Faith Free Will Baptist Church

Posts Tagged ‘Evangelism’

*HOW TO BECOME BETTER STEWARDS OF THE GOSPEL*

(Matt 28:16-20)

*Jesus not only has given the church power, but also a great responsibility.

*The word “steward” carries a great meaning: One who watches over the affairs of another.

(I Cor 4:1,2  Read)

*The Apostle Paul was clear in these verses that the saints have a great responsibility, that is to be faithful in the handling of the things of God.

*In (Luke 12) Jesus gives a parable concerning a wise and faithful steward and their reward (vs 48). Some of you have talents and are not using them.

*Unknown writer once wrote “A Christian is a mind thru which Christ thinks, a heart thru which Christ loves, a voice thru which Christ speaks, and a hand thru which Christ helps”.

With this said, “How can we become better steward of the gospel?”:

(1)    Know the gospel

(II Tim 2:15  Read)

*In these last days that are filled with false doctrines, I believe it is of utmost importance for Christians to know why they believe as they do.

* I cannot stress enough the need for us to read and study the bible daily.

*There are two main cults with false doctrines in the US.  In a survey taken from these two, they admitted that most of their growth comes from people in mainstream churches.  Who are they: Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses.

Question:

1)      What do you know about Jesus’ life?

2)      What do you know about why He came?

3)      What do you know about His death, His burial, His resurrection?

(Acts 17:10,11 Read)

(2)    Live the gospel

(Matt 5:13-16  Read)

*What good is it to say we believe the gospel if it does not bring a change in our lives, how we live, why we do or don’t do certain things?

(I Cor  4:9   & Col2:6   Read)

*People, families are watching how we live, how we handle things: some will mock us, but some will take notice we are true to living for Christ.  (I Pet 3:16  Read)

(3) Love the gospel

(Psalms 119:97,103,105  Read)

*I know I’ve talked about reading the bible, but do we love God’s word, do we see its work in our lives, do we see the necessity of it?

*Job who experienced such troubles as losing his children, his possessions said this : (Job 23:12 Read) .

1) Do we love it enough to think on it daily? (Psl 119:11 Read)

2) Do we love it enough to let it direct our life’s decisions?  (Psl 37) The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

3) Do we love it enough to attend preaching?  (Rom 10:17  Read)

(4) Give the gospel

(Matt 28:20  Read)

(Psl 107:2  Read)

*Isn’t it amazing the many things we tell people about that comes into our lives?

1) Announce our engagements in getting married

2) Announce the birth of a baby

3) Buying a new car or house

*But yet we struggle with telling others of Christ.  (I Pet 3:15  Read)

Have you asked God to help you be a good steward of the gospel?

*WONDERFUL AND HORRIBLE*

(Jer 5:30,31)

Brief history:

1)      Jeremiah was a young teen man and preached 40 years in Israel

2)      He prophesied the captivity of Judah

3)      For the most part his message to call the people to repent was largely rejected

4)      The word “repent” appears eleven times

5)      He is called the weeping prophet because of his brokenness for God’s backslidden people

6)      He is considered one of the most hated OT prophets because of his rebuke to the false prophets priests and kings.

*Every preacher of this generation would do well to live near the Book of Jeremiah in keeping their focus on truth.

(vs 30  Read)

*I think we all understand the word “horrible” but “wonderful” needs explaining: It actually can mean something good or bad.

*Meaning: That which causes surprise, amazement, appalling or astonishment.

This morning I want us to see both meanings of this word in (vs 30,31).

(1)    The bad of wonderful and horrible

(vs 30,31  Read)

Notice three statements:

1)      “The prophets prophesy falsely.”

*Matthew Henry states “Religion is never more dangerously attacked than under the color and pretence of divine revelation”.

*Jeremiah called them false prophets,  said God was giving them the words but they were not from God: (Jer 14:13-15  Read)

*Charles Lindbergh said “We must understand spiritual truths and apply them to our modern life”.

*Today the spiritual truth is we are flooded with false prophets: (II Pet 2:1,2  Read)

*It is not the big names of false prophets like Jim Jones, David Karesh or Sun Moon that trouble my heart the most; it is those in the pulpits this morning who:

1) Deny that the Word of God is without error

2) Deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God

3) Deny His blood shed for our sins

4) Deny His resurrection

5) Deny His coming again

(2)  “The priests bear rule by their means”

*Simply put this means: the priest who should hold up the cardinal truths of God’s Word and doctrine defile it by compromising.

(Jer 6:10) “The word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.

*How sad that today there are those who call themselves “Men of God” and in their pulpits reject the Word of God and compromise and accept wickedness:

1) Preach homosexuality as normal

2) Who do not cry out over the murder of 1 ½ million innocent babies a year

3) Who would accept a skunk as a member as long as they get money

(Jer 6:14,15  Read)

*God help those in leadership who are not broken over sin.

(3) “And My people love to have it so”

Notice the charge God brings against His so called people

(Jer 6:16,17  Read)

*Listen: We have people today who don’t mind preaching on sins as long as you don’t preach on their sins.

*How sad that there are those in churches today who are living in open sin and rebellion that are not broken over it.

*If it were possible they would do as King Jechakim did in (Jer 36) and take a knife and cut out the parts of the Word of God they don’t like.

*Must we compromise the have large churches?

(2) The Good of wonderful

*Jeremiah though hated of men, priests and kings stood faithful, though mocked and imprisoned with only water to drink and bread to eat stood faithful.

*The Apostle Paul gathered together the ministers of Ephesus and made this statement : (Act 20:26,27  Read)

*Living for Christ may not win you a popularity contest but it will bring God’s approval and blessings in your life.

*To the preachers, ss teacher and deacons:

1) Declare salvation thru Jesus Christ alone because you’ve experienced it

2) Teach tithing because you do it

3) Proclaim church attendance because you’re there when the doors are open

4) Tell others to pray because you spend time doing it

5) Uphold the Bible because you believe it is the True Word of God

*Let your life reveal what Apostle Paul said (Act 20:27  Read)

*Make the Good News Wonderful

*BUT SATAN HINDERED US*

(I Thess 2:18)

America has faced many enemies in our short history: Germany in WWI, Japan in WWII, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the heartless terrorist of this generation.  But there is an enemy craftier, more hateful, and more destructive than any this world has ever faced.  He is the enemy called Satan, the devil whose ultimate goal is to bring God and any associated with Him down.

*In spite of the persecution and affliction the church at Thessalonica was doing quite well.  But in the text, we read how Satan successfully hindered the men of God at they attempted to reach more people for Christ.

Today I want us to notice how Satan hinders the unbelievers from coming to Christ.

(1)    He hinders by afflicting Christians

(Vs 14,15  Read)

*There is no doubt in my mind that Satan is behind the persecution and afflictions of the Church.  Both physically and spiritually.

*We also need to realize the Lord allows a certain amount of liberty in this.

*The best example of this is in the life of Job.

*Probably no one suffered more in such a short period of time than Job.

(Job 1:13-19)  Reveals two losses to Job:

1)      Property and servants: Job lost 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 she-donkeys plus servants.  In one day Job was completely bankrupt.

2)      Sons and daughters

(Job 2:7  Read)

*We cannot begin to understand the agony he must have been in.  Surely there was one who could offer a world of comfort, one he had know for many years, one who had seen him live for the Lord and encourage him to trust God.  But look at the word of his compassionate wife  (Job 2:9)

*The wealth and health preachers today say if you are sick you have no faith, but let them say that to:

Paul who said to Timothy “Take a little wine for his stomach sake”  (I Tim 5:23  & II Tim 4:20)

Paul who left Trophimus sick in Miletus

Paul who said Epaphrodutus fell ill and almost died  (Phil 2:25-30)

(2)    Satan hinders us from doing the work of God which would benefit us

(Matt 26)  Peter, James and John go with Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Our Lord is in great distress in (vs 38) He tells them “watch with Me” after praying He returns to where they are and finds them sleeping (vs 40) “What could ye not watch with Me one hour” but notice what else He says (vs 41  Read)

*The Lord wants you to witness, read His Word, pray each day, attend church and do His good works and you would like to do those things.  You’ve mad promises to yourselves to serve God more faithfully.

1) You intend to talk to someone you know about Christ but something hinders you.

2) You want to come to more church services but something keeps coming up.

3) You want to tithe your income but your car broke down, or plumbing went bad.

4) You want to read your Bible daily but get busy and the day ends without you doing it.

*Satan will do his best to make you sleep when you should be watching, praying or working.

(3) Satan hinders us by keeping us from spreading God’s Word

(I Thes 2:16  Read)

*Satan will go to great lengths to keep you and I from sharing Christ with others.

*The ACLU and others will go to great lengths to keep the Gospel confined in the four walls of the local church.

*Several years back, a dean at Stanford University began to pressure Christian groups on campus to stop the practice of witnessing to other students.  He was angered not by the content of the message but the practice of telling others.  His opinion “You are implying that a person’s beliefs are inferior to your own.  It is self-righteous, biased and intolerant”.  Is it self-righteous and intolerant to want to see others know the joy of Christ and escape Hell?

(4) Satan hinders by sowing tares among the wheat

(Matt 13:25,39  Read)

Two questions:

1)      What is a tare?  It is a poisonous weed that looks very similar to the wheat.  At the beginning you can’t tell them apart and by the time they have grown together it would endanger the wheat if you try to separate it.

2)      What is a tare in the church?

*It is unsaved church members and unfortunately we may have some in this church.  They come regularly, they speak words which insinuate they are Christians.  But outside of these walls, their words, their deeds prove otherwise.

* How sad that the Holy Church of Christ is made to look hypocritical, a fake because  those professing to be Christians are seen staggering down a street in drunkenness .

*I cannot always see the difference between the tares and wheat but God can.

(5) Satan hinders the unsaved by stealing the seed or Word of God

(Luke 8:11,12  Read)

1)      He will try to keep your heart unprepared to receive God’s Word.  Got along with spouse all week till Sunday and argued all the way to church.

2)      He will try to keep you from hearing the Truth when it is offered.

Keep you daydreaming or occupied with something else in church.

Story is told of a minister that was preaching a church that had a wall pipe organ and he said “ I don’t know how many pipes are in the organ”.  A man hollered out “53”.

OLD FASHIONED CHRISTIANITY

(Proverbs 22:28)

We have a new generation living today who has seen many great inventions over the last 25 years:

Microwaves, cell phones, computers, cars with all types of gadgets.

*But there’s is also a older generation who were born before these things: a generation which remembers

(1) rolling down car windows for a/c

(2) beating a rug on clothesline with broom

(3) going to bed with windows up and doors unlocked

(4) women canning in Mason Jars

(5) knowing all your neighbors by name

(6) that Coke was something you drank

(7) that gay meant you were happy

(8) a mouse was a rodent to catch in a trap

(9) a website was where a spider lived

(10) you hoped it was not raining or snowing when you had to use

the bathroom

Our generation has seen many good things happen, but sadly we also feel we no longer need God.  We need preaching without compromise.  Examples: Billy Sunday, John Wesley, etc.

Wesley said to a young preacher who wanted bigger crowds,” allow God to set you on fire and the people will come to watch you burn.”

Three Areas of Old Fashion Preaching

1       Preaching Against Sin

(Numbers 32:23)

Examples : Cain, Achan, Samson

It is time we named sins – this generation seems to ignore or deny what sin is.  People need to realize God’s men are not puppets to be ignored, but listened to and honored.

2       Preaching About Hell

(Luke 16)

If you will study what Jesus said about Heaven and Hell, you will realize He spoke more on Hell than Heaven.

(1)            It is not a place of parties with friends

(2)            It is not a place of rest, but torment

(3)            It is not a place of peace and quiet but of wailing and gnashing of teeth

(4)            It is not a place of family reunions but of separation

(5)            It is not a place where you forget your previous life but of remembrance

3       Preaching about Sacrifice

(Luke 9:23)

Jesus still calls for us to get out of casual, comfortable Christianity.

*What are you willing to do that will let Jesus be 1St in your life?

(1)     In your salvation

(2)     In home bible study and prayer daily

(3)     1st in the church you attend

(1) by your giving

(2) by your attendance

(3) by your talents

Why I am a Fundamentalist

(Romans 1:16)

Liberal: Open to new ideas, broadminded, tolerant, in favor of change and reform.

Conservative: Wanting to keep things as they are. Cautious, safe, but will change if evidence proves so.

Fundamentalist: One who determines what is essential, indispensable and necessary in forming a Sure Foundation.

(1) I was a fundamentalist when I got saved.

(2) I was a fundamentalist when called to Preach.

(3) I was a fundamentalist when preached my 1st sermon.

I have settled some things in my heart and no devil, no

atheist, no theologist, no liberal, will ever change me.

Some things I have emphasized over 29 years of Preaching:

(1) The Infallibility of the Word of God

(II Timothy 3:16,17)

(2) Salvation by Grace

(Ephesians 2:8,9)

(3) Importance of Local Church

(Hebrews 10:25)

(4) Our Victorious Life

(Psalm 23:1   I Cor 15:57,58)

(5)  2nd  Coming of Our Lord

(I Thess 4:16)

(6) Reality of Heaven, Hell and personal soul winning.

(John 14)

(Luke 16)

(John 1:37-51)

PART 5: MIRRORS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE – TONGUE-TIED

PART 5   MIRRORS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

*TONGUE-TIED*

(Joshua 1:9)

Have you ever heard the phrase “has the cat got your tongue”?

*We all have probably had times when we could say something for Christ but had difficultly speaking.

*Sometimes we feel guilt because of our difficutly in talking to a family member or real close friend about the Lord Jesus Christ.

*Dr. Wilbur Smith, a christian book writer who trained many christian workers, made a very heartbreaking statement in his book titled “Before I Forget” that all of us could probably make.” I should through the years have been more faithful in witnessing for Christ to many of those whose friendship I have enjoyed.  I was told a few years ago, a dinner was given in Tokyo in honor of Billy Graham.  He found himself seated beside the crown prince of Japan.  Mr. Graham turned to him and asked “What do you thing of Jesus Christ?”  Dr. Smith continued to say “I am afraid that for myself; I have let many conversations continue without my asking that greatest of all questions”.

*Beloved: I’m afraid alot of us feel that same regret.

*Why does the cat get our tongue when it comes to speaking up for Jesus?

(II Kings 7:9)  “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings and we hold our peace.”

Notice some ways that will help us find our voice to speak up for the Savior:

(1)  Ask God specifically to fill you with His Spirit.

*Do you remember how tongue-tied Peter was on the night Jesus was betrayed?  He had several opportunities to speak up for Christ that night but instead his voice failed him except for curses and denials.

*Yet in great contrast when he was filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost “he spoke the word with boldness”.  When he was threatened with punishment “he declared that he could not help but speak the things he had seen and heard”.  (Acts 4)

*If you are a christian the Holy Spirit lives in you.  Ask God to fill you to overflowing.

(Eph 5:18,19  Read)  (I Pet 3:15)

*Remember the words God spoke to Joshua:  (1:5) “As I was with Moses so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”.

*Remember the words of Jesus.

(Matt 28:20)  “Lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world.”

(2)  Develop a burden

(Prov 14:25)  “A true witness delivereth souls.”

*Perhaps we would be bolder if we could imagine a lable across the foreheads of the lost which reads “For whom Christ died”.

*Maybe it would make them easier to love and share the gospel with.

(Ps 126:5,6  Read)

*The Lord can use a stammering tongue better than a silent one.

(3) Memorize some bible verses

(Prov 7:1-3   &   Joshua 1:8   Read)

*Start with (John 3:16)

(Rom 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9,10)

(Eph 2:8,9)

*The Word of God is alive, quick and powerful.

*We spend alot of money in a year on junk.  What if we purchased inexpensive NT Bibles to give to those we witness to or those God would lay on our hearts?

(4) Commit to faithfulness

(Prov 25:25)  “As cold water to a thristy soul, so is good news from a far country.”

*Put church attendance in the proper place of your life.  Why?

1) You will hear messages that will help us personally and others we share it with.

2) Let’s stop complaining about those who only attend in the AM and pray for God to burden them to attend in the PM.

Pray not to be tongue-tied.

PART 9: MIRRORS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE – THE RIPPLE EFFECT

PART 9 :   MIRRORS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

*THE RIPPLE EFFECT*

(I Tim 4:12)

*At 5:16 pm on November 9th 1965, events were set in motion that brought one of the richest most populated areas in the Western World to a stand still.

*A back-up electrical relay switch was tripped at the Sir Adam Beck Power Station in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.  The switch had not been updated to keep pace with increasing power transmission and in less than three seconds the entire Northeastern power grid affecting both Canada and the U.S. went down.

*The results were staggering:  There was no electrical energy to heat, to light, to communicate, to power any kind of machine, to operate pumps to move sewage, water or gas.

*An estimated 800,000 people were trapped in subways.  Only 1/2 of 150 hospitals had emergency power systems available.  Over 200 flights arriving at JKF Airport had to be rerouted because runway lights went off.

*30 million people found themselves in a dark, silent world.  All because of a little metal cup in a small box touching a metal contact.

*The smallest act or incident can set off a ripple effect far beyond expectations.

*The scriptures are filled with examples of ripple effects  that helped spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ thru out the world.

(Question: What kind of riffle and waves am I setting into motion by my words and works for Christ?)

*People who toss stones into a pond don’t always see who or what is touched by the waves their stones cause but the ripples go forth anyway.

*As Christians we won’t always know who is touched by our words and works for Christ, but we must understand one thing:

*Our job however is not to question whether our words and works are having a certain impact.  Our job is to continually cast ourselves upon the water and put in motion those waves that God can direct towards others saved or unsaved.

*I would fail God if I didn’t tell of the man who had the greatest Ripple Effect in history: The Lord Jesus Christ.

(1) Born in an obscure village

(2) The child of a pleasant woman

(3) He never owned a house

(4) He never wrote a book

(5) He never went to college

(6) He never traveled over 200 miles from the place He was born

(7) When He died, He was laid in a borrowed tomb

(8) In three days He arose from the dead

*Over two thousand years have passed yet He is the Centerpiece of the human race, the Transformer of men’s lives, the Giver of Light to those stumbling in darkness.

*Those who are saved, have been changed by the Ripple Effect of the one solitary Life.

(Notice Three Closing Thoughts:)

1) The had not of history

*How different history would be if :

(1) An ordinary man named Andrew had not gone to his brother Simon Peter and said “We have found the Messiah”. (John 1:40,41)

(2) Another ordinary man named Philip had not sought out Nathanael and told him “We have found him of whom Moses in the law prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph”. (John 1:45)

(3) What if an ordinary fisherman had not responded to the request of a Gentile named Cornelius and shared the Gospel with him and his household. (Acts 10:1-48)

2) What if of history

(1)What if a five year old child named John Wesley had not been snatched from a burning house?

(2)What if his brother Charles Wesley had not taken ill and during that time read Luther’s commentary on Galations and learned of Salvation by Grace thru Faith?

(3) What if their godly mother Susanna had not taught her 19 children the things of God and prayed for them daily?

(4) What if and unknown SS teacher named Edward Kimball had not went to a Chicago shoe store and led Dwight L Moody to the Lord?

(5) What if a dairy farmer in Charlotte NC had not faithfully taught his young son Billy Graham the Gospel.

3) Look at your life

*The influence, the Ripple Effect that God  has begun in your life can affect many: friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, strangers

(You may not see the shore on which each rippling wave lands, but the shore where you stand at right now is where the Ripple must begin.)   (Matt 5:16  Read)

REMEMBERING WITHOUT CEASING

*REMEMBERING WITHOUT CEASING*

(I Thes 1:1-10)

To see the birth of the chruch at Thessalinica you need to read (Acts 17).  The Gospel was first preached there by Paul and Silas.  (Acts 17) tells us that a few of the Jews believed, a larger number of Greeks , and a number of women believed.

*One of the key reasons of this letter being written was the primary concern regarding the rapture of the chruch and it relationship to those who had already died.

*Some feared that when Jesus returned for the chruch that those who had already died would be left in the ground.

(Our intention of this message is not so much the coming of the Lord, but a message concerning these Christians and what Paul says about them:)

(1) They were always remembering and giving thanks.

(Vs 2  Read)

1) Remember our conversion and thank God continually.

(Vs 9  Read)

*Remember your broken life and what God did to make you whole producing great joy.

*Remember seeing the conversion of others fills our hearts with joy.

*Remember the fellowship and friendship of each other.

*Remember the blessing of serving Him: past, present, and future.

(2) It is alright to commend those who do well.

(Vs 3  Read)

*We say “I don’t want anybody praising me”, but everybody likes to know they’re doing a good job.

*One member told her pastor “Pastor, you are a model preacher”.  He felt real good hearing it.  Later in the day he asked his wife “What was that Mrs. Brown said about me?”.  She replied “You were a model preacher”.  For several days the pastor would ask the same question.  Finally the wife got a dictionary and when he came home for supper and asking the question again, she pointed to the word “model”.  The pastor read “model”, a small imitation of the real thing.  He never asked again what Mrs. Brown said.

(Prov 3:27)  “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”

*Has a singer blessed you?

*Has a teacher helped you?

*Is there a message the preacher preached that helped you?

Tell them.

(3) The presentation of the Gospel

(Vs 5  Read)

1) Presented in word

You witness with your mouth and you back up your witness with your life.

2) Presented with power

They delivered the Word in such a way people responded.

3) Presented in the Holy Ghost

(I Cor 2:4,5   Read)

As they preached the Holy Ghost took those words and confirmed them in the people’s hearts.

4) Presented in much assurance

They truly believed that the Word was true.  We can never be effective in presenting the Gospel

until you know it works.

(4) They were imitations of Paul and the Lord

(Vs 6  Read)

Four things noted:

1) Imitators of Paul, Silas, Timothy, Lord

If everyone in your church imitated your spiritual life what kind of church would this be?

What kind of attendance, of giving, of growing?

2) They received the word

Didn’t sleep, didn’t daydream but listened and soaked in what the preacher said.

3) They received the word in much affliction

Called fanatics, bible thumpers

4) They had joy.

Is your Christian life a jor or drudgery?

(5) They were examples of the believers

(Vs 7  Read)

(4:12   Read)

*We must strive never to be a stumbling block to the lost:

By lip service to the Lord.

By inconsistent living.

(Do you remember what the Lord has done in your life and others?)