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?

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.

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!

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.

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).