Give your definition of evangelism
I’m working on my message for the Maywood Missionary Retreat (open to all). Looking again at what evangelism is and what its elements are. I’d be interested in reading your well-considered definition of evangelism.
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TFRStaff
God’s simple wisdom
Brothers and sisters, wisdom is the principle thing. Let’s all be diligent to get wisdom. Our text today is 1 Corinthians 1:17-31. This particular passage is about two main concepts: the way man receives instruction about salvation and the nature of God’s wisdom in comparison to ours.
We would generally consider foolishness to be the opposite of wisdom. But verse 25 of our text says that God’s foolishness is wiser than any wisdom which man might believe he had captured.
Of course, God is never foolish. But that which God has done to provide our salvation, which seems foolish to man, is wiser than all the wisdom which the ages of man has been able to concoct.
Consider that the “sages” like Aristotle, Socrates, Plato constantly tried to explain the meaning of man and were never able to even come to consensus, let alone correctness. The “great” religious leaders of centuries past have only confused mankind about the right way to heaven by the establishment of multiple religions. Believing that they were capable of helping God’s plan, multiple new creeds and commandments have been written causing many to turn away from religion altogether and millions others to assure themselves even though they are outside the salvation of God.
God’s simple wisdom is: Salvation is through obedience to the Savior. The plan is disseminated to the world through preaching.
Brothers and sisters, let’s preach (spread the gospel). But let’s preach the simple message. Let’s not believe that we must embellish it in order to make it palatable to man. An embellished gospel cannot save. Let’s not ignore parts of it. The violation of even one point constitutes breaking the law of God (James 2:10). And, let’s not fail to preach it. That is the wisdom of God.
Mike Glenn
Larry Miles
One Reason We Have Salvation
We are saved by grace, through faith, in baptism, for good works. We are aware that no one can “work their way into heaven,” but once we have obeyed the Gospel our Heavenly Father can expect us to be the best workers for the Lord Jesus and His Church.
One of the reasons that we have salvation is found in I Peter 2:9-11. Peter contrasts the life of the lost with that of one who is a Christian. He tells us what should be the result of our salvation and how that should impact our Christian life and those we come in contact with.
Peter starts off in I Peter 2:9 by describing the church as:
- A chosen generation.
- A royal priesthood.
- A holy nation and
- His own special people.
All of the above designations show us different aspects of what it means to be a Christian. He goes on to further elaborate on that last one, “His own special people.” It is from the description of what it means to be “His own special people” that we get the title of our article.
Peter tells us that it was/and is the will of God that we not keep our salvation to ourselves. We have been given a privilege, yea a command to tell others about our salvation. We are to tell others about God’s love for lost mankind and help them find their way out of darkness into the light of the Gospel, that is, salvation.
He says first of in 1 Peter 2:9 that we should “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” The Apostle Paul in Col. 1:13-14 sheds some light as he talks about how we were called out of a kingdom of darkness and “conveyed (translated) into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” In both passages, darkness and light are contrasted.
We should love and appreciate the “marvelous light of the Gospel” so much more than the spiritual darkness that leads to Hell that we want to help others who are lost find that pathway. We must, as the song goes, “Take the Name of Jesus With You” and try to fulfill the words of Jesus in the Great Commission to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel…” Our “world” may not be around the world, but in our own family or sphere of influence.
Wherever it is, Christians must be faithful in evangelism. Remember, we proclaim Jesus, both audibly and by our actions– let’s always “practice what we preach” and live our lives as close to the Lord as we can. By doing so, we will not only draw nearer to the Lord ourselves, we might influence some one outside of Christ to desire to know about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Richard Mansel
Is doorknocking becoming outdated?
We used to go door knocking in our area but for various reasons we stopped and changed our focus to another area of evangelism. Increasingly, we were seeing signs on people’s doors with some reference to people going door to door. People no longer want to be bothered, it seems. One community near Detroit, Michigan is considering a step in that direction.
After the murder of an 80-year-old woman in her home last fall, the City of Royal Oak is looking into possibly adopting a so-called community “no knock” list in an attempt to tighten the limits on door-to-door solicitors. WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with Royal Oak City Attorney Dave Gillam. “A homeowner would have the ability to have their name and address put on that list. And, essentially, that would make it illegal or unlawful for a solicitor to approach someone at that address for commercial purposes,” Gilliam said.
Can you see this becoming a standard law? I can. Mass media is the wave of future but it lacks that personal touch that face to face interaction brings. What do you think is the answer?
Charla, 
Steve, and 2 others are discussing. -
J. Randal Matheny
My friend Eddie Lawson and others seem to demonstrate well that door-to-door still works.
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Richard Mansel
That’s wonderful.
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Steve
Fortunately, such ordinancrs are unconstitutional. As you know, there is a strong history of courts, specifically the US Supreme Court, upholding the rights of individuals to engage in door-to-door solicitation, no matter the purpose. Most recently, in Watchtower Society v. Village of Stratton, 536 U.S. 150 (2002), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in an 8-1 decision that that the requirement of the Village of Stratton’s ordinance for solicitors to “register” before engaging in door-to-door solicitation violated the First Amendment. The Court stated “it is offensive, not only to the values protected by the First Amendment, but to the very notion of a free society, that in the context of everyday public discourse a citizen must first inform the government of their desire to speak to her neighbors and then obtain a permit to do so.” In making its decision, the court affirmed several other previous decisions that supported canvassing as a constitutionally protected activity, citing specifically Schneider V. New Jersey and Martin V. City of Struthers.
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Charla
Wow, it’s really very sad that it’s coming down to this. Our church just recently restarted doorknocking as a form of outreach and we’ve had great results from it. If this blooms into a new thing, God forbid, it will only have negative consequences in the end, shutting us off even more from human and local interaction and making us that much more media dependent.
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Eugene Adkins
I have gone door knocking by myself because I couldn’t get anyone to go with me…everyone seems to think that it’s useless; but I have other reasons for why I think people don’t like to knock on doors though.
But one thing I do know for sure is that the JW’s do it because it works! They may get 95 doors slammed in their face, but they’ll get 5 studies from it.
TFRStaff
Fishing for men
The Southwesterner bulletin highlights fishing for men in its latest issue. Although both articles use figures of angling, which isn’t a New Testament concept, they do well to emphasize what we ought to do as part and parcel of the gospel. Here’s a quote:
As Christians we are all fishers of men. That is, our main job is to catch people for God. Evangelism cannot be separated from Christianity.
Like this:
J. Randal Matheny
Church losses article hits nerve, tops list of most popular
This article hit a nerve, apparently, because it’s by far the most popular on my personal website over the past 30 days, and it’s been up only 12 days. “Why the church stops growing” is my take on recent news of church losses. It’s gotten amens and condemnations.
Related articles
- top 10 reasons your preacher moved (The “I can’t count edition”): (thejenkinsinstitute.com)
- 300 attend first night of Malaysia meeting (brotherhoodnews.com)
- Loss of numbers, loss of mission (forthright.net)
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Michael Carter
This article is an excellent assessment of the problem! I don’t think people believe in Hell anymore so they have no motivation to bring others to salvation. They don’t try very hard to invite the unchurched or the wrong churched to the fountain. They don’t even talk to their own kids about the gospel. They expect the youth ministers to do that. The words of God don’t make people tremble anymore. How do we light a fire under seats of the saints?
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J. Randal Matheny
Thanks, MIke! You ask a good question. For many, influenced by postmodern thought, there doesn’t seem to be much hope of lighting that fire. For others, maybe with some very clear and strong teaching and example at evangelizing.
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Stephen R. Bradd
Just read the article. Very good Randal. I will share this with the brethren soon, as we prepare for our warm-weather evangelistic push in Clinton.
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J. Randal Matheny
Thanks, Stephen, I hope it’s helpful in some way.
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Mike Riley
Maybe preachers need to bring back the “hell fire and damnation” sermons that were preached from the pulpits in the 1940′s and 50′s.
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J. Randal Matheny
We probably couldn’t do any worse by it than what we’re doing now, eh, Mike?
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Mike Riley
Probably not.
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J. Randal Matheny
God is good
From today’s QBT: God has room for all. He wants all to enter. “Go out … and urge people to come in, so that my house will be filled.” Lk 14.23 NET
Luke 14 is today’s Bible reading from the New Testament plan, one chapter per weekday.
See also United Prayer today. And how about the story and some photos of yesterday’s baptisms here in SJCampos? God is good.
May your day be blessed.
Related articles
- Sr. Odilio baptized in Taubaté (gospeak.org)
- Graphic: Baptism, kicking up his heels (fellowshiproom.org)
- People liked the Bible study in graph form (randalmatheny.com)
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John Henson
Praise God for his powerful gospel!
J. Randal Matheny
Couple searches for church serious about the truth
The Missus and I visited a young couple tonight, well versed in Scripture, who visited the church last Sunday. They found us through our congregational website. Providence, they said. They’ve been dissatisfied with the churches where they’ve been. We’re to start studying with them Saturday. Pray they may be receptive to the Word. Very likeable family, two children.
May the Lord help us to connect with others like them as well, who search for truth in the midst of so much religious nonsense.
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Ron Thomas
I looked at your website and saw that was an OOPS! Fortunately, google translated it in English for me. So the OOPS turned into something good.
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J. Randal Matheny
I hope you can make heads or tails of Google’s translation. :)
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J. Randal Matheny
Man drowns for girlfriend who’d already escaped sinking car
Near Bridgeport AL on the Tennessee River, a man jumped into the water when he arrived and saw his girlfriend’s vehicle sinking. Except that she’d already escaped and been helped from the water 20 yards downstream by fishermen at a boat ramp.
Was his sacrifice needless? Did he give his life for nothing?
That sad news story prompts three thoughts.
One, for the great multitudes of millions on earth, Jesus’ sacrifice will be for nothing, as far as their salvation is concerned. They will perish, most of them, without ever hearing the true gospel of Christ. They will not experience the redemptive effect of his death. They will die in their sins, in that real place called hell, as if Jesus had never been crucified for them.
Two, for the remnant, so small, it would appear, in comparison to the world’s billions, Jesus did not die in vain. Somehow, it is God’s design to save a few, and these to him are precious.
Three, the man gave little thought for his life, because his sight was set on (the assumption of) saving one he loved. He presumed she was in danger, when she was actually safe. He could not see her drowning, but the mere thought of it caused him to dive into the swift water. How many of us are willing to evangelize in order to save people whom we know for a fact are perishing and who will perish unless we act, as long as it doesn’t inconvenience our lifestyle?
TFRStaff
Jesus teaches friendliness
NOTE: Sorry for the technical failure. Text is now in the post.
Heard a lesson last night that included a video clip of an atheist. He was commenting on the failure of Christians to evangelize. Paraphrased, he said, “If you really believe their is a heaven and a hell, how much must you hate a person to not warn them about hell? Brothers and sisters, it is a sobering question. Let’s be sure our neighbors are warned.
Hello. We are all friendly, right? I mean, I know of no one who isn’t friendly – - under certain circumstances and with certain people. Our Lord addresses this very matter in regard to friendliness and friendship in Matt. 5:43-48. Here are the common practices of many people:
- Love your neighbor
- Hate your enemy
- Love those who love you
- Greet those who greet you
If the above is the general process you follow, then, you are pretty normal. Many of us probably fall somewhere in between. We don’t hate (at least, by our definition) our enemies. We don’t love them either. We probably find it easy to return love or appreciation to those who love us. I am sure we like to think of ourselves as civil to everyone, but what about friendly? What about seeing and greeting those who may ignore us? What about “doing good” to those who don’t reciprocate?
It is easy to greet our friends with friendship and to love our family or neighbors. Jesus is trying to help us be like God. He loves the unlovable. He helps the unappreciative? He blesses the sinner. These are the goals of friendliness and friendship we are striving to attain. Jesus is saying that if we are ‘normal’ in these matters, we are worldly in our thinking. We do not want to be worldly (James 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15).
Let’s us become Christ-like in our friendliness and in our friendship. Get out of your box to engage the folks with whom we deal, on a daily basis, in a friendly smile and some friendly small talk that might lead to an open door for the gospel.
Mike Glenn
J. Randal Matheny
How do you answer: how to become a part of the church?
There are a number of ways to approach the question, obviously. But how do you (I don’t ask “would,” since you have probably answered it by now) answer when someone asks, “What do I do to become a part of the church?”
I’m thinking of writing on this for next Sunday, so I’d like to get some perspective. Not that I don’t have one or haven’t answered it before. But it’s no trick question. Always looking to learn more from experienced saints.
Fellows, feel free to make a separate post. Tag it as “church membership,” I guess.
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Ron Thomas
I will generally reword their question to this: “What do I need to do to become a member of the body of Christ?” From there I continue on with the relevant Biblical passages. I sometimes answer this way: “To become a member of the Lord’s body one needs to become a Christian.” And then, finally, I have answered it this way also: “What do you mean by ‘church’?” These replies come according to the context of the conversation.
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Eugene Adkins
My answer: Ask the Lord, listen to his answer and let him take care of it (Acts 2:47).
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Stephen R. Bradd
The replies from Ron & Eugene are very good.
It has been my observation that some are prone, in my opinion, to require MORE of a potential convert than the Lord Himself does (at that point in their walk). Let me clarify: If those on Pentecost could learn enough in 1 sermon and if the eunuch & jailor could learn enough in 1 Bible study to obey the gospel & be added to the family of God, then let us be careful not to require more knowledge than those did who were guided by the Holy Spirit into all the truth. After one becomes a disciple, then there is much more learning to take place (Matt. 28:19,20). If one is willing to commit Himself to Christ and to living by His word, he is ready to be immersed for the remission of His sins. God will add such a one to His church–even if there may be some misunderstandings to be dealt with on some of the finer matters of NT doctrine.
Glenda Williams
One hundred pound weight lifted
Yesterday afternoon Harry Adkison, preacher at the Samson, AL church, was eating in Hall’s Oyster Bar, Geneva, when Mike Ezell, a local jeweler and long-time friend, came in and sat down beside him. Mike mentioned that he was glad to see Harry and that he had wanted to talk to him about something a long time. (More …)
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Mike Riley
Wonderful news, Glenda! Along with the angels, we rejoice that Mike Ezell chose to obey his Lord in baptism. May the Lord richly bless him and his family for his decision.
J. Randal Matheny
On spiritual and bodily functions, sex, poetry, and fried chicken
This piece is a bit longer than my normal TFR posts, but I trust you’ll have a greater chance because of it to find some small nugget to adorn your faith.
• My debut article on Weylan’s Biblical Notes mag: “Man’s Noblest Function,” takes issue with this quote by an American author and journalist, “Man has no nobler function than to defend the truth.” You’ll get no spoiler here on the title, but suffice it to say we seek not to do anything against the truth. Somebody else said it first, “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth” (2 Cor 13:8). And a truth we want others to apprehend.
• Taking a cue from the poetry and hymns of Scripture, I see my poetry, in part, as an evangelistic effort. Entering the midst of worldly people, even in order to bless, one hears and sees what one would rather not. I imagine our Lord Jesus had to tolerate some unpleasantness from the publicans and prostitutes he worked with. Not to mention from the religionists and his own disciples. So I’ve joined a social-networking poetry site with some unsavory pieces there and, for example, a segment on erotica.
• Here’s where I’d appreciate your feedback. I thought about writing a piece of poetry, a la Song of Solomon, for that last-mentioned segment. Would it be banalized in that setting? Or might it point to sex as the Creator made it?
• That brings up the question of direct proclamation and subtler seed-sowing. I tend much toward the former. But no doubt there’s a place for the latter as well, where the power of influence, of clean life and healthy words and the sunny disposition of faith in God offer a powerful contrast to the darkness of godlessness and the gutter of perversity. It seems most Christians hope against hope that the latter is sufficient, which it is not, since somewhere along the way the Word has to be spoken in its glorious detail. In some places, though, it may be the best way to start.
• The subject also brings up the question of sex. I tend to avoid the subject in order not to offend some sensibilities among squeamish brethren. A few of you, TFR Fellows, have written on it now and again in good taste, as expected, and to good effect. It’s an area where we need more writing, but not of the kind that points out the sin of illicit sexual relations, rather, its celebration as God’s gift to man.
• Widening up that thought a bit, it’s an amazing thing to note that, when the physical organism is functioning properly, the human body’s basic functions create a sense of pleasure. The obvious example is eating, to provide the body energy. We well know how pleasurable mama’s fried chicken is, right, John? Another small example is the function of homeostatis, maintaining the internal conditions necessary for survival. During exercise, the body sweats. Don’t we talk about working up a good sweat? We know the good feeling that comes from having the body in motion.
• All that to say, God in his wisdom makes such functions pleasurable, physically, as a part of helping us survive and thrive. One wonders at times if our faith hasn’t been tainted by ascetic tendencies from Greek philosophy via false Christian manifestations that preach the mortification of the body, rather than the buffeting of the flesh, as per Paul in 2 Cor 9:27.
• Speaking of whom, Paul rejects the prohibition of meat, which is to be received with thanksgiving, for every creature is good (he must be thinking of the Jewish equivalent of his momma’s fried chicken), and we may rejoice in the pleasure of eating when “sanctified through the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim 4:3-5). Later on in that same letter is Paul’s amazing statement, considering the context of his commandments to the rich, that God “richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment” (1 Tim 6:17).
• Indeed he does. And may we enjoy all those things he richly provides us, as part of the blessings of the Kingdom, knowing that they have an even higher purpose, to glorify God (this is where we came in today) and prepare us for that highest enjoyment of all, his eternal presence.
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Stephen R. Bradd
Good post, Randal.
I’ve got some lessons on AE that your post reminded me of. I adapted a series of lessons from some Glenn Colley lectures a few years ago. Here is the series link followed by a specific link on sexual satisfaction:http://www.audioevangelism.com/cd_requests%5Crequest_cd_hw4lcd.htm
http://www.audioevangelism.com/sndwrds/transcripts/SW_2007_06_09_text.htmI’ve preached the series before on Sunday mornings and it was well received–even with children present. Some may not feel comfortable doing such, but I think it can be done beneficially. Besides, in our sex-saturated culture, it’s an issue kids are going to learn about–they may as well hear the truth on it at an early age rather than just the worldly view. That’s my perspective anyway.
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John Henson
Every bit true, especially about the chicken. Homeostasis also includes the fluid and electrolyte balance that is present in healthy people. When it goes out of balance, can cause heart failure, kidney disorders. Mostly, we correct fluid balance when we’re thirsty. There is a relationship of sodium to potassium which needs to remain in balance for the heart to be with a regular rhythm. Too much sodium, and water retention occurs. Too little salt (as well as too little potassium) can wreck the heartbeat. As you wrote, all of these things God helps us maintain with pleasurable sensations.
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J. Randal Matheny
Thanks, guys. Stephen, glad to see those links. John, glad to have that extra info there to bolster the point of the post.
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Glenda Williams
Opportunity at midnight
Saturday, a little after midnight, I went outside to get a book out of our van. Our neighbor, that I seldom see, was outside watching her daughter and friends as they walked down the street. Her thirteen year old daughter was celebrating her birthday with a spend-the-night party. My neighbor spoke and asked that I meet her half-way, so she could tell me about her mother and her recent surgery for cancer.
As is often the case when people face a near-death experience, my neighbor confessed two different ways she has changed her own lifestyle for the better. She said she has stopped drinking and stopped cursing. I did not know she had those problems, but continued to listen. She related that when next month’s check comes, she is going to buy two Bibles, one for her and one for her teenage daughter. I praised her for her new lifestyle, and told her we would get each of them a Bible. She said she was looking for a church that would let her wear the clothes she has, and implied her clothes are not what she thought of as “church” clothes. I pointed to our church building and told her we would be glad to have her. She mentioned that she and her daughter were going to start studying the Bible. I told her about the Bible correspondence course we offer, and she showed interest. Tomorrow I plan to take the first lesson of the John Hurt course, and give each of them a copy to begin their study. The Bibles are to be here Wednesday. They will get them immediately when they arrive.
God continues to answer my prayer that He will bless me with opportunities, help me to recognize them as such, and act upon them in a positive way for His glory. My heart overflows with gratitude, that even in the stillness of the night an opportunity was waiting outside our door.
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Joy
Opportunities are frequently there, if only we will keep our eyes and ears open for them. Thanks for sharing this! You are a great encouragement.
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J. Randal Matheny
Glenda, I pray the Lord will allow you to take advantage of this open door and bring this lady and her daughter to faith. So good to hear from you, as always, and especially with such news as this.
J. Randal Matheny
Two identical verses in Matthew’s gospel
Two identical verses in the gospel of Matthew? Almost! And I never saw it until today … My personal website seems to be working again, so if you were looking for today’s Daily Bible Devotional, you’ll have to hop over there, for “Now, it’s your turn,” on Matthew 9:35. The meditation actually takes in 4:23, an almost identical verse. (It’s called an inclusio, marking the beginning and ending of a section.) Fascinating, so much the more since I’d never noticed before.
• As I was studying this section of Matthew I searched Google Books for tidbits on its literary structure. Google’s book previews can often reveal some jewels. I became so enamored with one book that I considered buying it, until I saw the price tag: $128 for a 182-page paperback. Inexcusable to my mind.
I found some used copies of the book, the cheapest in, of all places, Jerusalem, but with postage, I was looking at $50, at least. The book has a 1998 copyright, so it’s likely that the publisher has turned the book back over to the author. I found him on the net and wrote him to ask if he would sell me an electronic version of it. Good ole Internet.
• See the chart above and read the story behind it here. I read it with interest. It wasn’t effective with the denominational preacher it was used with, but then maybe nothing would have been. Was the preacher too direct, too blunt? Was the chart too simplistic? I must admit, however, I liked the brother’s approach. (I don’t know anything about the site, but it looks like it may be anti-institutional.)
• On my Diaspora* spot, I have a Matthew quote with a confession, and a Superman link and a question. Here’s the main link. By the time you read this there may be more.
• A last thought on Matthew. Chapter 10 is a challenge to apply. I’d be interested in hearing your applications. No immediate brush-offs, please, that this was for the Twelve and doesn’t apply to us. Obviously, there are such elements. I want to know how to be as trusting as Jesus wants them to be by going out with no gold, no silver, no copper. What say you?
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Stephen R. Bradd
Randal, Jesus didn’t forbid taking paper currency. :)
Seriously, doesn’t Paul’s example shed some light here? He received support from Christians outside the area he currently labored at times (no instructions about that in Matt 10). Additionally, he also worked a secular job when necessary to provide for himself and those with him (no instructions about that in Matt 10 either). Was Paul any less trusting than the 12 because of these behaviors? I think not, and neither are we today if we imitate Paul (1 Cor 11:1). Matt 10 is one way to go into all the world; but it’s not exclusive.-
J. Randal Matheny
There’s our solution: print more paper money!
I’m thinking in different categories, Stephen. Not sure I can put it into words. As a missionary supported by churches, who was looking last year at the possibility of a sideline to supplement support, I don’t dismiss Paul, by any means. But I’d like to explore Matt. 10 more for what it can say to the church.
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Larry Miles
Mission Work is Essential!
Text: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16. One of the great themes of the Bible is evangelism and missions. Even in the Old Testament, the Jews were supposed tell others about the One True God. We see this theme elaborated more in the New Testament.
All throughout the Old Testament, a Redeemer was promised. There are prophecies starting in Genesis 3:15 through Malachi about the promised Messiah.
The Apostle Paul told us in Galatians 4:4, that God sent forth His Son. Jesus was born, lived and died for our sins and was resurrected according to the Scriptures (I Cor. 15:3-4). After the resurrection He gave the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16), first of all to the Eleven Disciples and then to us today.
In Acts 1:8-9 we read of His ascension into Heaven after He gave them the commission to start where they were with the preaching of the Gospel and then spread out to other lands. This should be our pattern for missions. Some are called to be foreign missionaries, while some are called to be missionaries here in the USA, and ALL of us are called to be missionaries in our “world,” our circle of influence.
Larry Miles
The Importance of Being Involved in Evangelism and Missions
- It Is A Command From The Lord. Jesus gave the Great Commission and has entrusted with us the privilege of soul-winning.
- It Is In The Plan of God (2 Peter 3:9) We see the patience and long-suffering of God in this passage (Praise God! For if He was not patient, none of us would be here today as saved believers in the Risen Lord). God desires that all be saved and has provided through Jesus the way of salvation–but we know that many will not accept Him. People are lost without Christ.
- If We Are Saved, We Will Want To Help Others Find Him! We have been called out of darkness into the marvelous light of the Gospel (Col. 1:12-14). Because we have found the light, we must help others (Evangelism and Missions) find the Light–start where you are. Missions are both individual and corporate, local and world-wide. We must let our light shine in a way that will bring God glory (Matthew 5:16).
- Jesus Is Coming Again! We have the promises throughout the New Testament that He is personally coming back for us. This should be a motivation for us to be involved in soul-winning and missions. How should the fact that Jesus could come at any moment motivate us? We must be ready at all times and be active in His service. We must be found seeking the lost and strengthening the saved. The More we learn about Jesus and His Church and His Word, the more we will be mission-minded. Christianity is a here and now religion (Titus 2:11-14). While we watch and wait for His coming, we must be active in His service, thus, we will be involved in Missions and Evangelism!
Ron Thomas
EE
I just returned (yesterday actually) from the Illinois State Fair. At the fair we have an exhibit; we call it exhibit evangelism (EE). Involved in this from TFR are myself, Richard Hill, and Stephen Bradd (though he was unable to participate this year). I had to leave early (Tuesday) since our daughter is preparing to marry this Saturday. Up to the time I left yesterday we had enrolled about 280 in Bible correspondence studies via the (snail) mail. It is possible, perhaps likely that we will enroll 400 or greater this year.
The state fair work is a 120 day work at the fairgrounds, but a longer work with regards to preparation and set up. If I recall correctly we have about 50 people involved in the event this, with about 3/5ths of those being youth.
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Mike Riley
Looks like a great work to me, Ron! I pray there is much fruit harvested as a result of your efforts as well as others.
J. Randal Matheny
Anyone who tries to teach another person the gospel is a successful personal evangelist. Anyone who does their best to get a fellow human being to accept God’s word and obey it is a success in God’s eyes. “Stephen, do you mean that even if I don’t convert anyone, but if I’m out sowing the seed, then I’m successful?” That’s right. We don’t measure success in evangelism by the number of conversions (or at least we shouldn’t). We can’t make anyone respond to the plan of salvation, but we must give them the opportunity to obey it. Yes, we want them to obey since that is the desired result, but we are successful if we faithfully teach the word to others in an effort to get them to respond to it. Don’t ever forget that!
Stephen Bradd, http://audioevangelism.com/dlybrd/transcripts/DB_2009_08_07_text.htm#
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Rick Kelley
Good words Stephen, Randal!
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Mike Riley
Good thoughts! No, we can’t force-feed someone to obey the gospel. They have to do that of their own free-will.
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John Henson
If this was on Twitter, I’d retweet it!
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J. Randal Matheny
There’s a twitter link below the text, can link to it here. Or can use something like http://www.twitlonger.com/.
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J. Randal Matheny
Newt Gingrich liked my tweet
I tweeted some during the GOP presidential debate in Iowa last night. Newt Gingrich’s campaign retweeted one of my tweets. Later, I shared my quick take on the debate results on Facebook.
• We don’t teach much on the sin of stealing, at least, that I’ve noted. So I was pleased to see this article by John Werhan on Forthright Mag. It’s a problem, it’s prevalent, and it needs more attention, is my guess. Probably, we think it’s one of those obvious sins that everybody knows is wrong and we’ve chose to fight other battles, reckon?
• Some folk are tweeting the Polishing the Pulpit sessions, as was done last year as well. Nashville preacher Adam Faughn just tweeted: “The non-church goer cannot be reached by the non-going church” –Michael Shepherd
• Speaking of evangelism, I’m waiting on Rick Kelley‘s permission to publish his latest bulletin article on the Bulletin Digest website. (He’s probably on a Friday-night date with the wife.) If you ask him real nice, he’d probably put you on the email list to receive the Prestonsburg KY bulletin. He writes or publishes a short article each week, along with information of interest to the congregation.
• Finally, an evangelism quote. Ken Anderson quotes a lady in his book A Coward’s Guide to Witnessing: “How can Christianity be important if Christians never talk about it?”
Rick Kelley, -
Richard Mansel
Congrats on getting noticed.
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J. Randal Matheny
Was the furtherest thing from my mind. Should I be pleased? He doesn’t have much of a chance. And not my favorite candidate either. But don’t tell him I sad that. ;-)
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Richard Mansel
He has a great mind and the nation would be better served with him as a writer and scholar than as President.
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J. Randal Matheny
I dare say you’re right there. His performance in the debate last night was one of the best.
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John Henson
Gingrich is a very intelligent man, except in his personal life.
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J. Randal Matheny
There is that, unfortunately.
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Don Ruhl
I think you are right, Randal, about stealing. It is like murder. Have you ever preached a sermon on murder? I have not, because it is so obvious, I guess.
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J. Randal Matheny
Don, I actually have, when I preached on the 10 commandments, but obviously I didn’t spend all my time on the actually killing of another, but used the broadened principle Jesus established.
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Don Ruhl
Well, in that sense, I have also. I have preached on the Sermon on the Mount, which includes hating your brother even before committing murder, and the same with First John, and anything I have preached in the New Testament that has touched on the subject. I am teaching Exodus right now, and have already taught the Ten Commandments, and so touched upon both murder and stealing, or coveting.
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J. Randal Matheny
I rarely preach topical sermons as such. Usually somewhere between textual and expository.
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Don Ruhl
I love preaching expository sermons! By the way, what is “Permalink” that is in the upper right corner of each reply?
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J. Randal Matheny
The permanlink is the permanent link to that particular comment, in case you want to link to it somewhere else on the web.
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Rick Kelley
Hey, thanks for the shout-out! S’mores with the kids @ a friend’s house. Hopefully the date will be soon!
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J. Randal Matheny
Yore welcome! I wasn’t too far away then.
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J. Randal Matheny
Murmansk, Russia ‘difficult place for evangelism’
Nathan Franson, preacher for the Kissimmee, Fla., church, is in Murmansk, Russia, on an evangelistic campaign. He wrote a short while ago on Facebook,
Passed out invitations for the gospel meeting and Searching For Truth DVDs today. This is a difficult place for evangelism to say the least. Was cussed out by someone who spoke English. Others were responsive and we pray for a good turnout.
Pray that he and others working with him will reach people for the Lord.
Like this:
Torrey Clark, -
Ron
My brother’s wife is from there. They are currently in anchorage.
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J. Randal Matheny
Friends from the church in N. Little Rock were just in Anchorage. And another friend, Art Smith, just went through there on way to gospel meeting.
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Ron
It likely they crossed paths.
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J. Randal Matheny
Very likely.
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Ron
Me do speak (write) good, don’t I. :)
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J. Randal Matheny
Speak you do very good.
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Don Ruhl
I went to Murmansk in 1993 and 1994, and while there were Russians who had problems with us, for the most part they received us very well. They attended our nightly lectures in great numbers, and when we taught in the public schools, we were received very well.
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Torrey Clark
I was just out in Murmansk last month doing the same thing. While there were some negative responses, they were few and far between. What was encouraging to me was the fact that 90% of the people were actually taking our materials and many of those actually read them all the way through as soon as they received them. Prayers are indeed needed for the effort in Russia.
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John Henson
In Sosnofka, about 800 miles east of Moscow where we worked, the problem was not the people. Our major problem is the Russian Orthodox Church. They felt, and for good reason, that we threatened their position in the city. The Orthodox priests have the ear of the police, and because it is the “national religion,” they enjoy a great deal of influence with the government.
TFRStaff
‘Appeal to obedient faith’ studies baptism
Dan Mayfield of Owatonna, Minn., offers this four-page evangelistic appeal on Google Docs for printing out and study. Fill in the blanks, with plenty of explanatory text.
J. Randal Matheny
I’m just the messenger
Jeremiah said it about Nebuchadnezzer’s capture of Jerusalem. The statement applies across the board:
“I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? (Jer 32:27 NLT).
Apply this to our mission. It is God who sends, gives the message, provides the power, supplies the Spirit, opens the doors, touches the heart, transforms a life.
To borrow a phrase from the latest “Transformers” movie: “I’m just the messenger.”
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Mike Riley
Amen and Amen! God is still in charge of men and nations!
J. Randal Matheny
To a new Christian
On the other side of the world, a sister in Christ invited people to write to a new convert. Here is my note.
Dear —-,
News of your baptism and decision to follow the Lord Jesus Christ came to Brazil and caused rejoicing on this side of the world. We pray you may never waver in your commitment to him.
There will be, as a part of God’s will, suffering for Christ, which he will give us strength to bear joyfully. His joy has been separated from our circumstances, so that nothing may extinguish it. His promise of eternal life leaves us a taste already of what that will be like. We have traded the here and now for a future beyond description. Our present journey will be short, our trials, brief, until we receive the promise, which will be ours forever. Keep this in sight, for the Way consists of this faith.
Welcome, sister, to this new adventure, where each day God presents himself to us and we may learn more of the wonderful character of our Creator and Father who has invited us to heaven with himself.
Randal
What would your letter say?
J. Randal Matheny
Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. Micah 2:1. Behold! the difference between power and authority.
Seems the exclusive publisher of what I consider the best Bible version in Brazil puts out inferior products that keep coming apart at the seams. Only a study Bible in that version has held up, and over the years I’ve used nearly a dozen copies, from paper, to hardback, to leather. Nothing holds together. I have to tell people it’s a good version, but the bindings are lousy. What a dilemma.
“And however deep the trauma of cowardice, we can experience obedience, for God never asks us to obey an order for which He does not also provide courage and strength.” — Ken Anderson, A Coward’s Guide to Witnessing, p. 17.
Our female dog started yelping after we got home this afternoon. Cold? Bug bite? Cramps? She’s still holding up her hind leg. That may mean a trip to the vet tomorrow.
Close and precious to God, this is. “Protect me as you would protect the pupil of your eye! Hide me in the shadow of your wings!” (Psa. 17:8 NET).
Roots go in different directions. Gratuito, in Portuguese, means free, at no cost. In English, “gratuitous” is used, usually with a negative connotation, of something done or shown without any good reason, unnecessary. The English word is used most often today of television shows and movies.
This just appeared on Facebook: “Asking for prayers for Brother Will Sadler, the preacher at Keiser church of Christ, and his wife. He will be receiving a kidney transplant tomorrow from his wife.” Keiser is close to I-55 near Osceola, Ark. I don’t know them, but it seems a prayer would be in order.
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Rick Kelley
Prayers in order for sure!
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J. Randal Matheny
I have only one kidney, so requests like this one get my attention.
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Mike Riley
Will be praying that Brother Sadler will have a successful kidney transplant and recovery.
J. Randal Matheny
If you want to be encouraged and charged up
… listen to my old friend Eddie Lawson, preparing the North Lexington KY church for one of his evangelistic campaigns.
In the first he explains, after a rousing reading of Revelation, how the campaign works and tells a number of inspiring stories. He and his 20-member team have knocked 57,000 doors, with 339 baptisms in 29 campaigns over the past three years. One young man he has trained has taught and baptized 150 people. He’s been at this since 1984.
http://www.northlexingtoncoc.org/audio/Eddie%20Lawsonss.mp3
http://www.northlexingtoncoc.org/audio/Eddie%20Lawsonsermon.mp3
You might listen to the sermon (second link) before the Sunday school lesson.
These will make your skin crawl, your eyes water, your soul repent, as they did mine.
Jason Longwith are discussing. -
Jason Longwith
Randal, Is he currently working with North Lexington?
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J. Randal Matheny
Jason, no, he’s just doing a campaign there. He was based in Hamilton, AL, but I understand he moved recently. I think he’s doing these training/campaigns pretty much full time.
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Jason Longwith
I did not make my question clear, but you still provided what I was looking for. I live about 30 miles south of Lexington. I listened to the recordings and I agree that they were very powerful.
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J. Randal Matheny
There appear to be two more audio files with Eddie speaking at their website. The campaign will be in Sept.
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J. Randal Matheny
Alcohol, race, prayer for evangelism, Firefox
• Scary article here, considering Brazil is one of the most beer-guzzling countries around: “Driving While Buzzed: No Amount of Alcohol Is Safe Behind the Wheel.”
Get this quote: “Why do buzzed drivers have more dangerous accidents? In large part because they are more likely to speed, less likely to wear a seat belt and more likely to be driving the ‘striking vehicle,’ compared with sober drivers, the study found.”
And why this tendency? Because any amount of alcohol lowers self-restraint significantly. And that, my friends, is why the followers of Christ abstain from drinking. This ain’t rocket science. When you drink in any amount, another spirit besides the Spirit of Christ controls you.
• Be sure to read Rick Kelley’s article, “What Race? Wrong Question.” There is no reason, from either side, for the separation of human beings in the church of God.
• This post, “Successful Soul Saving,” highlights the importance of prayer in evangelism. Does it go too far? What do you think? As a rule, we don’t go far enough in our prayers for the salvation of others. Speaking personally, of course. You can make your own confession or defense. (As if you owed one to anyone but the Lord.)
• If you use the Firefox browser, a nifty add-on is Scrapbook Plus for saving webpages to your browser. I’m still learning the ins-and-outs, but it seems quite good for resources you want to consult or use offline. You can save several depths of links in a site or subdomain.
• Firefox just released version 5.0, with even better speed (and it was good, before) and grouped tabs. I use it almost exclusively, with a gazillion add-ons that make my experience fast and convenient. Try it out. (Of course, with a new major version like 5.0 the add-ons have to update and catch up. Still worth it.)
J. Randal Matheny
The winds and tides assail us
• Any suggestions on how to budge a person out of indecision to obey the Lord? Said person gets a nearly weekly dose of the Bible, but no obedience is forthcoming, this after years of knowing the truth. Prayer, check. Occasional direct and pointed exhortations, check.
• Today’s New Testament reading is 2 Cor. 13, finishing up that letter. Tomorrow starts the gospel of John. One chapter out of the NT per weekday. Start with us on the gospel tomorrow, if you’re not following some sort of schedule for Bible reading.
• An elderly widower in the congregation lives alone in cramped, rented quarters, no family to care for him. What family he does have apparently does little to help him. He’s been battling cancer, and has developed a tremor in his hands and chin whose cause is as yet undiagnosed. Life is hard for many, not least, the elderly.
• The church here has cared for this brother, recently, in several ways, from making sure he gets exams and treatments, to providing some meals. He’s gone back to doing a few light, odd jobs, because he can’t stand having so much time on his hands.
• Life changes can happen fast. Sickness, retirement, widowhood, unemployment, estrangement, accidents. injury, war, natural disasters (that perhaps should be at the head of the list these days). How fragile is life! And how tenaciously we cling to it! Death is not natural, so what peace to know that Christ has given us what cannot be injured or destroyed by the vagaries of this turbulent world.
The winds and tides assail us,
On reefs our lives are wrecked;
Our feeble rowings fail us,
To save, preserve, protect. —JRM
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John Henson
In one case, a man we taught took 20 years before obeying the gospel. Seeds sprout at different speeds.
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J. Randal Matheny
We’re nearly half-way there, then.
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Ron Thomas
HTH and Evangelism
A dear lady in our community has been receiving House to House (HTH) for a good while. She is so pleased with the publication that she is now giving her (at one time) continued support of Franklin Graham to the Highway Church of Christ (where I attend). I send her a letter (receipt) each month with various tracts. She enjoys receiving them. When I sought a visit with her, she told me she was not quite ready for that (I will need to inquire again).
We have been mailing HTH for at least 6 years. What a great avenue for getting the message out into each home. It costs money, but it is well worth it (and not much money at that!). Out town is small enough that we can cover the entire town (of about 5,000). Couple that with our weekly article and various letters to the editor, and much good is being done in “small-town”Illinois.
Like this:
J. Randal Matheny
Beyond the comfort zone
My FMag editorial today is entitled, “Your Comfort Zone.” I saw a secular article with specific suggestions on how to step outside the comfort zone. Would be great to make a list for Christians. I thought of these:
- Learn a foreign language.
- Take a short-term mission trip overseas.
- Teach English as a second language to foreigners in your area.
- Serve a day in a food kitchen for the poor.
- Visit the nursing home with your congregation’s group.
- Make brownies for a new family in your neighborhood and deliver them in person.
- Visit the prison with your local prison ministry.
- Take on one World Bible School student.
- Donate time at the local library, hospital, or school.
- Hand out 10 gospel tracts to non-Christians in the next week.
I’ve preferred the face-to-face suggestions over things like sending a link by email. What other things can you name that would make a good list?
TFRStaff
U.S. church numbers decline
Why have churches of Christ declined in numbers? What are solutions to reverse the decline? How to implement the solutions? Don Petty addresses these questions in the study of the decline of the membership of the church of Christ, done in 2006.
In the zip file are three Word documents:
- Reasons for the Decline
- Solutions to the Decline
- Implementing the Solutions
See on his website HERE.
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Mike Riley
Brother Petty has hit the nail on the head regarding both the reason for the decline in numbers as well as the solution to the decline. The implementing of the solutions will be the most difficult thing to do, but we must do them if we are to be pleasing to the Lord.
Richard Mansel
The Saddest Kind of Persecution
We expect persecution from the world since they do not understand what we are about as Christians (John 15:18-19; 2 Timothy 3:12).
They mock us about our beliefs and will do what they can to destroy our faith in God. Having spent a decade in retail it is painfully obvious how Satan works. If you have a Christian and ten non-Christians at a job, guess who will most often be asked to work on Sunday? Yes, you guessed it.
With persecution, we need to be very aware of the presence of Satan (1 Peter 5:8). If we realize that he is behind the persecutions, I think think we can psychologically handle it better. We will realize that our persecutors do not know they are being used as puppets to advance Satan’s agenda.
However, the saddest form of persecution comes from our own brethren. I’ve heard people in brotherhood schools mock the truth with gusto. I’ve read brethren on discussion groups ridicule and torment those who follow God’s Word.They become furious at the very suggestion that we restrict ourselves to God’s simple Word.
They viciously attack sound brethren, ripping them to shreds before the entire world. They even mock the very words of God by elevating the culture and the ways of man above the inspired Writ (2 Timothy 3:16-17). They find God far less frightening than their friends who stand outside of Christ.
There is really nothing more nauseating than so-called “brethren” declaring war on God’s people. Their persecution is more chilling and painful than anything people in world can do. Let us pray for them and avoid their viciousness, so we will not lose our focus on joy and evangelism.
Linda Newsted is discussing. -
Linda Newsted
Richard, have you ever been thrown out of a congregation for standing firm on the truth? It happened to Jim and I a few short years ago. These evil people were opposed to us working to get the preacher Jim Reyna a liver transplant. Praise God Jim got the transplant in Oct 2009 and is back actively working at a new congregation. Jim and I were shunned and then told to leave. It just broke my heart and several weeks before Jim and I could face another congregation. We worshiped at home but have returned to the Shamrock congregation and are happy there. I was just so stunned at the actions of the people I considered my brothers and sisters, It made us stronger and love our God even more and I fear judgement day for the ones so devoid of compassion for a fellow Christian that would have died without that transplant. I told my Jim that our lives were never dull as that was the first time I had ever been thrown out of a church!! I pray it never happens again and was too traumtic for us. It wasn’t promised it would be easy to be a Christian. You, like my Jim is not afraid to stand up for the truth but some people just don’t want to hear it. Continue your good work. Love and hugs, Linda
Richard Mansel
Learn the Scriptures and the People
One can be a devoted student of Scripture and yet not understand the people to whom they minister. We must not be cloistered in our hole, failing to interact with others. The Bible student who is not also a student of human nature, misses the other half of the equation.
The ultimate goal of Bible study is two-fold. First, we desire heaven as our own future destination. Secondly, we want to inspire others to take the same path. How do we do the latter if we know nothing of our subjects?
We need to be very attentive to the ways and motivations of human beings. We must study how they think and react to certain ideas. Study the culture and know what turns people’s heads. In so doing, we become better armed when we reach out to people.
There is danger in this method, of course. Nietzsche is credited with saying, “When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back into you.” If we will learn the culture, we must not let it drag us into its web of deceit.
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J. Randal Matheny
Spot on, Richard. Thanks for this. I’d only add that if we are alien to them — looking at it from the perspective of those we want to reach –, we will almost certainly not reach them.
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John Henson
Excellent points, brother!
Richard Mansel
What About Those Who Have Not Heard?
A complex issue is whether people who have not heard the gospel will be saved. I wrote about this six years ago on Forthright. I began the first article:
The question is often asked, “will those who have never heard the gospel be saved?” We want this to be true because it seems so compassionate and loving. Yet as Christians we must look past our feelings and to the Bible for answers. What we find may not be pleasant, but Scripture is always our authority in religious matters (1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:16,17). Paul wrote in Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (NKJV). Accordingly we ask, if someone has not heard the gospel or have a Bible then how can they be saved?
The argument I humbly made in the second article was that it seemed to me that the implications of this issue are the most crucial to consider. To say that people can be saved without hearing the gospel creates a second plan of salvation, that being ignorance.
Likewise, we should ensure that more people do not hear the gospel because if someone does not have access to the gospel, they cannot possibly be lost. Once people do have the gospel, then they can be saved or lost. Hence, the safest path would be ignorance. In other words, we would save more people by refusing to preach the gospel to the world, despite the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)!
I have no idea how that can possibly be justified Scripturally. I can’t see how those who have not heard can be saved by what I find in Scripture. To say this is not because I have a hard heart and I want people to be lost. I must go by what Scripture says (Colossians 3:17). Emotional arguments cannot supersede God’s Word.
Two further considerations:
First, Judges 2:10 says, “When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.”
If people can be saved by ignorance, then this passage would be blessing rather than a sign of apostasy. In a spiritual sense, ignorance would truly be bliss.
Second, heaven is a place that is completely geared toward glorifying God (Revelation 4). Yet, if people who do not hear the gospel will be saved, then there will be countless numbers of intelligent adults entering heaven who’ve never heard of Jesus (cf. John 14:1-6; John 10:14).
I offer these as ideas toward an answer on this difficult subject. Above all, I am eager to learn. What do you have to offer?
Kevin Beard, 
Jon Zirpolo, and 1 other are discussing. -
Stephen R. Bradd
2 Thess 1:9,10 is definitive on this matter. One must “know God” and “obey the gospel” or be lost–forever. The ignorant will be lost, though they will be beaten with fewer stripes (so to speak) than those who know better and fail to live for Jesus (Luke 12:47,48).
God cannot do just whatever He wishes IF that involves violating His revealed word–He is faithful (even when we aren’t–2 Tim. 2:13).
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Richard Mansel
I know God cannot violate Scripture, as I said. That caveat of mine was not meant to distract from my overall point. It can be excised.
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Jon Zirpolo
I have thought on this subject for such a long time. Through my studies I came to the same conclussion you did. Its been a tough pill to swallow but it also made me realise the importance of our command to “Go…” (Matt 28:18). Especially when we sing that song “You never mentioned Him to me.”
I often use this example when Im talking to someone about the necessity of baptism as it relates to salvation. Often I hear that, “well, what if they are in a place where there is no water? Will God condemn them for not being dunked in water?” My response is to replace “baptism” with “hearing the gospel.” No honest Christian can say that someone can enter Heaven without faith in Jesus (Heb 11:6)
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Kevin Beard
I agree with your thoughts completely, Richard. The problem people have with accepting the truth about this is that they are examining it with human wisdom instead of God’s wisdom. One thought I would add is that we must understand what causes people to be lost, and that’s sin. If all people have sinned, then all people are lost, regardless of whether they have heard the gospel or not. As long as they stay in sin, they stay lost. But the only way out of sin is through Christ, which can only be accomplished through the gospel.
J. Randal Matheny
Daily Nudge: baptism truth or sermon
What sermon, lesson or truth did you hear on the day you were baptized? Or, that prompted your decision to become a Christian? It may be some time elapsed between the hearing and the deciding.
In some places the only evangelism is done from the pulpit, so I didn’t want my question to reflect that sad reality.
TFRStaff
HTH success stories
Here’s one recently posted by the House-to-House friends.
Carthage, MS: Bill Hettick wrote, "One of the new converts at their congregation works on an off shore oil rig. He takes a few extra copies of HtH and leaves in the common area of the rig. Brother Hettick has received requests for more information and tracts from individuals who have picked these up and read them on the rig. Most have been from out of state but he is so glad and willing to answer their questions and send them what ever information they request. The Gospel is being spread! Rob Whitacre with the Willette church of Christ shares this good news with us. We used HtH in our door knocking campaign last fall. It opened several doors and led to three (3) baptisms. Without it, we would not have gotten our foot in the door. Today, because of HtH, three souls worship God every Lord’s day."
Ron Thomas
Letter to Editors
I am of the opinion that letters to the editor are a great venue to propagate the Lord’s message. It may be that your letter will not get in the local paper, but don’t let that stop you. Be sure, when you write, that you are not harsh or disparaging. Be firm and sure of yourself, and be prepared for responses (sometimes harsh). Since we have lived in Idaho, I have taken advantage of this community service by the local newspaper. Many times I have not been printed, but I still press on. Recently, I submitted a letter to the editor, and the local UMC preacher replied. Here is my reply to him. Perhaps you will find it interesting.
Letter to editor,
I was grateful to see that our local UMC preacher replied to my previous letter to the editor. I was grateful because he attempted an explanation to the news report on the document that 33 retired UMC Bishops proffered. However, it appears that he failed to take notice of the fact that I referenced a newspaper report; thus, he mistakenly attributed to me the characteristic of “espousing many things about which I know very little.” I don’t mind when people attribute to me such things, but I would expect an example of my failing rather than a mere assertion. From our local preacher, we have received an assertion. I will not follow his mistake.
Perhaps it might be a good idea to learn from Mr. Renner as to who actually authorized the apostles to speak; does he think they spoke on their own authority or by the authority of one greater than them? I will answer this for him; it was Jesus who authorized Paul to speak what he spoke, thus what Paul spoke was actually the words of Jesus (cf. Romans 15:18; 1 Corinthians 14:37). Since it was the Lord Jesus, then the mistaken notion that, “…surely my brother-in-Christ is aware that the Bible has no statements attributed to Jesus on the topic of homosexuality” can be summarily dismissed.
Mr. Renner’s attempt to explicate the meaning of the Lord’s words is unfortunate. When the Lord said to the religious leaders that He desired mercy not sacrifice, He said these words against those who would set up man-made barriers to one’s approach to God (Matthew 9:9-13; Hosea 6:4-6). So the unfortunate rendering offered to us, “I am after mercy not religion” is very misleading. Perhaps the UMC minister should read the actual context of Hosea and see how the Lord applied it to those to whom He spoke.
Ron Thomas
Preacher, Highway church of Christ
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J. Randal Matheny
Maybe it’s just me …
… but it seems like:
- We prefer to keep our traditions, rather than sacrifice them in order to reach the lost;
- More prayers are being offered for the American military — who greatly need prayer — than for those who work in the gospel;
- More is known about and talked about TV stars and shows and sports figures than the facts, commands, truths, and promises of Scripture;
- Things excite us more than our eternal hope.
Maybe I’m just in a Sunday night low …
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Mike Riley
We need to repeat the words of this hymn often:
“This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through, My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.”
The sentiments of this song should keep us focused on the spiritual goal at hand of saving the lost – not on residing in this world.
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Bernard Barton
I agree with you 100%-but we still need to remember our veterans
I know a lady in the church who could name all the starting playes for the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team but could not name the 12 apostles by name
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Ron
It is not just you, Randal, that has noticed this….unfortunately.
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joyjensen
No, it’s not just you. On our last furlough we attending a function for members of the church, and there was daily talk and prayers for all the veterans represented, as well as a special song for them. Nothing of the sort for the gospel preachers and missionaries who were present. Had I mentioned it, people might have assumed wrongly that I was feeling left out or jealous, nothing could be further from the truth. I am rather uncomfortable being in the public eye, and am quite happy letting my husband be there. But it definitely underscored in my mind the very point you make, and that is how much energy is devoted to the physical, rather than the spiritual. But then, it’s not a new problem, is it?
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Don Ruhl
Randal, it bothers me that we pray more for our people in the military than for preachers, and preachers in foreign lands, and I have mentioned it to the church here, and those leading the prayers have been speaking more of our missionaries.
Richard Mansel
Great Article on Missions by Mike Benson
Mike Benson give us some very challenging thoughts in relation to the greatest need of the starving in Tanzania. I hope you will read and share this article.
J. Randal Matheny
Rejoice with us. Fabia was baptized about 3:30 p.m. local time. This is where I’ve been all afternoon.
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Mike Riley
Wonderful news, Randal! We pray that Fabia will increase in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).
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John Henson
Great, brother! Praise God for the power of God — the gospel —- and how it can change a person’s heart!
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Chad Dollahite
Always good to hear of a new brother/sister in the Lord. We pray he will grow in grace & in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior (2 Pet. 3:18).
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Chad Dollahite
I hate typos! No matter how hard you try… My apologies to Fabia, as “he” above should be “she”
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J. Randal Matheny
We’ll keep this secret just between us, I won’t tell Fabia. ;-)
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Ron Thomas 5:55 am on April 27, 2012 Permalink |
My definition is rather simple: evangelism is the effort of one (or more than one) to take the good news of God and share it, teach it, defend it. If I were to take a biblical passage to demonstrate it would be Acts 8:4.
Eugene Adkins 6:10 am on April 27, 2012 Permalink |
I believe the purpose/intention of the person would change the defintion that would apply. Check out Philippians 1:14-18 for what I mean. Definition for the good – preaching Christ selflessly. Definition for the bad – preaching Christ selfishly.
I would just quickly say that God’s intentions for evangelism are sowing, watering and tending to the word of God both near and far.
John Henson 12:33 pm on April 27, 2012 Permalink |
Taking these two good definitions, I’d just add that evangelism must also include benevolence (Matthew 5:16; James 2:16) and edification, as seen in the efforts of Paul not only to win the lost, but also to build up those who had obeyed the gospel.
J. Randal Matheny 12:55 pm on April 30, 2012 Permalink |
Thanks, brothers, for chiming in. I do appreciate it. I had to send in my manuscript already for the book, but I’ll be refining this message up to the day of.