The fundamentalists “threw the baby out without the bath-water”

The fundamentalists The fundamentalists “threw the baby out “threw the baby out

without the bath-without the bath-water” . . .water” . . .

The fundamentalists The fundamentalists “threw the baby out “threw the baby out

without the bath-without the bath-water” . . .water” . . .

. . . & the Emergent . . . & the Emergent movement is the movement is the

“unpaid bill” of the “unpaid bill” of the evangelical churchevangelical church

Adorning the GospelAdorning the Gospelwith Good Deedswith Good Deeds

Adorning the Gospel Adorning the Gospel with Good Deedswith Good Deeds

WHAT ARE GOOD DEEDS? WHAT ARE GOOD DEEDS? WHO SHOULD DO THEM? TO WHO SHOULD DO THEM? TO WHOM?WHOM?


WHAT ARE GOOD DEEDS? WHAT ARE GOOD DEEDS? WHO SHOULD DO THEM? TO WHO SHOULD DO THEM? TO WHOM?WHOM?Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and

Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:13,14)


WHAT ARE GOOD DEEDS? WHAT ARE GOOD DEEDS? WHO SHOULD DO THEM? TO WHO SHOULD DO THEM? TO WHOM?WHOM?Remind them to be subject to rulers, to

authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. (Titus 3:1,2; cf. 1 Peter 3:15)


HOW IMPORTANT ARE GOOD HOW IMPORTANT ARE GOOD DEEDS FOR CHRISTIAN DEEDS FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS?LEADERS?


HOW IMPORTANT ARE GOOD HOW IMPORTANT ARE GOOD DEEDS FOR CHRISTIAN DEEDS FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS?LEADERS?They profess to know God, but by their

deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed. (Titus 1:16)


HOW IMPORTANT ARE GOOD HOW IMPORTANT ARE GOOD DEEDS FOR CHRISTIAN DEEDS FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS?LEADERS?In all things show yourself to be an

example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech, which is beyond reproach . . . (Titus 2,7,8)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?In all things show yourself to be an

example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:7,8)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?

Good deeds can protect the Good deeds can protect the gospel from slander (cf. 1 Pet. gospel from slander (cf. 1 Pet.

2:15; 2:15; but see also Heb. 13:13,16)but see also Heb. 13:13,16)

In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:7,8)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?Urge bondslaves to be subject to their

own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. (Titus 2:9,10)



Good deeds can make the Good deeds can make the gospel attractive (cf. 1 Pet. gospel attractive (cf. 1 Pet.

2:12; 2:12; but they are but they are notnot synonymous) synonymous)

Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. (Titus 2:9,10)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?“Are we the kind of church of which (our

community) says: ‘We don’t share a lot of their beliefs, but I shudder to think of this (community) without them. They are such an important part of the community. They give so much! If they left we’d have to raise taxes because others won’t give of themselves like they do.” Tim Keller in John Piper & Justin Taylor (general editors), The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2007), p. 122.



Social perception that Social perception that Christianity is “good for the Christianity is “good for the

community” community” is usually a key factor is usually a key factor

in evangelistic harvests . . .in evangelistic harvests . . .



Social perception that Christianity Social perception that Christianity is “good for the community” is “good for the community”

is usually a key factor is usually a key factor in evangelistic harvests . . .in evangelistic harvests . . .

. . . & crucial to this . . . & crucial to this favorable perception favorable perception

are the good deeds of Christians are the good deeds of Christians toward non-Christianstoward non-Christians


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Christian Movement in Jerusalem (30’s AD)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Christian Movement in Jerusalem (30’s AD)At the hands of the apostles many signs

and wonders were taking place among the people . . . But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number . . . (Acts 5:12-14)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Christian Movement prior to Constantine (100 – 325 AD)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Christian Movement prior to Constantine (100 – 325 AD)The three main factors that led people to

become Christians were: healings & exorcisms, the dignity given to women & the poor in the Christian community, & the astonishing practice & spontaneous goodness especially to the poor & needy.Summarized from Alan Kreider, The Change of Conversion & the Origin of Christendom (Trinity Press, 1999)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Christian Movement prior to Constantine (100 – 325 AD)“(They) are merciful to everyone,

including strangers . . . They are people who bear the name of Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and they do good to everyone, putting their hope in Him who made heaven and earth and humans.” First Greek Life of Pachomius, 4-5


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Christian Movement prior to Constantine (100 – 325 AD)“Most of our brother Christians showed

unbounded love . . . never sparing themselves and thinking only of one another. Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ, and with them (became sick and) departed supremely happy . . .


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Christian Movement prior to Constantine (100 – 325 AD). . . The best of our brothers lost their

lives in this manner, a number of presbyters, deacons, and laymen winning high commendation so that death in this form, the result of great piety and strong faith, seems in every way the equal of martyrdom.” Dionysius (260 AD), quoted in Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History (Princeton University Press, 1996), p. 82.


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Christian Movement during the reign of Julian the Apostate (362 AD)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Christian Movement during the reign of Julian the Apostate (362 AD)

“The religion of the Greeks does not prosper. Why do we not observe how the charity of Christians to strangers has done the most to advance their cause? It is disgraceful that these Christians support our poor in addition to their own, while everyone is able to see that our co-religionists lack aid from us.”


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Evangelical Movement in Great Britain (1740 - 1840)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Evangelical Movement in Great Britain (1740 - 1840)“Evangelicals . . . were regarded as narrow-

minded, bigoted, lacking in humor, devoid of imagination, incapable of understanding the real world, occupying a subculture which normal people would not wish to enter. Those who were enticed into their circle were regarded as having met with an unfortunate accident, and no respectable family would willingly allow their offspring to be influenced in this way.” (Robinson & Smith, Invading Secular Space, pp.69,70)


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?GOSPEL?•The Evangelical Movement in Great Britain (1740 - 1840)“I do not think that either myself, or any other

minister in the church, is very successful in converting souls to Christ. In my mind, I ascribe it to God’s secret blessings on the nation, on account of the attempts that are made to honor him in Britain, and to the influence of the Bible Society, which has given a kind of currency to gospel truths.” (Charles Simeon, cited in W. Carus, Memoirs of the Life of Rev. Charles Simeon, p. 536)



The evangelical church The evangelical church in America has a in America has a bad reputation – bad reputation –

& it is rapidly getting & it is rapidly getting worse!worse!



If we want to see a great If we want to see a great harvest, we need to harvest, we need to

adorn our adorn our good news with good good news with good

deeds!deeds!



If we want to see a great If we want to see a great harvest, we need to adorn harvest, we need to adorn

our our good news with good good news with good

deeds!deeds!

GET SERIOUS ABOUT BEING GET SERIOUS ABOUT BEING A GOOD NEIGHBORA GOOD NEIGHBOR




our our good news with good good news with good

deeds!deeds!

VOLUNTEER IN YOUR VOLUNTEER IN YOUR COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY




our our good news with good deeds!good news with good deeds!

INVEST YOUR INVEST YOUR CHURCH RESOURCES TO CHURCH RESOURCES TO

SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY


HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT HOW DO GOOD DEEDS AFFECT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL?•Volunteering in the community as a “normal” ministry role

•Home groups: service projects & service ministry coordinators

•Mobilizing & esteeming gifted service & mercy workers

•Providing new Christians with immediate opportunities to serve in this way


WHAT WILL MOTIVATE US TO WHAT WILL MOTIVATE US TO EMBRACE & SUSTAIN A EMBRACE & SUSTAIN A LIFESTYLE OF GOOD DEEDS?LIFESTYLE OF GOOD DEEDS?



For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people, instructing us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures and to live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed . . .



. . . He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. (Titus 2:11-14)



“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior . . .



. . . Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to good deeds. (Titus 3:4-8)


Questions?Questions?

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The fundamentalists “threw the baby out without the bath-water”