From the Back of the Bus to Under the Bus: What Now
Preaching Notes August 12, 2012
2 Timothy 4:1–5 (English Standard Version)
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
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I. The Church’s Influence in America
Recent response to Chick-fil-a owner Truett Cathy
Dangerous to “come out of closet” if biblical believer
Christians have moved from the driver’s seat … to front rows … to back of bus … now to under the bus
How do we now respond
Church is losing influence and dying in America
Without change will be like Europe in 20 years
God always works through a remnant
He will not let church die
Some Remnants
Exile … Pentecost … Reformation … China
II. Three Historic Reactions to Cultural Rejection – all which fail
1. Cede to culture
2 Timothy 4:3-4: For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
2. Silence
Lay low, do not cause a ruffle
Jesus for me faithfulness works for you, but not Jesus
3. Yell a little louder
Shout down the opposition
World knows the 10 Commandment, but does not care for them … repetition will not convert
Moral Majority
III. Most Effective Response – 2 Step Action
1. Missional Love
1 John 3:11: For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 4:7, 11–12: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. … Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
Loves opens the heart and mind of others to listen to you
Unfortunately many stop at love and do not teach the Word
Love leads to faith when coupled with the Word of God
=> the second action step
2. Discourse Evangelism
The value and power of God’s Word
Psalm 18:30: The word of the Lord proves true.
Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:160: The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Hebrews 4:12: The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Matthew 28:19: Go and make disciples of all nations.
2 Timothy 2:1-2 and 5:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus:
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
…exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
… do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
IV. The 4 steps of effective Discourse Evangelism
1. Study and learn God’s Word
2. Think deeply about it and life
3. Build friendships with non-believers or marginal believers
4. Engage then in deep conversation
V. Necessary Personal Practices and Disciplines
A. Know what others believe
Understand what and why they believe
B. Sound-byte and 140 character evangelism does not work
Must know God’s Word
The Gospel of John
Best scripture to know deeply in order to discourse with modern culture
Sermon series beginning next Sunday
The Book of Hebrew
Gems in Stone
Faith and why faith in Jesus
Teaching at 11:15 starting next week
My Commitment to you: Gather 10 and I will teach
C. Read good books, particularly a Christian Apologetic
The Case for God by Tim Keller
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
Basic Christianity by John Stott
Many mass market Christian inspiration
=//=> to deep thinking which changes hearts
The wisdom your friends need will not come to you through shallow reflection
D. Form a group for reflection My group in Hudson
Every Monday morning discussed Calvin’s Institute of the Christian Religion
Form a group of 3-4 friends to read and discuss
Books which make you think and help you dialogue about your faith
VI. You are God’s remnant in today’s culture!
Only those willing:
to love others deeply and sacrificially
to read, learn, study, and engage in God’s Word
to form significant friendships with non-believers
to dialogue on a deeper level about God
will be of use to God
Bread Crumbs - Devotions for Life 