Schoolmaster Evangelism

I have been praying to the Lord for opportunities to share the gospel with others. And, wouldn’t you know it, He has actually answered that prayer.
The other part of that is I have to see and seize those opportunities. Not all opportunities are the same. Some I get to share the full gospel while other times it may just be a small portion due to the circumstances of the encounter. But, every little seed counts.

I have been trying to use the law as a part of my presentation of the gospel. Sin is a non-negotiable aspect of actually sharing the gospel. And the ten commandments are the best way to show people that they are sinners in need of a Savior.

I didn’t come up with this all by myself. I heard it from the Way of the Master ministries. This is an evangelistic ministry by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. I don’t agree with everything they say, but I do like their gospel presentation.

They actually didn’t come up with it either. It is from scripture. In Mark 10 a guy comes to Jesus’ and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” And as the conversation continues what Jesus uses is the law to show the guy his sinfulness and need for forgiveness.


" And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Mark 10:17-22, ESV)

I love that account. Most Christians today would jump out of their shoes if someone approached them and said, “What must I do to be saved?” It is never that easy. But, look at what Jesus did. He didn’t sign the guy up, or encourage him to get baptized, or ask him to fill out a card and say a prayer. He offended him by pointing him to the law. And the account ends with the guy walking away from Jesus.

Maybe Jesus needs to take a course in relationship evangelism? Maybe Jesus needed to be taught how to build a relationship with this guy and meet him at the local pub to build some lasting bridge into his life? Or not.

Jesus dealt with the primary issue in his life – his sin. And Jesus used the ten commandments to show the guy that he was a sinner.

I have tried to follow that model more often lately and find it surprisingly easy. It is easy to walk people through some of the ten commandments and let them see for themselves that they have fallen short of the glory of God.

I will ask them if they have ever lied, or stolen, or taken God’s name in vain. Most people are willing to acknowledge that they have done those things. If it is a male then I ask them if they have ever lusted after a woman, which Jesus says is adultery. I know that all guys have done that.

So, as I walk them through the commandments they have freely admitted to me and themselves that they are lawbreakers and sinners. If they are judged by those standards they are guilty and deserve the punishment for their own sin.
From there it is an easy step for them to see Jesus as Savior and not just some icing on the cake of their life. That is more likely to lead to genuine repentance and faith demonstrated in a life of fruitfulness to Christ.

Thoughts on Luke 16:14-16

Luke 16:14-16
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. "The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it."


The Pharisees had major problems. Jesus never shied away from confronting them with the error of their ways. In this little discussion he has with them many things jumped out at me today.

Here are some of my thoughts:

#1 - “What is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”
What they prided themselves on and was applauded by men was actually offensive to God. And these men were seen as the cream of the religious crop. Empty religious acts may fool many people, but not God.

I should not seek to be put on the proverbial pedestal. My name may never be known among the “who’s who” lists. But, am I loving the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and mind? That is what truly matters.

#2 – "The Law and the Prophets were until John, since then the good news is preached.”
The Law and the Prophets bear witness of the coming Messiah. The one whom John the Baptist said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” And he also said, "I am unworthy to even untie his sandals.”“

#3 – “Everyone forces his way into it.”
The Pharisees and many others believed that you could force yourself into God’s kingdom. They had more laws, stipulations, and requirements than the Texas Penal Code Book. And they prided themselves on keeping every single one. Why? They thought it earned them a special place with God. The truth was quite the opposite.

That same idea is prevalent today. I talk to so many lost, churched people who still believe in some type of works based salvation. You cannot force your way into the kingdom of God.

#4 – Not one iota of the law has passed away.
An iota is a Hebrew vowel point. It was literally a tiny dot that was added to the root consonants of a Hebrew word. It was small and seemingly insignificant.
Jesus says that not one iota will pass away.
Here is the point that jumped out at me. The context is crucial. He is conversing with the Pharisees who prided themselves on keeping the law. Jesus demonstrates that they have not and this is what judges them. There are two ways they have not kept the law.
First, by their additions and subtractions they have elevated their own opinions above the law of God. They have created stipulations that allow them to get away with things that are contrary to the law. Jesus gives them an example in the following verses.
Secondly, the major purpose of the Law and Prophets was it pointed to the coming Christ. Here He is, Jesus, and they have rejected Him, and thus rejected the law.

I am thankful that God's grace is not something that I can earn. I pray that all my service will be more than a religious act, but an act of true devotion, love, and worship of the Messiah who died for my sins.