Sermons and Biblical Studies

To make converts here we are forced to play down the difficulties and play up the peace of mind and worldly success enjoyed by those who accept Christ. We must assure our hearers that Christianity is now a proper and respectable thing and that Christ has become quite popular with political bigwigs, well-to-do business tycoons … Continue reading “EVANGELISM:
WRONG EMPHASIS; TESTIMONIALS; SHALLOW BELIEF”

Any appeal to the public in the name of Christ that rises no higher than an invitation to tranquillity must be recognized as mere humanism with a few words of Jesus thrown in to make it appear Christian.… Christ calls men to carry a cross; we call them to have fun in His name. He … Continue reading “EVANGELISM:
WRONG EMPHASIS; DISCIPLESHIP”

All unannounced and mostly undetected there has come in modern times a new cross into popular evangelical circles. It is like the old cross, but different: the likenesses are superficial; the differences, fundamental.… The old cross would have no truck with the world. For Adam’s proud flesh it meant the end of the journey. It … Continue reading “EVANGELISM:
WRONG EMPHASIS; CROSS: CURRENT VIEW OF”

Evangelical Christians commonly offer Christ to mankind as a nostrum to cure their ills, a way out of their troubles, a quick and easy means to the achievement of personal ends. They use the right words, but their emphasis is awry. The message is so presented as to leave the hearer with the impression that … Continue reading “EVANGELISM:
WRONG EMPHASIS”

I remind you that it is characteristic of the natural man to keep himself so busy with unimportant trifles that he is able to avoid the settling of the most important matters relating to life and existence. Men and women will gather anywhere and everywhere to talk about and discuss every subject from the latest … Continue reading “EVANGELISM:
URGENCY OF; PRIORITIES; ETERNITY”

The fall of man has created a perpetual crisis. It will last until sin has been put down and Christ reigns over a redeemed and restored world. Until that time the earth remains a disaster area and its inhabitants live in a state of extraordinary emergency.… To me, it has always been difficult to understand … Continue reading “EVANGELISM:
URGENCY OF; FALL OF MAN”

First, we must consider the person who becomes a disciple of Christ on impulse. This is likely to be the person who came in on a wave of enthusiasm, and I am a little bit suspicious of anyone who is too easily converted. I have a feeling that if he or she can be easily … Continue reading “EVANGELISM:
TRUE CONVERSION”

Let a flood or a fire hit a populous countryside and no able-bodied citizen feels that he has any right to rest till he has done all he can to save as many as he can. While death stalks farmhouse and village no one dares relax; this is the accepted code by which we live. … Continue reading “EVANGELISM:
LACK OF INVOLVEMENT IN; EVANGELISM: URGENCY OF”

We are 20th century Christians. Some of us are Christians only because it is convenient and pleasant and because it is not costing us anything. But here is the truth, whether we like it or not: the average evangelical Christian who claims to be born again and have eternal life is not doing as much … Continue reading “EVANGELISM:
LACK OF INVOLVEMENT IN; CULTS”

The flaw in current evangelism lies in its humanistic approach. It struggles to be supernaturalistic but never quite makes it. It is frankly fascinated by the great, noisy, aggressive world with its big names, its hero worship, its wealth and its garish pageantry. To the millions of disappointed persons who have always yearned for worldly … Continue reading “EVANGELISM:
HUMANISTIC APPROACH TO; SHALLOW BELIEF; DISCIPLESHIP”