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Finding Common Ground With the World ( in order to make converts )

Finding Common Ground With the World ( in order to make converts ). Is This Biblical?. Finding Common Ground. Some in and out of the Lord’s church have said that we must “find common ground with the world” in order to make converts

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Finding Common Ground With the World ( in order to make converts )

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  1. Finding Common GroundWith the World( in order to make converts ) Is This Biblical?

  2. Finding Common Ground • Some in and out of the Lord’s church have said that we must “find common ground with the world” in order to make converts • This means that we must accept what they are doing in the name of religion… • Instrumental music? • Women preachers? • Social gospel?

  3. Finding Common Ground • Did Paul teach this (1 Cor. 9:20-23; 10:33)? • The context deals with forgoing personal liberties • Paul did not engage in unauthorized practices in order to win souls to Christ • Did Paul accept circumcision as a condition of salvation among the Jews? • Did Paul accept idolatry or emperor worship as a proper religion among the Gentiles?

  4. Finding Common Ground • Why turn to the world to find “common ground”? Why not turn to God’s word? • We already have “common ground” – it is the word of God (Jn. 17:20; Eph. 4:4-6) • Jesus makes all people one (Eph. 2:14-16) • This approach elevates the desires of the world over what God desires

  5. Finding Common Ground • What will be the standard to determine the “common ground”? How far can one go to find “common ground”? • Does “common ground” include immorality (1 Cor. 6:9-10,18) • Does “common ground” include other religions (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12) • Does “common ground” include idolatry (Acts 17) • This approach elevates man’s standard over God’s standard

  6. Finding Common Ground • Why offer the plan of salvation, then bargain and deal for converts? • The gospel is offered and not changed (Mt. 10:14-15; 15:13-14; 19:22-23; Jn. 6:66-67; Acts 4:40-42; 13:44ff; Gal. 2:5) • We cannot poll people to find out what they want in the church and then start doing it • This approach elevates man’s response over God’s demands

  7. Finding Common Ground • Why find “common ground” and be influenced by the world, when we are to do the influencing? • We are to influence the world (Mt. 5:13-16; Phil. 2:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:11-12) • We are not to be conformed to the world (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Jn. 2:15-17) • This approach elevates the world’s influence above our own

  8. Converts to the Lord • Plant the seed (Lk. 8) and preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2) • Pray for the increase (Col. 4:3) • But, never compromise truth!

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