I saw this video clip on another blog, and had to post it. I'll figure out how to put the youtube picture on my blog, but until then watch this clip from E.R., and think about how the Church does evangelism today.
In my mind this clip shows the urgent need of evangelism, and how Christians often try to soften the blow of sin and its results, when in truth lost people when faced with their own mortality want to hear about a real God, and forgiveness, so they can avoid a real hell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNuSBGa1mLM
aj
Friday, June 27, 2008
2 Chronicles 7:14 - Part III
Part III – Humbling Ourselves
“If my people…will humble themselves…”
“If my people…will humble themselves…”
When our boys are rebellious sooner or later they usually come into subjection under their parents (usually). However sometimes it is not until we put into practice the “this is going to hurt me worse than it’s going to hurt you” principle. I will assure you, as a father I gain no joy or pleasure when I have to force my sons to respect and obey me. On the contrary though, it is hard for me to put into words the pride, joy, and love I experience when I ask them to do something, and they say, “Yes sir”, and hop to it.
The word humility is only used four times in the Old Testament, and is a synonym for meekness. To be humble on the other hand is used thirty-eight times, and means to be brought low before someone. The best way to understand the word humble is that it is the opposite of pride. Proverbs 29:23 “A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.” If you can picture someone bowing before a king you understand the Old Testament use of ‘being humbled’.
In 2 Chronicles 7:14 we are not talking about a vanquished foe, but instead the author is describing a nation who has turned away from their God, is suffering the consequences of rebellion, and is now returning on bended knee seeking forgiveness. The key is not simply that they have been humbled, but THEY HUMBLED THEMSELVES.
What kind of relationship do you have with your heavenly Father? Do you honor, respect, and obey God simply because you love Him, or do you only HUMBLE yourself before the Lord when you are forced to by difficult situations in life?
aj
Monday, June 23, 2008
2 Chronicles 7:14 - Part II
What’s Your Name?
“…who are called by My name…”
“…who are called by My name…”
Believers today need to understand and apply the same truth to their lives as well. If you are saved, you do not belong to yourself anymore. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, “Do you not know…you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price…”
In fact, we are still “called by His name”. The name Christian is only used three times in the New Testament, but by the middle of the first century it was commonly used in Rome, and soon throughout the entire empire as a derogatory term for followers of Jesus. “I am a Christian” became the triumphant confession of many second century martyrs who joyfully proclaimed their loyalty to Jesus as they died for their faith.
We casually say we are Christians, but we need to remember the name means we are ‘followers of Christ’ - WE BELONG TO HIM. Being called a Christian may no longer qualify someone to be a martyr, but it should not be a religious brand name we wear like a designer shirt either. The name reminds us of the one we follow…the one who died for us…the one to whom we belong.
aj
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
2 Chronicles 7:14 - Part I
Who Needs Revival?
“If My people…”
Quite often those of us in the church think revival is kept at arms length because of all the lost sinners out there running wild. For many church goers it appears that if the world would just be more Godly everything would be set right. God would hear our prayers, forgive our sin, and heal our land…a nation wide revival. Come on lost world – get with the program. (Sarcasm)
However, the Bible tells a different story. The promise of God to grant national healing, and forgiveness of sins in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is not a result of the heathen being converted. It is instead the result of God’s people humbly repenting, turning from their wickedness, and seeking God’s face.
Over the last few years the catch phrase in the church has been, “It’s not about me.” Well this time it is about me, and it is about you. We are the one’s who must repent and seek God. Revival will never come if WE, the church, do not change our ways, and begin to hunger and thirst for God and his righteousness.
“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent …”
Revelation 2:4-5
“If My people…”
Quite often those of us in the church think revival is kept at arms length because of all the lost sinners out there running wild. For many church goers it appears that if the world would just be more Godly everything would be set right. God would hear our prayers, forgive our sin, and heal our land…a nation wide revival. Come on lost world – get with the program. (Sarcasm)
However, the Bible tells a different story. The promise of God to grant national healing, and forgiveness of sins in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is not a result of the heathen being converted. It is instead the result of God’s people humbly repenting, turning from their wickedness, and seeking God’s face.
Over the last few years the catch phrase in the church has been, “It’s not about me.” Well this time it is about me, and it is about you. We are the one’s who must repent and seek God. Revival will never come if WE, the church, do not change our ways, and begin to hunger and thirst for God and his righteousness.
“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent …”
Revelation 2:4-5
aj
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Reaching the "Nones"
Who are the “Nones”? The Spring 2004 issue of Church Planting and Evangelism, a magazine published by the North American Mission Board, described the “Nones” as a growing segment of the U.S. population who claim no religious affiliation in public opinion polls. If the “Nones” were a religious body, they would be the fastest growing denomination in the country.
The National Survey of Religious Identification claims the “Nones” number more than 30,000,000 (that’s right - million) in the U.S. “If viewed as a religious group, they would only trail Catholics and Baptists in numbers.”
The numbers are staggering, and they remind us that the fields are truly ripe for the harvest (Luke 10:2). However, do not let the enormity of the task cause retreat. The same survey discovered that 50% of the “Nones” agreed strongly that God exists; indicating an openness to discuss spiritual matters.
Remember, Bixby is no different than the rest of America. The Bixby Chamber website estimates there are 360,000 people living within ten miles of our community. Moreover, Tulsa Metro Baptist Association research reveals that 80% of Tulsa County is ‘un-churched’…or ‘nones’. This means there are a quarter of a million people in our community, and surrounding area who do not have a church home. Subsequently, tens of thousands likely do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Bottom line - we need to get busy.
In Luke 10:2, Jesus told seventy followers the fields were ready for the harvest, and that they should pray for God to send out workers into His harvest. Then in Luke 10:3 Jesus sends them, the seventy, out into the harvest. WE ARE THOSE WORKERS. This Summer make it a priority to:
The National Survey of Religious Identification claims the “Nones” number more than 30,000,000 (that’s right - million) in the U.S. “If viewed as a religious group, they would only trail Catholics and Baptists in numbers.”
The numbers are staggering, and they remind us that the fields are truly ripe for the harvest (Luke 10:2). However, do not let the enormity of the task cause retreat. The same survey discovered that 50% of the “Nones” agreed strongly that God exists; indicating an openness to discuss spiritual matters.
Remember, Bixby is no different than the rest of America. The Bixby Chamber website estimates there are 360,000 people living within ten miles of our community. Moreover, Tulsa Metro Baptist Association research reveals that 80% of Tulsa County is ‘un-churched’…or ‘nones’. This means there are a quarter of a million people in our community, and surrounding area who do not have a church home. Subsequently, tens of thousands likely do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Bottom line - we need to get busy.
In Luke 10:2, Jesus told seventy followers the fields were ready for the harvest, and that they should pray for God to send out workers into His harvest. Then in Luke 10:3 Jesus sends them, the seventy, out into the harvest. WE ARE THOSE WORKERS. This Summer make it a priority to:
- Learn how to share your faith with a “None”.
- Share your faith, on a regular basis, with someone who needs Jesus.
- Invite someone to church every week.
- Work in the Lord’s fields.
- Pray every day that God will send workers into His harvest.
- Learn who the “Nones” are in your life, and minister to them.
aj
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Food For Thought
I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love.
Psalm 119:47
Psalm 119:47
Not too long ago on the all sports network I watched the world champion hamburger eating contest. For those who care Joey Chestnut won by eating 102 hamburgers in six minutes. Consider these other amazing culinary conquests. Six pounds of baked beans in under two minutes, 1 ¾ pounds of butter in five minutes, 65 hard boiled eggs in six minutes, and my favorite 128 oz of mayonnaise in eight minutes. (Folks that is over four big jars of mayo.)
How is your spiritual appetite? Do you gorge yourself once a week at Sunday School and Church only to starve the other six days? I am not a dietitian, but I am quite sure eating four jars of mayonnaise, or 102 hamburgers can not be healthy. In the same way taking in spiritual nourishment once a week is not the path to spiritual health and vitality. Instead we need a steady diet of Bible study and prayer? Here are a few suggestions which can help make regular Bible study a reality in your life:
- Schedule time for Bible study. If you do not plan it, it will not happen.
- Eliminate distractions.
- Start small. Remember newborns do not dine on steak and potatoes. Your appetite for scripture will increase just like your appetite for food has grown over the years.
- Make Bible reading and Bible study a positive habit in your life. The good news is many experts estimate it only takes three weeks to develop any habit…good or bad.
- View personal Bible study as a privilege not a duty.
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Jesus
AJ
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Casting Pearls
Be careful in voicing judgments according to your Christian convictions. Jesus gave the reason in Matthew 7:6; He said doing so is like “casting pearls before swine”. Because pearls have no value to pigs, they will simply trample them under their feet. His other illustration was wild dogs turning on you, and tearing you to shreds.
To see this you only need to watch a news program when a Christian takes a stance on their spiritual convictions, believe me, the claws will come out in the secular media. The following is a case in point. I read this article on the KOCO TV 5 website about a documentary filmed at a Christian Church Camp in North Dakota called “Jesus Camp”. For the full article go to http://www.koco.com/family/9935738/detail.html
Some of the words used to describe the camp in the article are ‘shocking, indoctrination, frightening, brain-washing, and child abuse.” Folks, it is a short jump from mentioning Christianity and frightening brain-washing in the same sentence, to linking the two together. In fact, one mother was vilified because she home schools her children, and teaches them to question science. I thought asking questions was the whole point of science?
The bottom line is this; we may live in desperate times…but not in hopeless times. Jesus is still Lord, God is still on His throne, and the Holy Spirit is still working in the hearts and lives of men and women. Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel, (Romans 1:16) take your stand for Christ.
Matthew 5:10-12
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great…
To see this you only need to watch a news program when a Christian takes a stance on their spiritual convictions, believe me, the claws will come out in the secular media. The following is a case in point. I read this article on the KOCO TV 5 website about a documentary filmed at a Christian Church Camp in North Dakota called “Jesus Camp”. For the full article go to http://www.koco.com/family/9935738/detail.html
Some of the words used to describe the camp in the article are ‘shocking, indoctrination, frightening, brain-washing, and child abuse.” Folks, it is a short jump from mentioning Christianity and frightening brain-washing in the same sentence, to linking the two together. In fact, one mother was vilified because she home schools her children, and teaches them to question science. I thought asking questions was the whole point of science?
The bottom line is this; we may live in desperate times…but not in hopeless times. Jesus is still Lord, God is still on His throne, and the Holy Spirit is still working in the hearts and lives of men and women. Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel, (Romans 1:16) take your stand for Christ.
Matthew 5:10-12
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great…
AJ
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