Passion for the Lost
Most every year I go to 3 or 4 conferences. One is right here in the Twin Cities—The Desiring God Conference for Pastors, put on by Bethlehem Baptist Church and John Piper. I believe that you can hear the whole conference online at www.desiringGod.org but if you only have a few minutes, here is my summation.
I’ve described it to others as a very “workmanlike” conference. The theme was “Commending Christ: The Pastor, the Church and the Perishing.” Two years ago at our church in St. Paul, we began a season of repentance regarding our paltry evangelistic efforts. God has been helping us greatly, but I was eager to hear these folks on this topic.
Mark Dever from D.C. was the main speaker (3 times). He’s rather ubiquitous in Reformed circles and he’s a very good man and teacher of God’s Word. Here are some thoughts from his 3 talks.
First talk: What is the Gospel?
I. The proclaimer of the gospel ought to be quite clear what it is
A. We ought to contextualize the gospel but not try to remove the offense (a bit of a job at the emergent church movement)
II. Understand spiritual anthropology
A. All men are created in God’s image
B. All men are sinners, under the righteous condemnation and wrath of God
1. We need to make the “bad” news clear if the good news will make sense
C. There is a God who has made all men and a God to whom each will give an account of his/her life and deeds
1. It’s not fundamentally the unbeliever’s discontent with God, but rather God’s discontent with them
III. Emphasize repenting and believing as one act
A. We need to be oriented to God, to trust Him
Why should we share this message?
I. Desire to be obedient to God – to evangelize is to obey
A. Rom. 9:1 – obligation—our silence is sin
II. Love for the lost – is there any more serious business?
A. “Outside of Christ, God is terrible” – Richard Stibbs (Puritan)
B. Hell is a horror—we must warn of it and describe it
C. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God
D. Mark 9:46: “Hell, where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched”
1. The most important issue is NOT what you feel about God, but what God feels about you.
2. Charles Spurgeon, “Meditate much on the fate of the lost sinner.”
III. Our love for God to be glorified
A. To tell the truth regarding God is to honor Him.
Second talk: The Pastor and Evangelism
I. What we’re tempted to mistake for evangelism
A. We’re not trying to impose our beliefs on anyone
1. Evangelism is sharing the truth in love
B. Personal testimony is not evangelism
1. It’s good and ought to be included but it is not a substitute
C. Apologetics is not evangelism
1. Because we don’t know everything doesn’t mean we don’t know anything
D. Confusing the results of evangelism with evangelism
1. 2 Cor. 2:15-16 either the smell of death or the fragrance of life
II. How can pastors evangelize?
A. We fail when we don’t faithfully tell the gospel
B. Be humble regarding your weaknesses
C. Pray for compassion
D. Know the Word well
E. Be gospel confident
F. Be provocative—ask questions to unbelievers
G. Preaching is a primary means of evangelism by equipping the saints to do it
H. Present the gospel in every sermon
I. Give an invitation and demand for the gospel
J. Call people earnestly to respond
K. Regularly pray for unbelievers
L. Keep your gratitude fresh for your own salvation
M. Build relationships – coffee shops, banks, fitness clubs, etc.
N. Build a culture of evangelism
Third talk – The Church and Evangelism
I. The congregation is responsible for evangelism
II. Every Christian should evangelize
A. Equip the congregation in evangelism
1. Develop a culture of evangelism
B. Scripture is a primary tool for evangelism
C. Prayer
D. Friendliness in relationship
1. Community is a tool for evangelism
E. Allow for the weight of corporate silence and reflection
F. Encourage members to take their own initiative in evangelism
G. Keep the church calendar stripped down—don’t clog the schedule with all “church stuff.” Rather encourage the church to get out and connect with others.
H. Encourage folk to talk about evangelism
I. Evangelize congregationally—the corporate witness of your church will either support or hinder evangelism
J. Our distinctiveness is an essential part of our evangelism
1. We are to work at being attractively different
As I read through these notes, they feel flat and somewhat foreboding. Mark Dever was not that at all. So, after all, you may want to check out their website. The other three talks from the conference I also commend to you on their website: www. desiringGod.org.
I’m looking forward to being together in Toledo at our Annual ARC Conference April 24-25: “Altered States” – we’ll go after the crucial issue of generational unity and mission. We have some wonderful speakers arranged and about 20 superb workshops. I hope to see you there.
In the love of Christ,
Ned