Preaching the Tough Stuff

We've all heard them – the toe-stepping, "hell fire and brimstone" sermons that render uncomfortable those who, just moments before, sat comfortably in the pew. They're the sermons that cause everyone to think, "was the preacher talking specifically to me today?" In many ways, these tough kind of sermons separate the spiritually weak from the spiritually strong because the weak go away blaming the preacher, while the strong leave challenged to live a better life. The hard sermons bring us face to face with who we really are and what we're really like, and sometimes that is not a pleasant sight to behold.

Blog Hop: Podcasts We Like

There are over 250,000 podcasts in iTunes. They're from 155 countries and are in over 40 different languages! Clearly, there's no shortage of material out there for you to tap into. How do you choose which podcast(s) are right for you? That's where today's post comes in.

Good News! A Message to Proclaim

Do you know someone who is searching for life's purpose? Many people are looking for the point of life, but they're looking in all of the wrong places. Wisdom, wealth, power, prominence, pleasure – none of these things have what can really fill your life with purpose. What if I told you that the key to fulfillment in life is likely right under your nose?

Scripture Chain: The Lord's Church from Prophecy to Present

I love the Lord's church for many reasons, not the least of which is because it is a planned institution.

I'm going to make a statement and I want you to know that I mean no disrespect to anyone. In fact, I love everyone. My job is very much a "people job," and I love every opportunity I have to point people to the Scriptures and to have people help me in my spiritual journey to heaven. Here's the statement: I'm not interested in any religious system that has its roots in men. While it may be sincere, culturally accepted, or even traditionally significant to my family or close friends, if you can't find the religious system of which you're a part in the Bible, then I just don't feel comfortable trusting it for my salvation (cf. Mat. 7:21-23).

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You

Yesterday, I explained why you haven't heard from me in a while. Today, I'd like to briefly tell you what is coming up here on Reflecting His Light.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, is one of my favorite days to blog. I try to write about the Lord's church each Wednesday under the banner of "The Midweek Renewal." Tomorrow's post will feature a chain of Scriptures, with a few comments, all about the Lord's church – from planning to the present.

On Thursday, I'm going to return to a series that I began back in March called Good News. There are six more installments in this series, and it is my hope that each one is encouraging and challenging.

I'm excited to announce that Reflecting His Light will be participating in blog hop this Friday! If you're into podcasts or if you desire to begin listening or viewing podcasts, this Friday's post is right down your alley! Stay tuned!

That's what is coming up this week! Remember: we are given extra time in our lives because of God's patience with us. He desires that all will repent and be saved (2 Pet. 3:8; 1 Tim. 2:3-4). Therefore, we say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that" (James 4:15). Are you ready for your last day? If I can help in any way – through answering questions via email or phone calls, or by us sitting down together and opening up God's Word – I'd be happy to help. I certainly don't have all of the answers, but I have the Book that tells us everything we need to know (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Psa. 119:105). The best way to contact me is by email.

To God be the glory!

Photo Post: April 8, 2013

Tomorrow will mark one whole month since my last blog post. While I do not think so highly of myself as to expect anyone to have noticed or even to have cared, I find blogging to be personally enjoyable - almost therapeutic - so I forge onward.

My temporary hiatus has not entirely been the consequence of neglect. The past thirty days have forever changed my life. I have seen God's blessings upon the work that I am blessed to do to His glory. The work at East Hill continues to go well with more souls coming to Jesus and growing to a closer relationship with Him. The Light Network continues to grow and to amaze all of us who are involved. We have seen Ephesians 3:20-21 come to life. But the things that have impacted my life the most in the past month are the steps that I have taken. I have walked in the steps of Paul, having visited Corinth, Athens, Colossae, Hierapolis, Laodicea, Crete, Troas, Assos, Ephesus, and more. These kinds of steps change your life. For these and many other blessings, I am forever grateful to my loving Father.

Here are just a few pictures that show you what has made the last month so incredible. Many more details are to come, but perhaps this will suffice for now.

What to Expect When You Visit East Hill

A good news (gospel) meeting begins tomorrow, the Lord willing, at the church of Christ at East Hill. Wade Webster, who preaches for the church in Southaven, MS, will be our guest speaker. At the beginning of this year, our three shepherds challenged the congregation at East Hill to make special effort to invite guests to be with us during the meeting. Since that time, we have been praying and inviting people to come and be with us.

Why You Should Attend Bible Study Tonight, Part 1

I don't know about you, but by the time Wednesday rolls around I'm definitely in need of a spiritual renewal with my Christian family. That's not to say that my relationship with God is limited to assembly times, but that is to say that there is really something special about being together with my Christian family.

Good News! A Positive Message

Could you use something positive in your life? If you keep up with today's current events, then I know you could use some good news. In fact, I have something exciting to tell you: it is very likely that you have the good news in your house already. There are about three copies of God's Word in the average American household – that's where you're going to find this good news.

Monday Mash-Up: Links to Brighten Your Light

Happy Monday!

Every morning I go to my feeds via Google Reader and check out what's happening in the blogosphere. This renders many links that I save to my online Pocket and, consequently, pass on to you. Here's this week's round.

Five Reasons Why I Love East Hill

Happy Wednesday!

To be added to the Lord's church is an indescribable blessing (Acts 2:47; cf. 1 John 3:1-3). That blessing is magnified all the more when the congregation with whom one worships and works is following as closely as possible to the Biblical pattern. Today I want to share with you just five reasons (there are many more) why I am thankful to be a member of the Lord's church that meets at East Hill.

The Domino Effect

Christianity is designed to produce more Christians. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul commanded what could be described as a "domino effect" for God's people.

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 

While this command is made regarding Timothy, a young preacher, finding other Christian men who will also be ministers of the gospel, there is an evangelistic application here, too. The idea behind soul winning is not only to baptize people, but to produce those who will be so committed to the Lord that they desire to spread the saving message of the gospel themselves. Jesus commanded us to go into all the world and "teach all nations" (KJV). The original wording literally says, "make disciples of all the nations" (NKJV, ASV, NASB, ESV). Jesus wants true converts produced from our evangelistic efforts. It is His desire - and His command - that one will teach another, who will teach another, who will teach another ... and, as the cycle continues, Christianity will be spread throughout the world.

Jesus taught that Christians who fail to bear fruit are taken away and "thrown into the fire" (John 15:2, 6). He concluded this line of thought by saying, "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:8). In his outstanding commentary on the gospel according to John, Guy N. Woods says that fruit bearing "includes every activity of the Christian." Bro. Woods continues,

It embraces every act which Jesus endorses and which he would, if present do, but not being present, must depend on his followers to do for him (325).

Are you bearing fruit? Are you doing the Lord's will in general and, specifically, in evangelism to produce more Christians? These are important questions for each of us to ask and answer. If we do not do our part, then the domino effect does not work.

The success of the domino effect depends on four factors.

1. Your proclamation. Jesus' specific command is to go and preach, or teach, the gospel (Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 16:!5-16; Luke 24:47). The gospel is the good news of Christ. "How shall they hear without a preacher" (Romans 10:14-16)? We can go and teach others.

2. Your pattern. The lost will not respond to hypocrisy. In order for the domino effect to work, we must live what the Bible teaches. We shine as lights in a world that is darkened by sin (Mat. 5:16; Phil. 2:15). They need to know about God's love (John 3:16), and we have the message. Never underestimate the value of a life well lived (1 Pet. 2:12; 3:1-2).

3. God's power. Ultimately, the power to convert someone does not lie within us. While we have an obligation to lead people to the gospel, we must remember that the power lies within the gospel itself to save and convert them (Rom. 1:16). God gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6; cf. 2 Cor. 3:5). Paul says that those who are involved in the work of the Lord will access a power that is beyond what we can ask or think. Notice what he says next: "according to the power that works in us" (Eph. 3:20, emp. mine, RH). You do the work. God will give the increase.

4. The other person's penitence. God does not force people to obey the gospel. You and I cannot force someone to be saved. Instead, the success of the domino effect (at least, on an individual level), depends upon whether the person's heart is receptive to the teaching of the Bible (Luke 8:11, 15). To change one's life through repentance and full obedience to God is a necessity if someone wants to be saved (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30-31; Mat. 7:21-23, etc.), and that is a sacrifice that they must be willing to make (Rom. 12:1-2).

Let's start a wildfire of soul winning! The domino effect will work if we will work God's plan!

Monday Mash-Up: Links to Brighten Your Light

Good Monday morning!

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity of emceeing and leading singing at East Hill's fourth annual Christian Servants Day, a seminar dedicated to spiritual growth and servanthood. Tom Holland and Dan Winkler, the speakers for the event, are incredible servants of the Lord and a great encouragement to all who are around them. This year's theme was "Lessons on Discipleship."

Monday Mash-Up: Links to Brighten Your Light

After a great Lord's day with my Christian family at East Hill, I'm excited to begin another work week. Every day is a blessing, filled with opportunities that we can use to glorify God.

Do you want to improve your evangelistic skill set? The House to House blog recently had several posts designed to help us all be better soul winners. Get ready for some great, Biblically sound, and practical advise!

• "6 Topics and Questions That Can Spark An Interest In Spiritual Things" - So you want to lead people to Christ, but you don't know where to begin? Sometimes it is difficult to interject spiritual conversation without seeming "preachy" or unnatural. These tips will help you to find great ways to easily and naturally lead into a Biblical conversation.
• "6 Suggestions on Inviting Your Family and Neighbors to Worship with You" - One great way to help someone begin a spiritual journey is to invite them to worship with you. Some people may be interested in worshipping with you where you worship, but are waiting on your invitation. Don't let them down.
• "Tips For Leading Individuals To A Bible Study" - Inviting people to worship is great, but it's a first step. People need to know the truth, and the only way one can know the truth is by studying the Word (Rom. 10:17; 2 Tim. 2:15). These tips will help you to minister to their needs.

Let's get to work! Make this week a great week!

What practical advice would you share from your experience in studying the Bible with others? Leave your tips in the comments below!

Losing Your Soul Over the Super Bowl?

Matthew Vos is not interested in the Super Bowl because of his love for all things manly and athletic. Instead, his interest is piqued by observing our society's behavior surrounding these major sporting events – especially when such an event falls on the Lord's day.

Their Questions, the Bible's Answers: #1

I'm currently teaching the teen Bible class on Wednesday nights at East Hill, and I'm having a blast! They're sharp, fun, and encouraging to be around. They sincerely want to do what is right, and they have a great interest in learning about Christ and what He expects for their lives. The last class of each month is Q&A night. I told them that I would post all of the questions (anonymously, of course) and answers here so they could have them in writing and so they could easily access other reference materials relative to the answers.

Here are their questions and the Bible's answers.

Think Souls: The Willingness to Work

Do you want to be a soul winner for Jesus? Every Christian's answer should be a resounding "yes!" We know that the Lord has commanded us to go into all the world and teach the gospel to all nations (Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47). Too, Jesus said that we should not call Him our Lord if we are not willing to obey all of His commands (Luke 6:46; Mat. 7:21). As a Christian, it is my privilege to take the grace-filled message of God's salvation to people who would otherwise be lost.

We have already noted in previous posts that it is not enough to be satisfied with the "status quo" when it comes to soul winning. Pushing my responsibility of evangelism onto someone else (an elder, the preacher, an older Christian, or even a younger Christian) really jeopardizes my own salvation. Instead, we need the antidote about which Brother Andrew Connally used to preach: we must have the courage to care for the lost and the dare to dream that the lost might be won to the gospel. However, it’s not just about concern and vision. Brother Connally concluded his sermon with this point: we must have the willingness to work!

Think Souls: The Dare to Dream

Brother Andrew Connally used to preach that overcoming mediocrity involves three dynamics of Christian excellence: the courage to care, the dare to dream, and the willingness to work. Having examined the courage to care last week, we now come to the dare to dream.

Does the great commission seem big to you (Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-48)? The thought of going "into all the world" to "preach the gospel to every creature" can be overwhelming. Zoom in from the global level to a personal level and the task is magnified. As discussed last week, it is not easy to invite someone to have a Bible study or to come to worship. However, there is no room for negativity in the Christian's life. We have the greatest Helper who will guide us and bless our efforts, however small they may be. It is amazing what God's people can do when they trust in Him!

Think Souls: The Courage to Care

In the 1960's the late brother Andrew Connally preached a sermon titled "Overcoming Mediocrity." In that sermon, brother Connally cited three things we must possess if we will rise above the status quo: the courage to care, the dare to dream, and the willingness to work. It seems that these are three characteristics that every Christian must have regarding soul winning, as well. Let's consider the first point today.

God's Word on Dealing With Discouragement

Today's post is a PIT+. These posts will provide bonus material that will supplement the conversation on this week's episode of Preachers in Training (on The Light Network).