This is a sermon packed with many concepts to scriptural ‘chew’ on. For example, the non believers I am in contact with fail to see themselves as sinful, so why would they need a Savior. So how do we ‘communicate’ this fact? I pray the Holy Spirit will convict their hearts and see the darkness in their lives so they can fully embrace the Savior’s gift. I also try to communicate in a way where I share my shortcomings and the need for a Savior, my faith story. Thoughts?
I think you’ve identified one of the major issues we all face. If we don’t recognize our own sinfulness and are not convicted of it we will never truly see the need for the Savior. This is why the understanding of Law and Gospel is so important. The Gospel is foolishness to those who don’t see their need for it. The real question is how we allow ourselves to be used by God to communicate this to those who see no need for the Gospel. While God Communicates Clearly, we are often not so articulate. Which is why the best method is always the use of God’s own Word. He may place that Word in our mouths, or through our actions, but ultimately it is only by the work of the Holy Spirit through His Word that people are convicted of their sinfulness and ultimately their need for Christ.
This is a sermon packed with many concepts to scriptural ‘chew’ on. For example, the non believers I am in contact with fail to see themselves as sinful, so why would they need a Savior. So how do we ‘communicate’ this fact? I pray the Holy Spirit will convict their hearts and see the darkness in their lives so they can fully embrace the Savior’s gift. I also try to communicate in a way where I share my shortcomings and the need for a Savior, my faith story. Thoughts?
I think you’ve identified one of the major issues we all face. If we don’t recognize our own sinfulness and are not convicted of it we will never truly see the need for the Savior. This is why the understanding of Law and Gospel is so important. The Gospel is foolishness to those who don’t see their need for it. The real question is how we allow ourselves to be used by God to communicate this to those who see no need for the Gospel. While God Communicates Clearly, we are often not so articulate. Which is why the best method is always the use of God’s own Word. He may place that Word in our mouths, or through our actions, but ultimately it is only by the work of the Holy Spirit through His Word that people are convicted of their sinfulness and ultimately their need for Christ.