Way of the Master Week 6: The Motive of the Sinner

A solemn reminder of the eternal stakes discussed in our Way of the Master Week 6 training session on the intentions of the heart.

Way of the Master Week 6: September 28, 2005 Archive

If Way of the Master Week 5 gave us the keys to unlock countless conversations—then Way of the Master Week 6 showed us the foundation.

It’s one thing to get someone to open the door; it’s another to ensure they have a solid floor to stand on. 

This was Week 6 of our journey together at Tri-Lakes Church. If you look back at our evangelism outreach history, you’ll see that we’ve always prioritized biblical truth over trends.

As an Evangelism Coach, my heart's desire is to see every believer equipped with the tools to share their faith boldly.

We had approximately 82 people here for this Way of the Master Week 6 episode, "The Motive of the Sinner."

As we studied this effective gospel outreach method, the room grew quiet. 

We realized that many churches are (accidentally) creating bitter ex-Christians by promising a 'better life' instead of preaching repentance from sin and rescue from God's wrath.

What Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort Taught Us About False Conversions

This episode took us straight to the heart of why do people walk away from Christianity.

The modern gospel tells us that accepting Jesus will make us happier. It will give us peace, love, joy, and a better life.

Then, when someone believes that message, they come to Christ expecting an upgrade—better relationships, financial breakthroughs, healing, and a problem-free existence. 

But then real life happens (it always does). Trials come. Prayers don't get answered the way we hoped. Loved ones get sick and don't recover.

Suddenly, the person who came to Jesus for a "better life" feels lied to.

They become angry with God, bitter toward Christians, and convinced that "they already tried Christianity and it didn't work."

This shows us why so many people end up feeling cheated.

When they realize the 'better life' was a false promise, they feel lied to—and honestly, they have every right to feel that way because we didn't give them the whole story.

A Real-Life Example That Hit Home

I shared about my friend and brother in Christ, Mitch, who attended our church and died this very day of cancer.

We prayed for Mitch. We believed God could heal him. But God didn't heal him—Mitch went home to be with the Lord. 

Here is why this matters. If someone comes to Christ just for a "better life," they won't be ready when tragedy strikes.

For example, just like in our situation with Mitch, they might pray for a friend to be healed of cancer, but the friend still dies.

Because they came to Jesus expecting a great lifestyle, there is a good chance they will fall away. 

They'll become bitter toward God. They won't want anything to do with Christians because they already "tried it out" and it "didn't work" like we told them it would.

The Wrong Motive vs. Biblical Repentance and Faith

We shouldn't tell someone that Jesus will give them peace, love, joy, and lasting happiness as the reason to come to Christ. If we do that, they'll get "saved" for the wrong reasons.

God didn't promise Christians a happy, carefree life after being born again.

He actually promised us temptation and tribulation—even persecution. 

But if we come to Christ for the biblical reason—to be saved from the wrath to come because of what Jesus did for us on the cross—it won't matter if we have problems in this life.

Biblical repentance and faith act as an anchor.

We won't cast off the Lord Jesus when trials hit because our hope isn't tied to our circumstances; it's tied to the Savior. We'll trust Him through the storm.

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A Question from the Class

One man said that he came to Christ for a "better life." He asked if it's possible for someone to come to Christ for that reason and then change. I told him yes, it's possible.

Through discipleship and building a life on solid biblical principles, they can learn what it truly means to be born again.

But here's the problem: many churches aren't providing that training.

They're continuing to feed people the same "Jesus makes everything better" message, which only reinforces the wrong foundation.

The Response Was Strong

People were very responsive to this teaching in Way of the Master Week 6. You could feel the weight of it sinking in.

This wasn't just theological talk—it was about real people in our lives who might be sitting in our churches right now with a false sense of security. 

This is because nobody ever told them the truth about sin, repentance, and judgment.

It was a powerful night. You could see it on people's faces as they headed to their cars—they were wrestling with what they'd just heard.

What's Next: Evangelism Sunday School Begins

Way of the Master Week 6 got people fired up about sharing their faith, and this Sunday we're launching a Sunday School class to keep that momentum alive.

We'll start watching additional episodes of Way of the Master and continuing to equip believers with biblical evangelism training.

Pastor Mark Shorey named the class "Winning Evangelism," and we're excited to see what God does as more people learn to share their faith the way Jesus did.

Main Takeaway: Motive Over Moment

In our study of Way of the Master Week 6, we learned that the motive matters more than the moment.

In other words, you can lead someone in a salvation prayer, but if their motive is wrong, there is a good chance they won't last.

True conversion happens when someone understands they are a sinner standing before a holy God, deserving of judgment, and in desperate need of mercy.

That's the gospel. Not self-improvement. Not a ticket to earthly happiness. It's rescue from the wrath to come.

Call to Action

A Final Word from Your Evangelism Coach

This week, examine your own faith. This is biblical.

Ask yourself: Why did I come to Christ? 

Was it for a better life?

Or was it because I understood I was a sinner in need of salvation?

If you're sharing the gospel with others, make sure you're giving them the right motive. Don't promise them health, wealth, and happiness.

Tell them the truth: we are sinners, God is holy, judgment is coming, and Jesus died to save us from the wrath we deserve. 

That's the message of biblical repentance and faith that creates true, lasting converts.

That's the message that will keep them faithful even when life gets hard.

And if you know someone who "tried Jesus" and walked away bitter, maybe now you understand why.

Pray for them.

And when the opportunity comes, share the real gospel with them—the one that doesn't promise an easy life, but offers something infinitely better: eternal life with God.

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← Previously: Gospel Tracts as Ice Breakers — Week 5 | Next Up: Way of the Master Week 7