Evangelism and Discipleship.
(NKJV) Matthew 7:13 " Enter by the narrow gate; for wide [is] the gate and broad [is] the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 "Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is]... the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
We live and work in a lost and dying world that has lost it's direction.
I have heard many people say that life seems hopeless and meaningless to them. This is because they are spiritually dead inside. God created each of us with a spiritual void that needs to be filled. Only God's Spirit can bring true peace and meaning to our lives. Matt 7:13,14 states that wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction. Do we really believe this? If so, we should be aggressive about sharing our faith with those who are lost. If we saw a child about to walk out in front of a semi truck would we not try to save them? Or if we noticed a burning car with people inside on the side of the road, would we not also try to save them? Every day we are among those in danger of Hell fire, do we share our faith with them? Or do we try to fit in with the crowd and be men pleasers rather than God pleasers?
The entire world is a mission field and the Lord does not require us to be eloquent speakers to share our faith. But we can plant seeds of faith with those around us. It's not up to us for them to believe, that is the job of the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin and lead them to the truth, but we should utilize every opportunity to plant seeds of truth. One person may plant a seed, then another will come and water that new tender shoot, then another will harvest the crop and bring it into the storehouse. Let us look at Luke 8:5-18.
(NKJV) Luke 8:5 "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 "Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 "But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" 9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?" 10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest [it is given] in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.' 11 " Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 "Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 "But the ones on the rock [are those] who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 "Now the ones [that] fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 "But the ones [that] fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep [it] and bear fruit with patience. 16 " No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts [it] under a bed, but sets [it] on a lamp stand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor [anything] hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 "Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him [more] will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."
We need to be lights set on a lamp stand, not hidden, that the world may see our good fruit and desire to have the faith that is able to save their souls. Many people will fall away do to the cares or riches of this world, that is why it is so important to teach new believers of the importance of studying God's Word and attending a well balanced Bible believing church. In these last days, it is hard to find a well balanced church because most will not endure sound doctrine and they prefer to tell people what they want to hear rather than the truth. So we must be very careful in the church that we recommend to the new believer. 1 Thess 2:1-12 gives us good instruction on being a good role model to those we disciple in the faith.
(NKJV) 1 Thessalonians 2:1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation [did] not [come] from error or uncleanness, nor [was it] in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness -- God [is] witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing [mother] cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You [are] witnesses, and God [also,] how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father [does] his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
The Apostle Paul was a great role model to the churches that he established both in conduct, as well as, deed. His conduct did not come from error, uncleanness or deceit. In order to be a good example to the churches, he worked with his own hands so as not to be a burden to those whom he preached to. His example of true Christianity is polar opposite to that of the modern day television evangelists and mega church Pastors. Most of them live in multi million dollar palaces built from the money of the poor, including widows, as well as the disabled.
(NKJV) Matthew 7:13 " Enter by the narrow gate; for wide [is] the gate and broad [is] the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 "Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is]... the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
We live and work in a lost and dying world that has lost it's direction.
I have heard many people say that life seems hopeless and meaningless to them. This is because they are spiritually dead inside. God created each of us with a spiritual void that needs to be filled. Only God's Spirit can bring true peace and meaning to our lives. Matt 7:13,14 states that wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction. Do we really believe this? If so, we should be aggressive about sharing our faith with those who are lost. If we saw a child about to walk out in front of a semi truck would we not try to save them? Or if we noticed a burning car with people inside on the side of the road, would we not also try to save them? Every day we are among those in danger of Hell fire, do we share our faith with them? Or do we try to fit in with the crowd and be men pleasers rather than God pleasers?
The entire world is a mission field and the Lord does not require us to be eloquent speakers to share our faith. But we can plant seeds of faith with those around us. It's not up to us for them to believe, that is the job of the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin and lead them to the truth, but we should utilize every opportunity to plant seeds of truth. One person may plant a seed, then another will come and water that new tender shoot, then another will harvest the crop and bring it into the storehouse. Let us look at Luke 8:5-18.
(NKJV) Luke 8:5 "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 "Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 "But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" 9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?" 10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest [it is given] in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.' 11 " Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 "Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 "But the ones on the rock [are those] who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 "Now the ones [that] fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 "But the ones [that] fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep [it] and bear fruit with patience. 16 " No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts [it] under a bed, but sets [it] on a lamp stand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor [anything] hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 "Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him [more] will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."
We need to be lights set on a lamp stand, not hidden, that the world may see our good fruit and desire to have the faith that is able to save their souls. Many people will fall away do to the cares or riches of this world, that is why it is so important to teach new believers of the importance of studying God's Word and attending a well balanced Bible believing church. In these last days, it is hard to find a well balanced church because most will not endure sound doctrine and they prefer to tell people what they want to hear rather than the truth. So we must be very careful in the church that we recommend to the new believer. 1 Thess 2:1-12 gives us good instruction on being a good role model to those we disciple in the faith.
(NKJV) 1 Thessalonians 2:1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation [did] not [come] from error or uncleanness, nor [was it] in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness -- God [is] witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing [mother] cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You [are] witnesses, and God [also,] how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father [does] his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
The Apostle Paul was a great role model to the churches that he established both in conduct, as well as, deed. His conduct did not come from error, uncleanness or deceit. In order to be a good example to the churches, he worked with his own hands so as not to be a burden to those whom he preached to. His example of true Christianity is polar opposite to that of the modern day television evangelists and mega church Pastors. Most of them live in multi million dollar palaces built from the money of the poor, including widows, as well as the disabled.
Christ said that you cannot serve God and mammon (money), for only one will be your master. As Paul pointed out, our moral conduct should be blameless as well. We should live a life worthy of an ambassador for Christ, because the world is watching. We need to be the salt of the earth, letting our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. In Luke 16:19- 31, Christ gives us an example of what Hell is like.
(NKJV) Luke 16:19 " There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 "But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 "desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' 25 "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' 27 "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, 28 'for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' 29 "Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 "And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 "But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "
The parable states that there was a rich man who only cared about himself and not his fellow man. There was also a beggar named Lazarus who begged crumbs from the selfish rich man and later died, and the dogs licked his sores.
The rich man died also and his soul was tormented in a flame in Hell. This sobering parable should give us all a wake up call to the reality of Hell. This should be reason enough to want to share our faith with a lost world all around us. Luke 10:1-3, states that the harvest of souls is great and the laborers are few and we are to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest. God Bless All!
(NKJV) Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly [is] great, but the laborers [are] few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.