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The new challenges we face in
sharing the good news
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Jean Julien
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Charlie Hebdo
Cartoon
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Making the Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Goals for today’s sermon
1. Gain a deeper understanding of our culture’s
disdain for religious intolerance.
2. Explore the ways in which Jesus’ exclusive
claims collide with our “it’s all good” culture.
3. Come up with an evangelistic strategy that is
true to Jesus’ claims and builds a bridge
towards people who are inclined to reject
the gospel as being “narrow-minded.”
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
1. Understanding our culture
of inclusion.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Piotr
Młodożeniec
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Peace/
Buddhism
Judaism
Bahaism
Taoism
Islam Equality Christianity
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Jesus' Exclusivity
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Webster’s Definition of Tolerate - 1973
“To recognize and respect [others’
beliefs, practices, etc.] without sharing
them.”
“To bear or put up with [someone or
something not especially liked].”
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
The New Tolerance
“The belief that every individuals beliefs,
values, lifestyle and perception of truth are
equal… There is no hierarchy of truth. Your
beliefs and my beliefs are equal and all truth
is relative.”
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
The New Intolerance
Emily
Brooker
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
The New Intolerance
Chaplain
Wes Modder
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
2. Understanding how Jesus’
exclusive message collides
with our culture.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Jesus’ Exclusive
Statements
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
John 14
4And you know the way to where I
am going.” 5Thomas said to him,
“Lord, we do not know where you
are going. How can we know the
way?”
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
John 14
6Jesus said to him, “I am the way,
and the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through
me.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
John 10
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly,
truly, I say to you, I am the door of
the sheep.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
John 10
8 All who came before me are
thieves and robbers, but the sheep
did not listen to them.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
John 10
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by
me, he will be saved and will go in
and out and find pasture.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
John 10
10 The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy. I came that
they may have life and have it
abundantly.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
John 10
14 I am the good shepherd. I know
my own and my own know me,
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
John 10
15 just as the Father knows me and I
know the Father; and I lay down my
life for the sheep.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
John 10
16 And I have other sheep that are
not of this fold. I must bring them
also, and they will listen to my voice.
So there will be one flock, one
shepherd.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Jesus’ Followers Mirror
His Exclusive
Statements
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Acts 4
11 This Jesus is the stone that
was rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Acts 4
12 And there is salvation in no one
else, for there is no other name
under heaven given among men by
which we must be saved.”
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Galatians 1
6 I am astonished that you are so
quickly deserting him who called
you in the grace of Christ and are
turning to a different gospel—
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Galatians 1
7 not that there is another one,
but there are some who trouble you
and want to distort the gospel of
Christ.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Galatians 1
8 But even if we or an angel from
heaven should preach to you a gospel
contrary to the one we preached to
you, let him be accursed.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Galatians 1
9 As we have said before, so now I
say again: If anyone is preaching to
you a gospel contrary to the one you
received, let him be accursed.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
3. Developing an evangelistic
strategy that is true to Jesus’ claims
and builds a bridge towards people
who are inclined to reject the
gospel as being “narrow-minded.”
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
A. Don’t change the gospel in
order to spread the gospel.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
Pope Francis Inclusive Statement
concerning Atheists.
"The Lord created us in His image and
likeness, and we are the image of the
Lord, and He does good and all of us
have this commandment at heart: do
good and do not do evil. All of us.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
‘But, Father, this is not Catholic! He
cannot do good.’ Yes, he can... "The Lord
has redeemed all of us, all of us, with
the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just
Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the
atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!"..
We must meet one another doing good.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
‘‘But I don’t believe, Father, I
am an atheist!’ But do good:
we will meet one another
there.”
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
B. Build a case for the
exclusivity of the gospel on
the basis of the exclusivity
of truth.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
John 18
37Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?”
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For
this purpose I was born and for this purpose I
have come into the world—to bear witness
to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth
listens to my voice.” 38Pilate said to him,
“What is truth?”
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
C. Don’t reject tolerance.
Reject the new tolerance,
but practice true
tolerance.
Making The Case for
Jesus’ Exclusivity
“Tolerance isn't about
not having beliefs. It's
about how your beliefs
lead you to treat people
who disagree with you.”Timothy
Keller
The new challenges we face in
sharing the good news

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Jesus' Exclusivity

  • 1. The new challenges we face in sharing the good news
  • 2. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Jean Julien
  • 3. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity
  • 5. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Making the Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity
  • 6. Goals for today’s sermon 1. Gain a deeper understanding of our culture’s disdain for religious intolerance. 2. Explore the ways in which Jesus’ exclusive claims collide with our “it’s all good” culture. 3. Come up with an evangelistic strategy that is true to Jesus’ claims and builds a bridge towards people who are inclined to reject the gospel as being “narrow-minded.”
  • 7. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity 1. Understanding our culture of inclusion.
  • 8. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Piotr Młodożeniec
  • 9. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Peace/ Buddhism Judaism Bahaism Taoism Islam Equality Christianity
  • 10. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity
  • 12. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity
  • 13. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Webster’s Definition of Tolerate - 1973 “To recognize and respect [others’ beliefs, practices, etc.] without sharing them.” “To bear or put up with [someone or something not especially liked].”
  • 14. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity The New Tolerance “The belief that every individuals beliefs, values, lifestyle and perception of truth are equal… There is no hierarchy of truth. Your beliefs and my beliefs are equal and all truth is relative.”
  • 15. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity The New Intolerance Emily Brooker
  • 16. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity The New Intolerance Chaplain Wes Modder
  • 17. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity 2. Understanding how Jesus’ exclusive message collides with our culture.
  • 18. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Jesus’ Exclusive Statements
  • 19. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity John 14 4And you know the way to where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
  • 20. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity John 14 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
  • 21. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity John 10 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
  • 22. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity John 10 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
  • 23. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity John 10 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
  • 24. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity John 10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
  • 25. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity John 10 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
  • 26. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity John 10 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
  • 27. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity John 10 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
  • 28. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Jesus’ Followers Mirror His Exclusive Statements
  • 29. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Acts 4 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
  • 30. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Acts 4 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
  • 31. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Galatians 1 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
  • 32. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Galatians 1 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
  • 33. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Galatians 1 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
  • 34. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Galatians 1 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
  • 35. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity 3. Developing an evangelistic strategy that is true to Jesus’ claims and builds a bridge towards people who are inclined to reject the gospel as being “narrow-minded.”
  • 36. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity A. Don’t change the gospel in order to spread the gospel.
  • 37. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity Pope Francis Inclusive Statement concerning Atheists. "The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: do good and do not do evil. All of us.
  • 38. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity ‘But, Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.’ Yes, he can... "The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!".. We must meet one another doing good.
  • 39. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity ‘‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”
  • 40. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity B. Build a case for the exclusivity of the gospel on the basis of the exclusivity of truth.
  • 41. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity John 18 37Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
  • 42. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity C. Don’t reject tolerance. Reject the new tolerance, but practice true tolerance.
  • 43. Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity “Tolerance isn't about not having beliefs. It's about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you.”Timothy Keller
  • 44. The new challenges we face in sharing the good news

Hinweis der Redaktion

  1. We continue to be shocked and deeply saddened by the terrorist attacks in Paris by Islamic Jihadists. In the aftermath there has been a clash of attitudes in France concerning the role of religion in the healing process. This first symbol has gone viral. French artist Jean Julien designed the Peace for Paris symbol blending three images, a peace sign, the iconic Eiffel Tower and the cross. It is a beautiful expression of our desire for peace, our solidarity with the French people and a reminder that true peace comes from Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
  2. Last week one of the top trending hashtags on Twitter was #Pray for Paris. The logo in the upper corner is that of a British company wanting to express its condolences and solidarity with the grieving people of Paris. But as you might expect, this combination of religious symbols and calls for prayer have made some uncomfortable.
  3. You may remember Charlie Hebdo. They were the irreverent group of journalists who were attacked by Islamic Extremists for their unflattering comments concerning Islam. If you’re having trouble reading this Hebdo cartoon, the Frenchman is saying: “Friends from the whole world, thank you for #PrayforParis but we don’t need more religion! Our faith goes to music! Kisses! Life! Champagne and Joy! #Paris is about Life. This clash of images and attitudes blowing up on the Twitterverse illustrates what we spoke about last week. How the cross of Jesus brings division. To us the cross symbolizes the true remedy to man’s falleness. But to many the cross of Jesus and the Christian faith at large is part of the problem, not the solution.
  4. This week in our next to last message in the iWitness series we will be making the case for Jesus’ Exclusivity. Jesus made some very exclusive statements about himself and His role in our salvation. Those statements stand in stark contrast to our culture and have either been ignored or vehemently opposed. Yet, I believe that these exclusive statements are non-negotiables in our faith and must be explicitly a part of any evangelistic outreach.
  5. Goals for today’s sermon: Gain a deeper understanding of our culture’s disdain for religious intolerance. Explore the ways in which Jesus’ exclusive claims collide with our “it’s all good” culture. Come up with an evangelistic strategy that is true to Jesus’ claims and builds a bridge towards people who are inclined to reject the gospel as being “narrow-minded.”
  6. Let’s begin by seeking to understand our culture of inclusion. One of the key vehicles to understanding our culture is to look at the images
  7. In 2001 Polish graphic artist, Piotr Młodożeniec, designed this symbol. It was commissioned by an art museum in Jerusalem that wanted a means of calling the three major religions in Israel, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, to a peaceful coexistence.
  8. Since then this symbol has been added to and a new message has been imported. As you can see other religious icons have been added. The message is not exclusively one of peaceful coexistence, as Piotr Młodożeniec intended. There is an added utopian message that it doesn’t matter what you believe. Coexist has come to mean “it’s all good.” The specific content of your faith doesn’t matter. All the great religions teach the same things. There’s nothing to argue about… just chill and coexist and we will succeed in building a better tomorrow.
  9. This symbol continues to evolve. Now the “E” represents science and reason. This is intended to reach out to the atheists for whom science and non-religious reason is everything. But notice also the reaching out to the occult with the Egyptian Ankh, a symbol of paganism and the wiccan symbol used in witchcraft. As you can see there is not just a blending of religions, but a not at all subtle message that our categories of good and evil are in need of updating. But let me share two more images. They are not coexist variants, but they are made in the same style and extend the message of coexist.
  10. Throw in a peace pipe, a jazzy guy playing a horn and the familiar array of secular and religious symbols and you get one of the other buzzwords of the new millennium… TOLERANCE. And if you throw in an Arabic looking “E” and a Catholic Rho Xhi and the other familiar images, out pops RESPECT. Coexistence, Tolerance and Respect. All of these are positive terms. 25 years ago we would have all seen these as virtues and we would have perceived in these words no threat to the gospel. If anything, we would have seen these as attitudes that naturally flow out of our faith in Jesus. They are kingdom values.
  11. On the streets of New York City there were no lack of guys who wanted to get you to play the “shell game.” It was always amazing how they could put that pea under one shell and move in such a way as to convince you, almost every time, to choose the wrong shell. These street performers, for lack of a better term, were masters of deception and sleight of hand. Right now, in our culture, there is a semantic shell game going on. And those who play this game are masters of their craft. Words like coexistence, tolerance and respect are being manipulated and changed in meaning. And because these words have a history of positive meaning, they continue to evoke our emotional support despite their radical redefinition.
  12. “To recognize and respect [others’ beliefs, practices, etc.] without sharing them.” “To bear or put up with [someone or something not especially liked].” Behind the traditional meaning of tolerance was a “live and let live attitude.” It did not imply personal buy in or support. It did, however, guarantee respectful treatment towards those with whom we disagreed. If you are 45 or older, you probably grew up with this understanding of tolerance. However, over the last 30 years, this word tolerance has been redefined. Josh McDowell calls the meaning that has replaced the classic definition “the new tolerance.”
  13. He defines the New Tolerance in this way: The New Tolerance “The belief that every individuals beliefs, values, lifestyle and perception of truth are equal… There is no hierarchy of truth. Your beliefs and my beliefs are equal and all truth is relative.”
  14. College student Emily Brooker, whose professor ordered her to publicly advocate for homosexual adoption by signing a letter to the legislature. When she objected, she was brought before an ethics committee and threatened with having her diploma withheld.  
  15. This year Chaplain Wes Modder was fighting for his career. Ordained by the Assembly of God. Highly decorated. Served as Chaplain to the Navy Seals. Do you begin to see the pattern? There is great intolerance in the tolerance movement. There is great disrespect for Christians in a culture that prides itself in respect. And coexistence increasingly insists on marginalizing the cross. Christianity can coexist provided that Christians stay quiet about their faith outside the walls of the church and provided that nothing politically incorrect happens inside. What is it about Christianity that has made it a special target of disdain? Let’s look to the Bible and the reason will emerge quickly. He came under attack by the military chaplaincy for affirming traditional marriage and counseling sailors not to engage in pre-marital sex, but rather to practice sexual purity. These eminently biblical positions were deemed to be intolerant. This September, the military, in response to a huge outcry, removed all references to disciplinary action in his separation from the service. Yet, the tragic truth remains that an exceptional chaplain ended his career early due to the hostile climate that made it difficult for him to do the work of a chaplain as a committed Christ-follower who would stay true to the full counsel of God’s Word.
  16. Why is it that many of the world’s religions do not evoke the hatred that is directed towards the Christian faith? I think that there is a lesser and a greater reason. The lesser reason is more psychological. There seems to be a pendulum swing towards the affirming of minority causes and a disdaining of the majority. Christianity is perceived as the majority culture and seems to be viewed as the bully in the playground. It’s really a gross error of perception, because if we define Christian as people who’ve had a life-changing encounter with Jesus and are actively living out the statutes and teachings he set forth, I believe that the number of such Christ-followers is very much a minority. That is, I believe, the lesser reason.
  17. But the greater reason has to do with several of the statements that Jesus made. Jesus said things that make it difficult to make him one of many good options. Let’s look at a few of these exclusive statements together. Turn with me to John 14 in your Bibles so that you can look at the context of the verses I will put on the screen. I’ll give you a moment to get there…. As you can see, Jesus has called for his disciples to believe not only in the Father, but to believe in Him as well. It is a powerful assertion of his deity and co-equality with the Father. He follows this up with a precious promise that he will be going soon to prepare a heavenly dwelling for His followers. This statement sets up a question by Thomas and a dialogue.
  18. 4And you know the way to where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 
  19. 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14) 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. There is an important linguistic feature in this verse. In the English language we have two articles, “a” and “the”. “A” is the indefinite article. I can refer to a variety of things. “A” car could mean any car in the parking lot. “The” is the definite article. If I am looking for “the” car I have one particular car in mind. In Greek, there is no word for the indefinite article. The absence of a definite article implies an indefinite article. But when the definite article is present it removes all doubt that the writer intends its use. So, when Jesus said, I am “THE” way and “THE” truth and “THE” life it was clear that he didn’t just see Himself as one of many pathways to God. But Jesus wasn’t about to rely upon grammar alone to make this important assertion. In the last sentence of verse 6 he removes all ambiguity. No one comes to the Father except through me. In the Greek, No one means… wait for it…. NO ONE! Here is where the teachings of Jesus collide vigorously with our culture which asserts, “It’s all good.” This statement in John 14 is Jesus most direct assertion of his exclusivity. However, it is not the only such statement that He makes. In fact, this concept permeates Jesus’ Good Shepherd teaching in John chapter 10. Turn back 4 chapters and let’s look at this together, starting in verse 7:
  20. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  John 10 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 
  21. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 
  22. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 
  23. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  Before we look further into this text, let me note the presence of these “I am statements.” Remember that Jesus words are recorded with the Greek “ego eimi”, literally I I am! We’ve talked about this before. It is the way that the Greek translation of the Old Testament translates the name YHWH. So Jesus is asserting his deity with every one of these I Am statements. But notice also the contrast between Himself, the shepherd and all the others who are thieves and robbers. This is not very inclusive language. Let’s continue.
  24. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
  25. 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 
  26. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.  Jesus repeatedly references His special relationship with the Father. He does not speak as if He is one of many avatars or enlightened teachers. And then, here in verse 16 he does speak more broadly. But he doesn’t say what our culture wants Him to say. Jesus’ doesn’t say, “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. Some of them are good practicing Jews. They don’t believe in me, but it’s all good. Some are Zoroastrians. They worship the Persian god Ahura Mazda… it’s all good. Some are Hindu’s and they worship Brahma, Vishnu and Krisha and millions of other gods… it’s all good. It doesn’t matter what fold you’re in, as long as you have a good shepherd.” Is that what we see in verse 16? Jesus says that he has other sheep not yet in His fold. He says, “I must bring them also.” “They will listen to MY voice.” There will be ONE flock and ONE shepherd. Jesus is clearly declaring his unique and exclusive role.
  27. Jesus’ disciples seem to be clueless much of the time. However, when the Holy Spirit comes all of the pieces start to fall into place. They remember Jesus’ exclusive statements and mirror them.
  28. In Acts 4 we see the post-Pentecost Peter. The once cringing Jesus-denying Peter holds nothing back now. He says to the Jewish leaders who were complicit in and driving Jesus’ crucifixion: 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
  29. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” There is no salvation in Abraham’s name. There is no salvation in Moses’ name. There is no salvation in Aaron’s name. There is no salvation in the name of Hillel, or Shammai or any of the great rabbis preceding Jesus. Salvation is exclusively in Jesus’ name.
  30. The apostle Paul did not hear Jesus’ exclusive statements directly. However, the other apostles make sure he is well instructed. In Galatians 1 it is obvious that Paul has got the memo: Turn to Galatians 1 with me. [PAUSE} 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 
  31. 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 
  32. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 
  33. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Paul did not regard other religious texts as scripture. He didn ‘t even accept new versions of the same message. He understood that Jesus’ teaching was not to be modified. The Word of God is living, but that is not how our culture uses the term living document. Our Constitution has been referred to as a living document. That has come to mean that we can make it say anything we want, as long as 5 men and women in black robes say so! Our culture says that broad is good and narrow-mindedness is bad. How different from Jesus’ statement.
  34. 3. Developing an evangelistic strategy that is true to Jesus’ claims and builds a bridge towards people who are inclined to reject the gospel as being “narrow-minded.” After my church merged with the South Shore Community Church in Sarasota, my preaching opportunities were only occasional. As the only seminary trained member of the pastoral staff, I used to get assigned the topics that no one wanted to or felt capable of preaching. I love a challenge. But one of them was an impossible challenge. I was asked to preach on the whole Book of Revelation in a single sermon. I preached a sermon entitled “Roadsigns on the Road to Revelation.” I tried to hit all the major prophetic themes. The sermon was 60 minutes long, meandering and more than a bit confusing despite my best efforts. It was an almost impossible task. I think that what is on the screen right now is an exceedingly difficult challenge. Building bridges is hard work. And the greater the gap to be covered, the greater the challenge. How do you sell people in a fiercely inclusive culture a doggedly exclusive message… that there is only one valid way to God, and that is through His Son Jesus? It’s a hard sell. But that is the challenge we must take on. The effectiveness of our witness in the 21st century hinges upon this very challenge and our ability to meet it. Here are a few thoughts and ideas.
  35. My first thought might seem obvious, but it is where much evangelism falls short. Don’t change the gospel in order to spread the gospel. We see this in many of the positive preachers. They jettison sin and hell. And some are jettisoning Jesus’ exclusive statements. Let me give you one particularly shocking example.
  36. "The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: do good and do not do evil. All of us.
  37. ‘But, Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.’ Yes, he can... "The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!".. We must meet one another doing good.
  38. ‘‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.” Please understand. I am not a Catholic basher. In fact, there is much I respect about the humility of Pope Francis. But this sermon in 2013 is a dangerous example of making the gospel more palatable by removing an essential element of the gospel. Creating a pathway for atheists to enter God’s kingdom yet remaining as unbelievers is not a broadening of the gospel. It is a distortion. Be careful not to make the gospel more palatable at the expense of the gospel.
  39. My first thought might seem obvious, but it is where much evangelism falls short. Don’t change the gospel in order to spread the gospel. We see this in many of the positive preachers. They jettison sin and hell. And some are jettisoning Jesus’ exclusive statements. Let me give you one particularly shocking example.
  40. During Jesus’ trial before Pilate there is a point at which Jesus breaks his silence. It was a discussion concerning truth: 37Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” Pilate’s disregard for absolute categories of truth is identical to the spirit of our age. But notice that Jesus was fiercely committed to truth. He bore witness to the truth and he spoke of people being “of the truth.” Commitment to truth was, in Jesus’ mind, an essential choice. Our salvation depends upon our embracing God’s truth. Whether you believe that this is your choice or God’s choice for you is beside the point. Whatever your belief about free will or sovereign will, as believers we must all agree… No one will be saved who does not embrace God’s truth. Truth matters to God and it should matter to us. It is illogical to assert that Buddhism is a valid pathway to God and that Jesus, who claimed to be the only way, is also valid. Either Jesus is right in his statements concerning Himself, or he is wrong, and thereby loses status as a great teacher. I think we can open people up to Jesus’ exclusive claims on the basis of the fact that truth always excludes. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, 2+2=4 excludes other answers. This is the nature of truth.
  41. Don’t reject tolerance. Reject the new tolerance, but practice true tolerance. One of the mistakes that we can make is to be so angered by this new tolerance that calls upon us to jettison our specific beliefs, and this new intolerance which is constantly disrespecting our Christian beliefs, that we begin to talk like “Jesus Jihadists.” Listen to this sage advice from Tim Keller.
  42. “Tolerance isn't about not having beliefs. It's about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you.”  In order to be soul-winners we need to be winsome people. By staying true to our beliefs but showing those who reject those beliefs kindness and respect, we create a climate of openness and increase the possibility of someday leading that person to Christ. What I am talking about is really hard. My life journey has left me with friends scattered around the country. Part of my heart is in Long Island, NY, part of it is in Sarasota and a very big part of my heart is in Geneseo. Facebook has been a God-send for me in that I am able to maintain contact with so many people. But, I have to tell you, some of my childhood friends do and say things that make my blood boil at times. Some are atheists. Some are at the opposite end of the political spectrum than me. Some say stupid stuff without thinking. I have had to extend a lot of tolerance. There are times where I want to charge in guns blazing. But I am trying to remain in a position of influence. Some of those friends have reached out to me in troubled times and I’ve been able to share the love of Christ. Post-poning the instant gratification of a snarky comment back has given me some far greater opportunities. By maintaining our beliefs we gain integrity. By being tolerant of others we gain opportunity. And by treating others well, we gain influence. Together, these are the teeth on the keys that open locked hearts.