Category: Evangelism
Subject: Evangelism
Mining the Scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:8-13
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!
Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 1:24-29
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).
Rebuke With All Authority
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.
Sermon: Building on God’s Foundation (1 Corinthians 3)
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.
Sermon: Efforts at Evangelism
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.
Universal Judgment
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
A concise verse, establishing several important truths:
- Judgment is universal. It says “we must all appear before the judgment seat. The word “all” is inclusive. No one will escape judgment.
- Christ is the judge. We are thankful that the one who “died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34) is the one who judges us.
- We will receive at judgment exactly what we deserve. “whether good or bad.”
- The judgment has a standard by which we will be judged. “The things done in the body.”
Finally, Paul writes of the consequence of these truths found in this verse. Our purpose should be His. We should make it our aim “to be well pleasing to him” (9). It makes no sense to offend the one who is our judge. Our primary purpose in life it to please Him. Because we know the “terror of the Lord” we do as He desires. His desire is that we persuade men, cf. Mark 16:15; Romans 1:15.
Seek to please Him in your life. It matters!
Paul’s Mission Statement
Paul’s final farewell to the Ephesian elders reveals much about his goals and values as an apostle of Jesus Christ. As we seek to imitate him (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1), we would do well to examine them and adapt them to our own lives and efforts as Christians.
First, he “served the Lord with all humility” (19). Humble service is a requisite to the Lord’s approval. The Lord “resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). It is when we humbly submit to God that we are assured of His acceptance. Continue reading “Paul’s Mission Statement”
Accommodation and Principle
Acts 16 details the decision Paul made to take a young man named Timothy with him on his preaching journey. Timothy was the “son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was a Greek” (1).
The scripture says that since Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, he had this 50% Jewish man circumcised. The reason given in the passage, “because of the Jews there in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek” (3). Continue reading “Accommodation and Principle”
The Faith of Ananias
Ananias, the preacher whose message brought Saul to obedience exhibited great faith to go to Damascus to share the gospel with him.
Saul of Tarsus quickly established his name as a chief persecutor of Christians. He was present at the stoning of Stephen. We are told that he “made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (Acts 8:3). In Acts 9, shortly before Ananias met him, we are told that Saul was “still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1) as he came to the city of Damascus.
And now, a disciple in Damascus was told to go to where Saul was staying to preach to him.
We might think, well of course he would go, this was a vision from the Lord. However, there are examples in the past where men either questioned and equivocated (Moses) or even disobeyed (Jonah) such a message from God.
Not Ananias. He told the Lord that he was aware of Saul’s reputation, and even his purpose in Damascus (Acts 9:13-14). But, at the Lord’s insistence, “Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, ’Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you cam, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 9:17).
We rightly champion Saul who became a great apostle. But, Ananias deserves our praise and thanksgiving as well.
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Sermon: Who Then Are We?
The lesson deals with the Corinthian’s carnal tendencies, and the call to preach to the lost.
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Facebook Live Video of Sermon (Note: About 6 minutes of video was lost due to streaming glitches. For full lesson, please listen to the audio).
Sermon: Progress in Philippi
(A discussion of Acts 16). When the gospel falls on good hearts, fruit is borne, despite any opposition.
Sermon: Effectively Approaching People
Justin shares some practical considerations as we seek to share the gospel of our Lord with those who need it.
Pandemic VS Endemic
Breaking news: We have been in the midst of a worldwide pandemic for more than two years now! (Duh!) This is the first worldwide pandemic that we have experienced in our lifetimes. This is fortunate, but I would have appreciated another 30 or so years before it happened (let the kids and grandkids deal with it).
Some experts are cautiously predicting that the pandemic is almost over. They say the best case scenario to hope for is for the COVID virus to become endemic. Pandemic, endemic, what is the difference?
Pandemic is defined as a disease that is, “prevalent in a country or the world.” A disease that is endemic is one that is regularly found in the population, (like colds or the flu). In other words, the COVID virus will always be around, but we are getting a handle on it.
How about a spiritual application? In our world is faith a pandemic or is it endemic? Well, true faith is certainly not prevalent in the world today — would it were so. It is more accurate to consider it endemic in society. It is always there, it is around, but it doesn’t particularly effect the majority of society.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were able to “[turn] the world upside down” (cf. Acts 17:6)? That’s what the Thessalonians accused Paul of doing. Our expressions of faith and efforts to preach the gospel should have an unsettling effect on our society. Are you doing your part to “spread” the faith of our Lord to “infect” those you meet day to day?
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Sermon: Three Attitudes Toward Truth
Acts 17 shows a remarkable spectrum of responses to Paul’s teaching, ranging from open animosity, to dismissiveness, to belief and acceptance. What was behind such responses? How do men’s hearts differ?
Sermon: Philip and the Eunuch (Acts 8)
A discussion of Philip’s evangelistic efforts, and the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch, as found in Acts 8.
