Category Archives: Evangelism & Mission

Titus 2:9f – Witnessing in the workplace – sermon notes

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The most common type of employment throughout the Roman Empire was slavery. Slaves – especially in the East of the empire – were often treated quite well. Some were farm workers or labourers. Others became architects, physicians, administrators, philosophers, writers and teachers. Household slaves had many rights. They could marry and earn money. They were virtually members of the extended families of their owners. But they were still slaves, and would have been tempted to be untrustworthy, dishonest and disloyal.…

Acts 1:1-11 – Returning King – sermon notes

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From the middle of the 2nd century onwards, the 5th book of the NT has been known as ‘The Acts of the Apostles’.  And with good reason: this book tells us a great deal about the exploits of those first Christians leaders, especially Peter and Paul.

Then, about a century ago, someone suggested that the book might well be titled, ‘The Acts of the Holy Spirit’.  To be sure, when you consider the central role of the Holy Spirit in this book, from the day of Pentecost onwards, it’s difficult to argue with that idea.…

Responsibility: withdrawal or involvement?

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This is one of the questions posed by John Stott in his book Christ the Controversialist.

What should be the attitude of the followers of Jesus towards those who do not follow him?  Do we despise them, fear them, shun them, tolerate them, condemn them, or seek to serve them?  What is the responsibility of the church to the world?  Is our attitude Christian or Pharisaic?  See Lk 15:1f.

The Pharisees, let it be said, were keen to proselytise, Mt 23:15. …

If Jesus is the answer, what is the question?

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I suppose that in apologetics and evangelism it is possible to place too much stress on ‘beginning where people are’, and in addressing felt needs.  Nevertheless, it would be foolish to ignore the questions and concerns that are expressed by those to whom we would commend Christ.

With that thought in mind, it is interesting to look at the results of a small survey of people without any religious affiliation.  The survey was carried out as part of Coventry Diocese’s ‘Beyond the Fringe’ research project back in 2003.…

Jonah 2 – Inside the fish – sermon notes

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“Friends, I want to speak to you about wickedness in the world today.  I’m sure that you will agree with me that there are lots of extremely wicked and cruel people around.  The world is full of cheats, and tyrants, and murderers, and liars.  I think that God should punish these wicked people.  I really do.  Don’t you? ‘Course you do!”

That might have been a typical sermon snippet from Jonah the prophet.  One day, the Lord had a word with him: “Jonah, I am very angry and upset with the people of Nineveh. …

Sharing Your Faith

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First and Last Things.  Look at the first thing that Jesus said to his disciples, Mt 4:19.  Look at the last thing he said to them, Mt 28:16-20.  What is similar about these?…

Christian missionaries – a story of oppression?

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For many, the story of Christian missions is a story of oppression of other people and their cultures.

Colonialism

The activities of missionaries are often linked with those of colonists and criminals.  As one 1990 children’s book has it, “The Europeans regarded the Aborigines as a heathen people who needed to be converted to Christianity, and put to work for the benefit of Europeans…Aboriginal lands were confiscated, their children taken away and put in Christian mission stations, their water holes poisoned, and many of their people massacred.”…

Evangelism and social action

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Christians have often perceived a tension between evangelism and social action.  Evangelicals have usually stressed the former, whereas liberals have invariably emphasised the latter.  John Stott writes: ‘the evangelical stereotype has been to spiritualise the gospel, and deny its social implications; while the ecumenical stereotype has been the politicise it, and deny its offer of salvation to sinners.  The polarisation has been a disaster.’

The Need for Holistic Mission

Speaking at the World Congress on Evangelism in Bertin in 1966, Carl Henry stated, ‘that evangelical Christians have a message doubly relevant to the present social crisis…For they know the God of justice and of justification…Whenever Christianity has been strong in the life of a nation, it has had an interest in both law and gospel, in the state as well as the church, in jurisprudence and in evangelism.’…