Loving Others - Witness

Living For Christ Series

2 Corinthians 5:14 - 15 14Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.  15He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

Mark 16:15 - 16 15And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.  16Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

I. God’s Part and Our Part

1 Corinthians 3:5-8Some plant

Some water

God causes the growth

Spiritual Decision Process

Awareness of the Supernatural

Awareness of the Supernatural

No effective knowledge of Christianity

No effective knowledge of Christianity

Initial Awareness of Christianity

Initial Awareness of Christianity

Interest in ChristianityInterest in Christianity

Awareness of the basic facts of the Gospel

Awareness of the basic facts of the Gospel

Grasp of implications of the Gospel

Grasp of implications of the Gospel

Positive attitude to the Gospel

Positive attitude to the Gospel

Awareness of personal need

Awareness of personal need

Challenge and decision to act

Challenge and decision to act

Repentance and faithRepentance and faith

-10-9

-8

-7

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

General Revelation

General Revelation

ConvictionConviction PresencePresence

ProclamationProclamation

PersuasionPersuasion

Reje

ction

Reje

ction

RegenerationRegeneration

God’s Role Church’s Role Man’s Response

A New Disciple is Born Matthew 28:19-20

Evaluation of decisionEvaluation of decision

Initiation into the church

Initiation into the church

Become part of the process of making other disciples

Become part of the process of making other disciplesGrowth in understanding of the faith

Growth in understanding of the faithGrowth in Christian Character

Growth in Christian Character

Discovery and use of gifts

Discovery and use of gifts

Christian life-styleChristian life-style

Stewardship of resources

Stewardship of resources

PrayerPrayer

Effective sharing of faith and life

Effective sharing of faith and life

+1+2+3l

l

l

l

l

l

l

SanctificationSanctification PresencePresencePersuasionPersuasion

God’s Role Church’s Role Man’s Response

II. Proclaiming Good News

God/ Man Life

Man Death

Ch

urc

hG

ood

W

ork

sO

ther

Relig

ion

s

SinJesus

John 3:16

(Wo)

2 Corinthians 5:17-21Everyone who belongs to Christ – new personGod was in Christ reconciling the world to himselfHe has given us this wonderful message of reconciliationGod is no longer counting people’s sins against themSpeaking for Christ we plead “come back to God”God made Jesus the sin sacrifice so we could be made right with God

God/ Man Life

Man Death

Chu

rch

Goo

d W

orks

Oth

er R

elig

ions

SinJ esus

J ohn 3:16

(Wo)

III. Demonstrations

1 Corinthians 2:1-5Not using persuasive speechesPlain preachingRelying on the power of the Holy Spirit (NASB - demonstration of the Spirit and of power)Trust in God’s power not human persuasion

2 Corinthians 3:16 – 4:15When someone turns to the Lord Freedom See and reflect the Lord’s glory The Spirit makes us more and more like

God Metamorphosis into his image

Therefore – since God has given us this new way We reject shameful ways We tell the truth – not distorting the

Word of GodThe Good News is sometimes hidden People don’t see because Satan has

blinded themWe don’t preach about ourselvesGod has made his light shine in our hearts

Fragile pots containing great treasurePressed by troubles – not crushedPerplexed – not driven to despairHunted down – never abandonedKnocked down – not destroyedFace death – but have eternal lifeWe continue to preach because we have faithAs God’s grace reaches more and more people Greater thanksgiving God receives more glory

Motivated by the love of ChristServe him not ourselvesShare the Good News of God’s graceGod receives thanks and glory

III.

IV.