Can We Talk?

Sunday Sermons

Mark Dunagan
11/25/07 - Sunday Evening

Can We Talk?

The Holy Spirit reveals that the Athenians of Paul’s day spent their time in “nothing other than telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21). From this verse, it looks as if the Athenians were very open minded and that there were no topics that were considered off-limits or taboo in this culture. Yet, when Paul brings up the fact of the resurrection (17:32), all of a sudden, the inhabitants here do not seem to be very open-minded, for some began to mock the idea (17:32).

In times past, people were told not to talk about politics, religion or other issues, especially when in a social setting. Yet, over time, most topics that were considered taboo are now talked about all the time in public. Even when people were told not to discuss “religion”, the issue was not religion in general, but rather, a specific form of religion, that is, Christianity. Even in Athens, the people discussed religion, for they were very religious in all respects (17:22), yet they objected to material about Christ. This remains true to this day; in this lesson we want to ask why. Why is Christianity the last 'off-limits' topic? Why are so many people uncomfortable when this topic is discussed?

We are talking about something desperately important

Money, politics and other topics do affect people’s lives, yet there is a big difference between all those topics and Christianity. “Issues of faith, by most people’s perceptions, affect more than the here and now. If something comes after this life (and most people have that sense) then almost by definition, you can’t afford to be wrong about it. Get close to such topics, and you’re on thin ice” (World Magazine, February 12, 2000, p. 18). As with Paul’s speech in Athens, he had connected the truth of the resurrection with the fact of the final judgment (Acts 17:31). The reality that God is going to judge the world in righteousness, through Jesus Christ, relays a number of vital truths:

We will be measured by a true and just standard: “righteousness”. If we are being lazy or living in sin, we are in trouble.
Jesus will be the judge, which means we are equally on the wrong side if we are not serving Him right now.
There are no second chances at this judgment, for we are told to repent now, in this life time.

Misunderstanding our boldness

Unfortunately some people confuse the openness, boldness and confidence of Christians with being intolerant or self-righteous. For any non-Christian reading this sermon and becoming upset because Christians keep trying to “convert” them, allow me to ask you the following questions:

Are you absolutely sure that your opinions will trump Scripture in the end? The Bible definitely claims that Jesus is the only way to heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
The Bible claims that all men and women outside of this relationship with Jesus are lost (Mark 16:16 “He that believeth not shall be condemned”; John 3:36 “But he who doe not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him”).
At death, one’s fate is sealed (Luke 16:19ff) and the unbeliever faces an eternity of suffering (Matthew 24:46 “eternal punishment”; Mark 9:43-48).
So if you really cared about those you worked with, lived next to, or loved, what would you do if you were a Christian?
The only loving and logical answer would be to try to reach as many people as you could. Anything less would be an act of hatred.
Thus, do not be upset because I try to convert you – it is evidence that I like you. Worry if I do not say anything to you about your soul, eternity or Jesus, for that would mean that I do not care if you end up lost for eternity.
Do not get offended when you realize that I consider you to be lost, because when I was in your condition, I was lost too! The fact is that all men sin (Romans 3:23) and no one can save themselves apart from Christ.
Do not get offended when you perceive that I feel you need to change certain things about the way you are living, for I needed to change a lot about myself, and I am continuing to strengthen myself.
Do not assume that since I am trying to convert you that I think that I am better than you. I sin too (1 John 1:8-10). The difference is that I see my need for Christ and forgiveness. Understand that by claiming that you do not need Christ, you are actually claiming that you are better than me and all other Christians.
True self-righteousness is not claiming that one needs Jesus, for this is humility. Rather, self-righteousness is claiming that one can save themselves and that they do not need a Savior.
Giving you a Scripture is not being intolerant, for I am not giving you my inflexible opinion (that would be intolerant). Rather, I am keeping my opinion out of the matter, and simply giving you God’s point of view.
Seeing that God’s word is truth (John 17:17), please do not be upset when I cannot wind up a discussion about faith issues or matters of eternity by throwing up my hands and saying, “Well, whatever”.
Do not be upset when I cannot agree with the popular attitude, “Well, we are probably both right”.
Do not confuse my evangelism attempts with hatred. I preach to people I love and care about. Even if you reject the gospel, I will continue to be the best neighbor, co-worker or real friend you could ever have – but you must be tolerant of me and allow me to speak what the Bible says is true.
Understand that I am accountable to our Creator and while you may not want to hear me talk about certain topics, God wants His message to get out and He has selected believers to do this work for Him (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; 1 Corinthians 9:16 “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel”).
Do not get upset if I start talking to you and spending time with you and then I bring up the subject of Jesus. This does not prove that I am only interested in recruiting another person for my church, rather, it proves that I am interested in you at the most basic and important level. I am interested in “you”, the real you, the spirit that is inside your body and that will live on, forever, somewhere. I am far more interested in your having a good relationship with your Creator than in what you look like, how much money you make or what you could do for me. I want to be your friend, not just while the kids are in some sport together, or in school together, or just while we live in this neighborhood, I want to be your friend forever.

Religious conclusions are unprovable?

“The second reason people hesitate to talk in public about so-called religious issues is that most folks have been persuaded that religious conclusions are unprovable in any case—and therefore best avoided. The common wisdom suggests that scientists talk about verifiable facts, while theologians talk only about other-worldly opinions. So since none of it is certifiable, maybe it’s better to keep such discussions out of public view. In any case, when it’s only your opinion over against mine, how could we ever resolve such matters?” (World Magazine p. 18).

I believe that the previous quotation accurately reflects how many people view religion or religious questions and I would like to challenge such a perspective:

First of all, not all scientists agree on questions of science, there are even differing views of the theory of evolution among evolutionists.
There are competing views in such “sciences” as psychology and sociology, and yet, this does not keep people from talking fervently about what they consider to be the “truth”.
“The philosophic arbitrariness of such thinking—excluding religion, for example, while welcoming psychology or even music—never seems to faze folks much” (World Magazine p. 18). The point being made is that men and women continue to fervently argue their point of view even when dealing with a matter of pure opinion. The fact that there might be thousands, if not millions, of views concerning music, art or sports, does not prevent people from earnestly arguing their case.
Yet, there are probably fewer views of Scripture then there are views of other subjects. I know there are religious nuts, but even a highly figurative book such as the book of Revelation has only four basic views. I have read many commentaries and there are not endless differing views on each verse, but in many cases, only a couple. After all, even if one is not honest with Scripture, you can still only twist a passage so many ways.
I believe that most people who have taken various college courses would admit that interpreting a passage of Scripture such as Mark 16:16 or Acts 2:38 requires far less effort than understanding various human theories.
I have preached for over twenty years and during such time I know people have been offended by the Scriptures I presented. I have had people disagree with me and argue, but no one has ever said, “I did not understand what you were saying”. The very fact that people are offended by Scripture proves that they understand the passages all too well.

“Those of us who are Christians tend to focus way too much on how we come across to the outside world—and way too little on just being God’s rescued people. If we could more easily assume the role of one group of beggars telling other beggars where we found bread, a lot of conversational hang-ups would soon go away. Difficult discussions about religion will seem a little less impossible” (World Magazine p. 18).

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017