Archive for: God
Have you ever had a friend who was so close to trusting in Jesus and yet for some reason just couldn’t take that step? You may have shared the gospel with them numerous times, even spent hours talking about Christ and sharing both New and Old Testament passages in hopes of somehow effectively communicating the good news. Yet, they never cross that final line of belief in the gospel.
I have had that experience several times. It can be very frustrating. Some have even said they believe in the message but aren’t ready to place the full weight of their faith in it. At that point, it is hard to take comfort in knowing that our job is contact and God’s is conversion. We may feel somehow inadequate and begin questioning our method, our knowledge of scripture and ability to answer questions, wonder if we have prayed hard enough—spent enough time with them, etc.
Perhaps, we have to “cease striving” and “be still” in order to recharge our evangelism batteries. It’s not only perfectly fine to do so; it is scriptural as well.
Psalm 46:10 in the NASB translation says:
“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
The New King James translation puts it this way:
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The context is that the people were to cease from warlike activity and acknowledge the power and sovereignty of God. He will be exalted. The application we can make in evangelism is to realize it is not all dependant on our human effort and striving.
Sometimes, though we know there is still more work to be done, it’s OK to pause for a moment and reflect on just how awesome God is. He’s totally in control. Scripture reassures us that He will be exalted among the nations and throughout all the earth.
It is sad to think that some of our friends might not be with us when we praise Him in eternity. But remember in John 6:44 Jesus Himself said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”
There will be times when all the elements seem to be in place, and yet those we care about are just not receptive to the gospel. Our appropriate response may be to cease striving and be still. God is always in control. Understanding the sovereignty of God does not mean we shouldn’t evangelize, but it should be a comfort to us in evangelism.
In John 4: 35-38, Jesus said:
35 “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
A quick look at John 4 reveals three people involved in evangelism. Notice that there are those who are a part of the harvest – the non-believer – who is your friend, neighbor, relative, or co-worker. Jesus tells us that they are ripe; ready to hear the good news. Then there are the disciples to whom Jesus is talking – the believer. Notice the words used to describe the believer in the different stages he may be in – reaper, gatherer, sower, laborer, and finally rejoicer. God is the third person involved and He is the One who sends out the laborers – it is His harvest and they are His fields.
John 4 reveals that three people are involved in evangelism… the non-believer, the believer, and God. Let’s look at the second of these roles – God:
God – He is the One who goes before you with you and after you in evangelism.
The Scriptures describe Him this way:
Draws us to Himself – John 6:44
“No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him”
Giver of new life – 1 Corinthians 3:6
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”
Sender of disciples – Matthew 28:18-19
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations.”
Desires all to be saved – 1 Timothy 2:3-4
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Diligent to convict – John 16:8
“And when he comes He will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.”
Evangelism works because God is intimately involved convicting, pursuing, sending, drawing, and giving. He is the One who has the compassion and is moved to action on behalf of His creation.
John 4 reveals that three people are involved in evangelism… the non-believer, the believer, and God. Let’s look at the third of these roles – You, the believer:
God has given us the privilege of partnering with Him in His eternal work.
The Scriptures describe you this way:
Saints – Colossians 1:2 – We are saints – set apart for His specific work
“To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:”
Servants – Acts 16: 17 – sent by God to proclaim the good news
“This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”
Planter – 1 Corinthians 3:5 – you are called to plant the seed
“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?”
Waterer – 1 Corinthians 3:6 – you are to water the seed
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”
Laborer – Luke 10:2 – you are to labor in His field
“Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Witness – Acts 1:8 – you are to tell your story – your eyewitness account
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Discerning – Colossians 4: 5 – using wisdom to take advantage of the opportunities to share Christ.
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”
Dependent – John 6:44 – we bring Christ to the lost – He brings the lost to Christ
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…”
Remember:
We bring Christ to the lost
He brings the lost to Christ
Can you think of anything more exciting than being a partner with Jesus Christ in populating heaven? He wants to use you. The question is, “Are you willing to be used?” He’s ready if you are.
Few things are more distressing to a Christian than the realization that, unless something happens, those who are part of their family on earth will not be part of their family in heaven. Out of concern and compassion and often discouragement and distress, individuals ask, “How do I reach my own relatives with the Gospel?” Several things must be kept in mind. First and foremost recognize that you, in and of yourself, cannot bring your relatives to Christ. Christians often take responsibility upon their shoulders in this area. This concern for their salvation is healthy, but the inner frustration is not. You must recognize that unless the Spirit of God dispels the darkness from their minds and eyes and causes them to see their need, they will never come to Christ.
Another thing to consider is that relatives who will not listen to what you have to say may instead look at the way you live. Live the kind of consistent Christian life that attracts non-Christian family members to the Savior. The God who brought you to Christ can save any non-Christian relative. God has never met a person His heart did not love or His arm could not reach. If you do your part, God will do His. Sooner than you may think, as they trust the Savior they may say, “Thanks for not giving up on me,” as you welcome them into the forever family.
The Associated Press on Monday, June 23, 2008, released a statement that caught the attention of millions, Christians and non-Christians alike. The statement read, “Among the most startling numbers in the survey conducted last year by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: 57% of evangelical church attendees said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.”
Once again, the issue comes back to a very simple question. Is Jesus Christ the One He said He was? If He was, the evangelical church attendees could not be more wrong. If He wasn’t, anything evangelical church attendees say has as much authority and credibility as what He said.
He declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:26). If He was indeed the Son of God and the only one who can extend eternal life, then there is no other way to God except through Him. If He wasn’t the Son of God, what He said about being the only way to God is of no value whatsoever.
How do we know if He was who He said He was? The issue is bigger than the Bible. It’s the resurrection and the empty tomb the third day. That is the issue on which everything Christ said stand or falls. The Bible declares itself ot be the Word of God, without error or mistake (II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:20, 21). But the proof behind the empty tomb is far wider than the Bible. In fact the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most attested fact of history. Thomas Arnold, who was author of a three volume history of Rome and appointed to the Chair of Modern History of Oxford said, “I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by letter and fuller evidence of every sort to the understanding of a fair inquirer than that Christ died and rose again from the dead.”
Therefore, before anyone, anywhere can say, “There are many religions that can lead to eternal life,” they must disprove the empty tomb of Christ. So far, nobody has. In fact, I personally do know of one person who objectively studied the evidence behind the empty tomb that did not become a believer. That means they came to God as sinners, recognized Jesus Christ paid for their sins on a cross and rose again, and trusted Christ alone as their only way to heaven.
