set apart for evangelism

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

evangelismRomans 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 everybody else as well.  It was that inner obligation that compelled Paul to put Rome on his travel list.  He not only prayed for those foreigners, but he prayed that God would allow him to reach them with the gospel.  He had a confidence in the gospel that he preached – a belief that it could change the lives of those who heard it.

LORD, give us that confidence.  Use your words in this book to inspire us to reach out to the lost around us, bringing them the message that will set them free from their bondage and bring them back to you.

Posted in evangelism, gospel, prayer, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

the Holy Spirit: power to proclaim the gospel

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 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 Scriptures by proclaiming “repentance and forgiveness of sins … in his name to all nations” (47).  Before ascending, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, who will clothe them with power from on high.  that power will enable them to open people’s eyes to see what the Scriptures say about Jesus:

  • He died for our sins.
  • He was raised and is alive forever.
  • He offers forgiveness for those who repent.

LORD, thank you for your Holy Spirit, who empowers us to proclaim your gospel to a world who needs their Savior.

Posted in atonement, Bible, evangelism, forgiveness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, missions, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

the Holy Spirit is there

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 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 Spirit was there speaking:

  1. He spoke through words written on a sign (38).
  2. He spoke through the confession of a dying criminal who put his hope in Jesus (40-42).
  3. He spoke through the declaration of a noble soldier (47).
  4. He spoke through the kindness of an elder who loaned his tomb (50-53).

The Holy Spirit was saying that day that there is hope, precisely because Jesus did not come down from his cross as the mockers suggested.  He stayed on that cross until he paid the price for our sins.  The Holy Spirit wants to tell that story to the world. Will we let him use us to spread the gospel?

LORD, use us to spread your gospel, even in the very worst of times and the very worst of places.

Posted in atonement, confession, evangelism, gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, missions, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

silence from the Holy Spirit

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 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 speak up in his defense, but oddly they too seem to deny their faith.  What is happening at times like this?  Perhaps it is the Holy Spirit accomplishing his will by giving in to the will of the people (23:25).  Don’t worry, Sunday is coming, and the LORD will be vindicated. 

LORD, help us to trust in your presence even when we don’t feel it. Your will is being done even when you are silent.

Posted in confidence, dependence upon God, faith, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, suffering, the cross, will of God | Tagged , | Leave a comment

the Holy Spirit and Satan’s demands

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 22:1-46.  When Jesus told Peter that “Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you as wheat” (31) – the “you” is plural.  He was referring to all the disciples.  Already, Satan had entered into Judas Iscariot, and was seeking an opportunity to betray Jesus through him.  We do not have to give in to Satan’s demands.   But we need to be diligent that we are not caught off guard in times of weakness.  A key safeguard against unwanted temptation is prayer.  Jesus tells his sleeping disciples “Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation (46).

LORD, keep us sensitive of those times when your Holy Spirit tells us that we need extra prayer, so that we do not give in to Satan’s demands to use us.

Posted in deliverance, discernment, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, prayer | Tagged | Leave a comment

the Holy Spirit helps us wait

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 20:45-21:38.  Luke’s rendering of the eschatological discourse has Jesus predicting two major events: the days of vengeance that will lead to the desolation of Jerusalem (20-22) and the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory (27).  In between those two events is a long age , identified by repeated instances of war and natural disasters.  Jesus warns his disciples that these are not signs of the immediate end of the age, because “the end will not be at once” (9).  Believers are living in that age now, and we have the Holy Spirit to help us obey Jesus’ commands pertaining to this age:

  1. Do not be led astray (8).
  2. Bear witness (13).
  3. Stay awake and watch yourselves (34,36).
  4. When he comes, straighten up and raise your heads (28).

LORD, thank you for insight into the future, and the resource we need to live correctly during this age.

Posted in future, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, second coming, witness | Tagged , | Leave a comment

insight from the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 19:45-20:44.  Jesus’ teachings and the answers he gave to those who were purposely trying to “catch him in something he said” reveal an insight that goes beyond education.  This insight is available to believers as well.  We need merely ask for it from God, and stayt in his word, because the Holy Spirit’s wisdom comes to those who pay attention to what God says.

LORD, forgive us for remaining in ignorance about really important things because we have failed to access the insight available from your Holy Spirit.  Forgive us for failing to dig deep in the treasure of your word and thus depriving ourselves of wisdom to help us live as we ought to live.  Forgive us for blaming you, or our lack of education, when the truths that could have brought us success have been so accessible.

Posted in Bible, dependence upon God, prayer, scriptures | Tagged , | Leave a comment

emotions from the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 19:28-44.  Two emotions are expressed in this passage.  First, the spontaneous joy that the disciples felt as they introduced Jerusalem to its king.  When the Pharisees objected to this display, Jesus told them that “if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (40).

Then, upon entering the city, Jesus breaks down and weeps for sorrow over the city.  He knows that they will reject their Messiah.  He knows the terrible ordeal they will suffer as the city is besieged and destroyed (43-44).

The Holy Spirit has many emotions.  There is a time to rejoice, but there is also a time to weep.

LORD, make us sensitive to how the Holy Spirit is working in each other.  May we not force each other’s expressions of worship.

Posted in genuineness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, joy, worship | Tagged | Leave a comment

the business of the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 18:31-19:27.   In the parable Jesus told, the wicked servant is condemned by the nobleman because he did not do business with what was left with him.  What was this business, and why did Jesus condemn this generation for refusing to do it?  Notice that Jesus had interacted with two men on his way to Jerusalem: a blind beggar and Zacchaeus.  To both he brought deliverance.  He was engaging in the business of the Holy Spirit: bringing people into the coming kingdom.  Whenever we reach people with the gospel, release them from Satanic bondage, and reconcile them to God – we are doing business for our master.

LORD, no matter where we are heading, help us to stop and reach out to people in need on the way.  May we do the business of the Holy Spirit.

Posted in deliverance, evangelism, gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Holy Spirit and spiritual clout

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 18:1-30.   How much spiritual maturity does it take to enter the kingdom of God?  Jesus told his disciples not to rebuke the parents who brought even infants to him for his blessing.  He said “to such belongs the kingdom of God” (16). 

The widow in the parable (1-8)  had no clout that would cause this judge to hear her case, yet she faithfully persisted in seeking justice.  The tax collector had nothing to bring to the temple but his prayers for mercy (9-14).  The rich ruler had it all – except eternal life.  But he was not willing to give up his wealth (and the clout that came with it) for the kingdom (18-23).  The Holy Spirit cannot reside in a life dedicated to anyone else but Jesus.

LORD, forgive us for thinking that we can gain clout with you.  We draw near to you as infants, helpless and needy.

Posted in dependence upon God, faithfulness, Holy Spirit, humility, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, pride, worldview | Tagged | Leave a comment