Tag: evangelism

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Riots and Religion–Four Things the Church Can Do

riotsandreligionAs our cities burn, I am straining to hear the voice of God speaking clearly through His church. While there are a lot of church leaders speaking, much of what is being said is not helpful and therefore is obviously not the voice of God.

In Romans 12:18, Paul the Apostle wrote, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (NIV) Some will quickly argue that it was written to a different time, with different people and different conditions. Indeed it was. It was written to a church that was ostracized from a pluralistic society that blamed natural disasters and other unfortunate events on the people Paul was writing to. Just a few years after this letter, Paul himself would die at the hands of Roman executioners, Peter would be crucified upside down and Nero would blame the city fire on Christians. This is the same guy – by the way – that liked to wrap Christians in oil soaked cloth and set them on fire to light his gardens in the evening.

Continue reading “Riots and Religion–Four Things the Church Can Do”

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The Smell of Burnt Flesh

BurntFleshWhat does Old Testament animal sacrifice have to do with us today? Did God really demand it? Why?

In today’s high-tech culture and high-tech churches, the world of our spiritual ancestors often appears barbaric and uninformed. If we are not careful it is easy to judge them through the lens of our modern world-view. When we do, we completely miss the significance of their worship. Continue reading “The Smell of Burnt Flesh”

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How We Tell Others about Jesus

howSCRIPTURE:

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” but how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:13-15 (NLT)

MESSAGE:

Scripture is clear. People can’t be saved until someone tells them how. Let’s take a look at three ways the Bible tells us to engage the ministry of winning others to Jesus.

Like everything in God’s universe, it all begins with words. The Bible tells us that we should pray. Scripture provides at least three specific things we should pray for when we desire to see more followers of Christ. The first thing we should pray, is that Father God will draw people to Jesus. John 6:44 tells us that people cannot come unless the Father draws them. Secondly, we should pray for workers (Col 4:2-6) who will lovingly and with dedication share the Good News with those who have not yet come to know Jesus. Also, we should pray for empowerment to overcome fear, rejection, arguments, and more. (Acts 1:8) Continue reading “How We Tell Others about Jesus”

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Why We Spread the News

conversationSCRIPTURE:

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)

MESSAGE:

Is faith supposed to be public or private? Are Christians called to preach to people? Are you satisfied with the spiritual state of the people closest to you?

We live in an age when simply saying “Merry Christmas” offends people, and a growing number of detractors are attacking Christianity as intolerant. Many modern classrooms and media outlets lay the blame of countless historical and modern tragedies squarely at the feet of the Christian Faith. It is easy to see why so many followers of Christ tend to withdraw to the safety or their churches and prayer closets. They have been told that faith is a private matter and should not be discussed or displayed in the public arena. Continue reading “Why We Spread the News”