Bible makes it clear, the Sabbath was only a shadow of things to come, and it was given for man and that as Christians we are under grace and liberty to esteem our lives to God.

One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord: and he that eat, eat unto the Lord, for he gives God thanks  – Rom 14.5-6

The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: so that the Son of man is lord even of the Sabbath.  – Mark 2.27-28

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day: which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.  – Colossians 2.16-17

It is true the Sabbath was made for men, not men for the Sabbath; However, this verse is still relevant in pointing out the sin in our lives; how often do we dedicate at least one day a week to God and giving thanks to Him. Some dedicate one day others everyday to God, but the ungodly dedicate no days to God, thus it points to our sinful nature that gives no heed to God.

The Bible tells us that we are to fellowship with other believers and share the things of God with one another, worship Him and praise Him together. Gather for the reading of the word. This is the joy of the Christian life to strengthen each other and share your lives with one another in love and forgiveness. Do you spend at least one day a week in reverence and honor towards the God who has given you everything in your life to enjoy, or to fellowship with other believers?

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.  – Acts 20.7

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.  – 1 Corin 16.2

5TH COMMANDMENT – HONOR YOUR FATHER & MOTHER

… that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your god will give you.  – Ex 20.12

To honor our parents is to esteem them and respect them; and when we are children to obey them (Eph 6.1). It is the parents responsibility to train up the children in the way they should go (Pr 22.6), and the parents will be held responsible for their actions and teachings to their children.

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.  – Pr 29.15 

Just as the Bible teaches without parents to guide a generation, it will cause a moral downward spiral and social decay. This is why we see so many people disobedient, careless, hooked on drugs into addictions and sex in societies where the family and marriage units have been broken down beyond their created purpose. Many people today have very little regard for their parents, except when it comes to their heritage; yet the best of us usually don’t honor our parents the way we should.

6TH COMMANDMENT – YOU SHALL NOT KILL

Most would consider themselves ‘not guilty’ of this commandment, but God looks at the heart and intent of every person. When we look at God’s judgment of man’s heart, we find we have all been guilty of this commandment:

Behold, you (God) delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.  – Ps 51.6

Jesus said even if you are angry with someone without reasonable cause you are in danger of judgment. If we hate someone we are murderer in our hearts, as we have the same intentions and thoughts that a murderer has.

(Jesus Said) You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.  – Matt 5.21

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.  – 1 John 3.15

There are many would kill but refrain because of the consequences, God calls those people murderers because of the truth revealed in their hearts. Those who induce abortions killing innocent children have the same heart of murder. John 8.44 says that the devil was a murderer from the beginning, and those who murder are his children. God esteems life as holy and sacred, and the only one who has the right to take it is the one who gave it, God! All people are to leave judgment to God and to leave room for His vengeance upon situations.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”  – Romans 12.19

7TH COMMANDMENT – YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

Many would consider themselves innocent of this commandment, but once again Jesus reveals that God looks at the intention of the heart saying:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28.  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  – Matt 5.27,28

Allowing your heart and mind to lust after another person, in God’s eyes, is adultery. You are committing fornication in your heart by sexually desiring what God has not given to you. Lust is very dangerous because it leads to fornication, perversion, rape, and all kinds of evil desires, but most of all your seeking to gratify your selfish fleshly desires by having sex with another person. Sexual sin is the second sin God tells us we are not to stand and fight against, but are to flee from because it is so seductive & entrapping.

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.  – 1 Corin 6.18

God created sex to be a sacred beautiful act between two people committed to each other for life for the purpose of procreation and pleasure in marriage. This allows the deep bond between two people to form for the course of their lives in security with one another and bondage to one another as one person.

Societies that sexuality as a common occasion begin to treat sex as a promiscuous pastime that has little or no meaning, this is in direct contrast to God original intent. When done correctly, sexuality fulfills a person emotionally, physically and spiritually as intended in their marriage for life; opposed to a promiscuous act that tears emotions apart, leaves psychological scares and causes permanent confusion because each person you have sex with; your body and mind creates chemical bonds to.

He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.  – Pr 6.32

The Bible clearly condemns all unlawful sex, as it is intended only between a man and his WIFE. Pornography, sex before marriage, homosexuality, are all perversions of God’s original design of sexual intimacy and will be punished by God.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.  – Rom 13.14

Angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.  – 1 Peter 2.11

Do not allow for an provisions of the flesh, do not allow even the hint of temptation to come into your life. Once sexual immorality gets a small piece of your life, it will go for every part of you. If you have sexual addition problems, get some accountability.

8TH COMMANDMENT – YOU SHALL NOT STEAL

If you take something that doesn’t belong to you what does that make you? A thief.

You are not considered a thief because of any value of an item that you take, you are a thief if you take something that doesn’t belong to you regardless of its value. If you reach out and just take $1 from someone’s purse, you are still a thief, and you are a thief for life.

There is no bell that goes off after 5 years and then your off the hook, no, what’s in your heart is the desire for the things that do not belong to you, things God did not intend for you to have, you are a thief for life. God sees the sins of yesterday the same as tomorrow, time does not forgive sins only God does.

We are all thieves! The Bible tells us the devil is a thief, he comes to kill steal and destroy, and those whom steel are his children.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  – John 10.10

Merchant stores are dishonorable to God when they use unjust values and wrongful prices to rip people off.

A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.  – Pro 11.1

If someone steals some bread to feed his starving family, he is still guilty of the crime, even though any reasonable judge would look at the motives of the crime.

People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, 31.  but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.  – Pro 6.30-31

God will be able to see the motives of a persons heart, but what most people try to do is justify their sins because they don’t want their sins to seem ‘so bad.’

9TH COMMANDMENT – YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS

against your neighbor… In other words DONT LIE! Bearing false witness is lying or intend to deceive. The Bible tells us the devil has been lying form the beginning and all who do so are his children.

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  – John 8.44

In God there is no falsehood, God cannot lie.

So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.  – Heb 6.18

It does not matter what kind of lie or how big the lie is, a lie is a lie, it is false and wrong. The person who lies knows what they are doing is wrong when they lie because of their intentions to deceive for selfish purposes. Now there is a difference for those who say, what if someone broke into my house and tried to make me tell they where my children where, of course lying to an evil person would not be wrong, but the point is that God always looks at the heart and intent of a person.

Telling your mom she doesn’t look fat in a dress because you don’t want to hurt her feelings requires discretion and wise restraint in words, but you don’t have to lie to people to keep form hurting their feelings.

10TH COMMANDMENT – YOU SHALL NOT COVET

… anything that belongs to someone else. Coveting is the desire for something that doesn’t belong to you. Covetousness appeals to our selfish nature and desire of wants for ourselves. People typically always desire more money, a better house, a nicer car. We covet the things that our eyes see, and want the things that don’t belong to us.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  – Heb 13.5

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!  – Ps 119.36

This commandment reveals a persons selfish nature to the fullest. Who can go their whole life without desiring something they do not have? at some point every person says in their heart “I would like to have that,” or ” I wish I had that.” This sin also reveals the idolatry within our own hearts, for it causes us to take our focus off of God and what He’s given us, to the things our sinful nature desires.

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4.  Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5.  For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  – Eph 5.3,5

It is also in this sin one falls into the condemnation of loving the gifts rather then the giver! The human heart begins to desire and covet created things, rather then the Creator whom gave us everything that we have in this world!

Questions / Discussion:

1.)    What are the 10 commandments?

2.)    Is it possible for anyone to keep the 10 commandments? Why not?

3.)    If you cannot keep God’s commandments (the 10 commandment) how can a person be saved?

4.)    How will knowing the 10 commandment make you more effective in witnessing to others?

Witnessing Moments

Witness: have you ever told a lie before?

Alex Smart: no

Witness: so you have only told the truth your entire life?

Alex Smart: yup

Witness: have you ever stolen anything, even something small that didn’t belong to you?

Alex Smart: no

Witness: have you kept the first commandment?

Alex Smart: yup

Witness: do you know what it is?

Alex Smart: no

Witness: It is to love the lord your God with all your heart souls and mind and strength continually all the days of your life.

Alex Smart: yup

Witness: Well, the Bible says there is none that seek after God so either you or God is lying. The Bible says it’s impossible for God to lie so it looks like your in big trouble on judgment day!!!

Witnessing Moment:

unbeliever: The Bible can be interpreted however you want

believer: ok then, interpret this: Jesus said, “unless you repent you will perish” …

References

Living Waters – Ray Comfort – Way of the Master Series