evangelism: celebrating the team

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 16.   Lest we get the mistaken assumption that Paul was single-handedly bringing the Gentile world to Christ, he includes the names of over 30 of his co-workers in this chapter.  This serves as a reminder that the work of bringing people to Christ is not reserved to a few special people.  Even those specially gifted and called as Paul was require a great number of helpers and supporters.  This chapter celebrates Paul’s team.  Whose team are you on?

LORD, show us the role we have in getting your gospel out to the world.  Help us to willingly invest ourselves in your work, and gladly share that work with others.

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evangelism: ministry and fellowship

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 15:14-33.   We have seen that the whole of Romans has to do with evangelism.  As Paul begins to conclude his letter, he describes that work using two metaphors.

 

 

  1. Paul’s work of bringing the gospel to the Gentiles is a ministry – a priestly service where he offers the Gentiles as a sanctified living offering to God (14-21).
  2. The Jews in Jerusalem who have shared the gospel with Gentiles have share spiritual blessings, so it seems right that new Gentile believers should share their material blessing with them.  They are part of the fellowship (22-29).

LORD, help us to minister to you by sharing your gospel with others.

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evangelism: perspective on edification

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 15:1-13.  How we get along with other believers has a definite impact on our evangelism.  When the watching world sees us biting and devouring each other over our differences, they think less of the gospel that we preach.  When they see us being servants to one another – as Christ was to his people – they will be more inclined to listen to our words. 

LORD, help us to follow Christ’s example, and so reach others with the message of his atoning sacrifice of grace.

Posted in atonement, evangelism, fellowship, Jesus Christ, witness | Tagged | 1 Comment

evangelism: perspective on differences

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 14.  Paul encourages believers in Rome to get along with each other by refusing to let differences be a cause for division.  There will be differences among believers, but we dishonor our mutual Lord when we use those differences for judgment and criticism.  We should seek to build each other up instead of tear each other down because of differences of preference.  When the world sees a church of very different people united in love for each other, it takes notice.

LORD, help us to love each other and so show the world where our love comes from.

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evangelism: perspective on the state

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 13.  Paul encourages believers to submit to the authority of the state here.  He argues that:

  1. God will punish law breakers (1-7).
  2. Obeying the law is a way of loving your neighbor (8-10).
  3. The time is short, so believers should “walk properly” (11-14).

How could Paul encourage the believers to submit to the evil, God-dishonoring Roman empire?  Remember that he had taught them to “repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all” (12:17).  Leave vengeance to God. Be light even when the government is darkness.

LORD, help us to reach our authorities with the light of your gospel.

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evangelism: perspective on Israel

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 11.  Here Paul seeks to explain why so many of his own countrymen have rejected the gospel, while so many Gentiles are accepting it and getting saved.  He states:

 

 

  1. God is still sovereign over the salvation process – as he was during Elijah’s time (1-10).
  2. Israel is an example to Gentile believers that they should not become proud, but fear being cut off for unbelief (11-24).
  3. Israel’s disobedience is partial – so their present hardening is partial.  God’s gift of salvation can return to them (25-36).

LORD, we pray for the salvation of your people, Israel.  May all nations come to know the king before it is too late.

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evangelism: perspective on success

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 9:30-10:21.  The children’s story of the tortoise and the hare teaches that success does not always come to the ones who are best equipped.  The same is true of spiritual success: finding salvation.  Paul was a Jew.  He knew that his own people had everything they needed to find salvation from the grace of God.  Yet so many of them stumbled over the stumbling stone: Jesus Christ himself (9:33).  By contrast, the Gentiles – like the Romans to whom Paul is writing – had disobeyed at every point.  Yet, when the heard about Christ – they put their faith in him.  Both groups were guilty of disobedience to the Law, but believing Gentiles found success – because of their faith in Christ.

LORD, help us to proclaim your gospel because believing in Christ is the only difference between spiritual failure and spiritual success.

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evangelism: perspective on potential

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 9:1-29.   If the doctrine of God’s sovereignty over the salvation of the lost has application concerning evangelism it is this: everyone you meet is a potential child of God.  Background, pedigree, – even present lifestyle – neither of these is evidence that a person is hopelessly lost.  The Holy Spirit may be working in the hearts of the very people you have already written off as hopeless cases.  Likewise, those you may consider perfect candidates for salvation may turn out to be resistant to the gospel – like Paul’s countrymen were.

LORD, give us a heart to reach the lost of every nation, and methods that will deliver your gospel to every potential child of God.

Posted in dependence upon God, ethnic Israel, evangelism, grace, Holy Spirit, will of God, witness | Tagged | 1 Comment

evangelism: a perspective on suffering

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 8:18-39.  The world around us is suffering due to the effects of the fall.  Christians suffer as well – for the same reason.  We are part of the fallen world.  we also sometimes suffer because of our relationship with Christ – and our stand for the truth.  The gospel gives us perspective on suffering that the lost need to see.

  1. We see suffering like the pains of childbirth.  It reminds us that something great is coming (18-25).
  2. We never suffer alone.  The Holy Spirit is with us, reminding us that God loves us, and that all things are working together for our good (26-30).
  3. We see suffering as a reality, but realize that it is temporary.  It cannot separate us from God’s eternal love (31-39).

LORD, when we hurt, help us to show the watching world that hurting does not destroy our faith.

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evangelism: an offer of the Holy Spirit

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 8:1-17.  The unsaved person cannot hope to please God because his orientation is “according to the flesh.”  But God offers his Holy Spirit who makes all the difference.

 

 

  1. He replaces the law of sin and death (2).
  2. He leads believers in the new walk (4,14).
  3. He redirects the minds of believers (5-7).
  4. He creates a spiritual resurrection and will empower the physical resurrection (10-11).
  5. But first, he empowers a putting to death of the deeds of the body (12-13).
  6. He bears witness with the believer’s spirit that an adoption has occurred .  The believer is now a son of God (14-17).

LORD, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit.  Show us how to share him with the lost. 

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