Discussion Why should we witness...

[Lyndie]

This is an off shoot of another thread. Someone in that thread stated that basically we do not have a right to tell the lost that they are sinners. It was said that they do not know they are sinners. While I agree that may be possible with some, I know for me that when I got saved, I KNEW I was living wrong, and that I needed God in my life. Most people have a concept of God, but believe if they are 'good' they will go to heaven.

In my opinion, you can't preach the Gospel and not talk about sin. If we do, we are delivering the 'feel good cause God loves you' gospel which so many have spoken out about, and rightly so. Jesus spoke about sin, but it was not an in your face, mean sort of way. Many cite "The Way of the Master" show, to which I do not subscribe for various reason. One of which being walking up to starngers and outright telling them they are sinners because they may have lied, cheated, etc. I believe there has to be a balanced way of delivering the Gospel, in wheich people can come to understand that because God loves us, God sent His Son to die on the cross for us because we are sinners. What do you think?

[Vhayes]

I think most people know they are sinners - even the ones who think they live a "good" life are aware they have done things wrong in the past. What they need is hope - the Good News of the gospel.

But that's just me.
V

[MercyChild]

I think most people know they are sinners - even the ones who think they live a "good" life are aware they have done things wrong in the past. What they need is hope - the Good News of the gospel.

But that's just me.
V

I was just recently saved, and I can tell from experience, that I really knew that I was a sinner. No one had to inform me, I just new, and that is why I started seeking God.

[ServantofTruth]

Despite my tracts/ christian leaflets, looking quick nice on the front and being a little casual on the inside too - by the time you get to the back page the message is clear - We are All sinners, who need Jesus Christ.

So i don't think, with most people our first words should be 'Hello, do you realise you're a sinner.' But you can't progress far before it has to be mentioned. Love SofTy.

[tt1106]

Yes, by the time you start talking about the Gospel, they must hear about the seperation from God and Sin. In the end the weight of sin is what drives us to our knees. In our Brokenness, the miracle of Grace is what raises us from the dead.
I don't see how you can have one without the other.

[cross crusader]

in my experience preaching on the streets with Vertical Reality when we are talking about Christ to people, Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, the Holy Spirit usually convicts them of their sins, i can never really recall a time when we had to say "Hey stop sinning you are going to Hell." Unless it was someone we knew and it was a divine appointment... For instance, there is this young man just turned 18, who was raised in church and saved once before, who had now fallen away and was practicing witchcraft... that was the only instance i can remember of having to tell someone stop sinning you big dummy.... we didnt say it like that, but that was the jist... Look if you are preaching or talking, God will always confirm His word, and in most cases the hellfire and brimstone message is not needed... although by the time you are done, they will know they are a sinner and you will have told them that, but they wont realize that is what you are telling them. Does this make sense?

[JSobo]

Many cite "The Way of the Master" show, to which I do not subscribe for various reason. One of which being walking up to starngers and outright telling them they are sinners because they may have lied, cheated, etc.

They don't just walk up to strangers and tell them they are sinners.
After asking them questions the people usually realize they are sinners, if not they are told by their own admission they are sinners.

I mean this lovingly, in a response it is hard to tell the tone - If I am a lier, I am a sinner not maybe a sinner. One sin makes a person a sinner.

Most everyone thinks they are a good person and deserve to go to heaven:
Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?

This world says it is o.k. and normal to have sex out of marriage, look at porn, lie, covet, worship money..................Those are lies from the pits of hell. We may have realized we were sinners before being saved but if being truthful, did we call them sins or just being bad?

I have met teenagers that did not know who JESUS CHRIST is, that in itself will not send a person to hell but their sins will. Without knowing what sin is why would someone call out to the LORD?

Please understand, I am not saying that using the Law and Grace, the method that Way of the Master uses is the only way to witness but it is a legitimate way to share the Gospel. It is not like hell fire preaching, just telling people they are going to hell without telling them why.

If someone does not realize they have a disease they will never seek the cure.

[Forth the March]

Poeple need to understand what they are doing in order to get saved in the first place.

You cannot get saved by thinking you're perfect and somehow you'll magically get to God. You must first realize you are a sinner so you may repent.

[Lamplighter]

I think most people know they are sinners - even the ones who think they live a "good" life are aware they have done things wrong in the past. What they need is hope - the Good News of the gospel.

But that's just me.
V

Not the unsaved people I know.

My mom's oldest brother is lost, and if you tell him he is a sinner, he thinks you are nuts. As far as he is concerned, since he works for his family, and is a good guy, he thinks he is ok with God.

Same with a few of my old High School buddies.

Tell a stranger on the street they are a sinner, and see what kind of a response you get.

It takes the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to bring a person to repentance.

[IamBill]

Yeah, the NT is full of examples of how Jesus walked the streets picking out individuals to tell them they are sinners and they are going to burn in Hell.

[Lamplighter]

Yeah, the NT is full of examples of how Jesus walked the streets picking out individuals to tell them they are sinners and they are going to burn in Hell.

He told the Pharisees on the street they were evil vipers and liars.

[ServantofTruth]

In a world and church of limited resources, i have always wondered about the play group my children all went to. The ladies of the church, some very elderly, for 16 years that i know of (and probably years before that) have run a play group for all mothers. Only a few are from their church or other churches.

There was even a special mission week (God bless the local churches 1 week!!) when the mission team were at the play group.

My problem is - where's the gospel message? The answer is their too afraid to mention Jesus, except a little story at christmas - because none of the mothers would come the next week! My wife should know being a non believer and knowing all the mothers over the years.

To me this is not just a non witness - but rather a bad witness. Non christians are dictating the agenda and they know it! A bit like Christian Answer sometimes. How many of us in unequally yoked marriages or in the work place, say nothing for an easier life?

That play group could provide a weekly safe haven for all christian parents with babies and toddlers - to encourage and grow in the Word of God. Instead those christian parents are encouraged to keep quiet and fit in with how non believers want to do it. Very sad.

Witness is so important. So are God given resources. If the gospel/ bible is not in something - what value does it have? We are just taking what God has given us and throwing it away. SofTy.

[IamBill]

Yeah, the NT is full of examples of how Jesus walked the streets picking out individuals to tell them they are sinners and they are going to burn in Hell.

He told the Pharisees on the street they were evil vipers and liars.

Yes, He told the Pharisees

[JSobo]

Yeah, the NT is full of examples of how Jesus walked the streets picking out individuals to tell them they are sinners and they are going to burn in Hell.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. NKJV

The Gospel, which according to John 1:1 is GOD tells us in no uncertain terms that Liars, Blasphemers, murderers, adulterers (in deed and thought for murder and adultery), idolaters........are sinners and are going to hell without JESUS CHRIST as the propitiation of their sins.
Whether we like it or not that is what the WORD says, that is what JESUS says - after all HE is GOD.

The HOLY SPIRIT saves, not us but the simple truth is most un-saved people do not think they are sinners and in need of a Savior. How do you tell someone they need the Savior if they have no idea what they are being saved from?

[IamBill]

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. NKJV

The Gospel, which according to John 1:1 is GOD tells us in no uncertain terms that Liars, Blasphemers, murderers, adulterers (in deed and thought for murder and adultery), idolaters........are sinners and are going to hell without JESUS CHRIST as the propitiation of their sins.
Whether we like it or not that is what the WORD says, that is what JESUS says - after all HE is GOD.

The HOLY SPIRIT saves, not us but the simple truth is most un-saved people do not think they are sinners and in need of a Savior. How do you tell someone they need the Savior if they have no idea what they are being saved from?

NOoo, John 1:1 tells us that the Word Is Jesus and that Jesus IS God

but this is actually irreverent to my statement ..No?

And don't confuse my statement as meaning or implying that we should NOT witness.