How to Reach Muslims with the Gospel

I got to hear a Muslim Background Believer (MBB) share her testimony today. She was a Muslim for 24 years and has been a Christian for six years. She shared facts about Islam from personal experience and helped us understand how to begin a Gospel-oriented conversation with our Muslim friends.

Practical Considerations about Building Friendships with Muslims:

• Christians are afraid of Muslims. Churches are afraid of entering the Muslim community.
• Christians try to either debate Muslims or avoid them.
• Muslims say that God is Creator, merciful, and just.
• Muslims know that Islam has problems; therefore, we have to point them to the solutions found in Scripture.
• The Qur'an: Sura 4.171 - Jesus is said to be the Word of God, so we should ask, "What is the difference between God and His Word?"
• The Qur'an is supposedly a confirmation of the Bible.
• Muslims believe that Jesus was the only sinless prophet.
• Muslims respect John the Baptist, so ask, "Why did John the Baptist come?"
• Be reminded that Muslims are people who have the same needs and problems that we do.
  
• Muslims believe that Christians worship three gods: God, Jesus, and Mary.
• Muslims need to hear that we do not believe in three gods, but One God, His Word, and His Spirit.
• We can ask, "Which came first: God, His Word, or His Spirit?"
• Muslims reject the idea of Christ's death and resurrection, the infallibility of the Bible, and salvation by grace. They think Christians deny their sins and put it all on Jesus, absolving themselves of responsibility.

Areas of Connection with Muslims:

1. The Bible: "Would you like to read the Bible?" Of course they don't. They think it is corrupted, but the Qur'an says the Bible is God's Word, and God is more powerful than people. People cannot change the Word because God protects His Word. This truth can break down this huge barrier and then it opens the door for a Bible study. They have to trust in the Word. (John 1:1)
2. Sin: It is okay to talk about sin. Muslims want to be good. At this point, use the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This sermon was radical teaching for the Jews, and it continues to be radical teaching for Muslims. Help people to understand the sacrifice story of the Bible. Do not be afraid of helping them understand Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.
3. Proselytism: Muslims will say, "You are only helping me because you want to convert me to Christianity." Our response: "I am helping you because Jesus helped me. I love you because Jesus loves me. I want to love you and help you because I want you to experience His love. I am simply an ambassador of Christ, but we do not force anyone to become a citizen of His Kingdom."
4. Passion/Compassion: The #1 characteristic that makes a difference with Muslims is our passion and joy for Jesus. If they cannot see our passion and joy, then they will not want what we have.
5. Prayer: We have to continue to pray because God is only at work. Prayer is our most powerful gift.
6. Do not Argue with Muslims: It is better to lose an argument and win the person than win an argument and lose the person.
   
7. Remember: Everything in the Bible applies to every situation. Our greatest power is the Living Word.
8. Moralism vs. Power: Muslims know the difference between right and wrong, but they do not have the power to do what they are told to do. they are raised with high expectations to do a lot, but they do not know how be righteous, and they cannot do so because Christ alone is the power of God for righteous living.
9. Islam fails in the end: Islam is a broken worldview. It cannot stand. Walk in the Spirit, and do not be afraid to be bold in love. Do not be afraid to push, which does not mean to be offensive but rather to go the extra mile and push through the veil into peoples' hearts and lives.

Perfect love casts out fear.

The only thing going for us as Christians is prayer, because even if we know all the methods and techniques for church planting and church growth, the church will not grow without prayer.