Focus on your relationship with Him first and foremost, and He will guide you to witness in ways that will surprise you, no matter where you are. You are not failing, and in doing this, He will not set you up to fail.
Can this make you a failure as a Christian?
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I agree but if a study Bible states the following
Then it's wrong to tell them that "YOU ARE FAILING AS A CHRISTIAN"
That's my beef.
The apostles preached the word and yet people rejected it.
Were they failures?
No they were not.
Neither is anyone on here who witnesses by deeds or words yet not seen anyone saved as a result.
It's best to be a witness where God has chosen to place you by the example that you set. This may be at work, home, school, etc. You don't have to serve in church or knocking on doors to be a good witness. I wouldn't search out any people as God will do this for you if that's part of His plan.
My suggestion is to not pay to much attention to the study guides, each person and situation is unique and there is no blanket solution to a problem that may or may not exist. Sounds like you're just in a rut and feeling isolated from the rest of the world.
Having been in the workforce for my entire adult life I would say that you never run out of people as there is always someone to take their place and will eventually take your place. Everyone is expendable.
Seems to me that your on the right spiritual track but are just feeling a little restless. Maybe you could volunteer your time or find a part-time job to get into the game.
My suggestion is to not pay to much attention to the study guides, each person and situation is unique and there is no blanket solution to a problem that may or may not exist. Sounds like you're just in a rut and feeling isolated from the rest of the world.
Having been in the workforce for my entire adult life I would say that you never run out of people as there is always someone to take their place and will eventually take your place. Everyone is expendable.
Seems to me that your on the right spiritual track but are just feeling a little restless. Maybe you could volunteer your time or find a part-time job to get into the game.
Ummmm all we can do is plant and water the seed.....the results are up to God....by modern standards Noah was a failure.....He preached 120 years it was going to flood and build an ark.....no one listened....how about Jesus...he preached around 3.5 years....and ended up with 12 the night he was betrayed by the 12th one Judas and the 11 scattered like rats when the light is turned on.....it is not our job to save anyone....that is God's work...we are to witness, live it and let God give the increase.
It would appear that Apologetics is generally unproductive. And we are not called to debate the Gospel but to PROCLAIM the Gospel.
It is like the old time heralds who simply read a proclamation from the king to the public without discussion, debate, or anything else. It was simply an announcement to be taken seriously.
When Paul and Silas proclaimed "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" that was a simple proclamation, which any Christian can make. Following that, the hearer may say "What do you mean by 'saved'?" and "Why did you say 'Lord Jesus Christ' instead of simply Jesus?" Well then you have your openings to go further and share the Gospel properly.
When the Ethiopian riding in his chariot could not understand what Isaiah was talking about, he not only got the answer from Philip, but he received the Gospel, believed, and was baptized immediately,
Can't rep you again, got to spread it around a bit.
For me I do like apologetics but to me it's only to be used when people bring up stuff to totally reject the concept of God and prove he is not real.
Quite ironic really, trying to prove something that you do not believe in does not exist.
If it does not exist why try to prove it.
The only time I used apologetics with believers is when they have fallen foul of people life R Dawkins or are struggling with why did do this. Whilst it's not the Gospel as we know it, there is the Gospel in it at times.
Great points and so true.
When I am led to share with an unbeliever, I leave out the Christian lingo and always have. My Dad taught me that. It is even more important that we do, because as sad as it is to say, many today, right here in the USA have zero Bible understanding or even knowledge. It used to be that most people had a basic Bible world view and knowledge of Bible stories, but that has vanished.
I have been to places around the country that people have know clue who even David and Goliath are.
One thing I have learned as a believer which seems to have been born out by trial and error is the following premise....
Almost without exception the first premonition is of the Lord dia the Spirit's prodding.....when I have went with it, it has always turned out for the best....when I have second guessed it and went with option 2....it has not always worked out best.....if the thought crosses your mind "I should witness to this person" I believe it is God prodding you to take the opportunity and witness.....I never push or cram the gospel down anyone's throat, but will allow the situation to develope and witness as I feel led......even if they do not acknowledge the word has accomplished what God wanted it to accomplish...
a. Seed was sown or
b. Seed was watered or
c. You have made them accountable and
d. Freed yourself from being accountable for said person
And we should be seeing more of this today in our church.
None of this"If we see evidence then we will baptise you"
And the pressure to stand up and give a great testimony.
I have had to counsel a few who fell foul of the testimony bit.
I just said to them when asked why you are being baptised just respond with "Because I believe in Jesus and made him my Lord and saviour"
And that's what they did.
Baptism to me it's very important.
Not as a means to be saved but because you are saved.
I also have to say it's a spiritual marker in one's life as believer.
If I had my way I would be like Philip.
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused it to grow. 7 So neither the one who plants counts for anything, nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work as one, but each will receive his reward according to his work. 9 We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation, but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds." 1 Cor. 3:6-10
Actually, your study Bible directly contradicts this passage. Yes, we have a part. But as Joidevivre said, prayer is a part of that. In the end, it is God who gives the increase. So, you may pray, someone at their work may share Jesus. A mission organization that serves Jesus, may help them in a crisis. But only God saves.Through the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, we are to preach Jesus and proclaim the message. But that doesn't mean creating artifical circumstances. And trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you.
And a final note about Study Bibles. I have 3 right now. I have learned to discern when the notes are a confirmation of the Bible, and when they are just some ideas of men. The notes are not inspired. And if you read different study Bibles, you will find they do have different biases. And that is not always a bad thing, if it makes you think. I have an NIV study Bible that highlights all the archeological and scholarly findings that confirm the Bible. It is a great read, if you want to know something about the history of the Bible. But, not good if you are looking for theology!
Actually, your study Bible directly contradicts this passage. Yes, we have a part. But as Joidevivre said, prayer is a part of that. In the end, it is God who gives the increase. So, you may pray, someone at their work may share Jesus. A mission organization that serves Jesus, may help them in a crisis. But only God saves.Through the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, we are to preach Jesus and proclaim the message. But that doesn't mean creating artifical circumstances. And trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you.
And a final note about Study Bibles. I have 3 right now. I have learned to discern when the notes are a confirmation of the Bible, and when they are just some ideas of men. The notes are not inspired. And if you read different study Bibles, you will find they do have different biases. And that is not always a bad thing, if it makes you think. I have an NIV study Bible that highlights all the archeological and scholarly findings that confirm the Bible. It is a great read, if you want to know something about the history of the Bible. But, not good if you are looking for theology!
We find the best way to witness is by allowing our fruit to manifest when in situations that it should be manifested.
We have had more people ask us how come we are so peaceful, kind and good in stressful situations. Long lines at the grocery store, or other stores. Delays at airports, etc.
It is our custom to ask our waiter or waitress of they need prayer for anything when we go out and eat in sit down restaurants. Not very many have ever refused a prayer. If the wait staff are a believer we hold their hand and come into agreement with them on the request right then.
When fruit of the Spirit manifests through you, your light gets brighter. It attracts people, especially today.
It also might be as simple as telling someone to have a good day.
We are told 1 Pe 3:15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
KJV
be ready always to give an answer This is apologetics.
If our kids attend a secular school or college, and their faith is challenged by what is taught; they should be sufficiently grounded in the truth that their faith will not be shaken. How can they or we be in the world without being influenced by the world if we cannot defend our faith. Apology has the primary meaning of defense of one's beliefs.
Somehow English has recently allowed a second meaning: to ask forgiveness when we hurt or offend another person.
This meaning has absolutely nothing to do with apologetics.
D
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Ask Santa (aka hubby) for a new Bible for Christmas. I'm not keen on guilt-ridden "study-Bibles." I prefer the ones that tell you what's happening at this point in the Bible and a bit of the history of the time and cultures. Whatever you have seems to be indoctrination, not studying, and from an evangelist, no less. (Maybe more than one evangelist.)
Kind of dumb to feel guilty that you can't do something when you don't have the right circumstances to do it anyway. (And, do understand, I'm not saying you're dumb, since I go through the guilt myself for similar reasons.) Two kinds of guilt in life -- real guilt. i.e. SIN. And emotional guilt. If it's not real guilt, then it's a feeling. Granted, we cannot control our feelings and feelings do effect us, but there is also nothing to do with emotional guilt other than to let it pass through.
And the ideal is to let it pass through, without giving it a place to nest. (Don't dwell on it.)
That said, as isolated as we may be, we're not THAT isolated. After all, no idea where you are, but I'm answering you from a rowhome in South Philly. I'm disabled, so don't get out much, which leaves just me and hubby here; however... Hellooooooo, Lynn! Not much opportunity to say Lynn and mean someone other than myself, (I'm Lynn, and have been known to talk to myself. lol) We're still talking to each other. So, we're not that all-alone!
Not to mention, I do assume you do weekly things like grocery shop, run errands, might even take a bus or taxi to get where you're going. I bet you see a neighbor every so often, or walk down the street and say Hello to whoever is walking up the street. AND, do you FB? Twitter? How many forums are you on? Got Bridge Night? (Bridge, Not my thing, but definitely something my parents were into.) Have friends over every so often? Order pizza to be delivered? See a doctor once every blue moon? All those things bring other people into your life, so you are not alone, even if you are alone most of the day.
Something I just learned a couple of weeks ago, which is surprising, since I've been a Christian for 45 years now. Someone on this site told me something I never even considered before. Did you know if you pray that the Lord opens doors so you can talk to others about him, he listens?
One of those "in his will" things, so it is one prayer he says YES to.
I did not know that until a couple of weeks ago, and truthfully 45 years, and my entire blood family isn't saved (yet.) They won't hear me talk about God. They shut me down before I finish half a sentence, kind of shut down. But, now I know when I pray about being given opportunities, he really does give me opportunity to talk about him to my family. (Truly life-changing, and yet weird, in a good way. Feels like I've been given permission to eat chocolate whenever I want, and I want all the time. lol)
So, no. You don't have to be an evangelist. Yes, you are saved, even if you aren't an evangelist. No, God's not mad at you if you don't talk to anybody about him because you aren't around anyone most of the time. He's not even mad at you if you don't and you are around others. BUT, if you pray and ask him for the opportunity, he will give you that. It may not be face to face, but obviously we can still talk to others even if we're alone at home, as is proof here in this whole thread.
Try it. Very cool!
Good post DC.
it's not our job to save anyone or should we consider it our work. Is the work of God to bring people to faith.
We are here plant the seed and water and God will reap.
And at times God will use others to reap what had been sown.
I baptised some one last year. (A very mixed up man with severe bipolar) Steve.
I had the privilege of hearing him say "Jesus I placed my faith in you"
He had a childhood friend who was a Christian who walked with him as they went through uni together.
When I was asked by Steve would I baptise him I said yes straight away. But then I thought what about your mate.
So I said don't you want your mate to baptise you, he says no, I want you to Baptise me.
So on the day I was worried in case his mate was put out.
That was so far from the truth.
I'm stood in the pool, Steve is on the stage and he then gets into the pool.
Just before he does his mate runs on the stage, hijacked the prayers and starts praising Jesus that his beloved friend is about to get baptised. Then he kicks him of the stage and terms tells him "Now go and get baptised"
It was so funny and so beautiful to see. The elders were at a loss.
After the baptism Steve's mate sought me out. He almost crushed me to death and was thanking me.
I said to him "You planted the seeds and walked with him for years, I walked with him for a year"
Yet he was so pleased that I was with him when he came to Jesus. He said you seen to have watered what I have done but I have to be honest you have uprooted some of the stuff that I planned which was not of God.
What I'm trying to say is all we can do is plant as you say. Then leave it up to God.
We may not set the fruit.
But if 20 years ago we planted something then we have done our job as such.
That's all we are asked to do
Our daughter is well grounded in her beliefs and is ready to give an answer to any man, and is in secular college now and never has had to play the God's not dead game. She has had to stand up in her faith and convictions, but never had to go on a offensive-defensive strategy to prove them. She also has a part time job in a predominately evolutionary minded atmosphere.
Same there, they know she is a creationist and she knows their take, they do not have sword fights over lunch, etc.
I agree with your bold above. I apologize if it seems I was saying that. It was not implied or meant.
Amen.....every year exoctic plants come up around the Roman colleseum which were deposited thousands of yeras ago...some seed lay dormant for decades and centuries waiting for fire that will crack theor outer shell and allow for germination....we plant...we water....and the results...up to God...Amen bro
great and beautiful story, Bill.
The fact is,we may never know the other side of our obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit leading us until the end of the age.