How Can We Reach Them With the Gospel?
Part Three

M is for Messiah

Perhaps the greatest difference between Islamic teaching and that of Christianity is their view of Jesus. Muslims do believe in Jesus, but they do not believe that He was the Son of God. (Qur’an 19:35) In fact, the Qur’an says that those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God should be damned. (Qur’an 9:30)

According to the Qur’an, Jesus was born of a virgin and performed miracles but, instead of dying on the cross, He ascended into Heaven and one day will return to destroy all crosses and convert the world to Islam. Then Jesus will get married, reign for 40 years, die, and be buried next to Muhammad.

In his book, “Answering Islam,” Norman Geisler points out that even though the Qur’an denies the Deity of Jesus, it does attribute to Him supernatural miracles. Interestingly enough, however, the Qur’an does not attribute any supernatural miracles to Muhammad. Since Jesus did miracles but Muhammad did not, and since Jesus’ tomb is empty but Muhammad’s tomb is not, doesn’t it make you wonder why Muslims who read the Qur’an do not become Christians?

It is often very hard to convince a Muslim that Jesus is the Son of God and that He loved them enough to die on a cross to save them from their sin. The reason for this probably comes from their view of Allah and their obsession with Muhammad. The Qur’an speaks of a harsh god who offers very little security in one’s relationship with him. (Qur’an 2:40) With this view, it is no doubt very difficult to imagine a God Who could love them so much that He would actually die in their place.

If Jesus is the Son of God Who died on a cross as a young man to save His followers, while Muhammad was a prophet who died as an old man living in the lap of luxury, then Muhammad pales in comparison to Jesus. To believe that Jesus is the Son of God completely destroys the Islamic faith.

Conclusion

Muslims need Christianity! If we can show them the authority of Christ’s teachings, present them with a compelling testimony of our lives, and convince them that Jesus is the Messiah then light will shine into their very dark place.

Jesus is the key! Show them to God’s A.T.M.

Practical Suggestions

Sharing Jesus is by far the most important element in reaching a Muslim with the Gospel.

1. Compare Jesus’ message during the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7) with the many instructions Muhammad gave to his followers as documented in the Qur’an references found in this series.

2. Focus on the freedom found in Christ as opposed to the legalistic acts of merit demanded by Muhammad. See the Qur’an references found in the third section of this material.

3. Emphasize Christ’s compassionate treatment of women, especially those who were deemed by culture to be unworthy of attention. See John 4:4-42.

4. Buy a copy of my eBook, "To Keep the Faith" and use the principles found within.

Missed the first eight lessons of this series? Take a look!

Preparing for Islam: Introduction
"Preparing for Islam: How Did Islam Originate?"
"Preparing for Islam: Do We Worship the Same God?"
"What Does Their Holy Book Teach? (Part One)"
"What Does Their Holy Book Teach? (Part Two)"
"Why Are They So Violent?"
"How Can We Reach Them With the Gospel? (Part One)"
"How Can We Reach Them With the Gospel? (Part Two)"

For the final lesson in this series, go to:

"Preparing for Islam: Conclusion"

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