Hey everyone! I think I've finally found home on here. But anyways. I am a sophomore in high-school. I have been saved for about a year and I am now evangelizing. I never knew the hatred that came from other people for talking about Christ and preaching His word. I've been in many debates on human cloning, abortion, gay marriage, evolution and separation of church and state. I always find myself getting heated and worked up. Which is not at all how Christ would want me to act. I'm just looking for any tips or helpful thoughts for my issue. Thank you and God bless!
Need help!
- Thread starter jaycub_34
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- Oct 26, 2007
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First welcome brother to TJ!
There are many brothers & sisters in Christ who will be offering what they have to help you in your walk.
Always remember you truly have the assistance you need in the Holy Spirit that resides within you, of which you are sealed His.
If I wasn't heading off this morning, I'd probably spend half the day praying and searching for the right words to help you.
The least I can say, or maybe the most, is that my prayers are with you.
Hope to talk to you later.
YBIC
C4E
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
There are many brothers & sisters in Christ who will be offering what they have to help you in your walk.
Always remember you truly have the assistance you need in the Holy Spirit that resides within you, of which you are sealed His.
If I wasn't heading off this morning, I'd probably spend half the day praying and searching for the right words to help you.
The least I can say, or maybe the most, is that my prayers are with you.
Hope to talk to you later.
YBIC
C4E
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
clark thompson
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- Feb 12, 2013
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It has only been a year for you sometimes our fruit of the Spirit takes more growth to show fruit be patience.
Boanerges
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- Jan 9, 2009
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- 3,892
Hi Jacub! We have all been that bull in the china shop at one time or another; in my life it yielded only discord.
I found this helps immensely:
When you encounter folks with confused, evil, or even demonic life beliefs, it is easy to get worked up - instead let us choose to look at them through Jesus eyes; we will stop being offended and aggravated.When we look close we will begin to see a hurting, wounded soul bound in darkness. The only freedom from this is found in Christ, if these people had that they could not act, nor think the way they do. So instead of taking things personally, or getting agitated, we began to feel compassion for them, we start to pray for them even as we encounter them. With this attitude, we only "speak the truth in Love"; God is glorified when His nature (Love) is expressed through His children. His love will began to break down walls, even if it is on a small, or almost imperceptible level.
Pro 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
So, let us abide in Christ, let His life (the Vine of Heaven) so flow through us that our words are His Words. His life flowing through you, the branch, will produce godly fruit worthy of offering the King.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
amadeus2
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Hi Jaycub and welcome to the forum. We serve a mighty God whose ways are, in effect, infinitely higher than ours. You have already received some good advice but I will only add these verses, which I believe will help you understand better how to go forward or to go up toward God in order to please Him in everything that you so:
In other words my friend always start at the bottom. This is not necessarily only in a face to face witness where you are not to press or pressure, but in everything that you do. Let God promote you rather than promoting yourself. We, those of us, who are called by the Lord, may indeed be special, but tooting our own horn to announce how much better we are than others is more likely to drive people than to draw them to you. You, alone, do not win anyone to God...
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Young brother in Christ Jesus.
Know that first of all that I continue to pray for you, that you may always have the joy, desire, and ever increase. That wisdom, knowledge, understanding be the corner stone by which you as a vessel may continue to grow as a Child of the Most High. Love those who you talk to above making a point. Victory as we know is in Christ, and that the increase of the Kingdom of God is gain for all.
amadeus2 referenced 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 which is important to the realization that it's God who will provide increase in all that you do. He will also direct your steps Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
He has lead you here has He not?
In your original post you've mentioned both Evangelism & Apologetic s intertwined, maybe not in so many words, but enough to know that the purpose of each is readily different though they can overlap at times.
With the fire you have burning and the desire to step forward, knowing that each has to be understood before you enter into battle. Might I suggest you read Ephesians 6:13-18 which should be helpful either way. This is what is called the Armour of God!
Some words to study on: Truth, righteousness, Gospel, Faith, Salvation, Word of God, praying. Notice I've bolded "Gospel". Why? Because it is used by both the Evangelist and Apologist. Evangelist in spreading it, and Apologist in defending it. We must know it for our foundation to be Rock Solid.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
So you must know the Gospel. (See verse 16 for the consequences.)
Scripture also tells us to be ready to answer people when asked why we have such hope.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
That's is why reading and studying the Word of God is very important to you, in so many ways. Not only for your personal growth, but to help others as well, be they unsaved or saved.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Does this require you to know the entire Bible before you step out in faith? No. Yet a clear understanding of it is necessary, at the very least of the Gospel and the reason why you are doing so. This will help you from being side tracked when witnessing/evangelizing.
Also, keep in mind that you are a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), so the need to understand that how you behave and the example we all set, can be just as effective in opening the door to some one asking you why you've changed or why you behave as you do!
That is why there are appropriate times to communicate this, especially since you're going to school. You're at lunch, hanging out etc. might provide times when we can present the Gospel. Are there places we should hold up from doing it? If we're supposed to be working for someone else, in class supposed to be listening/learning (unless debate or the subject is brought up, yet great care with this one) etc. Always, remembering as I mentioned before, you set an example for others, by which they will rightly or wrongly define Christ Jesus by. I'm sure you've probably heard things like. Well, everybody lies, or so and so says they're a Christian, and they have sex and they're not married, or do x, y, & z when it comes to sin. Not saying that you must be perfect in walking your walk, but be aware that what you say, and what you do are picked up by others.
In so saying, I do believe that God has guided you to a good place in TJ to help you in your walk. If I were to add anything to what you do, please just remember that whatever you do, do it in Love, in the knowledge, that our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for even those who might laugh, or make fun of you today, for we hope that in some tomorrow they might yet be a brother or sister in Christ Jesus.
YBIC
C4E
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
Know that first of all that I continue to pray for you, that you may always have the joy, desire, and ever increase. That wisdom, knowledge, understanding be the corner stone by which you as a vessel may continue to grow as a Child of the Most High. Love those who you talk to above making a point. Victory as we know is in Christ, and that the increase of the Kingdom of God is gain for all.
amadeus2 referenced 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 which is important to the realization that it's God who will provide increase in all that you do. He will also direct your steps Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
He has lead you here has He not?
In your original post you've mentioned both Evangelism & Apologetic s intertwined, maybe not in so many words, but enough to know that the purpose of each is readily different though they can overlap at times.
With the fire you have burning and the desire to step forward, knowing that each has to be understood before you enter into battle. Might I suggest you read Ephesians 6:13-18 which should be helpful either way. This is what is called the Armour of God!
Some words to study on: Truth, righteousness, Gospel, Faith, Salvation, Word of God, praying. Notice I've bolded "Gospel". Why? Because it is used by both the Evangelist and Apologist. Evangelist in spreading it, and Apologist in defending it. We must know it for our foundation to be Rock Solid.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
So you must know the Gospel. (See verse 16 for the consequences.)
Scripture also tells us to be ready to answer people when asked why we have such hope.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
That's is why reading and studying the Word of God is very important to you, in so many ways. Not only for your personal growth, but to help others as well, be they unsaved or saved.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Does this require you to know the entire Bible before you step out in faith? No. Yet a clear understanding of it is necessary, at the very least of the Gospel and the reason why you are doing so. This will help you from being side tracked when witnessing/evangelizing.
Also, keep in mind that you are a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), so the need to understand that how you behave and the example we all set, can be just as effective in opening the door to some one asking you why you've changed or why you behave as you do!
That is why there are appropriate times to communicate this, especially since you're going to school. You're at lunch, hanging out etc. might provide times when we can present the Gospel. Are there places we should hold up from doing it? If we're supposed to be working for someone else, in class supposed to be listening/learning (unless debate or the subject is brought up, yet great care with this one) etc. Always, remembering as I mentioned before, you set an example for others, by which they will rightly or wrongly define Christ Jesus by. I'm sure you've probably heard things like. Well, everybody lies, or so and so says they're a Christian, and they have sex and they're not married, or do x, y, & z when it comes to sin. Not saying that you must be perfect in walking your walk, but be aware that what you say, and what you do are picked up by others.
In so saying, I do believe that God has guided you to a good place in TJ to help you in your walk. If I were to add anything to what you do, please just remember that whatever you do, do it in Love, in the knowledge, that our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for even those who might laugh, or make fun of you today, for we hope that in some tomorrow they might yet be a brother or sister in Christ Jesus.
YBIC
C4E
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
