When we encounter resistant prospects for salvation what should we do?
(Mark 8:22-26; 12:28-34; Luke 23:39-43; John 1:40-41; 4:3-34; 2 Cor. 5:14-21 ) Blog July 12-18, 2020
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: All believers in Jesus are to be his witnesses. They are to tell others about God’s saving love which motivates their testimony. When sinners are converted joy comes to them, to those who witnessed to them, to God, and to the angels in heaven, a multitude of sins are covered by the blood of Christ, and the believer grows more like his Savior. One good way to witness is by sharing your personal testimony about what God has done for you.
Our view of others (Matt. 21:30-34; Mark 1:40-42; 6:34; 8:2-3; Luke 7:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:14-21; Heb. 5:1-2; )
1. According to 2 Corinthians 5 what made Paul see people differently than he had before? His understanding that Christ died for ALL men – the respectable & the unseemly.
2. How does Paul express this new view of humanity? As no longer seeing people according to their bodily appearance (& even Christ’s bodily presence was removed) but rather as a purchase of Jesus.
3. If we take Paul’s view of humanity how will we view others? We will view everyone (rich & poor, citizen & foreigner, white & black, strong & weak, etc.) as a purchase of Jesus’ death & therefore a prospective member of his kingdom who we will desire to bring to Jesus – for those “in Christ” all things are become new.
4. What does Paul go on to say in 2 Corinthians as to how those “in Christ” approach others? We beg them to be reconciled to God who has already reconciled them to himself in the sacrifice of Jesus.
5. Give examples of how Jesus viewed sinners as potential members and fellow laborers in his kingdom: He called boisterous Peter, hot-tempered John, dishonest Matthew, sarcastic Nathanael, & radical Simon Zelotes to be his disciples.
6. What quality required of every high priest characterized Jesus’ attitude toward others who were in need? Compassion, he had compassion on the widow of Nain, the two blind men in Jericho, the hungry multitude, the leper, & the scattered multitude.
7. Because Jesus viewed the unlikely, profligate Mary with supreme compassion what was the result? She found forgiveness of her sins, deliverance from seven evil spirits, a place in Christ’s kingdom, & was the first to see the risen Christ & to tell others (she represents Christ’s bride, the church).
Difficult and unlikely cases: (Matt. 7:6; 10:14-16, 23; Mark 5:7-8; Luke 23:42-43; John 4:7; Acts 9:4; Rom. 3:11)
8. When we encounter difficult prospects for salvation what should we do? All cases are difficult for the third chapter of Romans says “there is none that seeketh after God,” so all cases will require prayer, diligent effort, patience, & time.
9. When we encounter unlikely prospects for salvation what should we do? Unlikely prospects for salvation may take divine intervention like in the case of Saul of Tarsus but before that Stephen spoke clearly to him, gave his testimony before the Sanhedrin, and his life as a martyr.
10. When we encounter resistant prospects for salvation what should we do? Jesus taught in Matthew 10 that we should be wise as serpents & harmless as doves & that there will be times to leave off witnessing to resistant prospects or when persecution arises & move on to new prospects.
11. What should we learn from the fact that Stephen’s persecutor, Saul, became the carrier of Stephen’s message? That even your persecutor may become your successor & that you may accomplish more by your death than by your life.
12. Why did Jesus heal the Gadarene demoniac just after he asked Jesus to leave him alone? Because Jesus read his heart’s longing & overrode the demoniacs request.
13. How did Jesus catch the attention of the Samaritan woman at the well? He being a Jew asked a favor of her which was an unheard-of act for a Jew showing he had no prejudice but only acceptance of her as a person.
14. What story illustrates that Jesus even receives “death-bed” repentance? The story of the dying thief.
Divine direction (Matt. 28:19-20 Mark 2:1-3; 8:22; John 1:40-42; 6:8-9; 12:22; Acts 1:8; 8:26-38; 10:11-20)
15. What principle concerning where to begin sharing your faith was outlined by Jesus just before his ascension? That we should begin where we are & not seek some far away location to start with.
16. How was Philip directed to go far away to witness? An angel & the Holy Spirit spoke to him.
17. How was Peter directed to go to the home of Cornelius the gentile? By a triple vision & the voice of the Holy Spirit.
18. How are we directed to witness for Jesus? First of all we have the testimony of the Bible where Jesus tells us to do just that, then we have the desire to share the good news of the Gospel when it has meant so much to us, & we may receive impressions or words from God or others that point out specific individuals to whom we should witness.
19. How did the blind man in Mark 8 and the paralytic in Mark 2 come to Jesus? They were brought by friends – this shows the importance of bringing to Jesus those who are unable of themselves to go to him.20. What example of good witnessing does the disciple Andrew give us? Rather than making long speeches he just invited people to come to Jesus & then led the way.