JFJ Forums

I think the younger set is wary of preachers. Words like "sin" "God"
"sanctification" "justification" "repentance" I believe are just an instant turnoff.

What can we do? LOVE is more powerful than words. I believe the Holy
Spirit does not need words. After all, doesn't action speak louder than words?

I have gotten a greater boost by just being friendly and smiling in some instances of personal contact than instances where I have used words to describe the gospel message. I am not saying that Christ's sacrifice is not important, I am saying faith worketh by love.

At work, at play, and everywhere I am seen, Lord, let all my words, meditations and behaviour provide a witness that would cause people to see Christ and His character in me.

And yet, we rely on God's word. It's how we communicate concepts.

All those words may be a turn off (certainly so, to those who don't want to admit the truth) but they also happen to be truth. Truth is love.

What I think we do too much of is use "Christianese" with unbelievers. So, "sanctification" and "justification" fall in that area, IMO.

But "sin", "God", "repentance" are essential to the gospel. The basics. Understanding "justification/sanctification" comes later... and understanding them is not necessary to/for salvation.

All we need to understand is that we are in rebellion to God (sin) and He made a (ONE, singular) way for us to be right with Him (Savior). And that whatever choice we make has eternal implications. Repentance leads to heaven, and continued rebellion leads to hell.

Look at how Peter starts off in Acts: words. Scriptures to be exact. Then what does the Holy Spirit do? Words! In different languages. Thousands came to believe, but scripture does not say that ALL present came to believe.

What did Paul do on Mars Hill? Words.

What did Jesus tell us to do in the "Great Commission"? Go out and preach the gospel to the four corners of the earth.

Finally, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

However, a smile couldn't hurt! -wink-

Just allow the Love of Messiah be as visable as acne, only much more beautiful to the eye.  People who see Messiah in a believer's thought, word, and deed, will eventually seek what is in the believer.

To one and all, Shalom in Messiah.  Arley

Rexella Van Impe is an example of how you can use the "gospel words" of "sin", "God", et al. to communicate to young people and all people.  The Van Impe's have all ages and from all backgrounds coming to faith in Christ.  Intelligent and educated, she is extremely loving in her manner and speech, and reading her book Life At Its Best reveals that her mother was also of that manner.  It is very effective along with her more emphatic but very well spoken husband Jack.

Well, you might be partially right Baptistico, the cheetah girls, and the Hooters swimsuit contest reruns are stiff competetion compared to memorizing from the baptist hymnal,  bible drills, and dressing for sunday school.



2Tim.2
[22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

The ecumenical movement would do well with a big dose of patience
concerning the essentials of our faith, and the time involved with raising children. My self Included.

Essentials unity-          The Love of God in Christ, forgiveness

Non essentials liberty-  Denominations

All things love-           Rebuke, exhort with all

*1 Cor
[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
[2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
[4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
[5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
[6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Cor,

It is important to know that a youngster's concept of God is of the most importance.

We are justified by His grace through faith in Him.

We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit regeneration.

Although we detest it, sin is what seperates us from God. Confession and repentance restores communion with God.

The good news is the message that Christ has given us the atonement with God by making himself an offering for sin.

John.15
[13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 4
[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Shalom. Daveed

I sincerly apologize for my somewhat tangential comments. I had thoroughly convinced myself  into thinking there were still
guys and gals in their early teens who were similiar in attitude and opinion concerning the "church" scene as I was when I was their age. My extra strict parenting,  made ANYTHING associated with formal Sunday activities pure drudgery, and very grievous to be borne.

Developing a relationship with an individual (one of trust) before explaining such deep matters as God Himself and sin I think is where the emphasis should lie. So, naturally it could best begin at home if anywhere else.

Nevertheless, if a pre-teen or teen is not getting this at Home from their parents , it may very well be that the mention of Jesus as the way to
have peace (gospel) could have significant impact on any young person you might come into contact with. Even to invite someone to attend church or a fellowship meeting who is outside of your "regular" familiar friendship group could be considered a bold witness fro Christ nowadays.

If I had to put a put this thread in a nutshell, I would say, religious activity and business can never replace the love children need in the person of Christ from their immediate family. (Don't just pack your kids off to church and expect them to grow to love the Lord Jesus.)

Peace to you All

I saw a lot of that in my churches as well. Baptized Roman Catholic, saved while and raised an Episcopalian, and now in a Presbyterian Church of America church where there are both extremes (legalism and nominalism, sometimes legalism because of nominalism or vice versa), I used to begrudge going to certain church events or doing certain church activities, and I still have a problem with the legalism (i.e., the "evil" media and Hollywood (like it's entirely their fault and that we have no control over how our culture influences or affects us and others)) and nominalism ("Well, I was raised a Christian, so I was (or am) a Christian.").

As a person who didn't receive nurturing at home nor religious instruction, I'm thankful my mom sent me to church because that is where I learned how to be saved (and that wasn't necessarily a nurturing environment either, but the Spirit of God used the Word of God in my heart to accomplish the work of God.) Thank God!

I do remember the first bible verse I memorized. A friend loveth at all times.* This happened at a VBS function, we won prizes if we mem. 10 verses. . Jesus (Y'shua) is the purest example of this Living Word and testimony.

*Proverbs 17:17