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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: GENTLE (10/21/21)
When it comes to the evangelization and or the edification of others, Church Age believers generally fall into one of two general categories.

In category number one, there are those who rarely share the Gospel Message or edifying principles of Scripture with anyone, other than perhaps family members or close friends.

In light of the Mark 6: 4 principles, this greatly diminishes the production rate of success.

“Jesus said to them, “A prophet (spokesperson for God) is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household (Mark 6: 4 NASB parenthesis mine.)”

The truth is, many are ashamed, embarrassed, or intimidated when it comes to speaking up for God outside of their own personal comfort zone of like-minded people.

Despite the Biblical warning (Mark 8: 38), I believe we have all been there and done that more times than what we would care to admit.

In category number two, there are those who are so arrogant or aggressive that they turn people off, coming across as know-it-alls, holier than thou, judgmental, or brutally insensitive and intrusive types of individuals.

Somewhere in between these two categorical mountains there is a valley. Within this valley, there is a relatively small, but very effective, group of Church Age believers when it comes to fulfilling the Great Commission.

Most of them migrated there from the mountains of category one or category two, leaving behind either the comfort zone of category one or the arrogance of category two in order to follow Jesus down the trail of effective discipleship.

Advancing disciples are not ashamed, embarrassed, or intimidated, but neither does he, “think more highly of himself than he ought to think (Romans 12: 3 NASB).”

An advanced disciple doesn’t have to go around looking for someone to edify or evangelize. God the Holy Spirit will use the unspoken testimony of his priorities, attitudes, and lifestyle to draw inquirers to him.

After having built a Biblically-sound soul structure for their own edification (Matt. 7: 24 – 27), advancing disciples have mastered the art of knowing what to say and when to say it (Eccl. 3: 7). Probably most important to our subject at hand, they have learned how say it when evangelizing and or edifying others.

“… sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1Peter 3: 15 NASB).”

Many Christians secure the knowledge, but fail to develop the diplomatic skills necessary to be the most effective ambassador for Christ (2Cor. 5: 20).

The world mistakes gentleness for weakness.

Advancing disciples learn that in God’s timing, the convicting power of God the Holy Spirit is all the force that is necessary to break through the strongholds of the devil. The disciples’ part is to set the example and to provide the information when God gives them the opportunity to do so.

By learning to keep the focus of the inquiry on oneself, the counter-productive pitfall of appearing to be judgmental can be avoided.

By providing Biblical substantiation to what you believe, and it’s impact on what you do, you will get your point across without putting inquirers into the defensive mode. In the defensive mode, people are not in a learning state of mind.

Take care not to assume what the role is that God wants you to play in either the evangelization or the edification of another person.
We could be the one that God uses to plant the seed of the Gospel Message or an edifying principle of Bible doctrine.

We could be the one that God uses to waters the seed that another has planted. We could be the one that God uses to fertilize or cultivate a plant that has already begun to grow. We could be the one that God uses to reap the harvest.

Each link plays it’s own role in a series of links that forms a chain. By the example we set and or the words we speak, the link we establish is either the beginning of a new chain, the extending of an existing chain, or its completion.

In conclusion, beginning, extending, or completing the chain that leads to the salvation and or the edification of others is most effectively constructed by builders who do so with gentleness (1Pet. 3: 15 NASB) and compassion.
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This article has been read 1777 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Robert Rutaagi 
10/29/21

This is a good and uplifting teaching. Well done.
Michael Edwards 
10/30/21
Good message Doug. I know exactly what you are talking about. We all need encouragement to share Christ. I want to add to your encouragement. I do believe that God can use the words of anyone to share Christ and words are necessary. "How can they believe if they do not hear." God has used me, the most unlikely person, to share the gospel with strangers for years. Over the years I have asked thousands of people various questions when shifting from the natural to the spiritual. For the last two years, after saying I have a question for you, the question has been, "How long have you been trusting Jesus as your Savior?" I have found it to be a very powerful God given question and very direct to the point. If they express any faith at all, and many do, I never question it, I greatly encourage their faith and pray for them. I tell them they are on solid ground and greatly loved. If they say no, I try and engage them. In both cases I offer them a book I always carry with me that offers the evidence for our faith, to encourage the believer and challenge the skeptic. I also heartily ask the believer to pass it on to a nonbeliever or struggling believer when they are done. I encourage others to ask strangers "How long have you been trusting Jesus as your Savior?" You will be blessed. Great message Doug.
Philippa Geaney
10/31/21
Thank you for your discourse. It encourages me. I am happy to be a link anywhere in His chain.
Gloria Pierre Dean
11/01/21
Advancing disciples, planting or watering; thank you for the good description of our two roles in the Kingdom of God.
Marlene MCPherson
11/02/21
A discourse that I have witness from time to time. I like how the writer has shown the balance.
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
11/04/21
Congrtulations!
Art Fahy 
11/06/21
Congratulations Doug on your entry Easy Does It.
It took me awhile to muster up the courage to speak about Jesus. I tell my story and what Jesus did for me.
Rather plain and simple.
Yet there is always a slight hesitantly. The Holy Spirit will always provide the words for me to speak and place the people in front of me.