We were looking at engaging evangelism last night from Acts 17. From there we saw that Paul's engagement with the culture around was marked by:
Compassion
Paul was distressed by the idolatry he finds, he does not find it acceptable, it troubles him. As a result his compassion leads him to preach the gospel to the Athenians. But his compassion doesn't just stop there it affects the way he tells them, it means he doesn’t soft soap things – he points out sin, rebellion, judgement. It is a reminder to us that telling lost people about their future is the most loving thing we can do.
Conviction
Paul’s conviction is that the gospel is the only answer (18) and his confidence in it is what enables him to preach it fearlessly, and to engage in debate with them and finally to tell them they have worship wrong (30).
Connection
Paul uses different places & methods with diff groups (v17-18) from the God fearers in the synagogue to the idolaters in the market place, to the Aereopagus. He engages with their culture (21-23), picking up on what their society valued - worship - and feared -missing out a God. Paul then looks to answer their questions and point them to Jesus, with their culture as the corridor through which he travels to get there.
As believers we need to share that Compassion, Conviction and Connection.
No comments:
Post a Comment