Preaching For Effect

[This Vale Of Tears]

It's a topic rarely visited I think partially because we all don't feel we do enough when it comes to preaching the gospel, but I'm curious what your thoughts are on this. I'm going to ask two questions.


1. What technique, confluence of circumstances and conditions, or concerted strategy have you personally witnessed as effective when you've led somebody to Christ or assisted in the effort and witnessed a conversion? Please provide a testimony of this.

2. What methods have you seen that cause you to roll your eyes or even become infuriated because not only are they unlikely to compel the sinner to Christ, but may even push them away?

I have my own thoughts based on my experiences, but I'd like to see some others first.

 

[Madad21]

Good questions!

I find that different people in the world take on board information as individually as their personalities. I had an instant once where a five minute conversation turned in to a turning to Christ right there and then. And then there are those who take on board little by little asking questions and then going away each time coming back for more information at a later date. Then there have been those who have looked to me as a type of counselor off loading their darkest secrets and asking me to pray for them even though they dont have Christ in their own lives.
And then there are those like to make a joke of my Christianity in a kind of kidding way, but ask questions in all seriousness.
I find each person comes at a different pace and at different angles. When you out in the world as a public Christian you kind of need to be ready for anything to come at ya. Thats where living as a witness to the gospel is so very important because they all pick up on even the smallest of indiscretions.
The most important thing I find is that after conversion people need all the attention we can give them because in those early stages a new believer can either flourish or wither away.
I have seen both happen. I dont feel its up to us just to turn people, God calls them and we Settle the deal so to speak. I feel its our Job to Shepard those who have, we fail when we loose interest or become complacent and lazy.
Speaking to people at their level is best, get a feel for their personality and go with it, It doesnt mean a drop in morals of course but people dont like to be preached at. A freindly relaxed conversation is the best way, show people that the only difference between you and them is the hope you have with in.

2. What methods have you seen that cause you to roll your eyes or even become infuriated because not only are they unlikely to compel the sinner to Christ, but may even push them away?

Pushy people, preachers, people who speak at you and not too you. Hyper spiritual types which give the gospel message a seedy occult feel. Prosperity gospels that tell people what they want to hear and not what they need to hear. things of that type.

Thank you :)

 

[RANDOR]

I hook them to the bumper...checking the knot.....and drag them down the road of hard core facts. Basically show them Jesus....hardly ever tell them about Him................I say......psssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst... hey you......over here............I want to show ya somethin. And many many times...just the word of our testimony...........is sufficient for them........
Now.....if a Christian had a testimony...but for some reason doesn't feel worthy to tell someone about Christ.....Check satan's right back pocket..........now grab it back...........HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the rolling eye thing/ ......lets see, hmmmm...thinking......thinking......Got It! _______Nope.....can't think of anything yet, I'll just go with what our sheriff said on this one for now..............By the way Madad...............great reply bratha........... ;)

 

[Madad21]

I hook them to the bumper...checking the knot.....and drag them down the road of hard core facts. Basically show them Jesus....hardly ever tell them about Him................I say......psssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst... hey you......over here............I want to show ya somethin. And many many times...just the word of our testimony...........is sufficient for them........
Now.....if a Christian had a testimony...but for some reason doesn't feel worthy to tell someone about Christ.....Check satan's right back pocket..........now grab it back...........HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the rolling eye thing/ ......lets see, hmmmm...thinking......thinking......Got It! _______Nope.....can't think of anything yet, I'll just go with what our sheriff said on this one for now..............By the way Madad...............great reply bratha........... ;)

LOL I was actually picturing you literally hooking someone up to your back bumper

RANDOR checks the knot.... "so you dont want to ask Christ in to your life aye, lets see what God thinks about that, I'll have you there in a jiffy"

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

Thank you guys.

I think that many of the bloopers of witnessing are because of a lack of effort, looking for shortcuts and the easy path to preaching the gospel without actually having to personally relate to people. I see this in billboards (Eternity, smoking or non?) tracts left in restrooms and various places, bumper stickers, etc. It's as if we imagine ourselves bringing in dragnets full of fish without actually getting into a boat, getting out into the water, and putting in our best effort.

Relationships.

In my view, there's no substitute. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care and they are hyper vigilant detectors of B.S., people who are insincere and whose heart really isn't in it. Nobody likes to be sold by clever pitches and closing-the-sale techniques. We aren't selling cars or Kirby vacuum cleaners, we're offering eternal life. We must work hard to earn the right to speak into people's lives, having gained their trust so that they truly listen to what we're saying. And we must be motivated by the kind of love that can't be faked, the kind of love that we ourselves cannot generate. It comes from heaven and we must fill ourselves with it. People with their tough suit of armor will deflect advertisements, CD's left in truck stops, the coolest Joyce Meyers episodes, and any other gimmick and they will do so for the rest of their lives if needed. But they will stop and listen to somebody who loves them, takes an interest in their lives, and knows how to listen.
And it's time to put all my cards on the table. There's a man that I'm encountering on a regular basis and we're having long discussions on a variety of topics. He's an atheist and militantly so. He's young, has a sharp intellect, and won't be won over by cheap tricks, slogans, or well crafted arguments.

And the Lord has burdened my heart with him.

And so I'm praying. I want him to see the love the Lord has placed in my heart for him, to be swayed not by intellectual arguments but by a sentimental appeal that confounds all debate. He's come from a Christian family, but rejects the religion of his upbringing with fervency. He's been hurt but I have yet to know how and he's angry at God. But he's special and God wants him back. I feel inadequate to the task and though I know I'm not responsible for the choices he makes portending to eternity, I still feel I've been charged with the task of doing everything I can to persuade him and no half hearted effort will suffice for this.

I can't do justice in this post to my sincere desire to see this young man saved, but I think you all understand anyway. I have no doubt that you've been in my position before.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

 

[RANDOR]

Hey.............he's your fish................God will be with you as if your a child and it's your first time out fishin with DAD.
oK.............let it run.........ok, give it some slack.......back off some........give a little tension......that's good...........watch your line...keep your pole up....
NOW YANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SET THE HOOK !
HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!! Another Soul Saved.......yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaa
Gotz To Luv It :)

 

[Madad21]

And it's time to put all my cards on the table. There's a man that I'm encountering on a regular basis and we're having long discussions on a variety of topics. He's an atheist and militantly so. He's young, has a sharp intellect, and won't be won over by cheap tricks, slogans, or well crafted arguments.

And the Lord has burdened my heart with him.

And so I'm praying. I want him to see the love the Lord has placed in my heart for him, to be swayed not by intellectual arguments but by a sentimental appeal that confounds all debate. He's come from a Christian family, but rejects the religion of his upbringing with fervency. He's been hurt but I have yet to know how and he's angry at God. But he's special and God wants him back. I feel inadequate to the task and though I know I'm not responsible for the choices he makes portending to eternity, I still feel I've been charged with the task of doing everything I can to persuade him and no half hearted effort will suffice for this.

I can't do justice in this post to my sincere desire to see this young man saved, but I think you all understand anyway. I have no doubt that you've been in my position before.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Yes I understand this burden well and it is tough, the task does feel monumental except for one thing. We have to remember that its not up to us to draw them in. the things you say to him now may marinate for years before he finally turns his life over. I have encountered this with many who have now gone moved on with their lives. I wouldn't know to this day if they yet turned their lives over, but what I do know is that God gave me the opportunity to present that person with the Gospel of Salvation, and thats what I did.
You will in no way fail if this man does not ask Christ in to his life, it does not depend on you because if it did depend on you, you would be the wrong person for the job (understand?). God chose the right person to talk to this man knowing exactly what you were going to say to him. Now its up to God to work in that mans heart. We can only plant the seed like the farmer who throws his seed everywhere, thats the limit of our capacity. You shone bright just as Jesus asked you too. Take some comfort in that.

One more thing just quickly is the importance of telling the person how to ask Christ in to their lives. because in times of great turmoil those will be the words that will come to mind.

This was the same for me, I was told how to ask Christ in to my life and I brushed the guy off. a week later I was in great a turmoil of my own and with in the pain I heard the persons voice telling me how to ask Christ in to my life. I said "Jesus if you are real, please forgive me for my sin and please come in to my life and my heart" straight away I was physically pulled from deep depression and crying to rejoicing and being filled with love I cant explain properly in words what it was like but it was the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me ever. And I will never forget it.

The best thing was the prayer was simple and easy to remember and it encompassed the fundamental confessions I needed to make in order to achieve a heart felt cry for help.
Whenever I present the Gospel to anyone I always make sure I tell them how to ask Christ in to their lives.

 

[aspen]

Yep. The best way to promote the most important relationship in your life is through relationships with others.