What's with the Jesus skywriting?

[aquinas]

I believe the most effective way is to live the transformed life the Bible talks about in Roman's 12 (see excerpt below). Merely telling people about Jesus isn't nearly as effective as living a life that is different, that people admire, that people want to have. That goes for both the real world, as well as the world of the DIS.

Look, I'm not saying that people shouldn't use the DIS as a means of expressing their faith. Many Christians do, and in ways that attract other to Christ. But some of you are doing so in a manner that is counter productive. If I can use you (Joyce) as an example (and I hope this doesn't come across as picking on you) but once you start getting into an argument about who is being more rude, you've lost any chance to witness to that person. Once you use your faith as a snappy comeback, there's no chance of the message reaching anyone.

Furthermore, you can't push your Faith on people. No skywriting, sticking tracks under windshields, etc. That pushes people away more than drawing them in. What does draw people is in that transformed life. Showing that Christianity isn't about where you spend Sunday mornings or having a get-out-of-heck-free card. It's about a life that isn't of this world, but is transformed into something better.

Romans 12:

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Can you just image what the world would be like if everyone that claimed to be a Christina lived their life this way?

Lets back up in Romans for a sec. Romans 10:14-15:

14But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?[c] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

Living a "good life" is not enough. We were made to glorify God. One of the ways we glorify God is proclaiming the Gospel that others may come to God. You must proclaim the Gospel.

Again, you are not the determiner of what is counter productive. God can use anything to draw people to Him. You have no idea of the long term effectiveness of the methods you have mentioned. You just dont like them. I do not care for some methods of evangelizing either but I worship a sovereign and omnipotent God that can and does use anything and anybody to draw people to salvation. Our like or dislike of a method is irrevelant.

 

[JoyG]

((((((Salmoneous))))))) That was well thought out and touching.

 

[aztecgoods]

You're quite a snarky little piece of work, aren't you?


The attitudes I'm reading here are just nasty! It's like we have two teams, the Christians and the Non-Christians. And unfortunately for all the witnessing in the thread, I agree completely with the Non-Christians. And guess what? I AM Christian! I don't want to see stuff like that when I'm on my vacation just as much as I don't want to go to Church when I'm on vacation.

Though I have to ask, Joyce why do you continue to witness in this thread when it's been repeatedly said it's not welcome? That's a complete lack of respect.

I have noooooooooooo idea what you're talking about. I was never "witnessing" to anyone. I was just talking about the skywriter dude. Someone said something about gay luv, then I said something about an alternative lifestyle, and the next thing I knew I was ducking for cover with about 20 Megatons of shell fire headed my way.

 

[carrie s]

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature

Luk 4:43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

Luk 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.


2Cr 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely

 

[JoyG]

Lets back up in Romans for a sec. Romans 10:14-15:

14But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?[c] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

Living a "good life" is not enough. We were made to glorify God. One of the ways we glorify God is proclaiming the Gospel that others may come to God. You must proclaim the Gospel.

Again, you are not the determiner of what is counter productive. God can use anything to draw people to Him. You have no idea of the long term effectiveness of the methods you have mentioned. You just dont like them. I do not care for some methods of evangelizing either but I worship a sovereign and omnipotent God that can and does use anything and anybody to draw people to salvation. Our like or dislike of a method is irrevelant.

I agree that to live a good life is not enough. We are to proclaim the Gospel, but when I read his/her post the second paragraph really popped out for me. At some point in the conversation we have to wonder are we doing more harm than good?

 

[nuke]

It also doesn't say proclaim the gospel 24/7. There is a time and place for everything.

 

[fakereadhed]

Quick poll:

Does anybody remember what this thread was about?

a)yes
b)no
c)who cares- I will use at as a platform to further my beliefs until the thread gets closed down.

 

[salmoneous]

One of the ways we glorify God is proclaiming the Gospel that others may come to God.

Yes, but that doesn't mean be a jerk about it. Understand?

Again, you are not the determiner of what is counter productive.

No, but I can sure report on what I see. And what I see are people that are being told they are turning people away from Christ. They can choose to continue on that path. But, if they really do want to bring people to Christ and not push them away, I would think they would listen to the feedback they are getting and choose more effective means.

 

[Uncle Remus]

21 Actual Announcements Taken From Church Bulletins

Don't let worry kill you -- let the church help.
Thursday night - Potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
The rosebud on the alter this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.
This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.
Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
Wednesday, the ladies Liturgy Society will meet. Mrs. Jones will sing, "Put me in My Little Bed" accompanied by the pastor.
Thursday at 5:00 P.M. there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become little mothers, please see the minister in his study.
This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the alter.
The service will close with "Little Drops of Water." One of the ladies will start quietly and the rest of the congregation will join in.
Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and do so.
The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the church basement Friday.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
The preacher will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth With Joy."
Today...Christian Youth Fellowship House Sexuality Course, 8 p.m. Please park in the rear parking lot for this activity.
During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when A. B. Doe supplied our pulpit.
The Rev. Adams spoke briefly, much to the delight of his audience.
The church is glad to have with us today as our guest minister the Rev. Shirley Green who has Mrs. Green with him. After the service we request that all remain in the sanctuary for the Hanging of the Greens.
The `eighth graders' will be presenting Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in the church basement on Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

 

[Crankyshank]

yes of course people remember what the thread was about. Hello? It's in the title

 

[carrie s]

It also doesn't say proclaim the gospel 24/7. There is a time and place for everything.

So a thread with Jesus' name in the title isnt the place to talk about Jesus?

 

[wallyb]

Quick poll:

Does anybody remember what this thread was about?

a)yes
b)no
c)who cares- I will use at as a platform to further my beliefs until the thread gets closed down.

 

[nuke]

Thursday at 5:00 P.M. there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become little mothers, please see the minister in his study.

Thank God I'm alone at work.

 

[aquinas]

Yes, but that doesn't mean be a jerk about it. Understand?
No, but I can sure report on what I see. And what I see are people that are being told they are turning people away from Christ. They can choose to continue on that path. But, if they really do want to bring people to Christ and not push them away, I would think they would listen to the feedback they are getting and choose more effective means.

People are often resistance at first to the Gospel. It is true as Paul said that the cross is a stumbling block. People's initial resistance should not be the determining factor of effectiveness. We can not see the effect our proclaiming has on people in the long term. God could use our proclamation as an initial building block that takes several years to bring a person to Christ. I have heard several testimonies of people that were hostile to hearing the gospel at first but God kept putting people in their lives to speak with them about it.

Some of the feedback that you always hear is that Christians shouldnt evangelize at all. The cross is a stumbling block. No matter how you present that to people, there are those that are going to be hostile towards the message.

I do agree that we should not be jerks about it BUT there are those that would immediately label you a jerk once you witness to them in any matter.

 

[nuke]

So a thread with Jesus' name in the title isnt the place to talk about Jesus?

No. A thread with the title "Whats with the Jesus skywriter" is a place to talk about the skywriter. If the title was "Let's witness to each other about Jesus" then you can preach all you want.

 

[Honu]

No. A thread with the title "Whats with the Jesus skywriter" is a place to talk about the skywriter. If the title was "Let's witness to each other about Jesus" then you can preach all you want.

 

[LoraJ]

So a thread with Jesus' name in the title isnt the place to talk about Jesus?

There's a born again Christian thread for that.

 

[snels]

I don't have anything to add to the discussion. I do have some more church bulletin announcements.

Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.

The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

Miss Charlene Mason sang, "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.

The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: "Break Forth Into Joy."

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days

 

[JennyMominRI]

There's a born again Christian thread for that.

I just made a thread just for that!!!!

 

[BurkeTribe]

Yes, God told Samuel, the Lord sent him to Saul. I guess your point is the killing of children, infants, etc? Saul obeyed what God told Samuel. Isn't it great that we now live in the Dispensation of Grace? Grace now gives us a opportunity to be reunited with God, not separated from Him. Israel is still special to God and He will judge harshly those who oppose Israel.

Just so we're clear... according to your book of beliefs your deity is omnipotent (can do anything), and one day he decided to tell one of his prophets (not all of his people, just one prophet) to tell his people to slaughter (probably hack to death) all Amalekite men, women, children, and infants... as revenge for something the Amalekites' great great great great (insert many more "great"s here) grandparents did. And you consider your god a Good being?

Guess we have different definitions of "Good."