Witnessing to those Engaged in - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Witnessing to those Engaged in Sinful Lifestyles

Rev. Dr. Mark LarsonDirector United States MinistryLutheran Hour MinistriesSlide2

Current SituationSexuality75 percent of woman 30 and under have cohabited

1 Nineteen states have legalized same sex marriage2 75 to 98 percent of college students have cheated3

1

http://www.livescience.com/28420-cohabiting-marriage-cdc-report.html

2

http://gaymarriage.procon.org/

view.resource.php?resourceID

=004857

3

http://education-portal.com/articles/75_to_98_Percent_of_ College_Students_Have_Cheated.htmlSlide3

Current SituationIndividualism over community Cable TV

Choose your genderSymptoms of Post-modernismReaction to EnlightenmentNo truth – no authority

1

http://www.livescience.com/28420-cohabiting-marriage-cdc-report.html

2

http://gaymarriage.procon.org/

view.resource.php?resourceID

=004857Slide4

Current SituationSix Reasons Young Christians Leave the Church4Response to sexuality seems simplistic, judgmental

Question exclusive nature of ChristianityChurch seems unfriendly to those who doubt4https://www.barna.org/barna-update/millennials/528-six-reasons-young-christians-leave-church#.U8fSE50o6M8Slide5

Current SituationSix Reasons Young Christians Leave the Church4Churches seem overprotective

fear based, risk averseExperience of Christianity is shallow boring, irrelevant Church seems antagonistic to science4

https://www.barna.org/barna-update/millennials/528-six-reasons-young-christians-leave-church#.U8fSE50o6M8Slide6

Essential Question: What does God want you to say or do? What can you say without turning people off?

Is it okay to offend people at times?He does want you to say something!Slide7

Biblical BasisSlide8

The Law shows our sin and threatens God’s punishment. It requires perfection.

“For the wages of sin is death ...” Rom. 6:23a

The

Gospel

is the Good News that God forgives our

sins without

good works.

“…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

Rom. 6:23bSlide9

The Law is a blessed ministry of death

. Its purpose is to kill the Old Adam within us. “Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory ...” 2 Cor. 3:7

The

more glorious

Gospel

is a ministry of

life

, whose purpose is to give birth to the New

Man.

“…

the

ministry of righteousness

must far exceed it in glory

”.

2

Cor

. 3:9bSlide10

Law and Gospel The

Word of God is not rightly divided when …Thesis VI: … the Law is not preached in its full sternness and the Gospel is not preached in its full sweetnessThesis VII: … the Gospel is preached first and then the LawThesis VIII: … the Law is preached to those who are already in terror on account of their sins; or the Gospel to those who live securely in their sinsSlide11

Law and GospelThe Word of God is not rightly divided when …

Thesis X … the preacher describes faith in a manner as if the mere inert acceptance of truths, even while a person is living in mortal sins, renders that person righteousThesis XVI: … the preacher tries to make people believe that they are truly converted as soon as they have become rid of certain vices and engage in certain works of piety.Slide12

Law and GospelThe Word of God is not rightly divided when …

Thesis XVII :… the universal corruption of mankind is described in such a manner as to create the impression that even true believers are still under the spell of ruling sins and are sinning purposelyThesis XIX: ... the preacher speaks of certain sins as if there were not of a damnable, but of a venial natureSlide13

Law and GospelThe Word of God is not rightly divided when …

Thesis XX: … a person’s salvation is made to depend on his association with the visible, orthodox Church, and when salvation is denied to every person who errs in any article of faithThesis XXIII: . . . when an attempt is made by means of the demands or the threats or the promises of the Law to induce the unregenerate to put away their sin and engage in good works and thus become godly…Slide14

Law and GospelThe Word of God is not rightly divided when … Thesis XXV: … the person teaching it does not allow the

Gospel to have a general predominance in his teachingSlide15

Biblical Examples: ProphetsJonah preaches to Nineveh to repentJonah – “Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.’”

Jonah 3:4 How did that turn out?What can we learn? Slide16

Biblical Examples: ProphetsJohn preaches repentance to Jewish leadersJohn the Baptist – “But when he saw many

of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’” Matthew 3:7How did that turn out?What can we learn? Slide17

Biblical Examples: Jesus in JohnThe Woman Caught in AdulteryRead John 8:3-12“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

v. 7“Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” v. 11Slide18

Biblical Examples: Jesus in JohnThe Woman Caught in AdulteryThinking about both the Jews and the woman …How did that turn out?

How did Jesus use Law and Gospel?What can we learn?Slide19

Biblical Examples: Jesus in JohnNicodemus meets JesusRead John 3:1-17“Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

v. 3“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” v. 16Slide20

Biblical Examples: Jesus in JohnNicodemus meets JesusHow did that turn out?

How did Jesus use Law and Gospel?What can we learn?Slide21

Biblical Examples: Jesus in JohnJesus and the Woman at the WellRead John 4:5-19

“Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’” v. 10“Jesus said to her, ‘You are right in saying, “I have no husband;” for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.’” v. 17b-18Slide22

Biblical Examples: Jesus in JohnJesus and the Woman at the WellHow did that turn out?

Did Jesus preach the Gospel before the Law?What can we learn?Slide23

Biblical ExamplesProphetsJonah 3:4 - Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jonah+3%3A4&version=ESV

John the Baptist - In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” Matthew 3:1-3?Jesus Witness in JohnThe Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8)The Jews – Nicodemus

Woman at the well

Thief on the cross

Paul

Acts 17: Even though his spirit was provoked: The unknown God

Peter

Acts 2 - Slide24

Practical SuggestionsSlide25

Strategies for Post-modernsCommunity is important

This is WHO WE ARE; we have a unique identityNarrative over reasonTell stories (parables!) that reinforce our valuesPractices reinforce belief What the community does to strengthen identitySlide26

See It from God’s PerspectiveYou are not the only one God is usingMember of my former parishMicah Wilder – ex-Mormon

He is sending you!He expects you to speakSlide27

Your Perspective Consider your relationship with the personYour actions must flow from loveInvest in the relationship

Don’t be judgmental; share their brokennessListenSlide28

Build the Case from a Higher Principle (world view)Community over individualismPost-moderns, Millennials value service

Belong, believe, become (in that order)Sacrifice is better than selfishnessWhat is the effect of selfish (read sinful) actions on family and childrenSlide29

The Law is Applied in Various WaysNatural knowledge of GodWhile imperfect, let it workGod-size hole in the heart

The first use of the Law Ex.: Promiscuity brings brokenness, even diseasePrevious encounters with the Revealed LawSlide30

Surprise them! Think of creative approachesJesus took conversations in unexpected directionsAnticipate the “Post-modern Catechism”

Work inductivelyAsk questions that help them see their position clearly“How is that working for you?”Slide31

Let the Gospel Predominate For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17Slide32

Take time, but not too much