Missionary Attitude, Evangelism and Conduct Part 3 of 3

Missionary Attitude, Evangelism and Conduct
(Part 3 of 3)
(Our actions, attitude and lifestyle speak louder than words)

The Need for Self-Discipline How many times have you heard a non-Christian say about or to a Christian that Christians shouldn't do that, Christians shouldn’t act like that or And you call yourself a Christian?  I would bet you have heard this many times in one form or another.

It is just a simple fact that we, as Christian, live in this world like we are in fish bowl for all to watch.  It seems that the non-Christians know more about how we as Christians should act and behave then we do at times.  Why is this?  My theory is that they know they are not Christians and may be under conviction.  Then to feel better about themselves or to justify their way or life or themselves they point a finger at anyone they can find fault in.

Conduct Ourselves in a way pleasing to the Lord
(1 Peter 2:12 AMP “12 Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [[a]when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].)
(Prov. 13:10 A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.)

Discipline Ourselves to Run the Race(1 Cor. 9:24-27 “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?  So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training.  They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”)

Let’s Be Zealous and Honor Christ
(2 Cor 8:22-23 “In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.”)

Jesus says that we will recognize good people by their fruit. And so will others!  He likens them to trees: bad trees cannot bear good fruit, but good trees do. Matthew 7:18-20 (KJV)
“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

We bear fruit!  Either that of the Spirit and Righteousness or of the Flesh, Sin and Death.
A study on The Fruit Of The Spirit

Witnessing is Sharing your Faith, this is what Christ Has Done in You!
Sharing Christ is about being real and demonstrating our faith with passion, conviction and sincerity. God’s call from Scripture is clear. Evangelism is not about catchy slogans, poster boards, tables, tracts, or formulas (although these can be helpful), and it is definitely not arguments and/or confrontations. Rather, it is helping others see Him by how we treat them and live for Christ. Evangelism is allowing others to picture Jesus in us, not our trying to verbalize without showing Him demonstrated in us first. We cannot just say a few sentences and move on. We have to nurture and demonstrate, and be considerate and loving. It is our lives telling His story that the Spirit uses to win people, not just our mouths. Our mouths are to further explain Him.
“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21”

Now  It Is Time To Step Out In Faith!
Stepping out in Faith!

Go to these links for more information on:

Short Term Mission Trips or Short Term Volunteer Trips

Missionary Conduct and Training Part 2 of 3

Missionary Attitude, Evangelism and Conduct

(Part 2 of 3)

(Learning to study, adapt and present Christ in love)

Do Not Argue or Offend
Often times, western missionaries have gone out to the far corners of the world to reach the lost only to find that there has been someone there before them.  What the nationals encountered with these tourists or missionaries could have been a positive or negative experience.  Likewise, there will be others that follow in behind you.  

Unfortunately, one major stereotype that runs throughout the world regarding western civilization individuals is pride and thinking that everyone should do things as they do in the west.  (Prov. 13:10 Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise)  Keeping this all in mind, we should be extra careful and humble not to cause offense or to “muddy the waters” for the next witness that comes along. (John 4:37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.)  (Ezekiel 34:18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?)

It is our duty to study the culture, history, and at least attempt to learn some of the language, customs and religious beliefs of the people groups to whom we are called to help in order to be a testimony of Christ.  Our studies in these people groups and cultures will help us reach them without offending them while on short term mission trips or volunteer trips and projects.

First, we must become the student to be an effective teacher or witness.  (2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” )  This knowledge is not to be used for arguments, but to aid in understanding the people and present the Good News in the best way possible to them as Paul did.  Acts 17:22-24 (NLT)  “So Paul, standing before the council,[a] addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.  “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples,”  Paul did not argue with them but instead used what they already believed and told them about the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Secondly, to avoid offending the people we are wanting to reach for the Lord, we must be culturally sensitive.  This can be done by taking some cultural sensitivity training that pertains to the people group you with which you wish to reach or work.  (Prov. 18:19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.  Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.)  First of all, we really need to examine and clean up our own cultural baggage we may be packing when we prepare to leave for cross-cultural ministry.  Becoming a long term missionary will take these steps even further and require more adaptation.  (Prov. 17:14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.  Prov. 17:19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;  Prov. 18:6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.)

It is OUR responsibility as the guest to not argue or cause offense when crossing into other cultures to evangelize, minister or volunteer.  We must learn to be the example of an effective witness for Christ both home and abroad.

Links to begin your Cultural Awareness and Cultural Baggage

Go to these links for more information on:

Short Term Mission Trips or Short Term Volunteer Trips