Following the ‘friend of sinners’ – the missionary mind of the ordinary Christians
Why do we go quiet on Jesus?
1 Cor 10:33 … that others be saved.
Jesus the friend of sinners
Luke 19:1-10 – Zacheaus was the typical sinner.
Does your life, your words, your actions and social life demonstrating your desire to have fellowship with “sinners”?
Paul – the flexible apostle
1 Cor 9:19-23 – “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
1 Cor 10:30-11:1
1) Live with desire to bring glory and honour to the one true God (1 Cor 10:31)
2) Do not cause any of your brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble (1 Cor 10:32-33)
3) Actively pursue the salvation of others (1 cor 10:33-11:1)
Warning 1 … not praying or preparing to ever share the gospel
Warning 2 … no difference between them and their mates.
A heart for the gospel?
1 Cor 10:31
The hidden mission – Promoting the gospel with our prayers
Mat 9:35-38
Compassion and prayer
Do you have a gospel heart? Are you praying for workers to bring in the harvest?
Prayer and mission throughout the bible
1) Pray for the unbeliever – that they will come to know
– 1 Tim 2:1-4
2) Pray for the ongoing work of those who evangelise unbelievers
– Eph 6:19
Qu: How can I meet with sinners but not sin with sinners?
Qu: Is it more ungodly for a Christian to accept an invitation from your work mates to watch the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on Saturday night or to go to a Crows game on a Sunday morning?
Qu: When did you last make a passing comment about your faith (not condemning others) … what was the reaction?