1. 10 Commandments of Church Effectiveness Be Wise Toward Outsiders

2. Commandments so far… #1 – Present yourself as one approved #2 – Lift up holy hands in prayer #3 – In doctrine show integrity #4 – Flee evil desires #5 – Set An Example For Believers #6 – Pursue Peace #7 – Set Your Mind On Things Above #8 – Remain Faithful To Death #9 – Put on the Full Armor of God

3. What does it look like to others? Christians should “look” like Jesus! We should assume the teachings and behavior of Jesus our Lord. Christianity is easily misunderstood and often slandered. Do we help? Or hurt? by our lifestyles.

4. The Slanderous Stuff There are many early attacks which slander the church. “…but I could discover nothing more than depraved and excessive superstition….” --Pliny the Younger to Emperor Trajan circa 112 A.D.

5. “Punishment by Nero was inflicted on the Christians, a class of men given to a new and mischievous superstition.” --Suetonius Nero

6. “Assuredly this confederacy ought to be rooted out and execrated. They know one another by secret marks and insignia, and they love one another almost before they know one another…they call one another promiscuously brothers and sisters, that …may…become incestuous….I hear that they adore the head of [a donkey]…. An infant covered over with meal…this infant is slain…thirstily…they lick up its blood, eagerly they divide its limbs….” Caecilius Natilis as recorded in Minucius Felix’s “Octavius”

7. Slander continues to this day: “We would be 1,500 years ahead if it hadn’t been for the church dragging science back by its coattails and burning our best minds at the stake.” “A believer is not a thinker and a thinker is not a believer.” “Atheism is a requirement for a complete human being. Religion is a crutch that is shackled to you….”

8. Commandment #10 -- Colossians 4:5-6 – “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

9. We must not waste opportunities to further the cause of Christ. Every person we meet is a potential convert for Jesus. The Lord will put people in our lives if we are willing to be used to bring others to Him.

10. We need to be aware of what others are seeing in us. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 -- Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. What does your daily life say to others?

11. Others will notice our actions, language, deportment, sincerity….

12. I Cor. 11:1 -- Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

13. Ephesians 5:15-16 -- Be very careful, then, how you live— not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. We must “redeem” every occasion

14. The Evangelistic Angle Vs. 6 -- Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

15. What does SALT represent? Speaks of “wit” Speaks of appropriateness for the occasion Speaks of words carefully chosen – properly seasoned.

16. We must be able to give proper answers to everyone. Both privately And publically 2 Timothy 2:15 -- Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

17. We must constantly guard against hypocrisy. Hypocrisy of Action Matthew 23:28 -- In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

18. Hypocrisy of message: 1 Timothy 4:1-2 -- The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

19. The effective church is: Composed of Bible-ready people. People with lives that reflects Jesus. People who actively share their faith. People who are consistent and dependable. People who pray without ceasing. People who are armed and ready for spiritual warfare.