Preaching the Atonement

[Esaias]

You have one last shot at a visitor. You may never see them again. During 'praise and worship' you see they are enthusastic, but it appears they may just be liking the hand-clappy music, not that they are actually trying to WORSHIP God. You know for a fact they are not saved, sanctified, filled with the Spirit, however you want to define it.

They came to church last Sunday, and seemed enthusastic about the music, but also seemed a little flippant (not sure if that's the word?) about things over all, like they are just there to have a good time. You also know for a fact after church last Sunday, they went to a party and got drunk as a skunk. Just like the week before, and the week before that, etc.

So how do you preach the Atonement of Christ? What points do you make? What do you emphasise? What do you say? What do you expect?

This visitor is not the only person listening, there are others who must be taught as well, some others who love God and are eager to 'learn at Jesus' feet', and others who while they may be baptised and probably got the Holy Ghost at some point are pretty much looking rather backslid...

So how do you meet the need?

[Esaias]

All the preachers must be at Monday prayer meeting... right?

lol

[houston]

Maybe they don't know what that is?

[Abiding Now]

This is what I would do...

To me, the greatest thing that the ministry and the church has to offer a sinner is a Second Chance and Jesus gave us an example of HOW to offer a SECOND CHANCE in his discussion with Nicodemus in John 3.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?


The New Birth is the most wonderful subject that a sinner could ever hear! The key word in John 3:3 is AGAIN. We were all born once into sin, but the New Birth gives us all a SECOND CHANCE! Our first birth brought us into chaos, trouble and heart aches. The word AGAIN, says soooo much! You don't have to continue in sin. You don't have to live like your parents before you. You can change your life.


Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

The word EXCEPT translates to UNLESS (see Strongs #G3362), UNLESS a man be born of water and of the Spirit, lets us know there is no other way to go to heaven. If you don't do this (be born of water and of the Spirit) , then that (cannot enter into the kingdom of God) will not happen.

The New Birth is not just a reformation of a life where the sinner gets to CHANGE his lives, but there's the added blessings of righteousness, peace, happiness and heaven.

Sooooooo simple, but I always did try to operate the KISS principle. Keep It Simple Stupid.

[renee819]

Good sermon, good advice, Abiding.