Witnessing do's and don'ts

[Cocoa1080]

I had some questions maybe you guys could help me out. I was talking to this catholic girl this weekend and telling her that good works don't get you into heaven, Jesus does and he is the only way. So i had a few questions. What do you think impossing on someone means? and when is it "shoving" it down there throat or forcing it on them. I just wanted to know because I feel sometimes I am crossing the line or sometimes and then even sometimes I feel like what the evangelics do is wrong or "forcing it down there throat". I am just really confused and as of right now I am going to let them come to me about God, because I keep failing while doing it my way.

Any advice?? I mean I go to the bible and read stories of people preaching all day and Peter and the apostles having big crowds but back then it seemed like people actually wanted to hear about God, now adays drinking and smoking and sex are so normal people seem to not care about God

[smith_family]

Hi Cocoa,

I guess as long as the girl is still willing to talk with you, you are not imposing.

Regarding witnessing to her, as an ex-Catholic, raised by Italian Catholics, etc, etc, I have two suggestions from Scripture for you:

* What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17

You are so right in telling her that Jesus is the only way. But the above verse is validating for many Catholics who have such a desire to serve.

* Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through hiim, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:22-25

This passage addresses another challenge that Catholics have (as I'm sure you know): believing and feeling comfortable with Jesus and ONLY Jesus being their intercessor.

I hope this helps. I know that these two concepts were powerful in my growth.

Praying for you and your friend. In Jesus' name, amen.

[evjr]

Check out wayofthemaster.com and livingwaters.com for witnessing tips and help. Believe me, you will not be disappointed!

[Saint Louis]

I had some questions maybe you guys could help me out. I was talking to this catholic girl this weekend and telling her that good works don't get you into heaven, Jesus does and he is the only way. So i had a few questions. What do you think impossing on someone means? and when is it "shoving" it down there throat or forcing it on them. I just wanted to know because I feel sometimes I am crossing the line or sometimes and then even sometimes I feel like what the evangelics do is wrong or "forcing it down there throat". I am just really confused and as of right now I am going to let them come to me about God, because I keep failing while doing it my way.

Any advice?? I mean I go to the bible and read stories of people preaching all day and Peter and the apostles having big crowds but back then it seemed like people actually wanted to hear about God, now adays drinking and smoking and sex are so normal people seem to not care about God

You're not failing. Great job, keep up the good work. Praise God.

Letting people come to you can't be the whole thing - you certainly don't see that in scripture. There is a place for it, to be sure - we should always be ready to give people a reason for the hope in us - but I don't think you want to limit your witnessing to that.

Regarding what you said about Peter and the Apostles and the big crowds: remember that they started out in Jerusalem preaching to Jews who had gathered for a religious holiday. That is to say, they were in their holy city on a holy day ("When the day of Pentecost had fully come...") among other Jews who cared to make the trip to the holy city. So they had the ideal crowd - those who were hungry for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God may put you in front of a similar crowd someday, but for now just see that you are commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature and stay faithful. God is glorified just in the preaching, in your obedience. I say this as no expert - I've been witnessing to people (at varying degrees of faithfulness) for almost 20 years and I still have to deliberately remind myself of what I've just said to you.

Someone mentioned looking into "Way of the Master". Let me say this: that's done two things for me. It's sharpened both my understanding of the Gospel and the content of my own message, and it's also stirred up an evangelistic fervor in me.

This past Saturday I had a chance encounter with a gentleman (also a Catholic, and very skeptical of many things associated with Christianity) whom I've had witnessing opportunites with over the past few years that didn't go very well. It would always end up with him talking my ear off. Well, we started to chat a little, and I immediately prayed for a door to open to swing to the things of God. And God gave it. And then we sat down and I got to share the Gospel with him for over a half hour - good give and take in the conversation - and for the first time I could see a little softening in him. He didn't repent at that moment, but we parted and I just prayed for him again, and I know he heard the truth. It was one of the best encounters I've ever had (and I've been at it a while), and it was with a tough cookie. And the "Way of the Master" training (which is just a commercial name for basic, biblical discipleship) played a huge role for me.

So yes, do look into it. If you've got the $$$ for the Basic Training Course, that's a great thing. But there's a lot of stuff on the site (and some video clips of theirs on YouTube) for free.

Don't get discouraged (that coming from someone who needs to be told the same thing all the time!). Satan wants to rob you of your courage by telling you you're imposing on people. Even if you are a little, so what? When I first came to the Lord, it was because someone imposed on me a little. I thank God for it.

You hang in there, keep your nose in that Bible, and pray without ceasing. It sounds to me like you are on the right track, and I praise God.

[Cocoa1080]

thanks for the help

[seeHimsoon]

There are so many ways to witness. I witness to people I do not know by leaving around scripture portions and homemade mini-gospels (tracts).
You can also preach (with respect and love in your heart for the lost) openly and loudly on the street! There is nothing wrong with that. Jesus was a street preacher. So was Paul, Peter, Stephen. You can share one on one with someone, like you did. Philip did this! You can start a conversation about anything, whatever might be on the mind of the person you are talking to, or you can ask them a question. Then you can transition the conversation to a related, spiritual topic and go from there, with gentleness and respect. You may have the chance to share the entire gospel, or parts of the gospel.

Our society is training everyone in the new "global values" such as tolerance and being non judgmental, being open minded and accepting of anything and everything, to help create "world peace" through the 'think globally, act locally' mindset. These new values are being promoted in every area of society.

BUT GOD has told us to follow Him and obey His word. Jesus commanded us to be His witnesses and to preach and tell the gospel. We must obey God rather than man. So if you are getting vibes from the world that you should just be quiet, and be 'nice', remember that we must continue to do the Lord's will, and boldly share the gospel, in love, respect and awareness (of a person's culture) but not be deterred by the prevailing humanistic view. Satan is behind the new values, and he wants us to shut up about Jesus.
If a person is willing to listen, you are not forcing it down their throat. If a person does not want to hear it, the Lord made it clear that we are to go ahead and shake the dust off our feet as we leave. He will lead you to the people who will listen. Speak to them. If they reject you, move on. If they do not care, and have rejected you, ask the Lord to lead you to someone else. The Lord will guide you, but do not be afraid of the disapproval. This is to be expected. Do not listen to the enemie's temptations to quit speaking of Christ. Keep on and be encouraged. Often when I witness to Catholics, they are not interested; they have their "religion" traditions. Other times, they want to defend the RCC to the end. Sometimes, when I am in a conversation with them and we are talking about works, being a 'good person', trying to earn salvation, etc, and I'm using those themes to share the gospel, they are interested, they listen, they say that they have never heard this before (the true gospel of salvation by grace through faith in the person and work of Christ). Press on.

[Cocoa1080]

what about telling other people using the way of the master, that is kinda like judging them almost.

But looking at Romans 1 and 2 kinda throw me off

Rom 2:1 Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things.



Rom 14:1 Welcome all the Lord's followers, even those whose faith is weak. Don't criticize them for having beliefs that are different from yours.

--Note which I think is talking about what kinds of meat people eat and when


I also read in places in the bible about not trying to remove a spek from someones eye when you have a log in your own...

these things kinda get me discouraged too when I think about teaching others about God because I am guilty of the same things they are

[CountryPerson]

But looking at Romans 1 and 2 kinda throw me off

Rom 2:1 Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things.

Rom 14:1 Welcome all the Lord's followers, even those whose faith is weak. Don't criticize them for having beliefs that are different from yours.

--Note which I think is talking about what kinds of meat people eat and when


I also read in places in the bible about not trying to remove a speck from someone's eye when you have a log in your own...

these things kinda get me discouraged too when I think about teaching others about God because I am guilty of the same things they are

Yes, you (and I) are guilty, but with one HUGE difference. . . we are forgiven by the Blood of the Lamb, and others can be forgiven as well, if we will be faithful to tell them about Jesus Christ. When a true Christian sins in action or in thoughts, there is a mourning over the sin and repentance. We go immediately to the Father Who forgives us because of His Son's death on the cross. When Jesus arose from the dead, it proved that God the Father had accepted the sacrifice, and we are the beneficiaries of that sacrifice. Of course, we still sin, but we no longer try to 'get away with it.' It's a wonderful hope-filled message that leads to life, not death. If we truly love others with that 'agape' love, we can not omit sharing this marvelous truth with them.

[Heather]

You would be surprised who might show an interest.

Ron and I were witnessing to a cab driver, who happened to be Arabic. He was very curious and asked point-blank "How can Jesus get me into Heaven?"

:jaw I love it when I can see God using me! :pray

[ColcordMama]

Let me ask YOU something, Cocoa1080. One day you will find yourself standing in front of Him, clothed in your new white robes, knowing you are going to spend eternity in heaven in the presence of Jesus Christ. He is going to show you with a wave of His hand all the people you could have witnessed to, who were never saved and who will be spending eternity in suffering and damnation. You could have explained the plan of salvation to them. He put them in your path for that very purpose, but because of your reluctance to possibly experience a little social discomfort or rejection you didn't witness and they are doomed for all eternity. Weigh the two and decide what the best course of action is. You getting laughed at or rejected (or someone claiming you were "shoving Christianity down someone's throat").....or that person lost forever in the Lake of Fire. Now which is the right thing to do?

God places us where He wants us to be. He puts people around us right where and when He wants them there. He gives us, you and me, the words to use when He wants us to use them. We are His radios, broadcasting the message of salvation through His finished work on the cross, to all the world. The radio does not question whether it should be on or off, it just does what it was built to do.

The rewards we will receive in heaven will more than make up for any castigation we may suffer here in this life because we spoke the Gospel message. To suffer because of Jesus, to endure pain or hate because we told the truth openly and freely just as He instructed us to do, brings us greater rewards than those who make fun of us or hate us or hurt us could ever imagine. What do we care for the things of this world? This is not our place. We are only here to worship Him and prepare ourselves and those around us for eternity.

"Behold, the fields are white unto harvest."

[Saint Louis]

You would be surprised who might show an interest.

You've got that right!

A couple of nights ago a friend and I were visiting a lady (the friend's sister) in the hospital. She asked for a Bible, so we went to the hospital chapel to see if we could get her one.

The chaplain on duty was a Jewish Rabbi. We chatted a little, then we noticed a picture on the wall depicting Moses holding up the rod with the serpent from the Old Testament. I pointed and exclaimed, "ah, look and live, look and live!". The Rabbi was impressed that we knew what that was, and so I took the occasion to tell him that Jesus referred to it when He said "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (I didn't quote it this precisely, but I was close and the point was made). So we got to talk some more and we made a couple more connections between the OT and the New. Just a seed plant, but he was very open to talking!

We didn't get the Bible for the sister though... :confused

[smith_family]

You've got that right!

A couple of nights ago a friend and I were visiting a lady (the friend's sister) in the hospital. She asked for a Bible, so we went to the hospital chapel to see if we could get her one.

The chaplain on duty was a Jewish Rabbi. We chatted a little, then we noticed a picture on the wall depicting Moses holding up the rod with the serpent from the Old Testament. I pointed and exclaimed, "ah, look and live, look and live!". The Rabbi was impressed that we knew what that was, and so I took the occasion to tell him that Jesus referred to it when He said "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (I didn't quote it this precisely, but I was close and the point was made). So we got to talk some more and we made a couple more connections between the OT and the New. Just a seed plant, but he was very open to talking!

We didn't get the Bible for the sister though... :confused


Praise God!

[My Abba's Child]

what about telling other people using the way of the master, that is kinda like judging them almost.

But looking at Romans 1 and 2 kinda throw me off

Rom 2:1 Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things.



Rom 14:1 Welcome all the Lord's followers, even those whose faith is weak. Don't criticize them for having beliefs that are different from yours.

--Note which I think is talking about what kinds of meat people eat and when


I also read in places in the bible about not trying to remove a spek from someones eye when you have a log in your own...

these things kinda get me discouraged too when I think about teaching others about God because I am guilty of the same things they are

The Way of the Master approach isn't about judging others, it's about getting them to judge themselves. At least that's how it's come across to me. :): Oh... and when you let them in on the fact that you ARE just as guilty of the same things that they are, then you're showing them how much more THEY can be forgiven just like you are AND you're not coming off as judgemental or like you're on a spiritual "high horse" and hypocritical. Don't be afraid to give a witness about what Christ has done for you. :D:

In His love,

[HeIsEnough]

He is going to show you with a wave of His hand all the people you could have witnessed to, who were never saved and who will be spending eternity in suffering and damnation. You could have explained the plan of salvation to them. He put them in your path for that very purpose, but because of your reluctance to possibly experience a little social discomfort or rejection you didn't witness and they are doomed for all eternity.

Though there may be some truth to what you propose, I just don't see this as scriptural. We are a spiritual house with a foundation laid (Jesus Christ), we build upon that foundation with hay/stubble or gold/precious stones. What will last, will last through the fire. Maybe you could expound a little better with these in mind?