This episode builds off the last one, in which sinners identify with one of three kinds of sinners: the religious person who excels in keeping the outward law, the average person whose obedience is not particularly noteworthy, and the open rebel who respects neither God nor man. The prudent evangelist notes which one the potential convert identifies with and conveys his testimony accordingly, highlighting comparable experiences and struggles that might resonate with his audience. Few receive the gospel on the first hearing, but many will remember a testimony that is relatable. The Holy Spirit often uses individual testimonies to draw people to Christ on the day of visitation, for they represent real live examples, not just abstractions. The evangelist consequently needs to listen to both the Holy Spirit and the potential convert, as both often provide a veritable roadmap for evangelistic encounters.
A Helpful Analogy that Shuts up ALL under Sin
This episode reviews the salient points of the previous week, emphasizing that we are co-laborers with the Holy Spirit. He is responsible for "saving" sinners, not the evangelist. Most of the episode applies a common helpful analogy to explain the desperate plight of ALL people apart from Christ. A ship 1,000 miles from land sinks with 3 people aboard, an Olympian, an average guy, and a quadriplegic. The three represent the range from professional religious persons to Hitler. All miss the righteousness of God completely and desperately need a Savior. Ironically known sinners are often first to receive Christ before religious people. The evangelist should note which of the three the potential convert identifies with, incorporating his own testimony as the Holy Spirit leads.
Omission of the Great Commission Makes a Dull Christian
This episode initially drives home the central point of the previous lesson, that response to the Great Commission mandate is a matter of obedience, not feelings. And it is comparable to growth in many Christian disciplines, in which "feeling" dividends are not immediately realized but nevertheless accumulate with a lifestyle of obedience. This episode paints the stark contrast of an obedient disciple of Christ, making the most of every evangelistic opportunity, with the mediocre Christian life that never responds to the evangelistic call. In the case of the latter, a sub-standard Christian life sets in after prolonged disobedience to the Great Commission. The love of God poured out in the heart of the believer is imprisoned within oneself or family, and the unconditional love of God pleading with the world "be ye reconciled to Christ" withers away in solitary confinement. It is always technically present, but the indwelling Spirit is grieved that the UNCONDITIONAL love that defines Him is at best extended to cellmates. The disciple obedient to the Great Commission, by contrast, experiences greater degrees of the divine zoe life. Disciplined to follow the Spirit's promptings in leading others to Christ, he is constantly being strengthened with power in the inner man, rooting and grounding him in the agape love that he readily extends to unbelievers. (Ephesians 3:16-19) The supernatural mission of Christ IS his mission, and Christ's joy (and the angels) becomes his when he assists in bringing sinners to repentance. The zoe life characterized by obedience in making disciples becomes LIFE itself.
Get Comfortable Making Sinners Uncomfortable
This episode addresses the role of the evangelist in cooperating with the Spirit when He convicts the world concerning sin. No one calls Jesus Lord apart from the Spirit's convicting work, and the Spirit makes unbelievers uncomfortable with themselves in light of any faithful presentation of the gospel message. Many evangelists desperately want to provide the solution to the problem of sin without adequately spelling out the problem. They interrupt sinners in the PROCESS of grappling with the just judgment due their sin, leading to a very shallow conviction that they NEED Christ. Never genuinely convicted of their sin and desperate state, they abandon Christ when difficulty arises, for they never had "firm root" in themselves. (Matthew 13:21) They were never sufficiently convicted of their sinfulness. Sadly, many such "converts" erroneously conclude they're saved based on a past recitation of the sinners prayer, which now inoculates them against real conviction. And, many will likely be horrified when they are cast into hell, despite their shallow profession. (Matthew 7:22) The above terrifying outcome should motivate the evangelist not to get ahead of the Holy Spirit and allow sinners to "suffer" under His convictions. Deep conviction leading to repentance and faith in Christ produces lasting disciples who KNOW their wretched condition apart from Christ. The episode concludes with this imperative: BE COMFORTABLE WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKES SINNERS UNCOMFORTABLE, for there is no curtailing the process. And curtailing, albeit well-intentioned, is a stumbling block, and we know what Jesus says about that..(Matthew 18:7)
The Personhood of the Triune God Really Matters
This episode spells out the superior age of the Spirit inaugurated by Christ, and it is all predicated on the personality of the Holy Spirit which Jews deny. Christ contrasted the best of the prior age in the person of John the Baptist with "the least in the kingdom of God." The least among partakers of the New Covenant in Christ are greater than the best of the Old covenant. (Matthew 11:11) Christ inaugurated the New Covenant in His blood, and the Holy Spirit applies the Covenant to the world, convicting people of sin, righteousness and judgment leading to repentance and faith in Christ. (John 16:8-11)(1 Corinthians 12:3) When one is subsequently born again, he partakes of the divine nature, becoming a temple of the very personal Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:4) Conviction, repentance, faith and regeneration all involve the PERSONAL role of the Holy Spirit. It naturally follows that rejection of the PERSON and role of the Holy Spirit, who applies the New Covenant of Christ to the unregenerate, results in condemnation. No one comes to the Father except through Christ (John 14:6), and no one calls Jesus Lord except through the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3 Salvation then presumes the personal involvement of each member of the Trinity aimed at reconciling the world back to that Triune God. Isaiah 48:16 says "the Lord God has sent Me [the Messiah}, and His Spirit." The singular essence and salvific purpose of the godhead consequently requires that rejection of either the Son or the Spirit MEANS rejection of the Father who sent them. For this reason, Christians and Jews (who reject Christ and the Holy Spirit) do not believe in the same God.
“Lord I believe, Help my Unbelief!”
Building off of 2 Cor. 3:14-16, this episode highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in uncovering the numerous veils of unbelief in our lives, addressing the root problem behind all sin, which is a failure to trust Christ (John 16:9). This refusal to trust Christ in certain areas corresponds to a veil of unbelief which blinds us to the glory of Christ. The solution, of course, is to turn to Christ and the veil is lifted. But we can't simply make ourselves believe God in everything. So believers are encouraged to go forward in the spirit of "Lord I believe, help my unbelief." As we confess the sin of unbelief (1 John 1:9 ) and consume God's Word, the Holy Spirit "strengthens us with power in the inner man so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith." (Eph 3:16-17) When we do our part, the Holy Spirit comes alongside and uncovers the glory of Christ and the veil of unbelief comes tumbling down. When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit and respond positively to His convictions, we progress towards the beatific vision.
Conviction and Illumination: Uncovering the Glory of Christ
This episode highlights the Holy Spirit's activity of uncovering the glory of Christ, the unveiling of which leads to personal transformation, according to 2 Corinthians 3:18. That uncovering was initially a dreadful encounter with the God of Truth, as the Holy Spirit convicted the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. Upon conversion, the Holy Spirit continues his work of uncovering the glory of Christ. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you." (John 16:14) The work of the Spirit is indispensable for "beholding the glory of the Lord" and "being filled up with all the fulness of Christ," degrees of the beatific vision available in this life.