Ok. . . .So now that I have your attention. What does a fat man and a rangoon have to teach us. Well it all began at a Chinese restaurant. Have you ever noticed that at most Chinese Restaurants there is big fat Buddha statue? Believe it or not the superstition behind the idols of Buddhism have great effect on its followers.
As I was sitting there I began to think about Paul, the apostle, when he was in Athens. Act 17:16 "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry." Imagine what emotions he experienced as he realized the people around him were very religious, but had been lied to and were serving false gods. My guess is that his emotions ranged from anger all the way to sorrow. How could so many people believe the same lie?
Paul new what they needed and immediately began challenging them in their synagogues. Act 17:17 "Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. "
As I sat in this restaurant I began thinking about Paul's response to their idolatry. How would you have responded? Would you tell them they were all serving a lie? They were lost? Or even more extreme that their idolatry was condemning them to hell? Maybe you would have taken the mercy road and just let them know that "Jesus loves them and has a plan for their life."
You know what Paul did. . . . . He took their own religion and from their own beliefs presented the Gospel to them. Act 17:22 "Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious." Act 17:23 "For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. "
Wow! What a response. God gave him so much wisdom in this situation. Rather than telling them they were wrong, he took them right were they were at and presented the Gospel to them. To the unknown God.
We live in a time that there is a lot of skepticism about religion. People are exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God and replacing it with idols of there own choosing (Rom 1:23).
What can we learn from Paul that will make us effective soul winners?
1. Paul spoke up. It doesn't do any good for us to see our friends and neighbors lost and hurting and not to say anything.
2. Its about winning them not offending them. I have watched a lot of well meaning Christians present Jesus in a way that would me want to walk away from them. Remember, "It's the kindness of God that leads us to repentance."
3. God will give you wisdom to be effective. Rely on the Holy Spirit. Maybe a Word of Knowledge or a Word of Wisdom will be just what is needed to change a life, change a family, change a culture.
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