Taking Back Christianese: Challenging the Most Common Ways We Talk about our Christian May 8, 2016

Preach the gospel always; if necessary, use words.

Big Idea: Our lives should create opportunity to bear witness to the person and work of , but should not exclusively be that witness.

I. What do people mean by this phrase?

a. Actions speak louder than words

b. The best witness to the gospel is our conduct, not confession

II. Where did this come from? Why is it used by Christians?

a. Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi

i. Born 1181 or 1182, lived ~47 years

ii. Roman Catholic Friar and Preacher

b. Primary use is “evangelistic”

III. What is correct/helpful about the saying?

a. We are to bear witness to Jesus i. What examples of faithful living have you seen that pointed you to Christ?

b. They way we live as Christians does matter i. 1 Timothy 4:16

ii. How ought we to live as Christians that is different from our present culture? What in the current church hurts our witness?

c. Our lives should ‘give off’ Jesus i. 2 Corinthians 2:12-16 1. Christian living as a pleasing aroma to

Taking Back Christianese: Challenging the Most Common Ways We Talk about our Christian Faith May 8, 2016

2. How will those around us know what they are smelling? How did those around Paul know? a. 2 Corinthians 2:17

IV. What is problematic about the saying?

a. It makes the gospel a habit, not history

i. How would you define the gospel?

b. It dismisses the need for our witness to comprehensible

i. 1 Timothy 4:11-16

ii. How does Paul demonstrate the need for others to comprehend our testimony?

c. It pits Christian living and speaking against each other

i. Romans 10:5-13 and 14-17

ii. How does Paul view the relationship between the heart and the mouth?

V. (Very) Brief Primer on Evangelism

Heidelberg Catechism, Q1: What is your only comfort in life and in death?

Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, (a) am not my own, (b) but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; (c) who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, (d) and delivered me from all the power of the devil; (e) and so preserves me (f) that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; (g) yea, that all things must be subservient to my , (h) and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, (i) and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.