15 March 2012
Quote of the Day - B. B. Warfield
I believe that God requires of me, under the gospel, first of all, that , out of a true sense of my sin and misery and apprehension of his mercy in Christ, I should turn with grief and hatred away from sin and receive and rest upon Jesus Christ alone for salvation; that, so being united to him, I may receive pardon for my sins and be accepted as righteous in God’s sight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to me and received by faith alone; and thus and thus only do I believe I may be received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.
B. B. Warfield
12 March 2012
Quote of the Day
"If our preaching does not center on Christ--from Genesis to Revelation--no matter how good or helpful, it is not a proclamation of God's Word."
Michael Horton
Michael Horton
03 March 2012
The Message
Great advice from Ray Comfort -
The Apostle Paul followed in the steps of Jesus by using the moral Law to bring the knowledge of sin (see Romans 3:19,20). When a rich young man ran to Jesus and asked how he could find everlasting life, Jesus didn’t speak of a wonderful plan, or even of God’s love or the cross. He firstly reproved the man’s understanding of the word "good," then He gave the man five of the Ten Commandments (see Mark 10:17-21) so that He would know how the nature of God’s goodness. He had to be confronted with his crimes against His Creator.
So if you want to be faithful to the Word of God and to the Great commission to “preach the gospel to every creature,” don’t change the message. Don’t adjust it because you want to make it more palatable to the sinner or because you are afraid of rejection. Don’t change it because you want to follow in the footsteps of modern preachers, because they are not going in the right direction. Modern methods have wreaked havoc within the Church—filling it with tares among the wheat, resulting in a Church that looks little like the God-fearing, fiery, fearless, evangelistic Church of the Book of Acts, who faced death rather than compromise the message.
So, if you profess to be a follower of Christ, do what Jesus did. Take courage and open up the divine Law before you preach the mercy of the cross. It is the Law that makes the cross make sense. Who is going to want mercy if they aren’t shown their sin? There are some, however, who are of the belief that sinners are well-aware of their sin and don’t need the Law. But such a belief is diametrically opposed to Scripture, which says that there are “none” who understand (see Romans 3:11).
Opening up the Commandments as Jesus did on the Sermon on the Mount was the way of Wesley, Spurgeon, Whitefield and all the faithful men of God, who knew the great biblical truth that we must diagnose the disease of sin before we prescribe the cure of the gospel.
The Apostle Paul followed in the steps of Jesus by using the moral Law to bring the knowledge of sin (see Romans 3:19,20). When a rich young man ran to Jesus and asked how he could find everlasting life, Jesus didn’t speak of a wonderful plan, or even of God’s love or the cross. He firstly reproved the man’s understanding of the word "good," then He gave the man five of the Ten Commandments (see Mark 10:17-21) so that He would know how the nature of God’s goodness. He had to be confronted with his crimes against His Creator.
So if you want to be faithful to the Word of God and to the Great commission to “preach the gospel to every creature,” don’t change the message. Don’t adjust it because you want to make it more palatable to the sinner or because you are afraid of rejection. Don’t change it because you want to follow in the footsteps of modern preachers, because they are not going in the right direction. Modern methods have wreaked havoc within the Church—filling it with tares among the wheat, resulting in a Church that looks little like the God-fearing, fiery, fearless, evangelistic Church of the Book of Acts, who faced death rather than compromise the message.
So, if you profess to be a follower of Christ, do what Jesus did. Take courage and open up the divine Law before you preach the mercy of the cross. It is the Law that makes the cross make sense. Who is going to want mercy if they aren’t shown their sin? There are some, however, who are of the belief that sinners are well-aware of their sin and don’t need the Law. But such a belief is diametrically opposed to Scripture, which says that there are “none” who understand (see Romans 3:11).
Opening up the Commandments as Jesus did on the Sermon on the Mount was the way of Wesley, Spurgeon, Whitefield and all the faithful men of God, who knew the great biblical truth that we must diagnose the disease of sin before we prescribe the cure of the gospel.
02 March 2012
A Gift and a Lift -
Here is a great post I just read over at The Word Street Journal from my brother in Christ, Paul Latour!!
A very close and dear friend of ours, Nicole, a sister in Christ and street evangelist extraordinaire, was feeling a bit on the downside in recent days. We all have days like that. I certainly do.
Christians, despite the joy we have in Christ, are not immune from suffering "the blues" from time to time. We, like everybody else on the planet, have feelings and emotions that cannot be ignored but, at the same time, we must be careful not to allow them to overwhelm us to the point of desperation. The benefit we have over nonbelievers, of course, is Christ in our lives and we know we can depend on Him to see us through the tough times just as He sees us through the good.
I sent an e-mail to Nicole the other day to remind her that one of the best ways a Christian can have his or her heart lifted up and brought out of the duldrums is to go out and share his or her faith with people. I take it she welcomed the advice as I came home from work tonight and found this e-mail waiting for me:
Hi brother Paul,
Thanks for your reply... you were right it would boost my spirit. I went out to the store tonight and prayed that God would give me the boldness to approach different people and have an opportunity to share with someone and He did, praise the Lord!
It was a glorious time and am so thankful the Lord answered my prayer. Ever since I saw the video with the little old man from George street I've been wanting to approach people and ask them that question - "Are you saved? If you were to die tonight do you know where you would be going?". It was funny to see the reaction of the first two that I actually asked them directly like that.
I got to give one of your tracts to a young man who is catholic.
Read rest of post here
A very close and dear friend of ours, Nicole, a sister in Christ and street evangelist extraordinaire, was feeling a bit on the downside in recent days. We all have days like that. I certainly do.
Christians, despite the joy we have in Christ, are not immune from suffering "the blues" from time to time. We, like everybody else on the planet, have feelings and emotions that cannot be ignored but, at the same time, we must be careful not to allow them to overwhelm us to the point of desperation. The benefit we have over nonbelievers, of course, is Christ in our lives and we know we can depend on Him to see us through the tough times just as He sees us through the good.
Hi brother Paul,
Thanks for your reply... you were right it would boost my spirit. I went out to the store tonight and prayed that God would give me the boldness to approach different people and have an opportunity to share with someone and He did, praise the Lord!
It was a glorious time and am so thankful the Lord answered my prayer. Ever since I saw the video with the little old man from George street I've been wanting to approach people and ask them that question - "Are you saved? If you were to die tonight do you know where you would be going?". It was funny to see the reaction of the first two that I actually asked them directly like that.
Read rest of post here
14 February 2012
Overcoming for the Purpose of Evangelism
From the writings of Timothy Muse
Here are some issues Christians must overcome to be most effective in evangelism:
Dependency on others
Christians must not only be willing to co-labor in the area of evangelism but be willing and able to spend time away from others and “go-it-alone” in sharing the gospel with others.
Initial Attacks by Unbelievers
Christians must not be dissuaded from evangelizing simply because unbelievers often will initially question their presumptiveness, discredit their credentials or accuse them of violating some type of man-made custom or rule.
Questioning of One’s Person and Ability to Provide
Christians must ready to admit that while the solution to the unbeliever’s needs are not found in us, we do know the hope and that hope is not only sufficient but satisfying.
Distractions by Unbelievers
Christians must realize that to avoid scrutiny of the truth unbelievers will seek to distract evangelistic efforts from getting to or dealing with sensitive or embarrassing issues by avoiding the topics, telling half truths, or trying to send evangelists down other paths.
Arguments Dealing With Differences Between Religions
Christians must not allow discussion to be sidetracked by unbelievers who seek to avoid dealing with issues of personal sin by treating Christianity as just one among the various religions for God holds men personally accountable regardless of differences in religions.
Delay Attempts
Christians must not let their evangelistic efforts rest simply because others want to put off dealing with their situation for Christ cannot be put off without rejecting Him and the grace he offers.
Dependency on others
Christians must not only be willing to co-labor in the area of evangelism but be willing and able to spend time away from others and “go-it-alone” in sharing the gospel with others.
Initial Attacks by Unbelievers
Christians must not be dissuaded from evangelizing simply because unbelievers often will initially question their presumptiveness, discredit their credentials or accuse them of violating some type of man-made custom or rule.
Questioning of One’s Person and Ability to Provide
Christians must ready to admit that while the solution to the unbeliever’s needs are not found in us, we do know the hope and that hope is not only sufficient but satisfying.
Distractions by Unbelievers
Christians must realize that to avoid scrutiny of the truth unbelievers will seek to distract evangelistic efforts from getting to or dealing with sensitive or embarrassing issues by avoiding the topics, telling half truths, or trying to send evangelists down other paths.
Arguments Dealing With Differences Between Religions
Christians must not allow discussion to be sidetracked by unbelievers who seek to avoid dealing with issues of personal sin by treating Christianity as just one among the various religions for God holds men personally accountable regardless of differences in religions.
Delay Attempts
Christians must not let their evangelistic efforts rest simply because others want to put off dealing with their situation for Christ cannot be put off without rejecting Him and the grace he offers.
11 February 2012
Witnessing with Tracts
Good advice from an evangelism blog called "Soul Winning in North Louisiana"
Tracts are an effective way to witness. I believe in Gospel tracts! One man said that a tract has never blew up in anyone's hand! Giving out tracts can encourage even the most timid Christian. I have been using them since I was have been saved. I had a desire to tell someone about the Lord and what He has done for me. I still have that same desire!
James S. Stewart said this in his book titled "A Faith To Proclaim": "A Christian who is taking his faith seriously cannot but evangelize."
I ordered new tracts from onemilliontracts.com.
The Mancard has become one of my favorites. The men at our church really liked this one. When I approach a man with it, I ask if he has received his mancard. I explain that it is a gospel tract. I tell him that God wants us to be real men. I gave out three of these on my lunch yesterday at Walmart. I gave one to our UPS driver,too. I gave out a couple last night and a few today.
The Good Test tract came in an assortment pack of 100 tracts that you can get for $3.25. $1,000,000 bill tracts were in my assortment pack, too. I gave a few of these out at the drive-thru of McDonald's on Sunday after nursing home service. The worker at the money window was going to get her manager until I told her what it was. I gave another to the worker at the delivery window after she gave us napkins. I told her "I'll give you a million for them!"
Gospel tracts are a great way to share your faith. Order some today. Visit our links for ordering. If you have never gave them out, pray for the Lord to give you boldness to do so.
There is someone out there waiting for someone to give them the Good News! Will it be you?
Tracts are an effective way to witness. I believe in Gospel tracts! One man said that a tract has never blew up in anyone's hand! Giving out tracts can encourage even the most timid Christian. I have been using them since I was have been saved. I had a desire to tell someone about the Lord and what He has done for me. I still have that same desire!
James S. Stewart said this in his book titled "A Faith To Proclaim": "A Christian who is taking his faith seriously cannot but evangelize."
I ordered new tracts from onemilliontracts.com.
The Mancard has become one of my favorites. The men at our church really liked this one. When I approach a man with it, I ask if he has received his mancard. I explain that it is a gospel tract. I tell him that God wants us to be real men. I gave out three of these on my lunch yesterday at Walmart. I gave one to our UPS driver,too. I gave out a couple last night and a few today.
The Good Test tract came in an assortment pack of 100 tracts that you can get for $3.25. $1,000,000 bill tracts were in my assortment pack, too. I gave a few of these out at the drive-thru of McDonald's on Sunday after nursing home service. The worker at the money window was going to get her manager until I told her what it was. I gave another to the worker at the delivery window after she gave us napkins. I told her "I'll give you a million for them!"
Gospel tracts are a great way to share your faith. Order some today. Visit our links for ordering. If you have never gave them out, pray for the Lord to give you boldness to do so.
There is someone out there waiting for someone to give them the Good News! Will it be you?
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