Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret - Chapter 6

type names in chat for attendance

Evangelism training

telling people how to be saved

many ways of breaking it down, this is my version

Trying to get them to consider and hopefully answer yes to these three questions

Are you a sinner?

of course they must know what sin is - doing/saying/planning (heart) something that does not please God. breaking his rules, disregarding his will

and they have sinned against God and people (but ultimately God)

Romans 3:23 NASB95

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

all have sinned - it’s not just them, it’s all of us . . . and they are not the exeption

we have all missed the mark

Romans 6:23 NASB95

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God does not overlook sin, the penalty is death - death and the 2nd death, hell, lack of fire (Revelation)

Hebrews 9:27 NASB95

27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

after you close your eyes in death . . . that’s not the end . . . there is a judgment from God

1 question -are you a sinner, 2nd question . . .

Do you believe Jesus died on the cross and rose again for your sins?

Romans 5:8 NASB95

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God loves us and doesn’t want us in hell, so he sent Christ to die for us, pay the price (death) for our sins

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

you have to believe this saved by grace through faith . . . it is a gift

1 question -are you a sinner

2nd question .- do you believe Jesus died on the cross and rose again for your sins

3rd question - . . .

Are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ?

the gift of Salvation must be accepted

John 1:12 NASB95

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

Romans 10:9 NASB95

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

1 question -are you a sinner

2nd question .- do you believe Jesus died on the cross and rose again for your sins

3rd question - are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ

Marriage analogy

marriage analogy to describe relationship with God is used throughout the Bible

old testament, Jesus in Parables, Apostles in Epistles, in Revelation

Getting Saved is as easy as getting married

like a loving and rich man proposing to a prostitute (God’s example)

willing to save you from your condition/situation/give you his name

just say “I do” - accept that person as your spouse

we even have a ceremony - baptism

but marriage brings challenges, marriage is work - just like living the Christian Life

so you need to consider before making the commitment

some are shocked by jumping into marriage, Christianity

in evangelism we are telling people about this great person who wants a relationship with them and has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt (cross) that he wants a relationship with them

1 question -are you a sinner - you need this marriage (your only hope)

2nd question .- do you believe Jesus died on the cross and rose again for your sins - God has come to you, proposed to you!

3rd question - are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ - but you must say “I do”

can I get divorced? - another subject, but I believe that scriptures teach: If truly saved, always saved

OT - women could not file for divorced, only the man could

Jesus has vowed to never let you go

Hudson Taylor, Chapter 6

class shares thoughts and insights

10 missionary journeys in 15 months using waterway on Junks (show pic)

despite war, cold, heat, river thieves

Almost forced to leave the area he was stationed in, but a last minute miracle allowed him to find a place to stay . . . a pushy renter found him just as he as about to leave!

What two things really opened the door for Hudson Taylor to evangelize?

medical training, changing his look

medical training - people needed and wanted his skill/help

Lesson 1: your gifts/talents/skills/training are meant more than just for yourself and your family.

It is also meant for God’s kingdom (teaching, music, technology, cooking, hospitality, plumbing)

open doors to evangelism like Taylor - people need you, and that platform allows you to share Christ

ex. a famous person has a large platform to talk about Christ

skills used in the church/for the church

if your skills have provided money and influence, you can use this to give money and raise other funds for churches/ministries

even today, the foreign missionaries who get access to some difficult places, get it because of a needed skill or needed knowledge (seminary degrees don’t get them in)

Changing his look

show pics

And it worked! - people didn’t gawk at him, he was even invited into homes, he could move around more freely

1 Corinthians 9:20–22 NASB95

20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

I have become all things to all people

Lesson 2: Are you willing to adjust/adapt in order to spread the message of Christ?

(meet people where they are)

learn a language or just keeping up with the latest slang terms

dress down or dress up

adopt cultural traditions (I have been learning spanish)

learn this social media stuff

as a church - we want to reach people . . . where are a lot of them? on line!

willing to adapt church schedule, style, habits, service (lights in sanctuary)

learn this social media stuff, modern stuff

what are we willing to do, to reach the world through WMBC?

Was starting to make it to the interior of China, but Chinese doctors/druggists complained that he was taking their business, and he got kicked out of an area he was doing well in

met Williams Burns (famous missionary/preacher) and they worked together on the water, Burns became a mentor, but they learned from each other . . . Burns learned to change his look too

Taylor wrote that he learned a lot about prayer from him - old lesson: Evangelism begins with prayer

Taylor had to depart to get medical supplies, and in his absence Burns was arrested

I believe he was eventually freed but Burns died from an illness in China

this is real life, not a joke, actually giving your life for Christ

Observation: This is just like a chapter out of Acts (Paul and his travels)

hardships, struggles, always in danger

Gospel threatens people money, you get in trouble

they would share the gospel, and then continue to talk to those who were interested

that’s all you can do

Final class thoughts and questions

Announcements

Marriage couples event rescheduled to Saturday March 11, 5pm

continued prayers Cooks, Dennis

want to provide some meals through Door Dash, Uber Eats - give to Givelify and I will divide it between them