Thats Not My Calling: The Great Commission.A Christian Call To Arms

[MsSuzanna]

“Witnessing...That's not my calling...”​

" As a minister I am constantly battling this ignorant statement of lazy or uneasy Christians. For several generations now, many church leaders and teachers while impressing the need for regular church attendance have failed to explain why we attend church. Churches, you see, are NOT hospitals for the sick and dying. They are not fellowship areas for social functions. They are NOT recreation halls, entertainment facilities. In other words, churches are to be military forward base camps NOT vacation campgrounds! A fitting analogy presented by Brother Chesley Floyd in a revival was that of the comparison of a cruise ship to a battleship. The church is a BATTLESHIP not a cruise ship. It was not designed or established for any other purpose than offensive movement against the adversary's strongholds. It was established by God to spread the Gospel.

Many Christians now labor...correction fail to labor in the fields of the harvest because they are too busy living it up in the comfort of a luxury local cruise ship...I mean church. Instead of their church being a sanctuary for battle hardened soldiers, a training camp for new recruits and a soul saving station, it is a social club. That may sound harsh but if your church (YOU)is not reaching out to the lost and the needy, you are nothing but a social club! Any organization that is not spreading the gospel is a social or civil organization by definition. Any organization that spreads the Gospel of the Christ is, by definition, part of the Church. Which do you attend?"

"That's Not My Calling":The Great Commission, A Christian Call to Arms

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

When I was non-Christian, I just loved it when Christians who didn't seem to know what it was to follow Jesus would witness to me about Jesus.


/sarc

 

[popeye]

“Witnessing...That's not my calling...”​

" As a minister I am constantly battling this ignorant statement of lazy or uneasy Christians. For several generations now, many church leaders and teachers while impressing the need for regular church attendance have failed to explain why we attend church. Churches, you see, are NOT hospitals for the sick and dying. They are not fellowship areas for social functions. They are NOT recreation halls, entertainment facilities. In other words, churches are to be military forward base camps NOT vacation campgrounds! A fitting analogy presented by Brother Chesley Floyd in a revival was that of the comparison of a cruise ship to a battleship. The church is a BATTLESHIP not a cruise ship. It was not designed or established for any other purpose than offensive movement against the adversary's strongholds. It was established by God to spread the Gospel.

Many Christians now labor...correction fail to labor in the fields of the harvest because they are too busy living it up in the comfort of a luxury local cruise ship...I mean church. Instead of their church being a sanctuary for battle hardened soldiers, a training camp for new recruits and a soul saving station, it is a social club. That may sound harsh but if your church (YOU)is not reaching out to the lost and the needy, you are nothing but a social club! Any organization that is not spreading the gospel is a social or civil organization by definition. Any organization that spreads the Gospel of the Christ is, by definition, part of the Church. Which do you attend?"

"That's Not My Calling":The Great Commission, A Christian Call to Arms

I can envision a church having a "briefing room" where the " general" lays our a strategy for that nights "maneuvers" using a blackboard.

"We're gonna hit em in this sector tonight. You know the drill. Cast out demons,open blind eyes,make the lame walk,set the captives free....NO MERCY TO THE DEVIL. DECAPITATE EVERY DEMON. "

Then the general points to 10 newbies in the front " you new guys watch and learn,and you vets give em a chance at some devils. (they were saved and recruited the previous nite)

Let that wind fill your sails and carry you about a million miles

 

[Sirk]

So if a person is an introvert are they sinning? Is it a sin to not have a bold personality for the Lord? Because I fear some on here would say it is.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Basically, witnessing is a modern term for evangelizing. Not everyone's an evangelist (by a long shot).

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: Romans 12:4

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-12​

 

[JosephsDreams]

There are some people who can't evangelize in the traditional way that many Christians view it, which is fine. Sometimes their lives are the best evangelism there is.

 

[MsSuzanna]

So if a person is an introvert are they sinning? Is it a sin to not have a bold personality for the Lord? Because I fear some on here would say it is.

Ephesians 6:18-20: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Surely Paul’s petition for boldness should be ours. And we can expect the same treatment Paul received in a hostile world.

 

[MsSuzanna]

There are some people who can't evangelize in the traditional way that many Christians view it, which is fine. Sometimes their lives are the best evangelism there is.

Show me in scripture where it is written that we spread the gospel with our "lives".

 

[posthuman]

Show me in scripture where it is written that we spread the gospel with our "lives".

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God.
(Philippians 1:27-28)​

 

[PeterJens]

Interesting subject.

At church we had a group come to talk about a simple approach in witnessing. It is founded on getting alongside people and praying for them based on their prayer request. You then go on to share about where you are with God, followed by a question, are you close to God or far away?

One person in our church said this, "I do not like these groups, they just make me feel guilty."

It struck me this is a problem with what salvation means and loving the sinner and not just belonging to a group.
If you see how lost people are inside, how there needs to be a reality, how fantastic it is when someone finds Jesus, guilt is not part of the journey. I think the problem is around what we believe we are as followers and how we experience what being saved is. A lot here on cc would say it is just finding your fulfillment in Christ with no effort, unless the Lord inspires you. Not suprisingly for them there is no great commission.

 

[MsSuzanna]

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God.
(Philippians 1:27-28)​

"living worthy of the gospel" is not even the same as "spreading the gospel of Christ."
Besides, I didnt ask you! Respectfully, of course

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Show me in scripture where it is written that we spread the gospel with our "lives".

That's the problem right there.

 

[Sirk]

Ephesians 6:18-20: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Surely Paul’s petition for boldness should be ours. And we can expect the same treatment Paul received in a hostile world.

You still didn't answer the question. Is a person sinning if they are an introvert and don't have a personality to speak boldly?

 

[posthuman]

Show me in scripture where it is written that we spread the gospel with our "lives".

make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
(1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
​

 

[MsSuzanna]

If you are convinced that that the lost are going to HELL, you should have a fire in you to warn them!! Dont use excuses that you are introverted or this isnt your calling. Its no surprise that many of you do not bother.The churches you go to probably dont have a evangelism ministry either. Ive done my research on this. I pick the phone up and ask the pastors! Many didnt lie what I had to say back to them when they sheepishly tell me "no, we dont have a evangelism program but I know we should. Phft...
But they do have alot of social events where christians get together and socialize!
Why not get together and walk the streets and talk to people who are really lost?
Theres no way to sugar coat it. If you dont tell people of your hope in Christ and spread the gospel you are being disobedient.

 

[posthuman]

Show me in scripture where it is written that we spread the gospel with our "lives".

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
(Matthew 5:14-16)
​

there's two or three witnesses for you.
if you want to reject them, it's not on my head.

 

[MsSuzanna]

make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
(1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
​

…3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. 5Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.…

 

[posthuman]

…3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. 5Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.…

by constantly repeating this, are you trying to say in a gentle way that we should not bother talking to you?

thank you for your meekness!

so sweet

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

But they do have alot of social events where christians get together and socialize!
Why not get together and walk the streets and talk to people who are really lost?
Theres no way to sugar coat it. If you dont tell people of your hope in Christ and spread the gospel you are being disobedient.

You really have no warrant to put this kind of guilt trip on people.

 

[posthuman]

Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.…

heh.