Community News 3/31/18

Day 5 of Week 4: When Necessary

Romans 9:2-3

A Passion for the Lost

“My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.” (Romans 9:2–3)

The apostle Paul had something essential for effective evangelism: a God-given burden for those who did not know Jesus Christ. In his case, the burden was for his own people, the Jews. He cared. It burned inside him.

General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, once said that his desire, had it been possible, would be to dangle his evangelism trainees over hell for 24 hours. That way, they could see the reality that awaits those who do not know Jesus Christ.

That wouldn’t have been necessary for Paul, who spoke of his love and burning passion for unbelievers. I think it is there for us in Scripture so that we don’t become so obsessed with our own struggles and spiritual growth that we forget about people who need to know Christ.

I think Paul makes an amazing statement in Romans 9 when he says, in essence, “If it were possible, I would give up my hope of eternal life so that others who do not know could come to faith.” That's a pretty dramatic statement.

As believers, you and I have a responsibility to those outside the church—those outside the faith. If God's love is really working in our lives, it should motivate us to do something for Him.

If you pray that God will give you this burden, then be careful. The results could be life-changing. You just may be surprised at how quickly He answers you.

                  Adapted From: Evangelize don’t Fossilize - You Version

Community News 3/30/18

Day 4 of Week 4: When Necessary

James 4:17

he Great Omission

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. (James 4:17)

A Sunday School teacher who was speaking to her class on the topic of sin asked, “Can anyone tell me what the sin of commission is?”

One girl raised her hand. “I know!” she said. “The sin of commission is when you do what you shouldn’t do.”

“That’s right,” the teacher said. “Now can someone tell me what the sin of omission is?” A boy in the back of the room was anxiously waving his arm, so she called on him. He said, “The sin of omission? Well, those are the sins that you want to do, but you haven’t gotten around to them yet.”

While you can’t help but smile at the boy’s answer, he didn’t quite have it right. The sin of omission is not doing what you should do. And one of the ways we can commit this sin is when we don’t respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to share the gospel.

I think most Christians know more than enough to go out and start sharing their faith, but they are just afraid to try. Yet when Jesus gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20 to “go and make disciples of all the nations,...” it was a command in the original language. This is not the Great Suggestion; it is the Great Commission. But for many, it has become the Great Omission.

Also in the original language, Jesus’ words are addressed to everyone. That means it is not just for the so-called professionals. This command is for every follower of Christ. This is for everyone to do. No one is exempt.

These are God’s marching orders. It is a daunting task. It is intimidating, even scary sometimes. But Jesus has called us to do it. And His calling is also His enabling.

Adapted From: Evangelize don’t Fossilize - You Version

Community News 3/29/18

Day 3 of Week 4: When Necessary

Proverbs 11:25

Your Sphere of Influence

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

I believe the hardest part of evangelism is getting started. But once you get started, and once God starts speaking through you, it can be one of the most joyful things you have ever done. To think that God Almighty would speak through someone like you or me is indeed a great privilege. It is an honor to go and tell others about Jesus.

The gospel was not designed to be hoarded; it was designed to be shared. You were blessed to be a blessing. Therefore as you take in, you need to give out that message again so others can come into a relationship with God. One of the greatest joys you will ever experience, next to knowing the Lord himself, is when you have the privilege of praying with someone to accept Christ. You start seeing the radical, even visible, changes that will take place in your life. We are told in Proverbs 11:25, “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” It is refreshing as you give back and help other people.

We have a choice either to evangelize or fossilize, and a lot of people have chosen the latter. While it may be true that we are not all called to be evangelists, we are all called to evangelize. And the place to start is at the beginning. We reach the world with the gospel one person at a time.

You can personalize Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19) by going to your world. Go to your workplace... Go to your family... You have a sphere of influence. You have a group of people who will listen to what you have to say. Go to that world—the world to which God has called you.

Adapted From: Evangelize don’t Fossilize - You Version