Many of the people we labor to bring to Christ genuinely want to be saved, but they run into obstacles that they consider serious and insurmountable. Before you examine the particular obstacle standing in your listener’s way, it is good to point him once more to his need of the Savior.
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
FEELINGS OF HOPELESSNESS
I. “I AM AN EXCEEDINGLY GREAT SINNER.”
ORDINARY CASES
1. Christ came to save the greatest sinners.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1:15)
2. Christ came to call sinners to repentance.
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)
3. Christ died for the ungodly and for sinners.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
4. Christ bore the iniquity of those who had gone astray.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
SPECIAL CASES
5. The person who says, “I am lost!”
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10)
6. Hardened criminals.
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. 18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar. (Psalm 51:1-19)
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, (Romans 5:20)
GENERAL NOTES
- Never comfort a sinner with the words, “You are not such a great sinner.”
- Once you have found the particular obstacle, show your listener how to receive salvation.
II. “MY HEART IS EXCEEDINGLY HARD.”
1. If your heart is hard and evil, then you must be among the lost.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10)
2. Even though you are a hard-hearted sinner, Christ will receive you.
37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37)
3. If you come humbly before God, He will give you a new heart.
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
4. God wants to change you completely — you must be born again.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
III. “I HAVE DONE A CERTAIN EVIL THAT I CANNOT UNDO.”
1. You cannot undo the evil you have done before you have received Christ.
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. (John 3:36)
43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:43)
2. If there is something that must be put right, Christ will give you the strength to put it right.
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
IV. “I HAVE NEGLECTED THE DAY OF SALVATION.”
This is a serious obstacle, one that is often the fruit of a weak bodily condition and a troubled, ailing state of mind.
1. Whoever comes to Christ will not be cast out.
37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37)
2. Whoever calls on God from the heart will be saved.
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
The thief was saved at the last hour.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
Manasseh humbled himself, and God had mercy on him.
1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” 5 In both courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger. 7 He took the image he had made and put it in God’s temple, of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. 8 I will not again make the feet of the Israelites leave the land I assigned to your ancestors, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them concerning all the laws, decrees and regulations given through Moses.” 9 But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. 10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 12 In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. 13 And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God. (2 Chronicles 33:1-13)
V. “IT IS TOO LATE NOW; THERE IS NO HOPE FOR ME.”
This reason is similar to the previous one. John 6:37 can be used in this case as well.
37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37)
1. It is not yet altogether too late.
30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. 31 For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath. (Deuteronomy 4:30-31)
2. God wants everyone to repent.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
3. “Let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)
4. The thief was saved at the last hour.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
VI. “I HAVE COMMITTED THE UNFORGIVABLE, MORTAL SIN.”
1. Show exactly what the unforgivable sin is.
31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:31-32)
From the passage in which we find these words it becomes clear that the unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This blasphemy consists in attributing to Satan an act or work that one knows was done by the Holy Spirit.
2. Use John 6:37.
37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37)
VII. “I HAVE FALLEN AWAY FROM THE FAITH.”
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. (Hebrews 6:4-6)
The way to work with people who are in great anguish of soul because they think they have fallen away is to explain to them exactly what the passage above means.
1. The letter was written for converted Jews who were in danger of apostasy — of rejecting Christ and returning to Judaism. Of a person who has fallen into sin one cannot say that he has “fallen away” or “apostatized,” unless he has consciously rejected Christ and renounced Him.
2. The hearts of those who apostatize are so hardened that they have no desire to return to Christ; therefore it is impossible to renew them again to repentance. Show your listener that he is not an “apostate,” because his heart is not so hardened — on the contrary, it is broken and is seeking repentance through the forgiveness of Christ.
3. Not even Peter can be called an “apostate,” even though he denied Christ. He must not be classed with the people described in Hebrews 6:4-6.
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:31-34)
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:66-72)
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:15-19)
4. Whoever comes to Christ will not be driven away.
37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37)
LEGalism
VIII. “I MUST IMPROVE BEFORE I BECOME A CHRISTIAN.”
1. Christ came to call sinners to repentance, not the good.
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)
2. The prodigal son was sinful, and that is why he returned to his father.
18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:18-24)
3. Come to God just as you are! Do not wait! The tax collector came as a sinner, and God justified him.
10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14)
FEAR OF FAILURE
IX. “THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS HARD.”
1. The Christian life is not hard.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:30)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:17)
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, (1 Peter 1:8)
3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, (1 John 5:3)
2. It is the life of sinners that is hard.
15 Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. (Proverbs 13:15)
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:21)
X. “I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD OUT,” OR “I AM AFRAID I WILL FALL IF I TRY TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN.”
ORDINARY CASES
Find out beforehand whether your listener is sincere and whether some other obstacle lies behind this one. Many people offer this obstacle as an excuse, when in fact their real obstacle is something entirely different.
1. Christ is able to keep us from stumbling and falling.
24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— (Jude 24)
2. “Through God’s power we are shielded…”
5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5)
3. God promises to keep, uphold, and help us.
12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:10, 13)
4. Believers are kept in God’s hand.
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:28-29)
5. Christ saves completely.
25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
SPECIAL CASES
6. People who are afraid of strong, overpowering temptations.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
7. People who are afraid of their own weaknesses.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)
LOVE OF SIN AND OF LIFE IN THE WORLD
XI. “I CANNOT GIVE UP MY SINFUL LIFE.”
1. You must give up sin, or you will perish.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)
8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)
2. You can do this by the strength of Christ.
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
3. The risen Christ is almighty to set you free (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Matthew 28:18).
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)
25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
4. Submit yourself fully to God, and He will free you from the power of sin.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:12-14)
XII. “I MUST GIVE UP TOO MANY THINGS.”
1. “It is better to give up anything at all and leave it behind than to lose your soul.”
36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36)
2. “The only things you must give up are the ones that harm you.”
i. God will withhold no good thing from His children.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11)
ii. God gives His children everything they need.
iii. Worldly things are temporary and harm us.
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
3. “What you give up cannot be compared in the slightest with what you receive.”
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8)
4. “If you neglect Christ’s salvation out of fear that you will have to give some things up, remember that you are making the most dreadful mistake of all.”
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)
XIII. “I WILL LOSE MY FRIENDS IF I BECOME A CHRISTIAN.”
1. You must leave your godless friends behind:
i. Worldly friends are enemies of God.
4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (James 4:4)
ii. Blessed is the one who does not walk with the wicked.
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)
20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20)
2. “You will find better friends.”
i. God, Christ, and the children of God will be your friends.
3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)
ii. You will find true brothers and sisters for yourself.
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30)
XIV. “I CANNOT BE A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE OF MY PROFESSION.”
1. “You can be a Christian, provided your profession is not against God’s will.”
Many think it is impossible for a person to be a Christian in any profession except full-time work for Christ. There are professions in which a person can be a fully devoted Christian. But there are cases in which people genuinely cannot be Christians because of their profession — for example, tavern-keepers, tobacco sellers, keepers of places of amusement, and the like. To such people you can say:
2. “It is better to leave that profession than to continue in it and lose your soul.”
i. “What good is it to gain the whole world?”
36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36)
ii. “Seek first the kingdom of God!”
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
iii. “You will receive a hundredfold if you follow Christ.”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30)
A FAILED START
XV. “I HAVE SOUGHT THE SAVIOR BUT COULD NOT FIND HIM.”
1. You will find Christ when you seek Him with all your heart.
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
2. Do you realize that Christ is seeking you?
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10)
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:3-10)
You say that you are seeking the Savior, but the Word says that He is seeking you. When will the two of you meet?
3. If you sincerely desire to find Christ, I will show you how to do it. (Use the method described in the topic “HOW TO WORK WITH A PERSON WHO SINCERELY DESIRES TO BE SAVED.”)
XVI. “I TRIED TO BE A CHRISTIAN, BUT I DID NOT SUCCEED.”
1. You can try once more, and this time succeed completely, by doing what God tells you.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
2. Reasons for failure:
i. “Did you place your hope for salvation entirely on Christ?”
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
ii. “Did you submit your will entirely to God?”
32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. (Acts 5:32)
iii. “Did you confess Christ before others?”
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:10)
iv. “Did you study God’s Word daily?”
2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, (1 Peter 2:2)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)
v. “Did you rely on God alone for strength and victory, or did you think you could stand in your own strength?”
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, (1 Corinthians 12:9)
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
vi. “Did you pray constantly?”
17 pray continually, (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)
vii. “Did you earnestly seek your baptism with the Holy Spirit?”
49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:4-8)
FEAR OF PERSECUTION
XVII. “I AM AFRAID OF PEOPLE’S MOCKERY.”
1. A person who is afraid of people is in great danger:
i. The fear of man is a satanic snare.
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Proverbs 29:25)
ii. Being ashamed of Christ leads to eternal ruin.
38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. (Mark 8:38)
2. It is a wonderful privilege for the believer to be reviled for Christ’s sake.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)
XVIII. “I WILL BE PERSECUTED IF I BECOME A CHRISTIAN.”
1. All who want to live a godly life will be persecuted.
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (2 Timothy 3:12)
2. It is a privilege for every Christian to be persecuted for Christ’s sake.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (Acts 5:40-41)
20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:20-21)
3. Those who suffer for Christ will reign with Him.
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; (2 Timothy 2:12)
4. Our suffering for Christ is trivial.
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
WRONGLY LEANING ON FEELINGS AND REASON INSTEAD OF FAITH
XIX. “I HAVE NO INNER FEELING.”
There are many who wish to come to Christ but think they cannot, because they have no particular inner feeling. It is good to find out from your listener which of the following feelings he thinks he must have in order to come to Christ:
1. The feeling of joy and peace that Christians speak about:
i. A person receives joy and peace after he comes to Christ.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians 5:22)
ii. A person receives a feeling of inexpressible joy after he believes.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, (1 Peter 1:8)
iii. A person receives salvation not through “feeling” but through “faith.”
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:10)
2. The feeling of sorrow over sin.
The feeling most people in this group expect is the feeling of “godly sorrow.”
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
i. Using the verses in the topic “HOW TO WORK WITH A PERSON WHO IS AWARE OF HIS NEED OF A SAVIOR AND SINCERELY DESIRES TO BE SAVED,” point 1, bring about conviction of sin.
ii. Show that God is not satisfied with sorrow over sin alone. He requires every person to repent, to forsake sin completely, and to receive Christ as his Savior.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah 55:7)
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— (John 1:12)
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 16:31; 2:38)
XX. “THERE ARE MANY THINGS IN THE BIBLE THAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND.”
1. The natural man cannot understand the things of God.
14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. (Daniel 12:10)
16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. (2 Peter 3:16-17)
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:11-12)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33)
2. God has revealed in His Word the way a person may understand spiritual things and truths.
17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. (John 7:17)
18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (Psalm 119:18)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)
XXI. “I CANNOT BELIEVE.”
1. Find out what it is your listener cannot believe. Ordinary people who say they cannot believe certain events or truths described in the Bible do believe in God and Christ. To such people, say that when they receive salvation through faith in Christ, their unbelief in those events or truths will disappear. If your listener is a skeptic, use the topic “HOW TO WORK WITH SKEPTICS AND ATHEISTS.”
2. Keep in mind that sometimes the “supposed” inability of some people to believe is hidden in their unwillingness to give up certain sins.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah 55:7)
3. Show your listener how to believe.
17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. (John 7:17)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:5-7)
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31)
4. Tell your listener to read the Gospel of John carefully, praying that God will open his spiritual eyes.
HURT AND DISAPPOINTED BY CHRISTIANS
XXII. “A PERSON WHO CLAIMS TO BE A CHRISTIAN WRONGED ME.”
1. Has Christ wronged you?
5 This is what the Lord says: “What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves. (Jeremiah 2:5)
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
2. The fact that a so-called Christian has done you great harm must not lead you to do yourself even greater harm by rejecting Christ and neglecting eternal life — things that will be the cause of your eternal ruin.
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. (John 3:36)
7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
XXIII. “THERE ARE MANY CHRISTIANS WHO ARE HYPOCRITICAL AND INCONSISTENT.”
1. The person who sees the faults of others before he sees his own is the greatest hypocrite of all.
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)
2. Even though there are hypocrites in the church, that does not excuse you.
1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:1-5)
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. (Romans 14:10-12)
There are hypocrites in every organization, but this does not lower the organization itself. You must not deny Christ because you have found one or a few hypocrites. At the last judgment you will not answer for the sins of the hypocrites, but personally for your own.
3. Even though there are hypocrites in the church on earth, they will not be admitted into Heaven.
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. 33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? (Matthew 23:13, 33)
51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:51)
If you do not want to be with the hypocrites in hell for all eternity, you must become a true Christian NOW.
“Many unbelievers may seem at first glance more virtuous than some Christians. Christianity, however, is not a religion for perfect people, because, on account of the fall, human nature is not good to begin with; and depending on their social environment, family upbringing, education, and other factors, people enter the church with different pasts and characters. It is entirely possible for an unbeliever to have no problem in a certain area where a believer does. The Christian life is a daily struggle with the old self (from before the meeting with Christ), and some believers may need years of unceasing surrender to God before they see any restoration of the image of God in a particular area of their life. The apostle Paul himself says:
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Philippians 3:12)
When an airplane crashes, everyone talks about it; yet at the same time hundreds take off successfully without a single comment. So too, when a handful of believers fail to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of their faith, it is pointed at with a finger; but the history of the church and our own times overflow with testimonies of people who radically changed their lives for the better as a result of turning to faith and committing themselves to a local church. So we can be at peace to admit that exceptions may exist, but on the whole the church remains the most gracious place in which a person builds up his own virtue.
Although people often judge Christianity by the behavior of Christians, the final verdict on the trustworthiness of Christianity must rest on the life of Christ Himself. If Christ was a hypocrite, then there is no reason to associate with the church at all. But if He was not a hypocrite, and was exactly who He claimed to be, then we ought to commit ourselves to the church. The purpose of the church is not to bring glory and honor to its members. The church exists to honor and obey Christ.
Christianity presents a perfect Christ for imperfect people. In Christ there is no error. In Him there is no wickedness, nor any deceit. He loved the truth; He did the truth; and He is the truth!”
A LACK OF FORGIVENESS
XXIV. “I CANNOT FORGIVE A CERTAIN PERSON.”
This is often the obstacle for some, even though it goes unmentioned.
1. You must forgive, or you will perish.
15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:15)
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:21-35)
2. The wrong that this person has done you cannot be compared with what you have done to Christ.
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:23-35)
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
3. If you are willing, you can forgive with Christ’s help.
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
DISPUTING GOD’S JUSTICE AND THE NEED FOR CHRIST’S SACRIFICE
XXV. “IT SEEMS TO ME THAT GOD IS CRUEL AND UNJUST.”
1. Who are you to speak against God?
20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” (Romans 9:20)
2. God’s wisdom, knowledge, and judgments are unsearchable.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33)
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” (Job 40:2)
3. Often people think God is cruel because He punishes them, without understanding that He does this for their good.
5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? (Hebrews 12:5-7)
10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. (Hebrews 12:10-12)
4. The punishment and the suffering bound up with it are for a little while, and cannot be compared with the glory that will replace them after the trial.
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
5. God is not cruel; He is merciful, full of love and compassion.
9 In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
XXVI. “I CANNOT SEE THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST’S DEATH FOR THE SALVATION OF PEOPLE.”
1. Who are you to criticize God’s plan?
20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” (Romans 9:20)
You must recognize your own sinfulness, and then you will understand why Christ had to die. (Use the topic “HOW TO WORK WITH A PERSON WHO IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE FATE OF HIS SOUL.”)