Monthly Archives: October 2011
evangelism: a call for faith
Romans 4. Sharing the gospel gives us a chance to see the miracle of faith as it begins to emerge and display in the lives of new believers. Two aspects of that faith can be seen in the lives of … Continue reading
evangelism: not shoving Bibles down throats
Romans 3:21-31. Some people’s idea of evangelism is shoving a Bible down a person’s throat. That’s not going to be very productive, because it ignores what Paul says about the role of the Law and the Prophets (the OT Scriptures) … Continue reading
everyone needs evangelism
Romans 3:9-20. After showing that the self-condemned pagans need evangelism (1:18-32), and the self-righteous self-appointed judges need evangelism (2:1-16) – including the devoted religious people (2:17-3:8) — Paul quotes several Old Testament scriptures to verify his conclusion: everyone needs the … Continue reading
the religious need evangelism
Romans 2:17-3:8. Paul had been devoted to the religion of Judaism. It was through Judaism that he learned knowledge and truth about God. But he found that this knowledge was only enough to confirm his own inner sinfulness. He reaches … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, Bible, evangelism, faith, Jesus Christ, witness
Tagged Romans 2, Romans 3
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the self-righteous need evangelism
Romans 2:1-16. Even those who look down on the blatant sins of the self-condemned need evangelism, because their righteous acts cover up a sinful nature that is just as repulsive to God’s holiness. That is why God’s grace sends the … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, evangelism, faith, gospel, Jesus Christ, witness
Tagged Romans 2
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the self-condemned need evangelism
Romans 1:18-32. Rome (and everywhere else) contained two types of people: the self-righteous who thought they were better than others, and the self-condemned who were in such bondage to sin that they continued practicing evil – even though they knew … Continue reading
Posted in compassion, destruction in hell, evangelism, faith, gospel, witness
Tagged Romans 1
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set apart for evangelism
Romans 1:1-17. Paul’s desire to go to Rome emerged from his sense of purpose. He knew the gospel of Jesus Christ, and felt obligated to share it with people like himself: Jews (to whom the gospel first came) and with … Continue reading
the Holy Spirit: power to proclaim the gospel
Luke 24. Luke tells three final stories before briefly mentioning the ascension (which he describes in more detail in Acts). These stories emphasize that Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures by his death and resurrection (46), and that believers will fulfill the … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, Bible, evangelism, forgiveness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, missions, witness
Tagged Luke 24
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the Holy Spirit is there
Luke 23:26-56. This passage records the worst human tragedy ever: the Son of God mocked, tortured and killed as a criminal. The Holy Spirit was there. Even in such a horrible place and the very worst of times, God’s Holy … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, confession, evangelism, gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, missions, witness
Tagged Luke 23
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silence from the Holy Spirit
Luke 22:47-23:25. It is hard to understand when the Holy Spirit seems silent. Everything within you expects some kind of power display because God and his word are being ridiculed, yet nothing happens. At least you expect God’s people to … Continue reading
Posted in confidence, dependence upon God, faith, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, suffering, the cross, will of God
Tagged Luke 22, Luke 23
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Devotions 