Practicing what I preach!

Wow! Randy and I went fishing today at PCC. We have it on video and I must say that I was both enthusiastic about engaging total strangers on a college campus and dreading it at the same time. I am a big wimp when it comes to confrontation and this ranks very, very high on my “THIS IS CONFRONTATIONAL” list. The thought of those people going to hell having never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ made me swallow my pride and eclipsed the fear I had of men.

I was on http://www.wayofthemaster.com/botchaltarcall.shtml and I would like to share a few things with you all here:

(A few keys for those who don't want people saved in their altar calls)

• Present an unbalanced message. Only let them see the heart-warming part of God’s character. Preach God’s love but leave out His holiness and justice. That way they’ll think He’ll let them into heaven no matter what.
  
• Don’t mention repentance until they’re repeating a “sinner’s prayer.” Just get them to say, “I repent of all my sins” while they’re echoing you. They won’t know what they’re saying and they won’t count the cost.
  
• Above all else, be dignified. Don’t get heart to heart with the people. They would get something out of what you said.
  
• Skim over the gospel and push the prayer. Pretend the lost naturally understand what Christ has done for them.
  
• Preach Jesus as a life enhancer not a life rescuer. Tell them how Jesus can improve their life but don’t show them Jesus as the only One who can save them from Hell. People will think if they reject Him they’re only losing out on a spiritual high.
  
• Try to please the people instead of convert them. Tell them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.
  
• Speak to sinners as though they were saints. They’ll think they’re God’s children instead of the enemies of God they’ve made themselves into because of their sin. You’ll give them false assurance and mislead them.
  
• Don’t mention sin or man’s guilt. Resist the urge to explain what Christ came to deliver us from. Don’t show them their need for the Savior. Otherwise it may all make sense.
  
• Tell the lost not to feel bad about their sins. That way you will work against the Holy Spirit who’s convicting them
  
• Whatever you do, never mention Judgment Day. Your audience might take spiritual matters seriously.

There are more, but these make the point clear. We need to:

1. Be saved ourselves.
   
2. Have a love for people that eclipses our fear.
   
3. Proclaim the coming judgment.
   
4. Proclaim that Jesus is our substitute.
   
5. AND PREACH REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD AND FAITH IN CHRIST!

Remember, when people reject Jesus, they are not rejecting you.