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NASB | 1 John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 2:2 And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature--our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world. |
Subject: How do we preach the Gospel? |
Bible Note: DAIRYLEADER5 I agree it is the word of God and Holy Spirit that leads people to Christ, but can't friends and relatives share the word? People do not have to come to church to be saved, in fact in Acts it appears they had to be saved before they came to church. Pastors need to equip their people to be able to share Jesus. I agree if people come to church because of big screen TV's and events they are probably carnal Christians looking for their church fix. They aren't going to get saved because they think they already are. Our churches are filled with them, men and women and children that have it in their minds if they attend church and believe in God they are saved. James 2:19. They live like the world 167 hours of the week and act like saints that one remaining hour in church. If the people of the church are not sharing the gospel and leading people to the Lord the church is dead! It might be 10,000 in size but it is filled with 10,000 dead people. A living church has people excited for Jesus and sharing the word with those they meet. It is the Pastor's responsibility to instill this in his people, and to teach them how to do it in a real and personal way! That is where the failure is! Many times it is easier to say, "bring them to me and I'll tell them about Jesus." That way you don’t offend anyone like you might when you say, "get off the pew and go tell the world about Jesus.” Then all the defenses come up in the people, “I can’t do that I haven’t be called to be an evangelist.” “My gift is helps.” "I tithe what more do you want?" “I teach so I’m doing my part.” “That’s what we pay the pastor for.” And etc. What it really means is their relationship with Jesus isn’t real enough that they can verbalize and share it with others. And that, my friend, is the shame of the church today! Think of anyone that likes football and imagine they got to spend the day with their football hero. They met him in morning had breakfast together then went to practice with him, they ate lunch together with the team, spent the afternoon just hanging with the rest of the team and their hero, then went to supper and afterwards played a little pitch and catch. Would they have something to say? You would probably have to shoot them to shut them up. Everyone they met, they would want to tell them about their friend and how they spent the day with Him. Yet they can’t share Jesus. This is the problem people are not encouraged, not discipled, not told that they need to have a relationship with Jesus nor are they taught how to develop that relationship. In fact I believe many pastors don’t have that kind of relationship with Jesus. And in there lies a big part of the problem. You can't share something you know nothing about. EdB |