As one of the longest surviving evangelicals at LDS.net, evangelism--how it is we "win souls," continues to tumble around in my mind. We see the evangelical storm troopers come in here from time to time. They are loaded to the gills with superficial factoids from Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM) or Christian Research Institute (CRI--founded by Walter Martin). They run a few strings, argue with a few posters, and then either leave, or get banned. Perhaps some have wondered why prisonchaplain does not help them out, cool them down, give them a few "how to survive tips?" Frankly, in most cases, such folk are looking for easy conversions, and have no interest in on-going dialogue, or the mild rumninations of a middle-aged prison chaplain who seems suspiciously comfortable here, despite his evangelical credentials.
We know that for the most part, it doesn't work. Hardshell, aggressive, "you're wrong, ignorant, foolish, don't know your own religion," evangelism doesn't work. Likewise, those LDS who've traveled evangelical cyberspace, to defend their beliefs, and perhaps win a few converts of their own, probably find that telling us that the Trinity is pagan, that Constantine was an evil, non-Christian who saddled Christianity with corrupted Greek philosophy, and why on earth don't you silly evangelicals/catholics/protestants know this???--doesn't work either.
So what does work? St. Francis of Assisi once quipped that we should spread the gospel by all means--and if necessary, use words. While a bit exaggerated, his point is sound. Jesus great evangelistic program is found in Matthew 22:37-40. The short version: Love God, and love your neighbor!
By the way, Jesus' full gospel mission program was not limited to teaching. He also healed the sick and cast out demons. We do so by healing prayer, by impassioned intecessory prayer against spiritual darkness, by sponsoring schools, hospitals, medical missions, short-term feeding programs, emergency relief responses, faith-based addiction recovery programs, alternative crisis pregnancy counseling centers, and yes, programs to help those caught up in compulsions to sin that may be based both in physiology and spiritual darkness.
Faith vs. works was never intended as a battle or a dichotamy. It's both and. We get saved at conversion, and we grow and strengthen our salvation through faith-empowered works of righteousness--all to God's glory. If we lift up the name of Jesus, in deed and in word, all men will be drawn unto Him.
Tags: Evangelical Evangelism Witness Works Share Faith Conversion Love
I often find myself involved in strings about grace vs. works here. Yet, for those of us who consider ourselves to be in relationship with Jesus, our King, the real matter is what my current state is. "I'm saved, sanctified (made holy), filled with the Holy Ghost (with or without tongues?). I pray to God daily. I read my Scriptures. I talk to people about faith and God and my church.
And yet...I sin. My mind wanders, my words slip, my deeds are sometimes less than the best. As Paul says in Romans 7, I sometimes find myself doing the very things I do not want to do, and failing to do that which I know is godly.
Then again, I love God deeply, and find myself running to him in sincere repentence. I lay my wrong at his feet, and he forgives me. I am reconciled to him. Isn't the mercy of God--his grace--something extravagant and wonderful?
We can argue infinitely about whether I am saved or converted, and whether my faults will land me in the Terrestial, Telestial kingdoms, or even in hell (the outter darkness). But today I know I am heaven-bound. My Redeemer lives within my heart, and my haulting, clumsy steps toward him, do indeed remain in that forward direction. Ocassionally I may misstep. But He's there to pull me back--usually before serious harm is done.
So, I live in confidence today. My Sovereign is directing me to the Heavenly Kingdom that is right for me. I walk with joy, despite some hardships and setbacks. And I love my Jesus--for He is mine, and I am his. The Song of Songs is indeed about the love relationship between my king and I. In the end, I fully expect, by his grace, and by my following in it, to hear those marvelous words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into my kingdom."
Tags: Salvation Sanctification Sin Holy Ghost Lose Guilt Reconciliation Heaven Je
And you thought evangelicals didn't believe in enduring to the end! tsk tsk. :-)
Seriously, though...this is a series I am currently teaching at the jail. Discern what's of God, you know what to do with the rest.
TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES
Introduction: A while back I taught a series of lessons through the entire book of Revelations. We broke down the teachings, and kept them simple. But I’ve wondered–if the message of Revelation had to be reduced to one main thought, what would it be? Well...in one word, it is the command: OVERCOME!
Scripture: Revelation 2-3
Proposition: God promises rewards to those who overcome–to those who remain true to Jesus until the end of their lives.
Interrogative: What are God’s promises to believers who overcome?
Transition: God’s first promise is eternity in heaven.
I. To the Church at Ephesus Jesus says those who overcome will live forever in God’s kingdom.
Rev. 2:7: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
A. Heaven has always been the Blessed Hope of Christians.
B. It’s what makes the hard times bareable–knowing that our suffering will be taken away.
C. What is heaven like?
1. Yes, we will worship God and sing.
2. We’ll judge angels.
3. We will rule with Christ.
4. Sorrows are gone, death is gone, pain is gone.
5. The ravages of time are gone.
6. Purpose is ever present. We’ll not be lazy, bored nor
dull.
7. I’m convinced we will look back upon our earthly sojourn and marvel at how limited and difficult our existence here was.
Transition: Knowing where were headed TO is glorious. It’s also encouraging to know where we are headed from.
II. To the Church at Smyrna Jesus says those who overcome need not fear the Second Death.
Rev. 2:11: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
A. Those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death. The second death is eternal punishment in the lake of fire.
2. Since we do not fear the second death, we really have nothing to fear. Jesus says that hell is the only fear we should have.
Luke 12:4-5: 4"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
B. What is hell like?
1. I’m convinced it is real, and that it is hot.
a. In Jesus’ account of the rich man and Lazurus–where the rich man ends up in a place of torment–there is no indication that Jesus is merely giving a parable.
i. He calls Lazurus by name.
ii. He begins by saying "There was a man..."
b. Whenever Jesus spoke in parables, the passage will say so.
2. Sometimes it takes a bad place like hell to drive people to a good place like heaven.
Transition: Besides going to heaven, and avoiding hell, what other blessings lie in store for us?
III. To the Church in Pergamum: Jesus promises that those who overcome will receive "hidden manna" and a white stone with a new name written on it.
Rev. 2:17: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
A. The hidden manna reminds us of God’s provision while the Israelites were in the wilderness. God will provide for Christians during times of trial.
B. The white stone may show that Jesus is inviting us to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
1. Stones were used to engrave invitations on in Pergamum.
2. Jesus may have been inviting the overcomers to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, that will take place when the Church is raptured, before God’s 7-year time of judgement upon the earth.
C. The new name can have two meanings–both of which are wonderful blessings.
1. It may be that God will give the Christian a new name.
a. Whenever God changes someone’s name, it is an indication that they have received a commission and an anointing to do God’s work.
b. Jacob became Israel: The con man became the leader of a great nation.
c. Saul became Paul: The self-righteous persecutor of Christians became one of Christianity’s greatest leaders and theologians.
2. It may be that Jesus will give the Christian his name.
a. Pagan gods had secret names that were suppose to contain special power when used.
b. Jesus offered his followers the very real power of his name, if they would be faithful to him.
c. Recall the story of the seven sons of Sceva.
i. Seven sons of a priest were casting out demons by saying, "I command you to leave in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches."
ii. The demons responded that they knew Jesus and Paul, but not these seven sons.
iii. The demon-possessed man then beat them severely, stripping off all their clothes.
iv. The story demonstrates both the power of the name of Jesus, and the truth that only Christians may use the power of Jesus’ name.
d. To this day we invoke the name in Jesus in all of our prayers–especially when our prayers call upon the power of God.
Transition: What a thrill to sit back and dine for seven years in heaven! How exciting to have new names. But, won’t we have something meaningful to do?
IV. To the Church in Thyatira Jesus promises rulership with Him.
Rev. 2:26-28: 26: To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
27'He will rule them with an iron scepter;
he will dash them to pieces like pottery'
just as I have received authority from my Father. 28I will also give him the morning star.
A. If we endure to the end we will rule and reign with Jesus.
1 Corinthians 6:2: Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
B. Jesus promises to give those who endure to the end the morning star.
1. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus is himself called the Morning Star.
2. Perhaps this reaffirms that we will not only live and forever–but we will do so with Jesus!
Transition: What a thrill to enjoy, and yet to be useful. But, can I make it?
V. To the Church in Sardis Jesus says those few who remain holy will never lose their eternal kingdom citizenship.
Rev. 3:5: He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
A. Jesus says there are a few in Sardis who are living holy. They will be rewarded with white dress clothes–a sign of purity.
B. Those who remain pure need not fear that they will lose their salvation.
1. Apparently, in Sardis Christians were always in danger of being branded disloyal to society.
2. When such a charge was lodged, citizenship could be revoked.
3. Jesus was promising that our citizenship in heaven could never be erased!
Transition: Yes we will make it–if we remain true to Him. Beyond simply surviving, Jesus promises us special honors.
VI. To the Church in Philadelphia
Rev. 3:12: Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.
A. They will make a pillar in the temple of God–a temple they will never leave.
1. Philadephia was earthquake prone. After earthquakes, often the only part of a building that would remain standing would be the pillars.
2. God was saying that those who overcome would never fall–they would always remain a part of the kingdom of God.
B. Upon them will be written several honorable names: the name of God, the name of the city of God–the New Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus.
1. In Philadelphia, the government would sometimes honor special citizens by naming a pillar of an important building after them.
2. Jesus was saying that he identifies with and honors the faithful Christians of Philadelphia.
Transition: Despite the honors, will we forever remain slaves to Jesus?
VII. To the Church in Laodicea
Rev. 3:21: To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
A. Jesus’ promise to those who overcome: They will sit with Jesus at his throne–Just as Jesus won the right to sit by his Father’s throne.
B. Once again, there is the promise that those who are faithful unto death–whether by martyrdom or by natural causes–will rule with Jesus.
VIII. Conclusions: To him who overcomes the following are promised:
1. Eternal life in heaven.
2. Escape from the Lake of Fire.
3. An invitation to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
4. The strength to endure, and a citizenship that cannot be revoked.
5. A role of power and authority in God’s kingdom.
6. Everlasting presence at the side of Jesus.
THE CHARGE:
1. DON’T GIVE IN. DIG IN!
2. SATAN WOULD DISCOURAGE YOU, BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
3. REMEMBER, ONLY GOD IS YOUR TRUE JUDGE.
4. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS ACROSS THE STREET, REMAIN TRUE TO HIM.
5. IF YOU GET A DIFFICULT JUDGEMENT AND SENTENCE–REMAIN STRONG–STICK TO GOD AND THE CHAPEL.
6. IF YOU ARE SET FREE–GET YOURSELF TO THE NEAREST GOD-FEARING CHURCH.
8. REMAIN TRUE, THAT YOU MIGHT RECEIVE YOUR ETERNAL REWARD.
Tags: Overcome Endure Reward Punishment Heaven Hell Prisonchaplain Revelation
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