Category: Evangelism

A Discussion of 1 and 2 Peter, and the things the great apostle intended to remind us about before his passing. 

• Audio
• PPTX (Right Click to SAVE)
• YouTube Video of Sermon

<<———><><———>>

Next Saturday our meeting begins with brother Bruce Reeves of Conway, AR ~ (October 18-23). Considering this effort we examine the purpose of these scheduled events that happen in the spring and fall of each year.

You get a different voice sharing important scriptural truths from God’s word. We invite capable men whose preeminent desire and purpose is to preach the will of God, His Son, and His Spirit. Bruce Reeves will do a wonderful job and probably will reveal those truths in ways, arguments, and illustrations that you have not heard before. (Each man is unique in his presentation as he shares our common faith).

You will receive an extended opportunity to worship God through prayer and song. Each week is a spiritual feast. If you approach the week in this way you may get tired physically, but your spirit will soar with encouragement and revitalization.

You will receive an opportunity to express hospitality and fellowship to one who is preaching the message of the cross. While Bruce will benefit from this show of love and fellowship, you will be blessed even more.  As Paul said, “but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account” (Philippians 4:17).

You will receive the opportunity to share God’s words with the lost. Invite friends and family! They need the Lord’s gospel!

A discussion of Paul’s sermon in Antioch of Pisidia, recorded in Acts 13.

• Audio
• PPTX (Right Click to SAVE)
• YouTube Video of Sermon

<<———><><———>>

In scripture there is a versatile metaphor used by the Holy Spirit. The idea of a door. Let’s see what we can learn from it.

• Audio
• PPTX (Right Click to SAVE)
• YouTube Video of Sermon

<<———><><———>>

What is the church? And how did God organize and equip it to do His will in the world?

• Audio
• YouTube Video of Sermon

<<———><><———>>

Paul ended his first chapter in his letter to Timothy with a charge to his young ward — to wage spiritual war against evil. In this charge he called for Timothy to maintain his faith and purity in conscience.

Such an admonition was necessary. Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus (1:3), and there was a need not only to edify, but to defend the truth against false teachers. This is true today as well.  The work of an evangelist is not done well unless spiritual warfare is waged as soldiers in Christ’s army. Conviction and sincerity was and is needed that truth be allowed its victory against the wiles of the devil.

Paul named two men: Hymenaeus and Alexander. They had departed from the faith and were condemned. They were examples of men who had to be withstood and fought against, lest we be “children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men…” (Ephesians 4:14).

Paul establishes 3 simple points in this short text:

1. He greatly desired to be with the Thessalonians. This was Paul’s motivation in his work. He established churches in many places, and desired to revisit the locations to encourage and strengthen the brethren. Everything that Paul did was for others, whether the lost, or his precious brethren. His own life and comfort was always secondary to his ministry.
2. Satan was real to Paul (and should be to us). Through the Spirit’s inspiration he attributed his absence to the work of the Adversary. Not surprising as Paul’s effectiveness was a great force against the Devil’s work. Remember the wiles and efforts of the devil to condemn us! (cf. 1 Peter 5:8).
3. The value of the Thessalonians was inestimable to Paul. How about you and I? We too must love one another! “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 3:11).

It happened again.  I saw on my Facebook feed a religious individual (a bit frustrated by the rancor and partisanship shown in political discourse) who noted that when a Christian argues politics on Facebook they immediately alienate potentially half of all who read the post.

This is not entirely true, as Facebook and other social media sites tend to polarize audiences. In other words, most of the time your views are shared by those who read them. The other side has their own “confirmation bias,” being affirmed by their own readers. That’s why you typically receive more likes and attaboys for your post than people who disagree.

But this is not always the case. What disturbs me is when I see Christians confidently affirming their political views thus causing rancor when others actually do disagree. It may be claimed that the Christian behaves him or herself with love and deference, but arguments are still spawned. And while the example of good humor is laudable, the fact that you are the one who started the discussion in the first place is hardly defensible. Continue reading “The Christian and Political Bias” →

So many seek self-validation, or the validation of others.  More problematic is the fact that society in general requires the same. It seems the wisdom of the day is that if you don’t brag about yourself, then you have little chance to be accepted.  Think of the constant self-promotion of politicians as an example.

Paul here objected to that.  While some may need it to bolster themselves, Paul’s validation came from the Corinthians themselves.  They knew of Paul’s legitimate ministry in Christ because they themselves benefitted from it.  His words, “clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us” (3).

The contrast is wonderful, where others need the written word, to get a “letter of commendation” to be accepted, Paul depended upon the epistle of Christ, written on the heart of those he ministered to, the Corinthians themselves!

Some might have been grudging in their acceptance. That was their problem, not the problem of Paul. His work spoke for itself!

In John 4 we see a casual meeting between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. Jesus was tired, and rested at Jacob’s well while his disciples left to by some food in Sychar.

A woman came by to draw water and Jesus asked for a drink. Since Jesus was a Jew, and the woman a Samaritan, it was not a normal request (“for Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans” [9], and so this simple request became a conversation, one that Jesus quickly turned to a spiritual discussion.

This discussion led to Jesus’ declaration (believed by the woman) that He was the Christ! [26] The burgeoning faith of the woman, opened the door to an opportunity for Jesus to share his message with the entire city, bringing faith to many more! [39-42].

Yes, Jesus was a special teacher, but rather than excusing ourselves as being less capable, why can’t we seek to emulate His practice?  The next time you have an opportunity to start a conversation, be it with family, friends, or perhaps even a stranger, do it and see where it goes! Can you direct it to spiritual matters? Will this person be convinced and become a believer? Will other opportunities arise because of a simple effort on your part? Yes, all of this is possible!

Paul noted here that the gospel of Christ caused him to suffer, as the world considered Paul an “evildoer” because of his teacher. Regardless, Paul was willing to suffer, knowing that the word of God could not be stopped by the efforts of men: “but the word of God is not chained” (9).

So for the sake of those who would respond in faith to his preaching, “the elect”, Paul endured his suffering. He wrote to the Romans, “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Roman also” (Romans 1:15). As a result, Paul was responsible for the salvation of many.

Verses 11-13 contain what Paul referred to as a faithful saying. This is not a quotation from scripture, it may have been lyrics from an early hymn.  Whatever the origin, as Paul states, the words are true. Essentially, God can only be Himself. He cannot lie. Therefore, all of the promises He has made to man regarding faithfulness and reward are true promises and will be accomplished!

Our text here refers to Paul’s ministry as an apostle of Jesus Christ.  Said ministry impacted the Colossians, but was for all of the body of Christ, which is the church.

He was happy to do this, as this was a privilege (and duty) granted to him by God.  He was a steward (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:2), to preach the mystery of Christ, and such fulfill the word of God.

The saints, the chosen of God, are called by the gospel of Christ (cf. Romans 1:16). It was at this time in history (the last days) that God “willed to make known” the benefits of believing and accepting Jesus Christ, “the hope of Glory.”

And so, Paul preached.  His message consisted of warning those who were not obedient to God, and to teach Christians, that “we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

He was fully devoted (cf. Romans 1:15).  It was “to this end I also labor.” He did not consider himself to do anything of his own accord (cf. Galatians 2:20). What Paul did as an apostle were works God had given him to do! (cf. Ephesians 2:10).

In Titus 2:15, after revealing things that Titus should concern himself with at Crete, he wrote, “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”

Who was Titus?  Well, he was a Greek man that Paul had converted. It seems that he was younger than Paul, because he is often put into the same category by the apostle and others as the young man Timothy. Paul’s words here seem to echo his admonition to Timothy in  1 Timothy 4:12, and he calls himself a spiritual father to both men because of his influence in having them converted. (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4). Regardless, Paul had confidence in Titus as he did the work of an evangelist on the isle of Crete.

The phrase “rebuke with all authority” brings the question, who is Titus to speak to others in this way, and why should he not be despised for doing so? Well, the authority of Titus did not exist in his person or age, but in his work. The rebukes ultimately came from the Holy Spirit! In effect, Titus was merely the mouthpiece, a servant doing the Master’s bidding. His words had authority because what he was repeating in his exhortations and rebuke had their genesis with the Lord.

The phrase, “Let no one despise you” seems to be within the power of Titus. And so it is less about the unfair scorn of others, and more about Titus conducting himself so as to not be taken advantage of by evil men. He had to be diligent to refute error and deal with sophistry.

A discussion of the meaning of 1 Corinthians 3:1-15, from the carnality of elevating mere men, to the types of materials (gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw) used to build God’s building.

• Audio
• YouTube Video of Sermon

The efforts of the apostles and other preachers of the New Testament, revealed in the book of Acts, served two purposes. First, to save souls. Second, to equip those souls to be soul winners themselves.

• Audio
• YouTube Video of Sermon