CHEAP EVANGELISM VS. THE FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT

CHEAP EVANGELISM VS. THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

I recently read of a man stating it this way, ‘Many were converted to Christianity but not to Christ.’ I stopped to analyze that statement. It is much what we see and hear of today. Finney preached this and many others have put the church on notice of its error. It is false conversion. You hear very little of it today. Yet, when one man was asked about revival coming to the North American church, he said, ‘If revival would come to the church today, one of the first evidences of it would be that 95% of the church would be truly born again.

It is nothing new, we see this false conversion in the New Testament, we see it warned and preached against. We hear of its awful accounts to many that had this cheap evangelism, yet they was still pawns to the devil and his work. They are seen as hypocrites, clouds without water, without any substance of eternity in their souls. They are lost, without Christ and onward moving toward hell. They are the picture of Judas. He saw all the miracles, he heard the words of Christ and yet, was ’the son of perdition.’ Oh,, the ravages of religion from Satan’s lies that compels men to accept cheap evangelism and reject the full Gospel message of the cross of Christ.

Let us examine this and see what it is. Let us lay a foundation on the fullness of the Spirit and His mighty workings. With Him there is hope and power; without Him there is no hope and no power. And what this dying world needs today is found in only One Name, the Name of Jesus Christ. ‘there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved.’ And there is no fullness of the Spirit without laying this sure foundation in Christ Jesus alone.

I. What Do I mean by ‘Cheap Evangelism’?

Dietrich Bonheoffer, wrote a book on ‘Cheap Grace’. In this he implies and demonstrates the church’s hazardous treating of Christ and God’s worthy grace. Having a God that looks upon us while yet in sin, and yet still loves us, speaks volumes of His loving-kindness. The old song says it, ‘While He was on the cross, I was on His mind. He knew me, yet He loved me.’ ‘The scripture declares this truth, ‘While yet in sin, Christ loved us and died for us; for the remission of all our sin.’ What other way, can lost, sinful, vile man find salvation unless holy, loving, merciful, gracious God makes a way? There is no other way. The ineffectiveness of the Gospel is upon those who receive the gift of salvation in Christ death, yet never follows the way of salvation. What is that way? ‘Unless a man takes up his cross and comes follow me, there is no salvation.’

Cheap evangelism is reflective of this half truth. Yes, Christ died for us out of His love for us. Yet, man’s reply must be in accordance with the instructions given and demonstrated in the Scriptures. To accept Christ without death is not full salvation. Death to self is the only way to find life in Him. A man cannot be saved unless he knows that he is lost. If a man is drowning in the river, a person will attempt to save him. If the man drowning does not believe he is drowning he will reject or refuse the help of salvation. But if he knows he is drowning, he will seize every help and effort to rescue him. But a man must know that he is lost, in sin and without Christ first before they will look to Him for salvation. ‘Thou shalt call His Name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.’’

Another half truth extended to a lost world today is found in the knowledge about God’s love. ‘God is love.’ ‘Love is one of God’s attributes and pure, Divine love proceeds from Him. Yet, to believe that a God Who is love will simply excuse or allow and permit sin, which is contrary to His holy Divine love is not sane. A holy God cannot be holy if sin is present. Therefore, sin must be removed and abolished. This is done only through the shed blood of Christ that cleanses men from their sins.

Another false hope and truth is the work of religion - humanism. ’If I try hard enough and do enough good deeds, then God will accept me.’ The works of baptism, good acts, prayer, church, and all the other labors that men seek to do to find favor from God. This is humanism for it is directly related to the approach of salvation from man’s side. Salvation is never from man’s side, it is from God’s side. It is planned by God, provided by God and presented by God. To seek it any other way, is to search for cheap evangelism. Leave the word of salvation alone that begins with “I” or ends with “I”. Humanism is so deeply engrained in the church today, it is covered by layers of tradition, religion and good intentions.

Cheap evangelism does not recognize the value of ’looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.’ It holds forth a small portion of the truth and seems on track. Many have gone half way but not the whole way. This is the reason that a real revival from God would cause many to see their lostness and know they are missing something. That something cannot be filled with cheap evangelism. The only thing to fill the void in heart and soul that will bring peace and joy is found in Christ. And without seeing Jesus, crucified, glorified, in His power and majesty they will not see what they need to see.

what evidence is there in this 'cheap evangelism'?
One of the things we see evident today among the churches is the carnaltiy and love of sin. Christ did not love sin nor pracitice sin. Great saints of old demonstrated a mirror reflection of Christ attitude and life away from sin and toward holiness. Yet, today we see the opposite; away from holiness and toward sin. The evidence of this 'cheap evangelism' is that there are many in the churches today that profess their Christianity all the while pracitcing and loving sin. Sin is so much apart of the American church and the majority of Chrsitians today. I truly wonder at how many discern the differnce. Or even acknowledge what I am trying to say here. And so what we see as a result today is so many that fall away into sin, and then get stirred up when tragedy or difficulty happen and then return to the Lord.

I cling fast to Duncan Campbell's testimony of the Hebrides revival of 1949. He declares this truth about the church and work of salvation in the midst of the revival. 'We know nothing of back-sliding today.' And this was years after the revival. there in the midst of the brethren, they remained faithful, strong, steadfast, holy, and perservering. Oh, praise His Name for such power and redemption. Is this not what the plan of salvation is all about? Are we not to be saved completely from our sins and sinful nature, resting in Him completely? then what is this method fo the church today, to fall in and out of relationship with Christ weekly, daily monthly? It is not the work of God; so therefore, it must be the work of Satan. What is this work? It is the deception of being 'born again'. Religion, humanistic appraoch and effort has blinded the eyes to see who and what Christ has done andwill do for the soul that puts their faith in Him wholeheartedly.

II. The evidence of God's fullness in the work of salvation.

Is there anything greater than the great work of salvation? Delivering lost men from hell into the safe haven of Christ. Seeing the captives set free and lives changed, all due to the benevloence of His mercy and grace. HOw glorious to see the blind receive their sight; to see the dead in trespasses and sins raised in glorious attainement of deliverance. This is the great work of God upon lost men. The soul that has received it, knows the truth and perfect peace of it. 'To as many as would receive Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God.' And upon these souls of salvation they have been drawn, invited and gathered by His mercy and grace to redeem them, for they were chosen before the creation of all. For God knowing all things, knew those that would receive and respond to the leading and pulling of the Holy Spirit and to those that would not and reject it. How dreadful to live a lifetime here with invitations, Bibles, sermons, truth, and opportunity to only throw it all away and spend an eternity in hell for failure to respond to His great love. The power of the Gospel is to redeem lost men. And because it is so great and powerful it is only a work of God. No man can do this. No religion can do this. Only the blood of One can cleanse from all iniquity; can purify; can set free from the chains of sin and self - only Jesus Christ.

Herein is the testimony of the saints that declare all these things have happened unto them. It is said that the Chinese worker, Marie Monsen, would ask everyone 'Have you been born again?' Many was the response that she got. Only one answer was right. Those that were saved rejoiced to answer of Who saved them and how it happened in His grace and mercy. It is the witness and evidence of His mighty hand that did it. Hear the praises of the saints that declare, 'Look what the Lord has done.' 'Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.'

Hear the proof of drug addicts, alchol addicts, worldly figures, lovers of self to declare that all those things died and Christ now reigns supreme. This is the evidence borne from men that have met Christ and died in Him. 'Nevertheless, not I but Christ Who lives in me.' Upon these souls all to say, whether they understand it or not; whether they agree or not, they must say, 'Here comes these men that have turned the world upside down.'

The world declares, 'They are not the same, something has happened to them.' Report after report of lives being changes, delivered, and God being glorified for it. Not all the world receives it nor likes it. But they cannot change it.

updated: 6/18/11
Posted 6/17/11