Power of the Gospel

Today I got a small package from Chapel Library, a ministry that reprints and distributes solid Christian literature.  They provide this wonderful ministry for free!  If you don't know about their work, get to know them today!

Among the group that came in my mail was the small booklet, Greasy the Robber: A True Story of the Power of the Gospel from Siberia in the Late 1800's.  I picked it up, hoping to browse the first few pages to see if I wanted to read it.  Twenty-five minutes later I finished it.  It was such a blessing.  The power of God's word and the depth of God's providence are so encouraging to me.  Even though I have experienced it in my own life, read the Bible for myself, witnessed God working in the lives of others, His grace never ceases to amaze me.

Since the little booklet was so good, I shared it with a friend just minutes later.  I know it will bless him too.  But wait, you can read it as well since I found a link to the PDF online here.

Enjoy the story.  And marvel with me at the Power of the Gospel!

Praise and Personal Evangelism

"I waited patiently for the LORD;

And He inclined to me and heard my cry.

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction,

 out of the miry clay,

And He set my feet upon a rock making my

 footsteps firm.

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of 

 praise to our God;

Many will see and fear

 and will trust in the LORD."

Psalm 40:1-3

When we honestly reflect on what God has done for us in Christ we ought to burst into joyful praise.  That is what the Psalmist points to in the opening verses of Psalm 40.  Going from the miry clay to the Solid Rock is certainly worth shouting about!  But, it is the last phrase that hints at the relationship between our praise and personal evangelism.  When we recognize what God has done for us, by His gracious salvation, our praise will lead others to see this glorious truth and submit to Him.  When we take our eyes off the cross and stop reveling in Christ, our joy and praise diminish.  As does our witness for the Lord Jesus.

Speaking of this many years ago, John Piper said, "When our praise ceases, the effectiveness of our ministries will cease." [quote taken from a sermon preached by Piper as a student at Fuller Seminary]

Let us continue to praise and glory in our Father's grace!  So that many will come to know Him.

HT: JT

The Gospel Alliterated

Many preachers alliterate the main points of their sermon.  It is the sort of thing that is catchy and often easy to remember.  This method is not actually taught in a seminary preaching class, at least not in mine.  Alliterating sermon points may stem from our desire to appear clever or engaging.  Which can be helpful to hold the attention of our audience.  But this could also lead to an egotistical clown in the pulpit.  We need to guard against relying on our own abilities or drawing attention to ourselves and away from Christ and the gospel.

Here are a few key aspects of the gospel that contain a bit of an alliterated flow.  I understand this is not an exhaustive explanation of the good news.  But it seems to cover at least three vital points.  The alliteration provides a helpful tool when trying to recall these areas.

God is Righteous.  Man is Ruined and needs Repentance.  Jesus Christ is the only suitable Redeemer.

The simple truth is this: I'm not clever enough to actually formulate these thoughts on my own.  Just like I am unable, as a broken and filthy sinner, to come to God on my own.  I am so thankful and amazed at the mercy and grace of God!

Show Me the Money

I'm always on the look out for a good gospel tract.  There are lots of tracts, but few good ones.  I'm not saying that many do not contain the gospel, most do.  However, many are too long, poorly designed or just plain cheesy.

The other day while reading a book that had belonged to my father I discovered a small tract that was being used as a book mark.  On one side it looked like a twenty dollar bill, only about 1/3 the size.  On the back was this message:

"WHAT MONEY CAN BUY
Money will buy: A bed but not sleep. Books but not brains. Food but not appetite. Finery but not beauty. A house but not a home. Medicine but not health. Luxuries but not culture. Amusement but not happiness. A crucifix but not a Saviour. A church pew but not heaven.  What money can't buy, Jesus Christ can give freely without charge. Is He your Lord and Saviour? If not, you can get a new lease on life right now. Confess to God that you have sinned and that you want to turn from you sins to receive Jesus as Lord of your life Through that step of believing faith you can start life afresh with your sins forgiven and a new life in Christ."

I remember that my Dad had a stack of these tracts.  He gave me a few and I gave them all away.  Its not a perfect tract but it has some appeal.  The money image is eye-catching and the theme strikes at the heart of many who worship the "almighty dollar."  I checked online and apparently the publisher of this tract is out of business.  Not shocking, the copyright date on the one I have is 1997. Ancient by today's standards.

Mathias Media has produced lots of good evangelism and discipleship materials.  Two Ways to Live is a gospel presentation that can be viewed via the web or distributed in tract form.  The North American Mission Board of the SBC has some helpful tips about using tracts in personal evangelism as well as a link to purchase tracts.

If you find a helpful gospel tract make sure you get extra copies.  But don't use them as book marks, share them with someone who needs to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

Sharing the Gospel

I just finished reading Marks of the Messenger by Mack Stiles. The subtitle clearly defines this handy little volume, "Knowing, Living and Speaking the Gospel." Stiles doesn't waste words. He strikes at the heart of the challenges facing Christians in the realm of personal evangelism.

There are lots of books available on evangelism. If you are looking for a book that offers you a so called "sure-fire method" or "strategy," look elsewhere. However, if you want to be challenged to better understand the gospel, why we share it and the heart of what it means to be a "healthy evangelist," then Stiles work will be very helpful. Additionally, the author nails down the essentials of sharing Christ in a way that exposes the weaknesses of most overly pragmatic "strategies."

"When our lives are in line with the gospel and our witness to Christ is consistent, we find that our grace-filled lives have perfume-like attraction (2 Cor. 2:16). Don't be surprised at the opportunities God will bring your way to share your faith. And as you share your faith, you become the instrument that God uses to move people from death to life." pg. 58

I highly recommend Marks of the Messenger for everyone who has experienced God's grace in Christ and wants to be able to share that same truth with others. Pastors, you will want to pick up extra copies to give away. It's that good.

The AIR of Evangelism

While attending the KBC annual meeting last week I heard a message from Cas McCaslin, founder of Upward Sports. He is so passionate about what he does, which is reaching kids with the Good News of Jesus Christ through sports ministries. He shared one particular tidbit of information that I found helpful. Its really not groundbreaking or unique. But it does provide a quick summary of what our attitude towards evangelism should be. Here it is:

A - Aware of the lost around us

I - Intentional in our efforts & actions

R - Ready when we encounter the lost

With that little primer in mind, evaluate what the "air" of evangelism is around your congregation or in your own life.

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." 1 Peter 3:15

[If you look closely here you can see me actively and enthusiastically participating in the KBC annual meeting.]

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A Caricature of Conservative Evangelical Christians

Have you ever been to a fair or amusement park and seen those folks who draw caricatures? The finished product is something that loosely resembles the individual but is wildly exaggerated to create effect. That often happens when we attempt to describe others with whom we disagree. I discovered this sort of thing on the web page of a church here in the Louisville, KY area. I am familiar with this congregation only through reputation. It would be fair to say that the pastor and this church are "moderate" compared to some and "liberal" in comparison to most evangelicals (including me).

I listened to the first 30 minutes of what I assume is a recent sermon or address meant to set the tone and vision for their church. The pastor is a very good communicator and is leading his congregation to live out the mantra, "God's Transforming Love."

I don't have time to address our differences in theology and understanding of the gospel, nor do I really care to. Let me just say, the brokenness of our world that manifests itself in all sorts of ills and pain is the result of human sin. We can try all sorts of social and political mechanisms and they will offer only temporary relief at best. The gospel of Jesus Christ, that provides for salvation and transformation for all who repent of their sin and embrace the atonement of the cross, is the only lasting cure.

However, I was struck by the pastor's depiction of conservative evangelical Christians. He listed several hot-button issues (highlighting the wacky conservative positions) that seemed to invigorate the audience as they displayed hearty approval of his descriptions. He painted "big 'C' Christians" as "militant" and "angry." In his mind this is often demonstrated in our zeal to fulfill the Great Commission. He also mentioned that conservatives, through our desire to reach the lost, establish an "us verses them" mentality.

This pastor was painting a caricature and accentuating the points of disagreement between himself and conservative evangelicals to confirm that he wants no part of that sort of ministry. In fact, by the time he was finished he had created an "us verses them" scenario. I suppose he is entitled to his strategy. But why is it important to trot out the cartoon conservative as a prop in order to describe what you desire to accomplish in your ministry? This church has a substantial following. Why not simply and clearly state what you believe ministry is all about, without bashing those with whom you disagree and mocking their positions for effect? While I clearly don't agree with this pastor and I think he has distorted many of our views, there is something to be gained from his perception.

Here is what I take away for this: I want my life and ministry to demonstrate passion for Christ and the gospel. I want to be characterized by humility, grace, mercy and love. I also never want to compromise the authority of Scripture, the exclusivity and necessity of the atonement and the demands of the Great Commission.

I want to look radically different from his caricature of conservative evangelical Christianity. I also want to be boldly faithful to Christ and the gospel. If there is going to be an offense, I don't want it to be my arrogant attitude, but rather the absolute truth of God's holiness and our accountability to Him. In other words, I want to be like Christ.

HT: Dave Theobald (he suggested I post these thoughts I had shared with him)
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Religion for Sinners

I didn't catch it on Fox News Sunday, but apparently Brit Hume made a very poignant statement about Christianity during a panel discussion. His comment was about the recent struggles of Tiger Woods. Here is the core of what was said by this former anchor:

"The Tiger Woods that emerges, once the news value dies out of this scandal, the extent to which he can recover, seems to me, depends on his faith. He's said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So my message to Tiger would be, Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."

During an interview with Christianity Today, Hume spoke about his comments on Woods as well as some words about his own relationship with Christ. One particular sentence really caught my eye. Not because it was deep and theological, but because it was simple, profound and true. Hume said, "Christianity is a religion for sinners." (Hume actually repeated this statement later.) He went on to explain that forgiveness and redemption is what Tiger Woods needs, and he is not alone.

I commend Brit Hume for his honesty during the broadcast and for saying out loud, in front of millions, what many Christians have been thinking. I pray that we all will be emboldened to speak truth and proclaim Christ. Not as some sort of canned cliche, but rather as a natural way of conversing with everyone we meet. Because the truth is, everyone we meet is a sinner and needs Christ!

Words to Winners of Souls

Several months back I picked up a booklet that had been on my desk for a long while. As I read, the words on the page prodded and poked at me. Although written in the mid 1800s, the words were timely and fresh. The author, Horatius Bonar (1808-1889), wrote with great conviction and insight. It is apparent that this Scottish 'shepherd' loved the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and also had a love for those who were perishing without Him. Bonar did not promote the sort of programmatic fluff that is labeled evangelism today. He advocated a heart-level, relational type of ministry that was common among pastors of a bygone era.

Here is a brief passage from the opening chapter: "We take for granted that the object of the Christian ministry is to convert sinners and to edify the body of Christ. No faithful minister can possibly rest short of this. Applause, fame, popularity, honor, wealth - all these are vain. If souls are not won, if saints are not matured, our ministry itself is vain."

I commend Words to Winners of Souls to every Christian minister. You must purchase this book and read it soon. Certainly, it is a book that all Christians should read. Indeed all of us have been charged with the task of sharing Christ. We need to be reminded of our duties, of the urgency of our task and of the lostness of the world around us. Graves are being filled with the unconverted, and the Church for the most part is standing by paying lip service to the gospel and evangelism. God help us!

I find that my days are tangled up in a multitude of tasks that have nothing whatsoever to do with reaching the lost with the truth of God's grace in Christ Jesus. I suspect the same is true for you. We must live with a greater sense of urgency and a deeper love for those around us who are not in Christ. Our Lord has commissioned us to be engaged as 'winners of souls.'

Reaching Your Unchurched Neighbor

Yesterday in Starbucks I had an interesting conversation with an aquaintance. He has visited our church once, maybe twice. I simply asked him when he was coming to visit again. His response was interesting in that he began to share his view on organized religion. Those are my words, but they reflect his ideas. He said that after a bad experience in a church several years back he decided he could meet with God on his own, outside of the church. He even said that as he spends time outside he often prays in the woods or in a field.

This could have been an opportunity to really set this guy straight. He's not the first person I've encounted with this mindset. Here was my big chance. But, instead of hammering him I made a brief comment about the church being part of God's design for us and letting it go.

This exchange has troubled me. I realize that there are so many folks who hold similar views. How do we reach our unchurched neighbors? If I would have just had my Bible with me, the really big one, I could have smacked him up side his head with it. Surely that would have gotten through to him. [note tone of sarcasm and a wicked smile]

Here's the opening paragraph from a BP article about unchurched Americans:

"A majority of unchurched Americans are turned off by the institutional church and don't have a biblical understanding about God and Jesus, yet they believe Jesus makes a positive difference in a person's life and would enjoy an honest discussion with a friend about spiritual matters."

The last phrase is the most telling and instructive. Believers need to engage in "honest discussion" with their friends and neighbors, not condemning them for being absent at the 11am Sunday service or for specific behavior. Sinners sin you know. Unfortunately many folks outside of the church have a distored understanding of Christianity. They see it mainly as a bunch of do's and don't that really are not appealing to them. We need to talk with them about the big issues of life. Eventually sharing with them the good news of reconciliation and redemption in Christ.

Many unchurched folks will admit that there is a void in their life. There is a very telling interview with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady where he talks about his own emptiness. (I first saw the video here.) Brady admits that even with Superbowl victories, loads of cash and worldwide fame, there is something missing. I pray that Tom has a Christian teammate who will share Christ with him.

It is clear that the church has much work to do. It is also clear that since many of our friends and neighbors will not be joining us on Sundays that we better be going to where they are on Monday - Saturday. Why not have a good cup of coffee at the same time.

The Fields Are White

Here's a brief update on our church's outreach efforts in our community.

We are slowly making our way into some area neighborhoods conducting "surveys." The goal for this portion of our outreach is to be visible to our neighbors and express a Christ-like, caring attitude. While there are evangelistic elements to these surveys, and we may engage in gospel conversations, that is not the primary goal. Tonight my daughter and I covered one street in a fairly large subdivision. We did not speak with tons of folks, but the ones we met were a real mixed bag. Only one individual seemed from all indications to be a genuine believer. You must understand that our church is in a very affluent and growing area. A destination community for many. Still, it seems there are so many without Christ. My heart breaks for those folks that have all the trappings of this world, and yet they are lost and hopeless.

I have several friends that have traveled across the oceans to share Christ. One friend left today for Kenya. However, it is clear that if you travel across your street there is likely someone there who needs the gospel. Laborers are needed.

Outside the Box

Tonight our church will launch "Sharing & Caring," a new outreach and in reach strategy. To the right you see a picture of our church building. It is time for us to get out of the box, out of the safe confines of our building, in order to share Christ with our community.

In addition, we will also be seeking to do "in reach" to folks who are part of our church family, ones who are delinquent or have specific needs. The Church desperately needs to care for those in the Body of Christ. We hope to be more intentional about doing that.

I suspect that many of our folks are anxious about this endeavor. I am. I am excited because I know for certain that God will honor our faithful obedience, and that is exciting! Yet, we may encounter adversity as well. How will we respond?

Please pray for our church and our community. I will keep "the world" posted as to our progress in the coming weeks.

Saving NOLA

Again my buddy Brian B has a great post coming out of the heart of New Orleans. We are right at the 2 year anniversary of Katrina. What is making a difference in that city? If only the national media would talk with Brian and others with an evangelistic perspective.

It is the gospel that will heal New Orleans, LA. Furthermore, it is the gospel that will heal Prospect, KY and St. Albans, WV and Naas, Ireland and Camp Verde, AZ...I guess you get the picture.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." Romans 1:16

Share it!

Unconverted Sinners

It is clear that everyone is a sinner. Scripture points this out. Moreover, look around. What a messed up place this world is. Unconverted sinners are those that have not experienced the work of God in their hearts. This may include even those who are religious.

I ran across the following quote by Ichabod Spencer d. 1854. Spencer was a pastor with exceptional gifts for ministry and evangelism. His was a different era. But, while things have changed, the hearts of men have not. So, read and reflect on the words of an evangelist of days gone by.

"It is important for convicted sinners to know, that the cause for their irreligion is not, that Christ is not willing to receive them, but that they are not willing to trust in him." Spencer, A Pastor's Sketches:Conversations with Anxious Souls Concerning the Way of Salvation, pg. 66

How does conviction come? What makes them willing? While these questions are worth discussing, it would be better for us to spend our energy seeking unconverted sinners and sharing with them the matchless grace of God. Did someone share with you?