F.I.R.E. Evangelism
Preachers in those olden days were filled with holy flame,
Preaching for the souls of men and not for worldly fame.
Under such old-fashioned preaching, people did obey,
And the Lord did save them in the good old-fashioned way.
[from a song by R.E.Winsett]
The disciples waited in Jerusalem for power from on high before they began their mission to win the world for Christ.
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
"And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen." Mark 16:20
"They went forth, and preached everywhere. Acts of the Apostles is the history of their preaching. It should be studied to see how the Apostles understood and preached the Commission of the Lord. The Commission of Christ is to His Church; its field is the world; its work is to preach the gospel; its congregation embraces every creature; its offer is a free and full salvation; the conditions of salvation are faith in Christ, and obedience to Him; the consequence of rejecting Christ's salvation is eternal condemnation." —People's New Testament, Johnson's Notes
1. FAITH in Jesus the Christ.
"And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." John 20:30-31
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:4-5
2. INTERCESSION in Prayer
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications (petitions), prayers, intercessions (requests), and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim 2:1-4
"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak." Col 4:2-4
3. REVOLUTION in Christ
'But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." Acts 17:6
"Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-- saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." Rev 14:6-7
The GOSPEL is that God has Acted In Jesus Christ to save the world and that everyone is called to Come to Him and be saved! (listen to Paul in 1 Cor. 15.)
“It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.'
Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” John 6:45; Isaiah 54:13
4. EVANGELISM Around The World
I know I have salvation, through Christ the Lord divine,
Because I feel His presence, within this heart of mine.
It made me oh so happy, I want the world to know,
I'm living my religion; I'll tell where-e'er I go!
[from a song by A.J.Showalter Col 1:27]
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col 1:27
"For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20
"Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them." Acts 18:9-11
"Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord." Acts 11:22-24
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
The Wrong End
TAKING HOLD OF THE WRONG END
There's a GOD standing at heaven's door,
And HE's looking this universe o'er;
And HE sees each mortal with a searching eye,
You can't do wrong and get by.
[from song by R.E.Winsett]
1. Will God really forgive our sins?
Recent headlines have focused on some who got caught when their sins found them out. God is very much aware of what we do. But HE is also a GOD who forgives sin.
"But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out."
Numbers 32:23
"He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalms 103:10-12
a) Some are currently debating: How much sin can be in our lives and we still be saved? I believe this is taking hold of the wrong end. We go by what the Bible actually says. And John the Apostle already dealt with this question.
"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." 1 John 1:7-10
b) We are told to pray for one another's forgiveness.
"If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death." 1 John 5:16-17
Alford (Greek Testament) says the "sin unto death" is an appreciable ACT of sin, namely, the denying Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God (in contrast to confessing this truth, 1John 5:1,5; 1 John 2:19,22; 1 John 4:2,3; 1 John 5:10). This is what some were doing in blaspheming the Holy Spirit, Matt. 12:31.
2. Christ in you the hope of glory.
"To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Col 1:27-28
"To the saints he would reveal the glory of the mystery. The glory of the mystery is Christ in you. Christ dwelling in the saved and filling their hearts with the hope of glory. Every man. Note that this is repeated three times in the verse. The apostle impresses the fact that the gospel is not for a few favored ones, but for every one. In all wisdom. In every form of wisdom. Perfect. We should all aim at perfection; the apostle aims to bring all to this ideal. The high ideal is before, for which we all should aim. However, he whose sins are all blotted out will be counted perfect in the great day." —People's New Testament (Johnson's Notes).
a) Satan cast down.
"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down." Rev 12:10
b) Christ bears the sins of many.
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." Hebrews 9:27-28
There is one thing I can boast of, salvation from the fall,
I'm an heir to wealth in glory, my Father owns it all.
That's why I'm shouting happy and go at His command,
For I want to be ready to meet Him in glory land!
[from a song by R.E.Winsett]
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
Romans 8:1-4 (NKJV)
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Romans 8:31-35 (NKJV)
"Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world. I approach Your throne with confidence, where there is grace for my need. Take away my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. "
There's a GOD standing at heaven's door,
And HE's looking this universe o'er;
And HE sees each mortal with a searching eye,
You can't do wrong and get by.
[from song by R.E.Winsett]
1. Will God really forgive our sins?
Recent headlines have focused on some who got caught when their sins found them out. God is very much aware of what we do. But HE is also a GOD who forgives sin.
"But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out."
Numbers 32:23
"He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalms 103:10-12
a) Some are currently debating: How much sin can be in our lives and we still be saved? I believe this is taking hold of the wrong end. We go by what the Bible actually says. And John the Apostle already dealt with this question.
"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." 1 John 1:7-10
b) We are told to pray for one another's forgiveness.
"If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death." 1 John 5:16-17
Alford (Greek Testament) says the "sin unto death" is an appreciable ACT of sin, namely, the denying Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God (in contrast to confessing this truth, 1John 5:1,5; 1 John 2:19,22; 1 John 4:2,3; 1 John 5:10). This is what some were doing in blaspheming the Holy Spirit, Matt. 12:31.
2. Christ in you the hope of glory.
"To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Col 1:27-28
"To the saints he would reveal the glory of the mystery. The glory of the mystery is Christ in you. Christ dwelling in the saved and filling their hearts with the hope of glory. Every man. Note that this is repeated three times in the verse. The apostle impresses the fact that the gospel is not for a few favored ones, but for every one. In all wisdom. In every form of wisdom. Perfect. We should all aim at perfection; the apostle aims to bring all to this ideal. The high ideal is before, for which we all should aim. However, he whose sins are all blotted out will be counted perfect in the great day." —People's New Testament (Johnson's Notes).
a) Satan cast down.
"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down." Rev 12:10
b) Christ bears the sins of many.
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." Hebrews 9:27-28
There is one thing I can boast of, salvation from the fall,
I'm an heir to wealth in glory, my Father owns it all.
That's why I'm shouting happy and go at His command,
For I want to be ready to meet Him in glory land!
[from a song by R.E.Winsett]
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
Romans 8:1-4 (NKJV)
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Romans 8:31-35 (NKJV)
"Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world. I approach Your throne with confidence, where there is grace for my need. Take away my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. "
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