Category: evangelism

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Wisdom Speaks

Acts 7 Are you able to share the gospel clearly to unbelievers? There are many programs that offer this as a stepping stone for believers to share their faith. But, Stephen did not have this and as we read his testimony we find that not only does he know the history of his people but he also knows that truth: without faith one cannot please God. (Heb 11:6) Jesus had told the religious leaders that they were searching the scriptures for in those alone would they find salvation. He also told them that He was the Messiah whom Moses had written about and he would be their judge. As we read this entire chapter, the longest in the book of Acts, we find that the tension rises until no longer do the religious leaders want to hear the truth. 

We meet people that want the short answer to salvation but Stephen shows us that God has given His Word and His Messiah so that we can know for certain the truth that Jesus alone is the savior. And how did the religious leaders react? Dr. Luke reveals to us that they ran on Stephen and stoned him to death, which then reminds of the words of Joseph: “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” [Gen 50:20] 

What good did the stoning of Stephen bring about? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s episode.

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The Sower and the Seeds

Luke 8: Dr. Luke takes us on a whirlwind tour of Israel and includes both men and women who brought blessings to our Lord. Some brought material blessings, and their names are written so we might see how God uses each person and their gifts for kingdom work. As he moves from one locale to another, He teaches the principles of what it means to be in and part of the kingdom. He sows the seed of the Word of God so that each one might understand the soil of their heart and choose to accept or reject the truth of His Word. 

Living in an agrarian society, people understood that although the sower had precious seeds, not all germinated. Just as the soil must be adequately prepared for germination, only the ready and prepared heart will accept what God requires.

Jesus has left us the Word of God, and we are now the sowers. Are we casting His Word to the lost? 

Photo courtesy of Redeeming God.

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“inside the box or outside the box?“

Luke 4&5: Amazing and astonishing are two words used by Dr. Luke to tell about how people reacted to the teaching of Jesus. In the Nazareth synagogue, he is selected to read the scriptures. The listeners were amazed at his gracious words, but as soon as they realize He is pointing to their lack of compassion, they were transformed from meek and mild and sought to kill him. They were like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Leaving Nazareth, he heads to Capernaum and encounters a crowd by the seashore. “Borrowing” Peter’s boat, he challenges Peter to let down his nets. It had been a night of poor fishing, but with some reluctance, Peter let down his nets and soon was astonished. The net was so full that it was about to break. Yet, Peter responds: “go away from me; I am a sinful man.”

As He is busy teaching, he encounters the religious leaders and uses a parable about wineskins and garment patches as evidence the religious leaders were unwilling to change; they were comfortable with the old ways.

Luke sums up these amazing, astonishing encounters with these words: “The old is good enough.”

Do we, too, respond, “The old is good enough?” Jesus is challenging us think outside the box.

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John the Baptist and the Lamb of God

Jan 4th Luke 3 Dr. Luke wants us to see God’s perfect plan unfolding for His Son Jesus to be the perfect “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” [Jn 1:29]

John will fulfill Isaiah 40:3: “A voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord.” It was not in the temple where all religious rituals were being performed but in the stillness of the desert that God spoke and prepared his heart. His prayer may have been what the psalmist prayed: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” [Ps 19:14]

The wilderness was where the Holy Spirit prepared him to preach “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin.” John bore fruit in his “season” to prepare the people for the entrance of the Lamb of God, the perfect Lamb, Jesus. As the people listened, their hearts were turned, and they inquired, “What shall we do?”

Where are you today and is God preparing you to present the Lamb of God to someone this day? That is the question God is asking each one of us. Our answer should be the same as John’s.

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The Work has just begun…

In the darkness look up..

In Acts 28, we find that God may have allowed the loss of the cargo, but He preserved the precious souls just as Paul had said to those accompanying him: “Do not be afraid, Paul! God has graciously granted you the safety of all who are sailing with you.”

On the island of Malta, Paul became a servant to show the gospel in living color! Paul served by picking up sticks to add to the bonfire. Paul had learned well, “The greatest among you will be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” [Matt 23]

God does the same for us today, using ordinary people to carry out His divinely appointed plans. As we close the pages of this marvelous historical record, we are left with this thought: The Work has just begun— and “that until the fulfillment of the angels’ prophecy that ‘this same Jesus’ shall return even as He went away, the Work of evangelization for this age will not be completed. We are to heed the Word—’ Occupy till I come.’ [Ironside]

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No Excuses!

Acts 26 King Agrippa has passed from our scene in history. He rose and ruled Israel, but just like us all, he died and is in eternity. Where is he today? Is he standing before God, hearing words all of us should fear? “I never knew you.” He is the example of everyone who denies the Christ. Paul clearly laid out the gospel message, and like many others, King Agrippa answered: “In a short time, you will persuade me to become a Christian.” [Acts 26:28]

It always astounds me that people will choose to deny Christ rather than accept His invitation to life, joy, and peace. Some may say what the king said, and others will say it is good for you but not for me. Others may say another day, another time. What is our excuse as we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Will we hear, well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord or the words “I never knew you.”

Today, echo the words of Joshua: as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. [Joshua 24:15]

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War and Peace

Romans 8-10 “Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” because you are free from the law of sin and death and are alive in Christ.”]Rom 8:1]

Beloved, remember this truth; as we noted in Rom 7, the unbeliever “does not get it and never will get it” because they are in a battle against God, not against you. Remember, they do not have the Holy Spirit within, so they are unwilling to agree with God. Therefore, they are at war with themselves and God and are hostile to God. This is the truth according to Rom 1 and Gal 5. We need this list before us when unbelievers persecute us, and we are asking why. They don’t know any different because they are governed by their flesh, which is governed by the prince and power of the air, Satan himself. PRAY FOR THEM/ WITNESS TO THEM.

Remember the words of Jesus and Peter, “Do not think it strange when you are reviled and persecuted.” This is the battle of the flesh against the Spirit. It is a spiritual battle [Eph 6], and because it is a spiritual battle, those who do not know Him will lose in the end without the intervention of our witness and the power of the Holy Spirit to bring them to the saving knowledge of Christ and His work of redemption.

So how, then, do we find the peace that passes all understanding? We must have the desire of the heart to pray for their salvation. For whom are you praying today that is under the dominion of the evil one?

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Why surprised?

From blindness to sight

1Cor 1-4 If there is one thing that amazes me, it is the lack of spiritual hunger for those whose destiny speaks of hell. Just as Paul encountered those who were jealous, angry, and refused the gospel message, we see these same kinds of people today. Paul’s letter was about the cross and the Savior who died on it, but for those who reject it, the cross is seen as foolish nonsense, yet they do not realize that they are perishing.

But, for those who hear and receive the message with joy, there is joy in heaven and here on earth. They are called saints because they call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. God was pleased to use the gospel message through preaching. Again, Paul reiterates that the ones who reject are the same as the Jews who see the message as a stumbling block and the Greeks who seek signs.

The blessing for those who receive the message is things that no eye has seen, ear heard, or mind imagined; these are the things God has prepared for those who seek Him early and those who love Him. [Is 64:4]

Where do you stand, friend? Have you received the message of hope in the risen Christ?

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A Role Model

Are you bold or fearful

Acts 18 Description of Apollos
Character studies help us to learn how to interact with others. Apollos is an excellent example of someone who was fearless when he talked about Jesus. He listened carefully to Priscilla and Aquila and had a teachable spirit, for he did not know the whole story about Jesus and His resurrection. Later in his travels and visiting different cities and synagogues, Dr. Luke describes his presentation as refuting vigorously in public debate using the scriptures. What a great example of how to witness to unbelievers!

Each person we have met on our journey through Acts has defended Christ and His life using the scriptures. They are our role models for presentations. How much of the scriptures do we know?

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Acts 15 “The Doctrine of Faith Alone”

Dr. Luke again has brought us full circle from Acts 2 to here, showing us the overwhelming presence of God as the emerging church victoriously overcomes the works of Satan. He has shown us the character qualities of God: “a God of forgiveness, merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and unfailing in your loyal love.” [Nehemiah 9:17] Now, once again, Satan seeks to divide and conquer through a doctrinal controversy that the Judaizers (those religious Jews who followed the Law scrupulously) brought to a head by claiming one must be circumcised first before one can receive salvation. 

We stand on the sidelines through this Jerusalem council, witnessing the debate between the believing Jews, the Apostles, and Paul and Barnabas. But, it is Peter who finally, after hearing all of the back and forth, stands and reminds them all that it is God alone who converts and cleanses the heart. God alone bestows the Holy Spirit on those who bow the knee. It happens regardless if one is a Jew or a Gentile, as witnessed by the conversion of the Samaritans and Cornelius. The key is this: “we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,” and it is “ by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;” [Eph 2:8]. What a gift God has bestowed upon us! We are saved not from obeying and following religious rituals but by taking a step of faith. Have you taken the step of faith?

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