The Confrontation of the Gospel
By Pastor Dan Kennedy
© May 23, 2010
This week I read the review of a new book seeking to give insight into the major religions of the world and how they have differing traditions. Note I only said “differing traditions”.
As I read the article there were noticeable blank spaces in the author’s comparisons. It is true, each “religion” has specific and unique traditions, including when to take a person’s hat or shoes off, or put them back on, but each religion has vastly greater differences than mere traditions. The greatest differences lie in their belief systems themselves. Each have starkly different “theologies” – things they believe about god and how to reach their god, and, whether any would admit it or not, most religions have their own unique deity in their religion – a deity radically different than any other religion – so different, in fact, that each god could never be considered to be the same god. This may come as a surprise; because the politically correct way of thinking about religions is that the same god is at the foundation of all religions.
Uniquely, all religions in the world have their own way to appease their god(s), and all but those who have believing faith in Christ, require a religious “works” (not just faith), to become acceptable to their “god”… and to finally make it to their religion’s “heaven”, or blissful afterlife.
If one could take all the religions of the world, put them in a bag called “religion” and shake them up as hard as can be shaken to force them to be unified or blended, they would still come out irreconcilably separate! In the religions of the world there is no true singular “religious” thought, no constant in the teaching of afterlife, philosophy or spirituality other than most common decencies and the common word for deity …which is “god”, and we know that there are many “gods” in many religions.
We are in an age of Confusing Tolerances
There is the confusion of the multiplicity of the gods of this world.
It seems, in this age of tolerance and non-discrimination, we find ourselves on a tightrope of respect for the other person’s independent thoughts, on one hand, measured in taunt tension against suspicion of that same person’s radical belief, or even potential terror, on the other.
The most controversial arena, in which “tolerance” tries to exist, is that of religion.
•How then can we reconcile one religion to another?
•How can we find out what is the “religion” that has the True and Living God?
•How can we have some certainty in what we will face in life after death?
•How can we avoid the active or passive display of overconfidence in our own confusion about religion? – “I cannot figure this religious stuff all out, so I am just going to do nothing… or just believe in myself!”
The title of my message today is about the Gospel being confrontational. The fact is that each religion confronts the world with its own teachings, in some cases, so violently that there can be the threat of death if anything is said or done negatively about its particular founder.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ confronts the world with a sacrificial Redeemer. Jesus Christ gave His life to bear our sins in His own Body, in order that we might have life. That is a “confrontation” truly unique in the world of religious fervor. But, still there is no middle ground. Once the ship of life pulls away from the shore of this earth, our eternal destiny is at stake depending on whom we have put our hope and trust.
The following are examples of the huge diversity found in the world’s religions:
oIf you were a Muslim, you must follow the teachings of the Koran and, among many other things, adamantly believe that your god never had a son, etc.
(Note: If there is no Son of God, then there is no redemptive blood, shed on the cross and no salvation! So the Muslim god cannot be the same god as that of the Bible.)
oIf you were Buddhist, you would need to go through certain levels of enlightenment and be reincarnated again and again until you reach their expected perfection.
oIf you were Hindu, you must follow certain rituals, to appease the many other gods and goddesses…only, again, to participate in many reincarnations yourself until you succeed in being good enough for the afterlife.
oIf you were animistic, you will worship in yet other ways, as you pay homage to spirits that inhabit rocks, trees and other objects of creation.
oIf you are a Biblical Christian, you will accept Christ’s sacrificial gift of His provision of salvation, by grace through faith, not of works lest anyone should boast, after which you seek to live a life pleasing to Him.
Jesus Christ said that in the last days there will be many claiming to have the Spiritual Answers in life:
Matthew 24
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
The Confrontation of the Gospel
Everyone in the world has a desperate need for emotional healing; for spiritual security and eternal perspective…some Divine Constant, in this temporary world filled with confusion, guilt and carnal, sometimes brutal sinful brokenness.
How do the world’s woes factor with the world’s religions? Do we need religion to simply “act better”, “work harder”, climb a more difficult mountain for “peace”, or secretly think more happy thoughts…to bring the world into greater harmony and peaceful unity?
Or, is the world on a delusional crash course toward ultimate destruction from which we must be rescued and find reconciliation with God, or be eternally lost? If this is the case, the Gospel confronts us.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ confronts sin face to face. It doesn’t hide it, it doesn’t coddle it, it doesn’t sweep it under the rug – the Gospel of Jesus Christ confronts the reality of sin. But those who have been confronted by Christ’s gospel and have responded to it can breathe a sigh of relief.
“Finally, I have been found out.
“Finally my deepest guilt has been confronted.
“Finally I do not have to keep up my image of being a perfect person.
“I am a sinner. I admit it.
“My deepest closet sin is revealed to God in heaven.
“If I reveal it to Him, I am not ashamed to admit that I am a sinner to others!
“I don’t have to hide from Him or anyone else any longer.
“I bring my sin to Him openly.
“I have sinned against Him and I openly confess it to Him.
“I don’t deserve to be in His Presence.
“I can’t work hard enough to gain His respect.
“I can’t bribe, beg or steal my way through a side door into heaven, but I also cannot avoid God.
“I cannot deny that God is there…and that He loves me!
“I cannot disavow His holiness – I will not deny that His justice has every right to condemn me.
“I deserve death and hell…There, I said it!
“Instead, I embrace the cross on which Jesus died as the cross on which I should have died.
“I give Jesus Christ my sin…and, with my sin, I also give Him my life.
“I trust Him, by faith in His power, to make me whole again.
“I trust Him with my future…with my whole eternal life.
“I stop putting trust and security in myself.
“I invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart to be my Savior, and for His Blood to cleanse me from sin, and I submit my life to Jesus Christ as my Lord!
Confrontation of our sin is the initial confrontation of the Gospel. If one does not want their sin to be confronted then there is no need to pursue the Gospel of Jesus Christ any further.
The Gospel is not only confrontive, it is deeply Compassionate.
The Compassion of the Gospel
Psalm 147:3
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
Isaiah 52 (See Romans 10:15)
7How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
The world is desperate for spiritual and emotional healing, in a broken world.
The Four Things that No One Can Deny
1.Existence: I exist. (We exist. Creation exists. The Universe exists.)
2.Supernatural Things Exist: Good exists and evil exists.
3.I am affected by Supernatural Existence: Although I would like to always do good and be seen as a good person, there are times when I participate with evil (we all sin).
4.I am Frail: We might seem strong at times, but really we are frail people…we all die.
The Gospel is compassionate and it has an amazing conclusion!
The Radical Conclusion of the Gospel
God’s Biblical Plan for the World
God’s Long Term Plan:
•That those who love Him, and have been transformed by Him, in mankind, would be united with Him for Eternity.
Ephesians 1
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Colossians 1
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Ephesians 1:5
5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will….
•God takes us to be with Him in heaven, when we die, and He has chosen to live with us and be our God, for eternity.
Ezekiel 37:27
27 My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Revelation 21
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
The gospel confronts our sin but presents to us one who is our Savior and Redeemer from sin.
The Gospel gives us compassionate hope for the cleansing from the guilt of our sin, and the hope of being reconciled with God.
The Gospel gives us a wonderful conclusion, by providing for us eternal life.
Conclusion
How to Share Your Faith Without an Argument
By Chaplain Bill Fay (adapted)
Step 1: Ask five nonthreatening questions:
1. Do you have any kind of spiritual belief?
2. Who is Jesus Christ to you?
3. Do you think there’s a heaven or hell?
4. If you were to die right now, where would you go?
During the conversation surrounding the above four questions, you are simply the one asking the questions. You are a neutral, kind, interested, and intuitive listener who doesn’t share his opinion, but only seeks to understand where the person is coming from. You continue this gracious questioning through the fifth question:
5. If what you believe is not true, do you want to know it?
There are only two possible answers to question 5 – “yes” or “no”. If the answer is yes, you can go on. If the answer is no, simply wrap up the conversation by thanking the individual for answering honestly.
Often the person will inquisitively say, “You are really going to stop now?
Is that all?”
Your honest response is that, “You said you didn’t want to know any more.”
If they really want you to go on, then go to step 2.
Step 2: Turn to the following passages in your Bible and let the person read them for him or herself.
•Open the Bible to Romans 3:23 and hand the Bible to the other person to read. Then ask, “What does that say to you?”
It is hard to misinterpret “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” The response has to be: “All have sinned.”
•Turn over to Romans 6:23 and ask the person to read it. Let God’s Word convict of sin and convince of truth. This is not just something to do with religion, but it is part of a vital relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in (or through) Christ Jesus our Lord.
•Then turn to John 3:3 to find how to have that relationship with God, because of Christ. You can say, “A man just like yourself asked Jesus how one gets to heaven. Here is Jesus’ answer.”
John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
•Follow this by turning to John 14:6 and have the person read Jesus’ statement:
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Ask: “Do you see any way to get to heaven other than through Jesus Christ?”
•To help the person internalize the truth of Christ’s redemption for all, even people who feel God wouldn’t want to save them, turn to Rom. 10:9-10&13.
Romans 10:9-10 … if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Rom. 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Ask if these verses include them, then share with them the “pen illustration”:
The Pen Illustration
Hold up a pen and tell them that if you wanted to give them your pen as a gift, what would they have to do to have it become theirs?
…Be nice to you?
…Pay you for it?
…Work hard for it?
No, all the person has to do is to reach out and simply receive it.
•Now turn in the Bible to Revelation 3:20.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Ask, “Who controls the door?”
Before asking if the person wishes to open his heart to Jesus Christ ask five more critical questions:
1. Are you a sinner?
2. Do you want forgiveness of your sin?
3. Do you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and rose again?
4. Are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ – and trust Him for the results?
5. Are you willing to invite Jesus Christ into your life and into your heart?
After the final question, just wait. Pray silently for the person’s response. Don’t interfere with the work of the Holy Spirit in the person’s heart. You have shared your faith; you can now trust God for the results.
Let the Gospel be confrontive, you do not have to be!