Confession #1... I am writing this blog fresh off of hearing a couple of great evangelism messages at last night's Alabama Baptist State Evangelism Conference here in Montgomery, AL. If you have never heard Mac Brunson preach, then you've missed out! Oh, that one day I can preach like that! What a passionate, bold, intelligent, and clearly presented message from John 20-21!It my youth and naivety, I guess that I haven't bought into organizational church or "church growth plans". I've been trained in FAITH and GROW to do the door-to-door evangelism, but in most churches these plans start well and fizzle to a failing finish. And the overwhelming product are churches that picked up a few more church members by transfer of letter. I understand that the Good Lord directs people to move churches, even within their community. However, does anybody else think it's sad that we define that as "church growth"? Unfortunately, youth ministries are notorious for this! Teenagers flock from church to church where the latest cool events and buildings are with that charismatic youth pastor! Church kids hop more than a bunny rabbit high on energy drinks! One church flourishes, the others begin to suffer! News flash.... that's not church growth!
It was agreed last night that evangelism, sharing the Gospel of Jesus with the unbelieving world, is the purple elephant in the room! We like to talk about events, strategies, seminars, conferences, etc. to the point we are blue in the face. Often these things bring certain spiritual value like studying God's Word and discipleship. However, far too often we buy our stock in logistics that don't matter a heal of beans! What we must be concerned with is the lost and dying world! They don't care about our strategies, events, "church growth" models, or seminars! They need help with real tangible things... addictions, poverty, hopelessness, and an eternal destiny! They're headed for Hell because for the most part, we've been too self-absorbed in our church culture to worry about the Great Commission! Shame on us! As Jeff Crook put it last night, those condemned to Hell are cursing those who knew the Truth but didn't tell them! We are condemned by the unbelieving world!
If I had to preach one sermon that I thought was most important to the Church today, I would definitely struggle back and forth between Colossians 1:15-23 and Ezekiel 33. By pure necessity, I figure Ezekiel 33 might win out! It is the story of the Watchman on the Wall! In context, it refers to Israel being in that position of warning of danger when the enemy approached. However, today in our culture the Watchman is the Church! It is our responsibility to warn the world of impending doom and danger! The enemy has approached and Satan is deceiving the World every day, wrecking havoc on homes, schools, work environments, and lives everywhere! Where is the Church??? Unfortunately, the blood is on our hands!
In Acts 4, Peter and John are standing in defense of their ministry before the Jerusalem Council. The "religious people" of their day was undeniably angry that these disciples were still preaching about Jesus as well as doing many signs and wonders in the name of Christ. Peter's bold declaration of Jesus Christ is powerful to this group of skeptics and enemies of the Cross:
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." -Acts 4:12.
In the Council's "political agenda" they demanded that Peter and John no longer preach in Jesus' name. Yeah right! Like that's going to happen! Basically, that was their version of time out! That's a different story altogether! Here's what I really love about this situation. Peter answered this ruling with these words...
"Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." - Acts 4:19-20
Shouldn't that be our response? We cannot help but share the Gospel because it changed our life!!! We have tasted and seen that the Lord, He is good! Bringing them to church is good, but if we don't tell them about Jesus AND the Holy Spirit draw them, the unrepentant soul will bust the doors of Hell wide open! And it's on our hands!
The Gospel, the Good News of Jesus' Identity, Life, Death, Resurrection, and Glorious Return, is what changes lives! It is sufficient! We must go!!!!!
Get out your comfortable spot and be doers of the Word and not hearers only! The Great Commission is to be fulfilled by the Church!
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