Ten Commandments Evangelism [podcast]

Use the 10 Commandments to bring conviction to the consciences of the lost and backslidden. THAT’s exactly how New Testament saints are instucted to use the Law.

Do you have them memorized? Do it now.

GOSPEL/KINGDOM TRUTH:

People must become convicted of their sin before they are broken and shown the need to repent. This truth is essential to successful ministering. Gal 3:24; 1 Tim 1:7-10; Ps 19:7 … You cannot and will never talk anyone into being saved. You don’t have that power. God does. And He instructs us to give them the divine sword which cuts straight into the consciences of men, convicting and drawing them.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalms 19:7

Notice, not your words or mine but rather “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.” Memorize this verse and the 10 Commandments. THAT’s when you will be armed and dangerous!

Today we have many ideas and notions concerning the important calling to evangelize the lost. Much of it is based upon mere human reason as an approach. Remember, we are but dust and that God knows what people, sinners need. And He told us what they need and how to engage them. Giving them the law, perhaps at times incorporating it conversationally, speaking it with care, lovingly, is the stated divine prescription.

The law convicts the sinner that he is just that – a sinner separated from his Maker, “alienated from the life of God.” (Ephesians 4:18) Then comes the Good News, the grace, the cross.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Psalms 19:7-8 

The law of God convicts sinners and brings them to Christ.

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24

BIBLICAL EVANGELISM: When people realize they are lost through the law, by being convicted of their sin against God, they sense the separation and impending judgment. At this point, by divine design, they will be more readily accepting of being saved. The law clearly conveys, exposes our sin, convicts the conscience of the guilt of sin and opens the door wide for them to be saved. Law must precede grace. Moses (the law) preceded Jesus (grace) (John 1:17). The sinner must be convicted by the law that he’s a sinner before he realizes his need to receive Christ! (Galatians 3:24; 1 Timothy 1:8-11)

The law convicts deeply. Let the law of God do its work. It’s futility (without the law) to attempt to convince a sinner of his sin and therefore his need to be saved, forgiven. God’s law does this!

“And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 22-23

The ultimate divine goal is to convict and to save the soul. This is why we must obey God by preaching HIS WORDS – law to convict and gospel to save (Romans 1:16; Psalms 19:7, etc.).

“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is NOT made for a righteous man, but (it is made) for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” 1 Timothy 1:8-11

Notice closely…. the law IS made for sinners…. to convict them of their sin so they may come to Christ!

“the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners…”

Presenting the Word: First, employ the law to cut, to convict, and to expose how wicked the sinner is and deserving of nothing but damnation, THEN the Gospel of Jesus’ saving grace to make the sinner whole. Amen!

Let’s look at it again and you may wish to memorize this truth:

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24

The sharp edge of the law convicts the sinner unto repentance.

NO one will BE saved before becoming greatly convicted of their sin. give them the Law then they will desire Christ (Galatians 3:24; 1 Timothy 1:9-11). The law convicts and brings them to Christ – it serves God’s purpose. We don’t lead them to Christ so much as God’s law convicts and leaves them feeling the reality of their alienation from God – and then they will be prepared to hear the saving Gospel of Christ. This is the New Testament way of winning souls to Jesus.

Today we have several well-known apologists who often appear before secular crowds at universities, king of like the apostle Paul as he spoke with the Athenians and those on Mars’ Hill.

What’s most important and the biblical model for evangelism, is to give the lost the law of God (10 Commandments), to convict them which in turn will bring them to Christ (Romans 7:12; Galatians 3:24; 1 Timothy 1:7-10). Placating lost souls with scientific arguments in defense of the faith seems to seldom if ever result in a lost sinner coming to the Savior in repentance. It is the law of God that pierces directly into the consciences of men and converts sinners to Christ (Psalms 19:7). When Paul spoke with the secularists of his day on Mars’ Hill he spoke to them of their idolatry (a sin violating the first 2 of the 10 Commandments), called them to repentance, and warned them that Judgment Day was coming (Acts 17:22-34).

Social media is full of people telling sinners the benefits of salvation, before they are saved, instead of obeying God and preaching the essentials of the law and call to repentance to convict them of that sin. In order for the sinner to experience the blessings of Christ’s salvation, they must be convicted of their sin, their separation from God. This is done by giving them the law, the 10 Commandments.

Give sinners the LAW to convict them of sin and therefore their separation from God. That is Bible evangelism (Galatians 3:24; 1 Timothy 1:7-11). Then preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15). No one can be talked into being saved. They must be preached into the kingdom, into being saved. It doesn’t matter how badly you want them to be saved, they will not be saved unless someone gives them the law to convict them – to expose their sin to them, bringing conviction and repentance. In being crucified with Christ, your personal sentiments will be mortified out of the way.

The law convicts the heart of sin and causes people to run to the LORD for the forgiveness He alone can give.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Exodus 20

1. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” v3 
2. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:” v4 
3. “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” v7
4. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” v8
5. “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” v12
6. “Thou shalt not kill.” v13
7. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” v14
8. “Thou shalt not steal.” v15
9. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” v16
10. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” v17 

After copying and pasting the Ten Commandments above, recently I sent the following to a sinner:

How does what you are saying to deflect and mock Christians and the LORD change your own personal accountability to your Maker who is the Judge of your eternal soul? We have all sinned against Him…. you included …. He sees the lies you’ve told, the people you’ve hated, the lust of the heart, the use of His holy name in vain, having other gods before Him (idolatry)…. why not settle out of court? Why not surrender in an honest heart and admit to Him what He already knows…. all of your sin? (Exodus 20)

Always, always, always use the Law to bring conviction of sin with sinners. That is the Bible, the New Testament way.