Another couple dropped in who had been visited with the gospel recently. The Lord is giving us incentive to get out and search for the lost with the Gospel of His glorious Son. Also, a couple of elderly ladies want us to start visiting them and talking to them about the Gospel. May the Lord be glorified.
Mike and I went out again, and there was a man whom we have encountered a few times now, Stephen, who spent much time with us asking questions, and even wanting to walk with us as we went about the business of spreading the Good News.
There were a couple who really did not want to hear about Jesus Christ, and started swearing. They admit that they are wickans and so it is to be expected that those who knowingly have committed themselves to the wicked, to be cursing the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is fruit also. Jesus said rejoice when they persecute you for His sake. May the Lord give us a heart to rejoice in these things. The first reaction is usually not rejoicing, but sadness that they have rejected the only means by which they might be saved from their sin. However, regardless, the message was given, and God will be glorified regardless of how we perceive things.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
A good book in my library
I have been reading "9 Marks of a healthy Church" by Mark Dever. I don't think any Churches in Rhinelander measure up to all the marks. My hope is that Lord would cause us to grow in the areas where we are currently lacking and become a healthy Church. We do not have that far to go, and the Lord is able.
The 1st Mark is expository preaching. The 2nd is Biblical Theology. The 3rd is the Gospel and the 4th is a proper view of conversion. The next mark is a Biblical understanding of evangelism.
The gospel & a proper view of conversion come from a proper Biblical Theology. Most Churches in Rhinelander do not have a proper Biblical Theology. God is the Creating, Holy, Faithful, Loving & Sovereign God. Most Churches fall short in one or more of these areas, especially the last one. They may use the term, but they usually mean something different by it.
The Church is made up of Christians. It is not the building but the people. These 9 Marks then are what identify a true Christian. Obviously the 1st Mark has to do with the preacher, but the others so far have to do with the beliefs of the Church, which means the beliefs of the members.
The point then is that a Christian should be working on these marks, if they are to be a healthy Christian. Do you listen to expository preaching? Do you have a biblical theology? Do you know the gospel? Do you have a biblical understanding of conversion and evangelism?
Are you a healthy Christian?
The 1st Mark is expository preaching. The 2nd is Biblical Theology. The 3rd is the Gospel and the 4th is a proper view of conversion. The next mark is a Biblical understanding of evangelism.
The gospel & a proper view of conversion come from a proper Biblical Theology. Most Churches in Rhinelander do not have a proper Biblical Theology. God is the Creating, Holy, Faithful, Loving & Sovereign God. Most Churches fall short in one or more of these areas, especially the last one. They may use the term, but they usually mean something different by it.
The Church is made up of Christians. It is not the building but the people. These 9 Marks then are what identify a true Christian. Obviously the 1st Mark has to do with the preacher, but the others so far have to do with the beliefs of the Church, which means the beliefs of the members.
The point then is that a Christian should be working on these marks, if they are to be a healthy Christian. Do you listen to expository preaching? Do you have a biblical theology? Do you know the gospel? Do you have a biblical understanding of conversion and evangelism?
Are you a healthy Christian?
Lots of different opinions, only one has TRUE HOPE
Talking to folks on the streets of Rhinelander about their souls the answer most often given to the question "Will you go to heaven when you die" is "I hope so." It is like people have no concern for their soul, and are going to take a gamble that their eternity is going to work out fine. It seems much like a lottery then. If I win I win, if I don't I don't and there is nothing I really can do about it.
This is the spiritual malaise that exists in the nation as a whole. "There are so many religions, how can I know which one is right?" This question is the basis for the hopelessness. As Christians we need to witness to the only way that does give hope, the only truth that exists, and the only "religion" that offers proof that it is the right way.
I say "religion" because it is about a relationship, with God through the person of Jesus Christ. Religion is so often about what you can & cannot do, and Christianity contains those, but their basis rests in the relationship with Jesus Christ. When that is held in high esteem, then the do's & don'ts fall into place (they are a result of the relationship). Religion puts the do's & don'ts first. Christianity puts Jesus Christ first.
Back to the issue of dealing with hopelessness: this nation needs Christians to witness more regularly, more boldly, more vocally to the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only One who has not remained in the grave (Joseph Smith, Ellen G. Whyte, Mohammed, Budha, Confusios, etc...all remain dead in the grave.) Over 500 witnessed a resurrected Jesus. A harvard law professor has stated the Gospel's would be admissable in court. The witness to Christianity & its hope exists. There is much more that could be said!
This is the spiritual malaise that exists in the nation as a whole. "There are so many religions, how can I know which one is right?" This question is the basis for the hopelessness. As Christians we need to witness to the only way that does give hope, the only truth that exists, and the only "religion" that offers proof that it is the right way.
I say "religion" because it is about a relationship, with God through the person of Jesus Christ. Religion is so often about what you can & cannot do, and Christianity contains those, but their basis rests in the relationship with Jesus Christ. When that is held in high esteem, then the do's & don'ts fall into place (they are a result of the relationship). Religion puts the do's & don'ts first. Christianity puts Jesus Christ first.
Back to the issue of dealing with hopelessness: this nation needs Christians to witness more regularly, more boldly, more vocally to the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only One who has not remained in the grave (Joseph Smith, Ellen G. Whyte, Mohammed, Budha, Confusios, etc...all remain dead in the grave.) Over 500 witnessed a resurrected Jesus. A harvard law professor has stated the Gospel's would be admissable in court. The witness to Christianity & its hope exists. There is much more that could be said!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Fruit from recent efforts & other all things
A couple came on Sunday whom Ken & David had spoken to in the mobile home park. This stirs the hearts toward getting out more.
After going out with Justin and another young man, the other young man spent a couple of hours talking to me about his concern of some of NBC's beliefs. Fortunately the Lord gave me the answer in His Word to all of his questions. Hopefully this will result in belief of God's Word for this young man.
My glasses broke on Tuesday, so I took them along with my broken spare glasses to Express Eyeware at Triggs Mall and they repaired both for free. Another case of something that looks bad turning out to good.
After going out with Justin and another young man, the other young man spent a couple of hours talking to me about his concern of some of NBC's beliefs. Fortunately the Lord gave me the answer in His Word to all of his questions. Hopefully this will result in belief of God's Word for this young man.
My glasses broke on Tuesday, so I took them along with my broken spare glasses to Express Eyeware at Triggs Mall and they repaired both for free. Another case of something that looks bad turning out to good.
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