How Important is it to Understand the People You Preach to?

[timeforcute]

Just to add on to what Mark is saying, when Jesus went around preaching "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel," he could do so because the culture understood something of what he was saying.

In America, the great barrier to God is that people do not believe they have to repent, or don't understand how it fits in to theology.

In a Muslim country, people understand they have to change to please God, but not that the time was fulfilled.

[TMCalumnus]

Actually, whatever their sins are, the gospel doesn't change... it's really not that hard.

[jesusfreakrkg]

Agreed. I love Pastor Mark. But ... You need to know what their sin is? Well... who isn't idolatrous? Who doesn't lust? who hasn't lied? who hasn't been a murderer at heart w/ unjust anger toward someone? You are right. the gospel never changes -- Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins.

So what do we proclaim? Law to convict of sins, christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins, and the command of God for men to repent and trust in christ's finished work of redemption.

[natet5454]

amen brother!