How to Lead Someone to Christ
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T here is much postulation in our educational establishments regarding the theory of evolution and its twin brother, secular humanism.
It is bandied about that man is continually ascending the stairs of intelligence, advancement and progress in his quest for enlightenment.
This combined philosophy releases man from his responsibility and commitment to God. He is free. There is no accountability to a higher authority.
Consider God's position on this view.
Romans 1:21-28,32 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more that the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: and even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
T HE DOOR WITHOUT A HANDLE
Several years ago, the famous artist, Holman Hunt, painted a picture of the Lord Jesus standing outside a door with a lantern in his hand, knocking.
An astute observer commented, "Mr Hunt, you've forgotten the most important feature of the painting. You've omitted the door handle!"
"Ah," replied the wise man, "there is no handle on the outside. The only means of access is from the inside. The only means Jesus has of entering through the door is if the resident hears Him knocking and willingly opens the door to Him. "
How true this is of salvation. Jesus has died for everybody. However, He can and will, only enter where He is responded to personally; where the voice is heard; where the door is opened from the inside.
Several years ago, the famous artist, Holman Hunt, painted a picture of the Lord Jesus standing outside a door with a lantern in his hand, knocking.
An astute observer commented, "Mr Hunt, you've forgotten the most important feature of the painting. You've omitted the door handle!"
"Ah," replied the wise man, "there is no handle on the outside. The only means of access is from the inside. The only means Jesus has of entering through the door is if the resident hears Him knocking and willingly opens the door to Him. "
How true this is of salvation. Jesus has died for everybody. However, He can and will, only enter where He is responded to personally; where the voice is heard; where the door is opened from the inside.
T HE SINNER'S PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I thankyou that I have heard your voice speaking to my life today. I confess that I am a sinner. I know that as such I am worthy of death. I thankyou that you took my place. You died for my sin. You paid the penalty for me. I repent of my sin. I turn my back on my old life. I come to You. I open my life to You. I ask You to come in and save me. I receive You as my personal Saviour and Lord. I thankyou for coming into my life now, Lord Jesus. I thankyou that I am born again. I thankyou that I am a new creature. I thankyou that I am passed from death to life. I thankyou for the gift of eternal life. I thankyou when I die I will be with you in heaven, and there I will see You face to face. I pray that other people will see you living in my life. Amen.
95% OF CHRISTIANS HAVE NEVER HAD THIS THRILL
Thirty-five years ago, 95% of all Christians had never won a person to Jesus Christ! This figure remains tragically true after the lapse of a generation.
Compounded on the glaring fact is the unescapable disaster that 90% of all those won to Christ in the Western world, fall away!
When compared to the soul-winning and establishing capability of Charles Finney (80% of those recording a decision for Christ went on in the things of God), we are forced to ask the question, "What is wrong with the current method of winning souls?" "Why do nearly all those won to Christ backslide?" Is there a missing ingredient in Church evengelistic endeavours of the 1990's?"
The problem?
The Church is offering the Lamb to the world without the accompanying bitter herbs!
Exodus 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
God's requirement then was bitter herbs. God's requirement now is bitter herbs!
Bitter herbs portray repentance.
Who can deny the major function of the ministry of John the Baptist was repentance?
Who can deny that the opening ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ was repentance?
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
The first word of the gospel is repentance.
The first word in foundational doctrine is repentance.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Of the seven churches in the book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, the Lord Jesus calls five of the seven to repent! This is in excess of 70%!
And why don't we hear this word today in the presentation of the gospel
Because it's negative. Because it's not popular. Because it offends people. Because it doesn't build large churches.
Listen carefully to what God says:
2 Corinthians 7:10 For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Godly sorrow works repentance.
Many people are sorry when they are caught doing something they shouldn't. They are sorry for being found out. This is not what God is talking about. He makes reference about being sorry for what was done. These are two entirely different things.
The word repent simply means to change your mind.
When a human being receives Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord, he changes his mind. He decides to turn his back on his old life and walk with his new found Friend. Personal habits may hold him back; his old lifestyle may seek to overshadow his new path. But this is where repentance comes to his aid.
In the conflict he acknowledges his sin; he confesses his sin; he repents of his sin; he forsakes his sin!
It may not be easy. It may be quite distasteful to him; but he does it; he eats the bitter herbs. He determines in his mind to do what his God says.
He will oppose the method of so many modern saints: "Receive Jesus and do as you like. Only believe. Trust the Lord, brother. Everything will be allright."
Embrace the bitter herbs! The Lord Jesus has walked the path before you. Many fellow Christians have trod where you are now treading.
Build an 'altar' in your life.