Way of the Master Week 8: Idolatry - The Darling Sin of Humanity

Way of the Master Week 8 — Brad St. Clair explains how to identify the inner idols that stop us from fulfilling the Great Commission.

If Way of the Master Week 7 was the final piece of the puzzle snapping into place, then Way of the Master Week 8 brought us face-to-face with the most dangerous obstacle.

That obstacle is idolatry—building yourself a god who never asks you to open your mouth.

Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort showed us why idolatry is so dangerous—and why it's so sneaky. We're not talking about bowing down to golden statues.

It's reshaping God into someone who never demands anything—a god who:

• Lets us off the hook
• Doesn't demand obedience
• Doesn't care about the lost
• Definitely doesn't call us to something uncomfortable like street evangelism—or any witnessing at all
  
  

As an Evangelism Coach, I've learned that the final week of training is often the most convicting—because this is where it gets personal.

This is where we stop talking about "those sinners out there" and start asking ourselves if we've created an idol in our own hearts.

As you read this, be brutally honest: are you obeying God's command to share the Gospel, or are you keeping your mouth shut and calling it wisdom?

And be honest about what you're actually doing—or not doing—when it comes to being a witness for Christ.

This Way of the Master Week 8 lesson was the right note to end on during our biblical evangelism training adventure.

Use the list below to jump to any part of this week's lesson on sharing your faith and overcoming fear.

Way of the Master Week 8: October 12, 2005 Archive

Tonight was the last lesson of the Way of the Master Foundation Course—"Idolatry - The Darling Sin of Humanity."

We had 69 people there—lower than our high of 139, but the spirit was strong.

No "Gift of Evangelism" Excuse

I discussed that there is no mention of a "gift of evangelism" in the Bible.

The closest examples are the following verses:

These verses aren't referring to being a witness for Christ to unbelievers.

Here's what those verses are talking about: God gave certain people the role of evangelist—not as a personal "get out of witnessing free" card for everyone else.

The evangelist's job is to equip and train the rest of the body of Christ to go out and do the work.

Think of it like this: an evangelist is like a coach whose job is to get the team ready to play. But just because there's a coach doesn't mean the rest of the players get to sit on the bench.

The coach trains you, but you still have to get in the game.

That's exactly what Ephesians 4:11-12 is saying—the evangelist's gift is to prepare God's people so the whole body of Christ can do the work of ministry.

This includes sharing the Gospel with unbelievers as Jesus commanded in Mark 16:15.

It is every Christian's obligation to prioritize sharing the Gospel with unbelievers as Jesus commanded.

In other words, we don't have to wait for a special "gift" to start caring for the lost.

Sharing our faith isn't for a select few; it's a command given to every one of us.

So you don't get to sit this one out because "evangelism isn't your gift." That's not how this works.

Back to the Outreach Report Summary

The Challenge: Are You Bowing to a "Comfortable" God?

The Clock of Eternity — Way of the Master Week 8 reminds us that thousands step into the afterlife every hour.

As Christians, you can even create a god in your mind to go along with your Christian lifestyle, instead of the God of the Bible.

Ask yourself these hard questions:

• Are you creating a god in your mind that ignores the priority of sharing your faith?
• Are you doing what Jesus commanded—to seek and save the lost?
• Are you planting God's Word in people's lives throughout your day?
• Do you care that 150,000 people are dying each day, and most are on their way to hell?

I believe you do. That's why you're here—learning how to be a witness for Christ. I thank God for that heart in you.

God is calling Christians to seek and save the lost.

You can answer the call, or you can muffle the sound of your conscience and go back to your lifestyle of "cozy, comfortable Christianity."

Return to the Idolatry Lesson Overview

Giving to Missions Isn't Enough: Personal Witnessing Matters

It's good to give money to missions because you may not be able to travel to another country to share your faith.

However, just because you're giving money to missions, don't think that's a reason you don't have to share the Gospel as Jesus commanded.

You can talk to your friends, family, co-workers, and even complete strangers on the street about your faith.

The Narrow Path of Total Obedience — Brad St. Clair explains that giving to missions is vital, but we shouldn't use it as an excuse to avoid the narrow path of sharing our faith personally.

Back to the Personal Witnessing Guide

Tony’s Letter: A Massive Variance in Witnessing

We finished by reading a letter that a friend of mine wrote. His name is Tony.

Counting the Costs in Evangelism

"I can't begin to count the number of Christians that I have talked to since I started sharing my faith with others.

There have been different opinions on what should be said and how the Gospel should be presented, but there is always one common thread.

Every Christian that I have talked to does believe that "someone" should be telling the lost about Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, when that is compared to the number of Christians that I have spoken with that actually share their faith, I see a massive variance.

Why do other Christians hesitate to share the Good News?

Most have counted the cost of evangelism (see Luke 14:28) and realize they struggle with overcoming fear in Christian witnessing and decided the price is too high.

They choose to engage in other activities with a lower cost."

Back to the Witnessing Variance Discussion

Counting the Real Costs of the Mission

If you share your faith consistently, you have to be ready to be mocked, laughed at, or even rejected by worldly groups.

What a tremendous cost you may be thinking. You realize that it is important to share your faith, but not sure if it is worth all of this.

First, consider this. If you had $100, it would be valuable to you. You wouldn't want to lose it or give it away—you might need it for something.

But what if you gave that $100 to a missionary in Africa? Would it do more good in their hands than in yours? Absolutely.

That money becomes far more valuable when it's used for the Gospel instead of just sitting in your wallet.

The same is true for the costs of evangelism.

• Your reputation
• Your comfort
• Your pride 

These things seem valuable when you're holding onto them. But when you give them to the Lord for His use, they become infinitely more valuable.

No one understood this better than the Apostle Paul.

Paul's costs for preaching Christ were beatings, stonings, and—in this scripture passage—his freedom.

Paul didn't whine about the cost. He knew his suffering was furthering the Gospel—even from a prison cell.

Over 150,000 people step into eternity every single day—two souls crossing over with every tick of the clock, and we're still making excuses.

How many of those people do you think are not saved?

Not many people will be going to heaven.

Is a single soul worth the 'cost' of your comfort?

Jesus used the example of a builder to tell us to count the cost before we begin. Following Him isn't a hobby or a Sunday activity—it’s a cross.

But once you count the cost, you don’t walk away. You step forward. 

Paul knew exactly what preaching Christ would cost him—beatings, prison, reputation, comfort. And he went anyway. Why?

Because the Gospel was worth more than his convenience.

Count the Cost

But don’t begin until you count the cost.

Finishing the Mission

Return to the Real Costs of the Mission

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The Invitation to Join Us: Moving from Theory to the Street

We reminded the class that we go to Branson, MO to go street witnessing. We again invited them to go out with us.

We mentioned we would be willing to train them further if they still felt a bit uncomfortable. 

We also reminded them of the ongoing "Winning Evangelism" Sunday School class that we started two weeks ago, utilizing the Way of the Master training.

We were encouraged by the class's response:

• Several people shared how much they enjoyed the training.
• Many admitted they learned something new about biblical evangelism.
• Some even committed to joining us on the streets of Branson.

Return to the Street Evangelism Summary

A Tough Crowd: The 2% Patch and the Biker’s Blessing

After service, a tough-looking Christian biker who was visiting came up to talk. He and his wife travel all over the country witnessing to others.

He told me that if he had an extra 2% patch, he'd give me one. It's only given to Christians who actively share their faith—and apparently, only 2% of Christians do.

He compared it to the 1% patch that hardcore bikers wear. You know, the ones who don't answer to anyone. Tough crowd.

The patch thing was new to me, but his encouragement wasn't. His words were a powerful reminder that we aren't alone in this mission.

The Way of the Master Foundation Course ended strong. I believe the Holy Spirit used it to convict hearts and remind people what they're actually called to do.

This summary of Way of the Master Week 8 is meant to keep that conviction fresh in your mind.

Back to the Biker’s Blessing Story

Real Stories of Growth — Lisa B. shares how this faith-sharing program gave her the simple tools needed to reach others for Christ.

Main Takeaway: Smashing the Mental Idols

The most dangerous idol isn't made of gold or stone—it's the comfortable version of God we create in our minds.

• A Self-Made God: We create a god who doesn't really care if we share our faith.
• A Passive God: A god who's satisfied as long as we show up to church, give to missions, and live a decent life.
• A Safe God: A god who would never ask us to do something uncomfortable like talk to strangers about Jesus.

But that's not the God of the Bible. 

The God of the Bible commands us to go and preach the Gospel to every creature. He calls us to seek and save the lost.

And He doesn't give us a pass just because the cost of discipleship in evangelism feels uncomfortable.

Tony’s letter made a great point: go ahead and count the cost of sharing your faith—then obey God's command to fulfill the Great Commission regardless. 

Choosing the Path — In Way of the Master Week 8, we must decide if we will follow the narrow road of obedience.

So ask yourself:

• Cozy Christianity Path: Have I created an idol in my heart? Have I settled for a comfortable version of Christianity that lets me off the hook?

• The Obedient Discipleship Path: Or am I serving the God who commands me to reach the lost, no matter what it costs?

Return to the Mental Idols Overview

Call to Action: The Training Wheels Are Off

Enough excuses—time to stop studying and start practicing Great Commission obedience.

You don't have a "gift of evangelism"?

Fair enough—but Jesus still commanded you to share the Gospel, gift or no gift.  ❤️

You're giving money to missions? 💰

Great. Now open your mouth and talk to someone about Jesus yourself. 

You're worried about what it will cost you? 

Consider what it cost Jesus. And consider what it will cost the 150,000 people who die today without hearing the Good News. 😯

The Way of the Master Foundation Course is over. The training wheels are off.

Now it's time to actually do what Jesus commanded. 

Get out there and trust Him. God will use your obedience.

• Even if it's messy, 
• Even if it's costly, 
• And even if you're scared. 

Because the world isn't waiting for you to feel ready. Over 150,000 people are dying every single day and stepping into eternity—and we must do something about it.

Return to the Way of the Master Week 8 Table of Contents

Common Questions in Way of the Master Week 8

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