Sundry Thoughts on Evangelism

I was sifting through some old  papers today and came across a few thoughts a friend wrote down a while back about evangelism.  His original thought is in italics; my comments are bulleted.

When we are not spreading the gospel, we become distracted from our primary mission/purpose in life.

• I’m not sure what he meant by becoming “distracted from our primary mission/purpose in life.”  I would say that I agree with the Westminster Catechism when it asks, “What is the chief end of man?” and it is answered, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”  That is one goal, glorifying God and enjoying him.  That is our primary purpose.  However, when that is not our goal, we will not be sharing our faith.  When we are not sharing our faith, we are distracted from that one, great, chief end.  It’s circular, yes.  Missions exists because worship doesn’t.  For us to achieve that goal of God being glorified, we must evangelize (cf. Is. 48:11; Ps. 67:1-7).

We have the misconception that when we share our faith that all should be well; but it is the opposite.  Life will be tougher, and people will slander us.

• Your best life now, right?  Wrong.  A quick survey of Paul’s life will not reveal that his life was easy.  When we are in a war-time mindset, knowing that life is a spiritual battle that never ends, life will be harder.  The spiritual joys (in this life and eternity) will be so much greater, but most certainly we will experience trials in order that we may be refined (Rom. 5:1-5; James 1:2-18; 1 Pt. 3:13-17).

We share with two types of people: religious and non-religious.

• I think that everyone is religious, whether they say so or not.  You can be religious about how much time you spend playing video games as it may be your functional savior for coping with life.  You can be religious about not drinking, smoking, or having sex.  You can be religious about going to church.  You can be religious about trying to disprove that God exists.  Everyone is religious.  From my friend’s perspective, he was making the point that people either consider themselves “religious” or “non-religious.”  People will not give any other kind of answer.  “Oh, I’m not religious,” some say.  Others, ”I think I’ll go to heaven; I’m pretty religious.”  Be prepared, like Paul, to be all things to all men (1 Cor. 9:22) and ready to mold to the religiosity of the people you are working with (Acts 17:22-34).  But remember, in God’s economy, there are only two kinds of people we meet: elect and non-elect.  Those who are elect will hear God’s voice and the gospel will come with power and conviction when it is heard (Jn. 10:25-30; 1 Thes. 1:4-6).

God does not use people in great ways because of what it will do to them (i.e. God doesn’t use someone to make them famous).

• Paul wasn’t a missionary so he could be on the cover of Time Magazine.  In fact, look at what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, “For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”  Not a great picture, huh?  Certainly, we are not called to be ministers of the gospel for our fame and fortune.  All the fame belongs to God and God alone.

Our fellowship becomes more fulfilling when we are engaged with each other in the trenches.

• In 2 Corinthians 1:6, Paul says, “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.”  This is deep, honest, transparent community.  Paul’s churches were very connected to him; they felt what he felt and he felt what they felt.  It even says that they experienced what he did!  Through what medium did this happen?  Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  No doubt Paul, the Corinthians, and the other churches in the New Testament were experiencing fulfilling relationships.

Many Christians are bored out of their minds because they are disengaged from the battle; they have begun to live the “comfortable lifestyle.”  Have you ever seen a person who is in the trenches for the Lord and not been excited about Christian life?

• Ah, a sweet taste of Christian Hedonism here.  In John 17:13, Jesus prayed, “But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” John Piper wrote, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”  The Christian life is about joy, but most importantly joy that can be spread.  When we are intoxicated with God, are we not satisfied with him?  Is it not most glorifying to him to be treasured most in the universe since he is the greatest thing to be treasured?  And furthermore, should not a treasure be shared so others may enjoy it?  When we engage in the Christian war of missions and evangelism, we will experience the abundant life Jesus offered (John 10:10).  We will then taste and see that the Lord is good.  Because of this, we will proclaim to the world, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice!” (Ps. 32:11).  When this happens, we will be able to say, with missionary David Livingston, “I never made a sacrifice.”

116 Clique: Good Rap, Better Theology

If you haven’t heard of 116 Clique, you are missing out.  They are a group of Christian rap artists under the Reach Records label.  Probably the most popular of the artists is Lecrae. 

What I love so much about these artists is the fact that their rap is not some cheesy Christian rap with bad rhymes and terrible sound.  They sound like secular rappers.  And that’s why I like them.  What’s better is that 116 (which comes from Romans 1:16) Clique is what I call “Reformed Rap.”  Interesting isn’t it?  You wouldn’t think that rap would have deep spiritual messages or solid biblical theology.  This stuff does and it’s good.

Take a look at some of the lyrics from Lecrae and Flame:

The Truth – Lecrae

We’re elected and chosen, predestined just to behold Him / Now I’ve got joy from my shoulders all down to my achilles’

The King – Lecrae

We talkin’ ’bout the Sovereign ruler, dawg…Yeah we talkin bout absolute sovereignty, who rules over the earth in it’s entirety, who will be back to reign! / Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is king of the kings.

Who Can Pluck Us Out His Hand? - Flame

I’m trying to tell you something you probably have never heard / And if you have you probably perceive them as dirty words / Words like election and predestination can get you stoned and thrown out of a congregation / But there in the Bible we gotta talk-talk about it…When Jesus died He drank the full cup of God’s Wrath / When He was crucified it was on our behalf, for all those the Father chose in eternity past / To be redeemed that simply means to be bought back / So when Christ expired the debt and the price was paid for particular people on that night to be saved / Now you wonder why would I say something like that?

On That Cross – Flame

You showed me which way to go / O, Lord, you even saved my soul…Father you were pleased to bruise your own Son / So sinners could come and be redeemed

Monergism Book Giveaway at Challies.com

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Spirit Baptism and the Body of Christ

Here is a very unique, biblical, well-written treatise of Spirit baptism, and what it is supposed to accomplish in the body of Christ. 

Jesus Didn’t Die so You Can Do Whatever You Want

I can’t believe that some people claim to be Christians and just do whatever the hell they want and say, ‘Jesus died for my sins’ and move on to do whatever the hell they want. Yeah, he did die for our sins. Do you understand what that was? Do you understand what that means? Do you understand how he suffered?

- Mark Driscoll

Christ paid the price on the cross so we can be dead to sins and live to righteousness.  And the only way it happens is by grace.  Grace is free, but it certainly isn’t cheap. 

Don’t live like you’ve inherited cheap grace.

GenY Missionary: Share the Gospel Without Even Leaving Your Computer!

I just did a Google search of “gospel” and I saw, on the right sidebar, the “sponsored links” section.  The second link down said, “Spread the Gospel,” with the subheading, “Without leaving your computer sponsor a witness for Him now.”

It’s bad enough that we have teenagers who sit in the living room full of friends and text-message the ones in the kitchen.  It’s bad enough that blogs have become a pseudo-community for Christians who no longer “need” to go to a Bible study or seek face-to-face fellowship (not all of you, only some).  But, now, we are teaching people that it’s okay to not get up off your butt and spread the gospel with your mouth!  You can be a missionary — from the seat of your pants on the computer! 

Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m all about giving money and supporting missionaries.  I am a missionary and have financial partners.  However, people who support me are also called to be a witness themselves.  What does the ad on Google communicate though?  To me, it communicates that you can sit at your computer, punch a credit card number in for a missionary you have never met and call it “missions” and “evangelizing.”

I’m sorry, but it is neither of those.  You know what it is?  It’s getting out of doing the dirty work.  It’s getting out of being in the mess of people’s lives and sharing and being the gospel with them.  It’s getting out of being the hands and feet of Christ to the impoverished and uneducated in third world countries and giving them a living hope for this life and the next one.  And honestly, that’s a tragedy. 

 

Jesus Came to Heal Us

From John Piper’s book, Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die

One day all disease will be banished from God’s redeemed creation.  There will be a new earth.  We will have new bodies.  Death will be swallowed up by everlasting life (1 Corinthians 15:54; 2 Corinthians 5:4).  “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox” (Isaiah 65:25).  And all who love Christ will sing songs of thanks to the Lamb who was slain to redeem us from sin and death and disease (p. 55).

In my last post, I wrote about Dave Jones, who went to be with the Lord today.  Right now, he is experiencing complete healing from all the painful effects of sin.  Truly, to die is gain. 

Even in Death, Jesus is Enough

Dave lived most of his life in opposition to God.  For over 60 years, he did what he wanted, how he wanted, and when he wanted.  My dad had known him for quite some time and when Dave became a Christian, Dad was awestruck.  Dave started coming to my dad’s men’s group on Saturday mornings.  One time, Dad called and said, “James, I never thought I’d be praying with Dave Jones at a small group.”

It all started Easter Sunday 2007.  Dave was sitting in the pew at church.  He said, “I just finally got it.”  Dave wasn’t saved and he knew that he needed to be.  God drew Dave to himself and saved him.  Dave received Jesus into his life for the first time.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.  And I will raise him up on the last day (John 6:44).

Dave had battled with cancer before becoming a Christian and this past winter, around late January or early February, the cancer returned.  He wasn’t in good shape after a few weeks.  His voice was raspy and fading due to a paralyzed vocal chord.  His strength was failing.  His energy was lower.  Still, Dave clung to Jesus.  He had a strong desire to live and he was learning how to desire heaven at the same time.  It’s human nature to keep fighting and be healthy.  We run from pain and hurt to safety and security.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9a).

I met Dave at one of the men’s times in Omaha.  Here was a 60-some year old man, yet a spiritual baby, conversing about life, cancer, holiness, and pursuing God.  It was beautiful.  Before I met him, I knew he had been fighting cancer and I told my dad to send him an article by John Piper called “Don’t Waste Your Cancer.”  Piper had prostate cancer a few years ago so I knew it would come from first-hand experience.  After reading, Dave said, “I don’t know if I see cancer as a gift yet, but I’m learning.”  Dave was learning that Jesus was there for him, though for some reason he designed for Dave to have cancer.

The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21b).

Last week, Dave was hospitalized because his cancer was spreading and wreaking havoc inside his body.  My dad went to the hospital to see him two days in a row.  The second day, I called home, “How is he doing?” I asked.  “He’s 100% worse,” Dad said matter-of-factly.  As our conversation continued, I was so touched as my dad told the story about what happened in the hospital that night.  Here’s the e-mail he sent to his men’s group:

I visited with Dave for a couple of hours on Wednesday at the hospital.  Although he was very weak and in pain, he communicated very well.  We had a great conversation about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We read passages, talked about their meanings, and prayed.  Dave has concerns about his family and friends, especially Steve, his mentally retarded son.  I could tell that his heart and soul was ready to meet his Lord, because his concerns are focused on others and not himself.  Out of the blue he asked me about a mutual friend.  He asked if this person was where they needed to be.  “What do you mean by that?” I asked.  ”Spiritually,” Dave replied.  I told him probably not and he asked if I could talk to this person about Jesus.  Then, I told Dave, “I just talked to [this person] earlier in the day and discussed your life.  I shared the saving grace of Jesus Christ and how it [has] made all the difference in your life.”  The Lord is awesome!  But, I promised Dave I would talk to our friend again the next day and I did…As our visit came to a close, I wondered what I should say to him since I may never see him again on this earth.  So, in my mind I decided to say, “Brother, I love you and I will see you on the other side.”  But, before I could say my goodbye, Dave said goodbye to me first: “Tim, I’ll see you on the other side”.

That night, my dad sat next to Dave’s bed and read John 14:1-6.  Dad read, “Let not your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.  And you know the way to where I am going.”  When he finished, Dave said in his raspy, cancer-stricken voice, “Read it again.”  I’m sure is nothing more special and comforting than to hear the words of Jesus being whispered into your ear when you are facing death.  It was the last time my dad saw him.  Today, Dave Jones went home to be with Jesus.

I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die (John 11:25-26).

As I was reflecting on Dave’s life and death tonight, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why did God save him, give him cancer so quickly after, and then die very soon?  The only answer I could think of is that Dave’s life, despite being finished on this earth, will be used by God to reach others.  Dave did not get saved in vain and he did not die in vain.  Dave’s salvation experience is not a reservoir of spiritual residue.  Rather, God will use it to be a pipeline of blessing to those who knew Dave in order to draw people to his Son.

No doubt, Dave’s love for Jesus, concern for others, and God-centered attitude in suffering will inspire others to consider this Jesus that he surrendered his life to.

So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.  For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Love Non-Christians, No Matter How Different They Are

I was looking through some documents on my computer and I stumbled across one with this single quote from a non-Christian friend of mine:

Christian people will welcome you with open arms into their congregations and make you feel special.  You will experience their friendship, love, and camaraderie.  That is, if you are also like they are.  If you share the same age, the same ethnic background, the same economic background, and the political views, they will accept you into their churches and religious groups.  If you do not have the same characteristics as they do, then they will ostracize you.

I can’t say I agree with that fully, but I can’t disagree with it either.  I know that Christians aren’t just “not perfect.”  We, like every other human, are infinitely far from perfect.  So, inevitably, we make mistakes and discriminate just like everyone else.  The only difference is that we have the power of the Spirit to overcome our selfish and prejudice tendencies.

Though this can be true, I feel that in Christianity today, there is a resurgence of putting actions behind our words in order that we can help others see and experience the kingdom here on earth as well as looking forward to the eternal reign of Jesus upon his second coming.  This happens so that they can “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8).  The actions behind our confession doesn’t provide justification; they simply give evidence that we are in fact justified.  Otherwise, our faith is demon faith (James 2:19).

I want to live my life so that this quote is disproved.  I want to glorify God in all I do so that everyone would see the supremacy of Christ in my life and the genuine love I have (though not perfectly) for every person, no matter what differences exist between me and the other person.

PostSecret, at its Core, Shows the World’s Need for Redemption

I don’t know how many of you have heard of the book series PostSecret by Frank Warren, but I’ve read all four books available and let me say, it’s quite moving, disturbing, breathtaking, and spiritually heartbreaking.  PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.  People are mailing in secrets from around the world.  The rule is, the secret has to be true and never been told to anyone else.  The books simply consists of postcard after postcard of people owning up to their deepest, darkest, worst secrets.  Some are lame like, “I love you and I don’t know how to tell you.  I hope you read this.”  Others are serious wounds that are planted deep in the soil of people’s souls.  Here’s an example of one of those deep wounds:

In the original book, there is a red stamp above the title which says, “Free your secrets and become who you are.”  The link above is a blog where people can comment on the postcards.  I’ve read comments (in the books, too) to the effect of: “Since I’ve shared my secret, I have experienced so much freedom.  I feel so much better.”  If you feel as if you aren’t in the loop about this, don’t worry.  It’s not overwhelming society, but it is quickly become a cult-icon.

If these books have taught me nothing else, it teaches me even more the depravity of the human soul.  As I sat and read these postcards last night, I couldn’t help but be convicted at some of my own sins.  I couldn’t help but pray for some of the people.  I couldn’t help but cringe at the fact that human beings are capable of some of the things I read.  You can’t read these books if you can’t stomach some awful words, terrible pictures, and graphic illustrations.  This book, in a nutshell, shows us the need we have a for a Savior. 

You are waiting to hear what I think, probably.  Well, I think it’s good and bad.  It’s good in the sense that people are being vulnerable with others (even anonymously).  It’s good that people can express their secrets artistically and hopefully develop avenues to talk about them and “get it out there” instead of simply having it published in an “art” book.  With that said, there is a good-bad split here.  The book’s not all bad, but it’s not all good either.  It’s bad for one primary reason: there is no redeeming quality. 

People say they feel better and that their lives are “getting in order.”  Some even say this postcard has liberated them from fear, addiction, etc.  But what about the deep emotional scar tissue that continues to build on a person’s heart from a life-altering experience?  A simple postcard does not take away the wrongs committed by the person or to person.  I don’t mean to talk down on the people who wrote in to Mr. Warren — I could have written some of the secrets! — but I say this in so much love because people need something that can take away their sins, pain, tears, worries, hatred, frustration, and fears.  The only thing that is capable of doing that is Jesus.  Jesus is the only one who has righted wrongs and taken people from utter despair to abundant life.  The Bible puts it this way: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).  Everyone who sent in a postcard is a sinner.  Frank Warren is a sinner.  I am a sinner.  And the only thing that can take away these sins is Jesus.  The happiness that people feel when they write a secret on a postcard is so temporal.  The happiness that people will feel, apart from Christ, is simply a momentary burden lifter.  On the other hand, the Bible says, “You make known to me the paths of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11).  If someone remains without Christ, no matter how much they change their life to be a ”better person”, they are still in rebellion against God and need to be reconciled to him. 

Only Jesus provides the redemption, grace, comfort, security, and love that is longed for by every person in the world — and that is searched for with earnest by every PostSecret sender (otherwise they wouldn’t have sent in their secret).  Only Jesus can take the deepest, darkest, vilest, most wicked sins of a person and make them whiter than snow.  During his conversion, Charles Spurgeon listened to the minister as he looked right at Spurgeon and said, “Young man, you look miserable.  And you will always be miserable — miserable in life and miserable in death — if you don’t obey [the Bible]…Young man, look to Jesus Christ.  Look!  Look!  Look!  You have nothing to do but to look and live!” 

So if you are reading this and have sent in a PostSecret, or even if you haven’t, then I ask you to look to Jesus so your happiness can be secured for eternity.  Only he can take away your pain once and for all. 

A simple paper postcard cannot, nor will not, ever do that.