Page 148 - Bible Geography and Near East Studies

The Lesson ...

The regions of Islam represent some of the deepest pockets of lostness on Earth. Until the latter half of the
twentieth century, the Muslim peoples had been basically neglected by the mission of Christianity. Christ
mandated that his followers go into all the world to preach the Good News. How can you reach out to the
Muslims with the love of God?

Concentrate on who Jesus is. Muslims have a differing view of Jesus and why He came to earth. And they
emphatically deny that Jesus was God’s Son who sacrificed Himself on a CROSS. They deny the cross.
Why is the Cross so important?

Why the Cross?
A Muslim will ask you, “Why would Allah allow His Prophet Isa to be mistreated and killed?” Jesus’
death was essential because (here is the Gospel) . . .

• Every person is a sinner: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Whether dishonoring parents, telling a lie, failing to love God best, or disbelieving God’s Word, we
each have sinned against the holy God.

• The punishment for sin is death: “For the wages of sin are death” (Romans 6:23a). God pours out
His wrath against unbelieving sinners by separating them forever in hell (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9). As
the just Judge, God will not overlook sin.

• We cannot save ourselves by good works: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians
2:8-9). This is a key difference between Christianity and Islam. Islam teaches that a person can earn
paradise by keeping the Five Pillars. Even if possible to outweigh bad deeds with good deeds, the
Bible teaches that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b). Even one single sin makes
a person guilty of breaking all God’s law (James 2:10). Sinful humans can do nothing to merit heaven.

• God sacrificed His Son for sinners: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God knew mankind’s
sin kept them from heaven. God knew the only way the sin debt could be paid was by a perfect One
paying the price of death. God knew He alone could pay such an infinite price. So, God’s eternal plan
was to send His Son, Jesus, to die in the believing sinner’s place. The Muslim needs to understand
these truths!

Develop Personal Relationships
The most effective way of sharing your faith with Muslims is through personal relationships. It's extremely
rare that one happens upon a social encounter with a Muslim and has an immediate and effective witness.
A sincere friendship characterized by trust and compassion can earn you the right to be heard.

• Don't consider the Muslim as an enemy to be conquered, but rather a person to be loved.
• Make sure that any relationships are not superficial and hollow.
o Make the effort to develop genuine friendships.
o Don't just act as if you care; people can sense when you're not being genuine.
• Do not make your friendship contingent on their response.

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