We need to reach out to the world around us. this is what the Spirit is saying to many in the church today. get out of the box and spread God's love. Invade the public arena with His love. Bible studies in beer halls? You betcha! Christian basketball leagues? For sure. Churches rightly station smiling greeters at the front door, and we may take bread to visitors. But we need to reach out to those who do not visit.
We may invite someone to our church. But we generally do not feel comfortable speaking publicly about our personal faith. We need to get over it and just tell what Jesus has done in our lives. No big speech, just honest conversation.
I am a Presbyterian. I know Presbyterian pastors do not often preach evangelistic sermons or give altar calls, and door-to-door evangelism is rare among Presbyterians. but I feel that Presbyterians can reclaim with integrity our historical commitment to evangelism? The word evangelism has been hijacked -- it really is a very good word, meaning to share the good news of Jesus Christ!
Evangelism is one part of God's mission. There is a basic relation between mission and evangelism. The word mission comes from the Greek for "sending," and evangelism from "good news" or "public messenger of good news." God is at work in our troubled and broken world. This is good news!
What is God doing in this world where many forms of devastating evil are rampant? God sent the Son and the Holy Spirit and now sends the church into the world as instruments of redemptive mission. God is bringing to fruition the new reality that was manifested in the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ — God's reign of life, love, justice and peace. While this reign seems hidden, it is present like yeast, light, salt and a small seed.
Jesus defined the mission of God's reign: "The Spirit of the Lord ... anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18-19). As his followers, this is our mission,too.
Lifestyle evangelism is really very effective. It is a matter of speaking, inviting and receiving, as if the Bible is true and jesus really is our Lord. We learn to speak about our Christian faith to others, to share what difference the presence of God and the support of the Christian community make in our lives, especially in times of suffering and transition. We tell others of the spiritual resources and guidance we find through prayer, Bible reading, worship and service. It is likeone beggar telling abother beggar where the bread is. It is the best thing we can possibly do for our freinds and neighbors.
I heard a great story about a college student who mobilized some friends to make and distribute peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (they called it The PBJ mission) to hungry people in their town. The students looked each recipient in the eye and said, "Jesus loves you." We need to find such a wonderful way to show God's love to the people where we live.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, October 04, 2008
John Knox: A Man of Fervent, Effectual Prayer
John Knox and Prayer
It is said that Mary, Queen of Scots trembled when John Knox went to his knees in prayer. One time she even exclaimed that she feared Knox's prayers "more than an any army in Europe."
Why was she so shaken? It was because Knox believed that God worked through prayer. This was no simple assent to a truth. Knox acted on his belief. He would boldly come before the throne of grace like no other, throwing his petitions at the Father's feet.
Author Larry Christenson attests to this in his book The Christian Family. As a matter of fact, Christenson almost goes so far as to attribute the whole reformation of Scotland to Knox's prayers. He writes,
"[Knox] prayed with such power that all Scotland was awakened. 'Lord, Give me Scotland or I'll die!' he cried. And he prayed with such intensity that the Lord answered."
Here is what John Knox wrote about the Holy Spirit and prayer:
"HOW THE SPIRIT MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US. So that without the Spirit of God supporting our infirmities (mightily making intercession for us with unceasing groans, which cannot be expressed with tongue, Rom. 8:26), there is no hope that we can desire anything according to God's will. I mean not that the Holy Ghost does mourn or pray, but that he stirs up our minds, giving unto us a desire or boldness to pray, and causes us to mourn when we are extracted or pulled therefrom."
May the Holy Spirit stir your mind for prayer today!
It is said that Mary, Queen of Scots trembled when John Knox went to his knees in prayer. One time she even exclaimed that she feared Knox's prayers "more than an any army in Europe."
Why was she so shaken? It was because Knox believed that God worked through prayer. This was no simple assent to a truth. Knox acted on his belief. He would boldly come before the throne of grace like no other, throwing his petitions at the Father's feet.
Author Larry Christenson attests to this in his book The Christian Family. As a matter of fact, Christenson almost goes so far as to attribute the whole reformation of Scotland to Knox's prayers. He writes,
"[Knox] prayed with such power that all Scotland was awakened. 'Lord, Give me Scotland or I'll die!' he cried. And he prayed with such intensity that the Lord answered."
Here is what John Knox wrote about the Holy Spirit and prayer:
"HOW THE SPIRIT MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US. So that without the Spirit of God supporting our infirmities (mightily making intercession for us with unceasing groans, which cannot be expressed with tongue, Rom. 8:26), there is no hope that we can desire anything according to God's will. I mean not that the Holy Ghost does mourn or pray, but that he stirs up our minds, giving unto us a desire or boldness to pray, and causes us to mourn when we are extracted or pulled therefrom."
May the Holy Spirit stir your mind for prayer today!
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Stop Lying America -- Let Us Stand Up for the Truth!
It is political ad season and much lying is going on. The presidential campaign has had so many lies in the ads, it is a travesty. The politicians who approve adsa that lie are liars themselves.
There is a plague that is grieving the heart of God and it is the dishonesty of America. Wall Street's problems can be traced to greed and lies -- a multitude of lies! The infection has spread throughout American business.
Why is lying wrong? Because the Bible tells us so! So does common sense, because lying corrupts society and cripples democracy.
What does the Bible say about lying? A lying tongue is not only something God hates, it is also something that is an abomination to Him.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says, "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
The Bible is filled with admonitions against being dishonest and lying. One of the Ten Commandments states:
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." Exodus 20:16
In John 8:43-47, Jesus calls the devil "the father of lies." The devil is behind every lie and as Christians we are admonished not to lie to one another.
Colossians 3:9-10 says, "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."
Lying is bad because it treats those who are lied to as a means to achieve the liar's purpose, rather than as a valuable end in themselves. It is wrong to treat people as means not ends. Lying is bad because it makes it difficult for the person being lied to make a free and informed decision about the matter concerned. Lies lead people to base their decisions on false information.
Lying is bad because it's a basic moral wrong. Some things are fundamentally bad - lying is one of them. Lying is bad because it misuses the God-given gift of human communication. God gave humanity speech so that they could accurately share their thoughts - lying does the opposite.Lying is bad because language is essential to human societies and carries the obligation to use it truthfully. When people use language they effectively 'make a contract' to use it in a particular way - one of the clauses of this contract is not to use language deceitfully.
Lies obviously hurt the person who is lied to (most of the time), but they can also hurt the liar, and society in general.
Society is hurt because:The general level of truthfulness falls - other people may be encouraged to lie.It becomes harder for people to trust each other or the institutions of society.Social cohesion is weakened. Eventually no-one is able to believe anyone else and society collapses.
We need to cry out-- Stop lying America. Do not support any candidate caught lying against his opponent. Demand honesty in business affairs. Seek the truth. Imitate Jesus, who is the great Truth, and be an honest witness in all your own affairs.
There is a plague that is grieving the heart of God and it is the dishonesty of America. Wall Street's problems can be traced to greed and lies -- a multitude of lies! The infection has spread throughout American business.
Why is lying wrong? Because the Bible tells us so! So does common sense, because lying corrupts society and cripples democracy.
What does the Bible say about lying? A lying tongue is not only something God hates, it is also something that is an abomination to Him.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says, "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
The Bible is filled with admonitions against being dishonest and lying. One of the Ten Commandments states:
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." Exodus 20:16
In John 8:43-47, Jesus calls the devil "the father of lies." The devil is behind every lie and as Christians we are admonished not to lie to one another.
Colossians 3:9-10 says, "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."
Lying is bad because it treats those who are lied to as a means to achieve the liar's purpose, rather than as a valuable end in themselves. It is wrong to treat people as means not ends. Lying is bad because it makes it difficult for the person being lied to make a free and informed decision about the matter concerned. Lies lead people to base their decisions on false information.
Lying is bad because it's a basic moral wrong. Some things are fundamentally bad - lying is one of them. Lying is bad because it misuses the God-given gift of human communication. God gave humanity speech so that they could accurately share their thoughts - lying does the opposite.Lying is bad because language is essential to human societies and carries the obligation to use it truthfully. When people use language they effectively 'make a contract' to use it in a particular way - one of the clauses of this contract is not to use language deceitfully.
Lies obviously hurt the person who is lied to (most of the time), but they can also hurt the liar, and society in general.
Society is hurt because:The general level of truthfulness falls - other people may be encouraged to lie.It becomes harder for people to trust each other or the institutions of society.Social cohesion is weakened. Eventually no-one is able to believe anyone else and society collapses.
We need to cry out-- Stop lying America. Do not support any candidate caught lying against his opponent. Demand honesty in business affairs. Seek the truth. Imitate Jesus, who is the great Truth, and be an honest witness in all your own affairs.
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