on the walk

Jan 12 2009

you must read this

4 responses so far

4 Responses to “you must read this”

1. # Aaronon 19 Jan 2009 at 6:23 pm

   I am curious to see how others read this article, as I had two different thoughts about it.

   First, I can appreciate how Tim used his situation as a witnessing tool. A frustration I have, and through conversation with others have discovered others have as well, is where to start when it comes to witnessing. All to easily, we overlook the day-to-day activities that God has already given us to break the ice in witnessing to people. For example, look at Tebow. He is a college athlete. As such, he devotes many hours each week practicing football. As such, I would imagine its probable that God would use this as one area for Tim to outreach to others in. Knowing that he will be in the nation spotlight, and all eyes will be on him, he decides to put something on himself that will help point people to Christ. Making this practical to my life, I could write out a Bible verse on a post-it note, and slap it on my monitor. As co-workers come to my cubicle throughout the day, some will probably read it. Even if they don’t ask any questions, who knows what God can do with that seed now planted in their head (though we know not all seeds land on good soil). Or even better, if I notice them reading it, I can ask them what they think of it and see how the Spirit steers the discussion. I am sure there are many other opportunities like this that we all miss, can we are thinking too much of the big picture, or trying to make it too much of a production.

   Secondly, and I admit I could be reading this wrong, it seems the author is disgusted that “popular” Bible verses aren’t well known by the masses anymore. Well to be honest, as followers of Christ, that’s our own fault. Obviously, the government is not going to educate the public on these things. The media outlet has no responsibility, nor desire to share the Good News. In all reality, the public’s lack of knowledge when it comes to the Scripture is our own all shortfall. Even further, due to the major number of hits on Google, it even shows that people are searching and curious. Yet, it looks like as the body of Christ we are coming up awfully short on providing answers. To drive the point home, here is an example: when our beloved family pet Scruffy goes missing, what do we do? We post signs all over the neighborhood and take out an ad in the newspaper to let everyone know that our wonderful dog has gone missing. Do we ever go to these great lengths when our neighbors are lost (in the spiritual sense)? Maybe instead of hanging missing-signs, we should put Scripture on telephone polls and bulletin boards. Maybe take out ads in the newspaper that just share Scripture containing Christ’s love for people.
   To get off the soapbox, I am just as guilty as the next of this. To the question what am I doing personally to put Scripture in the mind’s of the public, the answer is not much.

2. # Ethan Magnesson 21 Jan 2009 at 4:26 pm

   Hey Aaron thanks for chiming in.

   I totally agree with the points you make, although I read his tone a bit differently.

   I actually think that he would agree with you. He is not questioning Tebow’s motives and in fact I think that he acknowledges the purity of his goals.

   And he definitely would agree with you about whose fault it is that people don’t know these verses. To use your analogy I think that he is saying, “WE all act like they know what our cat looks like so if it goes missing, we don’t need to put up signs because everyone will recognize our cat.”

   He is trying to say, “They don’t know what the cat looks like folks. We are falling down on the job of telling people about the lost cat even while the world knows less and less.”

   The point that struck me so profoundly was that I often assume that those far from God are those that have rejected Christianity. This google search let’s me know that they have not rejected Christianity, because they haven’t even heard Christianity yet. This is why I need to be reminded how biblically illiterate the masses are. Not so I can heap shame on them but so that I can remember the nature of our mission.

   I agree with your comment. This post is a wake up call to me. I need to be part of putting up signs so that they can have something to reject. So in that sense I am behind Tebow. I don’t think his method is the best, but at least he is doing what he can to make sure people have something to hear.

   I was in DC yesterday with all the crowds and we walked by two street preachers with megaphones. One was hate-filled and angry. But one of them was a humble-spirited but courageous proclamation of love. Street corner preaching is not my favorite evangelistic tool, but I do give that guy credit. He was clearly and lovingly telling people that God wanted to save them and that God wept when they forgot him and went their own way.

   This google search is not an indictment on those who searched. It is an incitement of the church which has proclaimed so poorly that those people had to turn to google to find the answer to their question.

   Ethan

3. # Matton 01 Feb 2009 at 8:28 am

   Romans 10 asks:
   How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
   How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?
   And how will they hear without a preacher?
   How will they preach unless they are sent?

   Paul’s list of rhetorical questions is designed to point out that a clear gospel presentation is required for salvation. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom 1:16).

   I think we have to understand the bad news (ie. Why we need a Savior) before we can truly appreciate the good news.

   The first 3 chapters of Romans (1:18-3:20) is the bad news — essentially an indictment of humanity that is summarized in 3:23. Once we affirm that, the gospel is a relief! The good news of our justification, sanctification, and glorification is truly good news indeed!

   I didn’t come to repentance and faith until I understood and confessed that I was a wretched sinner who broke God’s law and deserved the just wages of my sin. I was proud, and the mirror of God’s law humbled me (Gal 3:24).

   We have to go humble (James 4:6-11). The law humbled me. I approached the cross with tears and a desire to be reconciled to God. I trusted in Jesus alone. He would never cast me out. Tears were transformed into joy. I passed from death to eternal life — all because of Jesus.

   So, we need preachers. Sometimes they use megaphones. Sometimes they’re sitting in the middle seat on an airplane reading their Bible. I prefer one-to-one evangelism.

   I agree that we don’t need hate-filled and angy preachers. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He didn’t come to judge, but to save (Jn 12:47). He came to save us from the next time He comes — to judge. We’re preaching to people who desperately need Jesus.

   “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (Eph 2:3)

   But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ

   By grace, through faith, we have been saved. (Eph 2:4-5)

   I’m thankful that we have pastors at MCC who saturate themselves in God’s Word and equip us to share our faith. I’m excited about the upcoming series on evangelism.

   Talking about the walk,
   Matt

4. # Matton 01 Feb 2009 at 8:31 am

   Oh yeah, I would put 2 Cor 5:21 in me eye black. What verse would you point people to?

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