Building Bridges For Evangelism

• Building bridges for the “un-churched”– Every person deserves the chance to either

accept or reject the gospel of Christ• Holding the gospel with partiality is sin (James 2:1)• There is a tendency to overuse the “casting my pearls

before swine” reasoning (Matt 7:6)• The power in evangelism is the gospel, not my ability

to choose or judge (Rom 1:16-17)• Do we see people as being suspects or prospects?

– Try to start where they are at (Acts 17:22-31)• Paul began with Genesis 1:1 – God made the world

and everything in it! Why? Polytheistic people• See what they know & believe and start where their

lack of understanding or faith begins

• Building bridges for the “un-churched”– We must remain focused on the greater need of

salvation & not be sidetracked by symptoms• Why didn’t Jesus point out the marriage problem first?

She had a deeper need! (John 4:10, 16)• In the world, many people’s lives are a mess… Often

we want to fix the mess before the real problem• When we help them fix the greater problem, the

symptoms will begin to heal with learning

– Remember the importance of relationships… Acting in a self-righteous manner will do nothing but destroy the building process

• Building bridges for those in religious error– It’s very important to start building from common

ground (Acts 17:22-23)• Some feel compelled to start attacking all of the

differences – Bouncing from one to the next• Paul finds commonality – The importance they placed

on being religious then taught them about God• It’s not just about making the truth palatable, but

establishing a foundation from which to work• Consider the common ground that exists between us &

many in error regarding becoming a Christian

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Denominational Picture

• Hear the gospel• Believe the gospel, believe

in Jesus, believe in God

• Repent of your sins• Confess Jesus• Say sinner’s prayer…

Accept Jesus as your personal Savior

• Be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, &

Holy Spirit as an outward sign of the inward

man

The New Testament Picture

• Hear the gospel• Believe the gospel, believe

in Jesus, believe in God

• Repent of your sins• Confess Jesus• Be baptized in the name of

the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins

• Building bridges for those in religious error– It’s very important to start building from common

ground (Acts 17:22-23)• Some feel compelled to start attacking all of the

differences – Bouncing from one to the next• Paul finds commonality – The importance they placed

on being religious then taught them about God• It’s not just about making the truth palatable, but

establishing a foundation from which to work• Consider the common ground that exists between us &

many in error regarding becoming a Christian

– A language barrier often exists (Prov 16:20-24)• What we mean and what they hear may differ greatly• Some phrases we often use are foreign to their ears…

Don’t assume they understand… Listen carefully!

• Building bridges for those in religious error– Don’t feel compelled to be a “Fast And Super

Bridge Builder” (Matthew 23:23-24)• Some issues are weightier matters of the law and

some issues are not weightier matters of the law• Weightier matters are foundational principles on which

everything else is built and operated• When trying to build a bridge, don’t get bogged down in

the specifics until the weightier is established

– Don’t hide the truth, but be tactful (Col 4:4-6)• Tough questions arise: “Are only members of the

church of Christ going to Heaven?” – Etc.• Often the truth is painful and costly enough without

my making it more abrasive by my approach• Show humility, a desire to learn, & be open to change

• Building bridges for those looking to leave behind institutionalism…– During the 1950’s and 1960’s there was a terrible

division over several issues:• Church involvement in widow’s & orphan homes,

benevolence for the world, social meals, etc• Basic Point: Does the church have the right to do

anything that an individual Christian can do?• During this “split” there were some very unchristian

behavior on both sides – Left 2 separate groups

– Since this those on the “institutional” side have seen a digression from the NT pattern:• It didn’t end with the social meals & orphan homes• Entertainment has become a major focus, modernism

reigns, man-centered worship & programs

• Building bridges for those looking to leave behind institutionalism…– An opportunity exists as some are looking to

turn away from the problems they now see– Christian attitudes must be maintained:

• Personality problems were a major factor when the division was taking place (Gal 5:22-24)

• Change is a growth process and everyone must allow everyone else room for growing & understanding

• Part of our attitude is to not be content with the division that exists (John 17:21; 1 Cor 1:10-11)

– Church autonomy must be kept (I Pet 5:2)• In the 50’s & 60’s too much influence and control was

exercised by some men over other churches• Can’t approach this bridge building as a denomination

• Building bridges for those looking to leave behind institutionalism…– Everyone must go back to the NT and regain a

strong respect for authority (Matt 7:21-23)• Authority is a subject that is often overlooked today

and many are ignorant of it as a result• Unless there is a mutual desire to pursue 1st Century

Christianity there’s no foundation to build upon!• This presents a great challenge – We cannot be

accepting of practices that contradict the New Testament pattern

– As people look to change practices, we need to lend them our support & our prayers…

Change is not easy! (2 Cor 13:11-14)