The Bible clearly reveals the purpose of the local church through precept as well as example in the New Testament. As members of the church, the body of Christ, we need to understand what God desires concerning the purpose and ministry of the church. To fail to understand this has led many local churches into programs and practices that are not in accordance with the Word of God. We find from the Bible four basic purposes for the church today. Read More »
Tag Archive: Evangelism
Evangelism has God’s backing. This may seem obvious, but our lack of prayer for evangelism indicates that perhaps we do not really believe it. God doesn’t just approve of evangelism. He works alongside us, enabling us to understand and express the gospel, giving us opportunities, emboldening us to take them, and moving in our friend’s heart to bring him to faith. From start to finish, evangelism is God’s work. There are a few specific things we can ask God for:
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I know that eating healthy and exercising regularly are important. I’ve read about it, listened to others discuss it, even browsed some statistics. I don’t doubt it. I know I should do it – the benefits are enormous. I could make the time to exercise. I could watch what I eat. I’ve probably got more reason than others to take the plunge. But there is one problem – I am not willing to commit to actually doing it.
Just because I believe in health facts does not mean that I am a heathly person.
In evangelizing, I have encountered many who know the basic facts of Christianity. However, the vast majority of these showed no signs of actually being born again. It’s not enough to know the facts or even believe the facts. Every person has to be willing to actually yield to Christ and rely on His work on the cross to save them.
Tragically, many know the facts, understand the benefits and consequences; yet they will die in their sins because of an unwillingness to yield to Christ and rely on Him for salvation. The devils believe and wisely fear because they understand the consequences of their rebellion.
Just because a person believes in Christian truths does not mean that person is a Christian.
Let’s be clear in evangelizing: don’t settle for having someone agree with you on a few facts, and then pronounce them saved. Salvation is not just a matter of the mind. It is also a matter of the heart and the will. Look for evidences of repentance & faith – like a feeling of guilt over sin, a desire to be rid of it, a hopelessness without Christ, etc.
God: Who He is
“God that made the world and all things therein…he is Lord of heaven and earth….he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth…that they should seek the Lord” (Acts 17:24-27)
The Bible explains that God created us and sustains us and, therefore, has the right to absolute authority in our lives. Out of His love, He made us in His image so that we would seek to honor Him as the true Creator. Read More »
“He first findeth his own brother Simon….
And he brought him to Jesus.”–John 1:41,42.
The one who brought his brother to Jesus was Andrew. We are not told that Andrew ever preached a sermon. If he did, the Holy Spirit did not think it worth putting on record. But this brother whom he brought to Jesus preached a sermon that led three thousand people to Jesus in one day.
Where would Simon Peter’s sermon have been if it had not been for Andrew’s personal work? The most important kind of Christian work is personal work. We envy the men who stand on the platform and speak to great crowds, but God pays more attention to the man who sits down with a single soul.
A blind woman came to my office in Chicago and said, “You don’t think my blindness will keep me from doing Christian work, do you?”
I replied, “On the contrary. It might be a great help. A great many people, seeing your blindness, will come and sit down with you; then you can talk with them about the Saviour.”
“That is not what I mean. When a woman can talk to five or six hundred, she doesn’t want to spend time talking to one.”
I answered, “Your Master could talk to five thousand at once, for we have it on record; but He didn’t think it beneath His dignity to talk to one at a time.”
Have you ever thought of the tremendous power there is in personal, hand-to-hand work? Read More »
