Comments on: You Stink at Evangelism http://www.joethorn.net/2009/02/19/you-stink-at-evangelism/ theology. church. culture. life. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:58:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: I Stink, I Cry « To the saints at Concord… http://www.joethorn.net/2009/02/19/you-stink-at-evangelism/#comment-4844 I Stink, I Cry « To the saints at Concord… Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:12:32 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/?p=1468#comment-4844 [...] posted some insightful thoughts about evangelism.  Today I follow in his wake by agreeing that I stink at evangelism and that this father’s conversion brought tears to my eyes.  Oh, how I long for God to use [...] [...] posted some insightful thoughts about evangelism.  Today I follow in his wake by agreeing that I stink at evangelism and that this father’s conversion brought tears to my eyes.  Oh, how I long for God to use [...]

]]> By: christian cowboy http://www.joethorn.net/2009/02/19/you-stink-at-evangelism/#comment-4843 christian cowboy Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:46:31 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/?p=1468#comment-4843 Chad, put the word out it will not return empty Chad, put the word out it will not return empty

]]> By: Allan http://www.joethorn.net/2009/02/19/you-stink-at-evangelism/#comment-4842 Allan Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:59:42 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/?p=1468#comment-4842 I ended up here via a link on the Phoenix Preacher. This article was interesting for me. I imagine there are some who would be quick to be all over the evangelist who is spoken of who don't do much at all to reach the lost. What you shared about Jesus being the perfect evangelist and the rest of us fall short of Him told me that an honest effort to share the Gospel is our part and the rest we leave to God. I was thinking a bit about what kind of person would deliver such a message. Maybe it was a believer who is battling mental illness. Maybe schizophrenia. And the note in question was the best that person could do and their heart was in the right place. Such a person would have overcome a lot to do that and I'd like to think God would have been well pleased with the bad evangelism. God bless! I ended up here via a link on the Phoenix Preacher. This article was interesting for me. I imagine there are some who would be quick to be all over the evangelist who is spoken of who don’t do much at all to reach the lost.

What you shared about Jesus being the perfect evangelist and the rest of us fall short of Him told me that an honest effort to share the Gospel is our part and the rest we leave to God.

I was thinking a bit about what kind of person would deliver such a message. Maybe it was a believer who is battling mental illness. Maybe schizophrenia. And the note in question was the best that person could do and their heart was in the right place.

Such a person would have overcome a lot to do that and I’d like to think God would have been well pleased with the bad evangelism. God bless!

]]> By: brad http://www.joethorn.net/2009/02/19/you-stink-at-evangelism/#comment-4841 brad Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:31:34 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/?p=1468#comment-4841 Joe, you are dead on. It's clear that the "evangelist" was cowardly, but it's just as possible that this poor soul is haunted by all those verses which call on us to prove our faith by preaching and living the Word. I'm struck by the lack of compassion Christians often have for a guy like this because so often it's people like this who are in the deepest bondage - who are transfixed on God's wrath and are constantly tormented by slavish fears and uncontrollable anger. Luther, Wesley, Spurgeon, Edwards...pick your favorite Christian hero..all wrestled with these things before finding Jesus. Joe, you are dead on. It’s clear that the “evangelist” was cowardly, but it’s just as possible that this poor soul is haunted by all those verses which call on us to prove our faith by preaching and living the Word. I’m struck by the lack of compassion Christians often have for a guy like this because so often it’s people like this who are in the deepest bondage – who are transfixed on God’s wrath and are constantly tormented by slavish fears and uncontrollable anger. Luther, Wesley, Spurgeon, Edwards…pick your favorite Christian hero..all wrestled with these things before finding Jesus.

]]> By: Joe Thorn http://www.joethorn.net/2009/02/19/you-stink-at-evangelism/#comment-4840 Joe Thorn Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:45:39 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/?p=1468#comment-4840 I agree Chad. And I don't even think he get's a high five for trying - it's our duty and privilege to tell others about Jesus. Like Chris Rock would say, you don't get credit for the stuff you're supposed to do. But I like that he's trying, and I hope that he'll do better. My main point, and thought in all of this, is simply 1. I'm glad God is sovereign and can use bad presentations (this doesn't excuse the bad presentation, but gives me hope) and 2. Let's all actually take the initiative to actually tell others the truth about Jesus. I agree Chad. And I don’t even think he get’s a high five for trying – it’s our duty and privilege to tell others about Jesus. Like Chris Rock would say, you don’t get credit for the stuff you’re supposed to do. But I like that he’s trying, and I hope that he’ll do better.

My main point, and thought in all of this, is simply 1. I’m glad God is sovereign and can use bad presentations (this doesn’t excuse the bad presentation, but gives me hope) and 2. Let’s all actually take the initiative to actually tell others the truth about Jesus.

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