Way of the Master with Cameron & Comfort

Our youth group has recently been going through some topical studies and I chose to teach the one on Evangelism.  Now, this is a very broad topic, but, wanting to keep it down to a lesson or two, I chose to be as practical as possible.

In college, I took a class on Evangelism and Discipleship that showed several of the Way of the Master episodes.  I remembered these being logical and helpful, so I borrowed the series and watched the first two.  The main premise of the series is to use the Old Testament law given to the Israelite’s as a stepping stone to show people how much they’re in need of spiritual rescue.  The emphasis is put on The Ten Commandments, since most people are at least familiar with the title (even that though, there were some who weren’t!).

While this may not be the way you like to share Gods love, I think its a wise one, simply because it’s using the Old Testament for its intended use: to point to Jesus.

Here are some of the texts sprinkled throughout the episodes to prove their approach.

Mark 10:17-22

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is,God. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” ²⁰ And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” ²¹ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” ²² But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

While I think it’s confusing why Jesus didn’t tell the man that HE was the fulfillment of that law, it is instructive that He chose to first attempt to convince the man of his guilt.  This proves that the Law can be used for convicting purposes, showing people that they have a spiritual depravity that needs be reconciled.

Romans 3:19

 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

I don’t think this text should take much explanation.  In short: Man is accountable to God.

Psalm 19:7

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

There are multiple uses to the Law of God, though one of them, according to this Davidic Song, is the conversion of the soul.  This is the first glimpse of hope in the episodes.

And finally, Matthew 5:22

But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause^[b] shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

In this pericope, Jesus refers to some of the commandment concepts to show that the breaking of the law is not only external, but internal as well.  This is a wonderful way to show heathens that their thought life matters as well.

In all, the approach is a biblical (and successful) one.  I’ve looked around, and there are some people (Jesse Johnson) who have a problem with the approach who claim that the “hosts” interchange the concepts of the Commandments and Gods moral law. To see a copy of his article, click the link.

Concerns with The Way of the Master

And yes, technically they are different.  But when it comes to showing a lost soul their need for conversion, it is an acceptable interchange.

Thomas on Marriage

I’ve been plowing my way slowly through Sacred Marriage lately and have once again come across a concept the author, Thomas, seems to be quite insistent on.  I’ve shared with some people the books premise, that God designed marriage to make us holy, as opposed to happy.  Chapter 6 continues in that vein by contending that “behind virtually every case of marital dissatisfaction lies unrepented sin.”

What if you’re not married though?  Well, I would suggest to you that, behind virtually every case of ANY dissatisfaction lies unrepented sin.  Unrepented doubt in Gods goodness.  Unrepented lack of faith in His perfect plan.  This jives very well with what my pastor covered this morning in church: the Gold Rule passage.  Found in the testimony of Apostle Matthew, the Rule is merely a small part of a much larger sermon by Jesus.  The pericope leading up to it says “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” This refers to an amazing truth about self examination.  Yes, we have a responsibility to other believers to confront their sin, but we have a great responsibility to God to examine ourselves for sin first.  

As we go into this new month and week, take some extra time for prayer, asking God to show you your faults, that we may present ourselves “spotless”, and ready vessels for His use.