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Stop Man-Centered Evangelism
E.A. Johnston
0:00
0:00 6:21
E.A. Johnston

Stop Man-Centered Evangelism

E.A. Johnston · 6:21

E.A. Johnston passionately calls for a return to God-centered evangelism that emphasizes true repentance, regeneration, and the blood of Christ rather than man-centered methods that mislead souls.
In this passionate sermon, E.A. Johnston challenges the prevalent man-centered evangelistic methods that mislead many into false assurance. He calls believers to embrace a God-centered gospel that emphasizes repentance, regeneration, and the atoning blood of Christ. Drawing inspiration from historic gospel preachers, Johnston urges the church to boldly proclaim sin, judgment, and salvation to a lost generation. This sermon serves as a clarion call to return to biblical evangelism rooted in the power of God.

Full Transcript

I just saw a post on the internet and it made me mad. It was the post of a waiter in a restaurant holding a fake $50 bill and his comments were customer just handed me a folded up 50 as a tip. I hate this place and I hate everyone and I hate myself and he took a picture of the unfolded fake 50 to show it was a gospel tract that said disappointed Jesus won't let you down.

God provides us with things money can't buy. Pray to receive Jesus into your heart and then it had the sinner's prayer in John 3 16. I'd like to do three things in regard to this.

First I'd like to find that waiter and apologize to him and say a real Christian wouldn't stiff you. Here's ten dollars to make up for that religious jerk. Secondly I'd like to find the person who stiffed that waiter and handed out that tract and ask him to stop damaging the cause of Christ with his man-centered evangelism and then I would witness to him because he's probably a lost religious person himself if he thinks that's how a sinner becomes a Christian.

Thirdly I'd like to contact the tract distributor and get them to stop printing that terrible tract that's doing more harm than good in the world and I'll tell you what friend I wish I could get a cease and desist legal restraint for the churches in America that are compromising the son of God and damaging the cause of Christ with their man-centered methodologies that are only making lost people religious while damning their souls. You don't get saved by believing a verse. You don't get saved by repeating a prayer.

You don't get saved by making a decision. You don't get saved by walking an aisle. You don't get saved by raising your hand.

Where in the world did we ever come up with such nonsense? We need to stop lying to folks especially since the days we are living in are so dark and the spirit of antichrist is already in the land and a lot of these churches with their man-centered methodologies are just paving the way for antichrist when he comes. We better get back to real new testament evangelism and a God-centered gospel that proclaims a blood stained Christ on a bloody cross for sin and warns men and women and boys and girls of their duty of repentance. We must be honest with the souls of men and preach the great doctrines of ruin, redemption, repentance, and regeneration that one cannot see the kingdom of God unless they are born again meaning that almighty God has performed a work of grace upon the heart in the supernatural act of regeneration by his spirit and that if anybody is actually saved in our church today it's because God gave them saving faith because salvation is of the Lord.

We desperately need a band of fiery God-called preachers a day who aren't afraid to call sin black and hell hot and who will warn this pagan generation of hell-bound sinners that there is a future judgment that awaits all mankind where every mother's son will be held up to the strict and unbending law of God and if you stand there in your own merits you will surely fail that test for all of sin and come short of the glory of God. Your only hope is to stand there in the merits of another the Lord Jesus Christ who hung naked on a bloody cross for sinful man. You have to get to the Christ of the Bible and close with him if you want to avoid a devil's hell.

Oh great God raise up a band of preachers who will preach a God-centered gospel to a Christ-hating generation. We need men oh Lord such as these at this hour. The apostle Paul, Luther, Wesley, Whitfield, Knox, Edwards, Spurgeon, Moody, Jones each shared a common denominator of fire in their belly.

They each were so eaten up with the gospel and thirsty for Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost they could not stand idly by while others perished. They saw nothing but eternity, worshiped a holy God and served a risen Christ living not for earth nor its gains but living only for heaven and its rewards. Oh when they preached they linked the devil with sin and the cross with salvation.

They preached hell and its fire and Christ and him crucified and not one of them feared king, queen or pope and not one of them sought the compliments of man.

Sermon Outline

  1. I. The Problem with Man-Centered Evangelism
    • Man-centered methods damage the cause of Christ
    • False assurance through repeating prayers or believing verses
    • Religious actions do not equal salvation
  2. II. The Need for God-Centered Evangelism
    • Proclaim a blood-stained Christ on the cross for sin
    • Call sinners to repentance and warn of judgment
    • Emphasize regeneration by the Holy Spirit
  3. III. The Call for Fiery, God-Called Preachers
    • Preach sin as black and hell as hot
    • Warn of eternal judgment and need for Christ’s merits
    • Follow examples of historic gospel preachers
  4. IV. The Urgency of Returning to Biblical Evangelism
    • Stop compromising the gospel with man-centered methods
    • Raise up preachers who fear God, not man
    • Preach Christ crucified boldly to a Christ-hating generation

Key Quotes

“You don't get saved by believing a verse. You don't get saved by repeating a prayer.” — E.A. Johnston
“We better get back to real new testament evangelism and a God-centered gospel that proclaims a blood stained Christ on a bloody cross for sin and warns men and women and boys and girls of their duty of repentance.” — E.A. Johnston
“Oh great God raise up a band of preachers who will preach a God-centered gospel to a Christ-hating generation.” — E.A. Johnston

Application Points

  • Examine your evangelistic approach to ensure it centers on God’s work and Christ’s sacrifice, not merely human decisions.
  • Boldly proclaim the necessity of repentance and warn of eternal judgment in your witness to others.
  • Pray for and support preachers who faithfully preach a God-centered gospel without compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is man-centered evangelism?
Man-centered evangelism focuses on human decisions, prayers, or actions rather than on God’s sovereign work and the gospel of Christ’s sacrifice.
Why does E.A. Johnston criticize common evangelistic methods?
He believes they give false assurance by reducing salvation to repeating prayers or believing verses without true repentance and regeneration.
What does true salvation involve according to the sermon?
True salvation involves repentance, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and trusting in the blood of Christ for forgiveness.
Who are examples of God-called preachers mentioned?
The sermon references Paul, Luther, Wesley, Whitfield, Knox, Edwards, Spurgeon, Moody, and Jones as examples.
What is the main call to action in this sermon?
To return to God-centered evangelism that boldly proclaims sin, judgment, and salvation through Christ alone.

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