John 12:32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
The
Jesus People of the sixties were very successful in evangelism because
they were not pointing to any 'brand name' church or organization of any
sort initially. They were not speaking to anyone about a religion or of
their way of living life.
No.
They told anyone that would listen about the person of Jesus Christ.
They told people about His great love for them and how He had died for
their sins on a cross. And that Jesus wanted them to accept that fact
and be born again. They earnestly proclaimed "Jesus Loves You" to others
and then told the Good News of the Gospel message.
Then
slowly that all changed as many older well intentioned men of God took
them in and started to organize them and train them in their angle
points of the 'Christian experience.'
The
message thereafter, that they told others, was altered to 'Come to our
church, you will like it. You will be amazed at our Bible teacher etc...
They left the simple lifting up
of Jesus before others and became extensions of what ever group had
accepted them. They begun to lift up their particular fellowship or
church to others. No longer were the Jesus People a cohesive family of
lovers of Jesus Christ. They had become loyal to their particular brand
of Christianity and therefore their message reflected that.
Soon
the Jesus People Movement waned and sputtered out until all that was
left were differing denominations, fellowships, groups and gatherings.
The message on the street was a subtle "Where do you fellowship?" If you
did not attend one of the 'approved' factions you were given the left
foot of fellowship booting out...
The
awesome untrained family of the Jesus People that had evangelized the
highways and byways of life freely were now educated and would not
receive another if they were not of their particular stream of
churchianity or doctrinal persuasion.
They left behind, Romans 12:5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Corinthians 10:17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:20But now are they many members, yet but one body.
Ephesians 4:4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Colossians 3:15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
1 Corinthians 10:17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:20But now are they many members, yet but one body.
Ephesians 4:4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Colossians 3:15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
It
is a sad fact of history that when Christians are persecuted they tend
to lower their sectarian walls and restrictions and only then recognize
one another as being in the same family of God, the Body of Christ. Then
they will lift up Jesus Christ before others. And God comes down off His throne and draws people to Himself in droves...
Do
you want results in evangelism? Then lift up Jesus Christ and He will
draw all unto Himself. So simple a child can do it. Leave behind the
message of how wonderful and great your fellowship or church or group is
and share Jesus Christ the Son of God Son of Man! Almighty God never once mentions your particular church in Scripture, but He does mention Jesus Christ His only begotten Son. So should we.
John 10:30
I and my Father are one.
I and my Father are one.
John 17:22
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Romans 12:5
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Corinthians 3:8
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1 Corinthians 12:12
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1 John 5:7
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Good word, David. Do we even remember the days when Christ was our all-in-all? Have we left our first love? I hope everyone who reads your message will ponder this.
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