Jesus-The Argument

The following study is from a compilation created by Glenn A Coon entitled, "I Know Something Good"  

A soul winning manual for sharing the good news of salvation.

LESSON IV JESUS–THE ARGUMENT

The Law of Persuasion Through Love

I The Great Argument

1. How did Christ state the great key to soul winning:
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35.
"A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity."Gospel Workers, p. 122.
"The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.” Ministry of Healing, p. 470.
"Men may combat and defy our logic, they may resist our appeals; but a life of disinterested love is an argument they cannot gainsay. A consistent life, characterized by the meekness of Christ, is a power in the world." Desire of Ages, p. 142.
2. What relation to Christ does the church have?
"Now ye are the body of Christ." 1 Corinthians 12:27.
3. What kind of harmony in the body will convince the world that we are actually the people of God?
"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." John 17:23.
"The secret of our success in the work of God will be found in the harmonious working of our people. There must be concentrated action. Every member of the body of Christ must act his part in the cause of God, according to the ability that God has given him. We must press together against obstructions and difficulties, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart."Review and Herald, December 2, 1890.
"If the world sees a perfect harmony existing in the church of God, it will be a powerful evidence to them in favor of the Christian religion."Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 19.

II. Christ Set Us an Example in Soul-winning
1. How did Christ set us an example in soul winning?
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." 1 Peter 2:21-23.
"In the advocacy of truth the bitterest opponents should be treated with respect and deference." Gospel Workers, p. 373.
2. When Christ was reviled by the devil, how did He respond?
"Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation." Jude 9. 

"Remember that you are to represent Christ in His meekness and gentleness and love," Gospel Workers, p. 372.
3. What is Christ to us?
"For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." John 13:15,
"Let the prayer constantly ascend, 'Lord, teach me how to do as Jesus would do, were He in my place.'" Gospel Workers, p. 373.

III. Early Christians Presented Jesus
1. What kind of an argument did the early disciples use to combat prejudice?
"And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see." John 1:46.
2. When Nathanael met Jesus and conversed with Him a few moments, what did he exclaim?
"Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the king of Israel." John 1:49.
3. When the early church was persecuted, what did their enemies have to admit?
"And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13.
"They were of 'one accord', 'of one heart and of one soul'. Christ filled their thoughts; the advancement of His kingdom was their aim. In mind and character they had become like their Master."Acts of the Apostles, P. 437

IV. Reward of the Spirit
1. If we display the meekness of Christ toward the bitterest opponents, what may we expect God to do?
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." 2 Timothy 2:24, 25.
2. For what aid may we look to God?
"If I depart I will send him (the Comforter) unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." John 16:7, last part, verse 8.
"The Saviour knew that no argument, however logical, would melt hard hearts, or break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness. He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly endowment."Acts of the Apostles, p. 31.
"The Spirit is given as a regenerating agency, to make effectual the salvation wrought by the death of our Redeemer. The Spirit is constantly seeking to draw the attention of men to the great offering that was made on the cross of Calvary, to unfold to the world the love of God, and to open to the convicted soul the precious things of the Scriptures.
"Having brought conviction of sin, and presented before the mind the standard of righteousness, the Holy Spirit withdraws the affections from the things of this earth, and fills the soul with a desire for holiness."Acts of the Apostles, pp. 52, 53.

Reflection 

A great preacher was once asked by a Christian woman, who stated that she had talked and talked and talked to her husband about being a Christian, just what he would advise her to do more than she had done.
To her question, the wise preacher replied, "Lady, if I were you, I would talk to God more about my husband than to my husband about God."
"The harmony and unity of the church are the credentials that they present to the world that Jesus is the Son of God."Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 279.
"The consistent life, the patient forbearance, the spirit unruffled under provocation, is always the most conclusive argument and the most solemn appeal." Ministry of Healing, p. 49.