Being Orthodox IV Evangelism Being Orthodox Overview Part

Being Orthodox IV Evangelism

Being Orthodox Overview Part I: Christ - Foundation l Part II: Church – Living God’s Word l Part III: Participation – Our role l Part IV: Evangelism – Sharing the truth l

(I) Commitment to Christ l Source of our faith, our lives, our souls, etc Ephesians 2: 20 - having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone l Faith based on the teachings of Christ 2 Timothy 1: 13 - Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. l Desire to please him and obey His Word Romans 6: 16 - Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

(II) Commitment to the Church l The body of Christ Romans 12: 5 - so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. l The ambassadors of Christ on earth 2 Corinthians 5: 20 - Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

(III) Participation l Partaking of Christ by our participation Hebrews 3: 14 - For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end l The practical way we live our faith Galatians 3: 11 - But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith. ” l Work out our salvation Philippians 2: 12 - …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…

(IV) Evangelism l Joy l Knowledge, Understanding, & Wisdom l Love l Joy + Wisdom + Love = Evangelism Habakkuk 3: 18 - Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Proverbs 2: 6 - For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 1 John 3: 14 - We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 1 Peter 3: 15 …always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

St. Mark the Evangelist l When he entered the city [Alexandria], his shoe was torn because of the much walking in preaching and evangelism. He went to a cobbler in the city, called Anianus, to repair it. While he was repairing it the awl pierced his finger. Anianus shouted in Greek saying "EIS THEOS" which means "O, ONE GOD". When St. Mark heard these words his heart rejoiced exceedingly. He found it suitable to talk to him about the One God. The Apostle took some clay, spat on it and applied it to Anianus' finger, saying in the Name of Jesus Christ the Son of God, and the wound healed immediately, as if nothing happened to it. Anianus invited him to go to his house and brought to him his children. The Saint preached and baptized them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

St. John the Evangelist l From there, St. John went to the city of Ephesus where he preached the word of salvation. Its people did not accept his message at first, until a day when an only child fell in the furnace of a public bath managed by the child's mother. They took him in haste out of the fire, but he was dead and his mother wept bitterly. At this time, St. John went to the child, prayed fervently to God, made the sign of the Cross over him, breathed in the child's face, and life came back to him right away. His mother rejoiced and she kissed the feet of the Apostle and tears of joy were in her eyes. From this time on, the people of the city came to hear his teachings and many of them believed and were baptized by St. John.

Evangelism Through Action l l l These great saints evangelized by travelling all over the world [LOVE] They preached, not just with words, but by being themselves [JOY] People saw their holiness and were attracted to it Once people were interested, He explained to them the truth and baptized them [WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING] We are called to do the same Not only must we win people to Christ by our actions, but we also must have the right teachings to instruct them.

How do we start? l l l l l Who is Christ? What the Bible says? Promise of Salvation? God’s Grace? Heaven & Hell? Church History? Orthodox specific beliefs? Dogmatic differences between Churches? All should be preached, but not all at once

Example You Tube Video – 0: 40 l Impressions? l l 1 Cor 6: 9 -10 - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Appeasing Evangelism = Joy + Wisdom + Love – Appeasing l Appeasing: “God loves you just how you are, and wants the best for you. ” l Truth: “God loves you just as you are, but He does not love all the things you are doing. Lead a life of repentance to experience God’s best. ” l Proverbs 28: 23 - He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue.

Judging Evangelism = Joy + Wisdom + Love – Judgment l Judging: “I am better than you. You are wrong, I am right. ” l Truth: “I am a sinner like you. We can both be wrong, but God is still right. ” l Romans 2: 1 - Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

Truth We are not teaching people our own invention l The truth is unchanging – not based on what is socially acceptable or on how we feel l We are even more under the authority of truth l Luke 12: 47 - And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Appease l l Primary focus: Do not offend “…I’d like to see it stay between a man and a female, not knocking anybody else…” Judgment - Arrogant l l l Judgment Appease - Man pleaser l l Truth Primary Focus: Condemn “Homosexuals are less than human and beyond redemption. God will cast them all into hell. ” Truth - Humble l l Primary Focus: Declare the truth in love “Homosexuality is a sin that God abhors (1 Cor 6: 910), but God seeks the salvation of every homosexual and wants to help them overcome their sin and develop a relationship with Him and the Church. ”

What do we Evangelize? 1. General Christian Belief l l 2. Fundamental Differences (Orthodoxy vs. others) l l l 3. Christ’s incarnation Purpose of the crucifixion Bible is inspired word of God is a Trinity Sacraments Liturgical worship Beliefs on salvation Mode of Worship l l l Exact wording prayers said in the Liturgy Priest garments Fasting schedule

General Christian Belief l l l l Easiest to communicate – most widely known Core of Orthodox belief Offers a promise of hope & also offers truth about sin that God hates Does God want to spend eternity with me? YES. Is lying wrong? YES. I just lied on my resume the other day, was THAT wrong. YES. Is homosexuality wrong? YES. I am a homosexual, does that mean I am going to hell? Homosexuality is a sin that God hates. In 1 Cor 6: 9 -10, He says that homosexuals will not inherit the Kingdom of God. So God says that unrepentant homosexuals are going to hell. What you are doing is wrong, but God offers you hope. Repent before it is too late and He will completely restore you. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; ”

Fundamental Differences l l l l We cannot be wishy washy about what we believe Is Priesthood necessary? YES. Does church worship have to be liturgical? YES. Is a church that does not believe so incorrect. YES! Does that mean they are going to hell? NO. God is the judge. I am telling you what He commands of us. Only He decides what happens when we don’t follow His commandments. Is baptism necessary for salvation? YES. I am not baptized, does that mean I am gong to hell? In John 3: 5 Christ said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ” In Mark 16: 16 He also says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. ” God says we must be baptized to be saved. Believe and be baptized before it is too late.

Mode of Worship These are the specific economies of the Church and are not fundamental tenets of faith. l Garments, language of prayer, length of prayer, fasting, etc are not subjects that should be debated. l Fasting & prayer are important. The exact way they are practiced can vary from church to church. l

Orthodoxy l l Unchanging/Stable Based on tradition that has been passed down Emphasis on rites and rituals that are meant to remind us of heaven and the goal we are working towards. Difficult l l l Long prayers. We are asked to work up to a certain standard The standard is not changed to fit the people (fasting/prayer)

Being Orthodox A life-long process of growth l Requires time, effort, & faith in the Church l Requires a humble spirit l You do not see how deep the ocean is, until you try to reach the bottom l Faithfully practice what you do not understand, and you will eventually understand, love, and will be willing to die for it. l