1 Corinthians 4:1-5
1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court.
In fact, I do not even judge myself.
For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Evangelism.
We all have a different viewpoint. And is this good? You bet. Father God has given us all gifts and abilities.
The main event in Salvation has one Point. Jesus Christ.
Are you bad at Evangelism? I have a true and encouraging story. A Canadian Nurse was traveling a snowy road about 3 years ago. She was 62 years old and had always considered 'the religious' as foreign, clickish and uptight. God probably 'existed' but the 'religious'... were another story. The nurse was traveling her regular way to work one very cold winter night and she suddenly had a feeling. It was dark and very, very cold in the empty rural roads she was traveling. She felt as if something was wrong with her car. This is not good. A person can freeze to death on these dark snowy roads. The car did not feel as if it was acting up, she just suddenly had some fear. And miles down the empty, frozen, snowy roads the car began to rev up and down. And soon the car seemed to lurch. This was truly alarming.
And as a real problem was truly present, the 62 year old nurse thought the convenience/gas station would be closed. But she could stop. And suddenly she felt as if the Lord God Almighty was telling her not to worry, He had always loved and cared for her. Her talent was caring for others and He would surely care for her. Joy and calm filled her. The Lord told her without words that someone would be waiting at the closed Gas Station and would help her. The Lights of the Filling Station stayed on all the time. She pulled in and a man was standing next to his car under the bright light. She got out and explained her problem. The young 20s man said, I know the problem, I had the cable to my battery go out last week and the cable I bought was wrong. But he had the cable with him, the one he didn't need and it fit her car. The problem was fixed in about 15 minutes.
The nurse told the young man what had happened with all the details. He said God is good like that. And she asked him if he was an angel. The man assured her he was not an showed her his license. She said she felt odd telling him this. And he said his family was Christian and had set of stories just like this. He asked her if she was religious. She said no. He said he wasn't really either.
They contemplated the events quietly. The nurse said she now believed fully Jesus is God. And her life would change. He told her yes, this was Jesus and he'd keep thinking upon this. And they departed. The nurse now loves Jesus with all her heart. He'd helped a sinner, an agnostic and had Loved her.
His Love changed her life.
God is God in evangelism.
I have a cousin who was fully healed of being mute until he was 13. The family said he probably had some kind of Autism looking back at his life. He is in his 80s now. He's been a street preacher to the Homeless for most of his life. And says he has seen 50 people accept Jesus and has created about 5 Churches, still running. Even my cousin says Street Preaching doesn't necessarily meet the need. And he is proud of his 5 Churches teaching the Love and attributes of God to be loved and relied upon. He says this is what his life's work has brought in Kingdom work. He is a humble man and he has satisfaction, not something other than "Well done, Child of God."
God is God in evangelism.
We did Youth Ministry at our house about 5 times a week from 2001 to about 2006 and had many Bible Studies here until about 2008 or 9. And we have seen about 3 people accept God - really about 5. A lot of the 80 or 90 young adults are out in life and not in Church. Has the seed perished? Not at all. God has planted the crop and God will bring in the Harvest.
God is God in evangelism.
We have had family get sarcastic on our faith. We've had old friends get sarcastic about our faith. The Bible tells us to be unashamed. And in doing so - a conversation is created. Usually sarcasm about faith happens because this person feels there is a lot of work, unbelievably, unobtainable work of 'clean up' that isn't within their ability to get right with God.
You know something - God says He - Father God the Almighty - has placed His Spirit within His children. Even the people seeking - have real Bible, Holy Spirit, insight in them. Not the kind that isn't of the Bible. But real Bible insight. Even in the conversations where you are explaining your own faith - you learn from others on their Journey being the Prodigal where the Father would run to His Beloved Child.
Your times of learning and God has blessed you - are of great interest to those interested enough to talk about Father God.
Not really the Sunday School Lessons or the 'horrid culture' discussions - but when you felt closest to God. Then you have interest - the insights to God people want to know deeply inside of themselves.
This matters and is created during times where we have "the right to be heard."
God is God in evangelism.
Youth Ministry and our 5 years we were Catholic during the 1990s have taught us something valid. Evangelism is not hit and run. Evangelism is the right to be heard for leading a life that cares for people. Evangelism is when hearts are open and ready. One very wise mom and long time Sunday School volunteer calls this "The Teachable Moments". Adults would call this "Evangelism is actually a discussion and welcome to the conversation" and occurs in God's timing.
God is in Evangelism.
Dr Ed Young of Houston's 2nd Baptist has told the events of his own evangelism Dr Young grew up in the Church. And as he headed to college he felt saved and felt Church life could come later. Off to college he went. And as he returned, a woman from Church felt Ed could use rebuking. Loud rebuking. Frequent loud rebuking. Finally Ed would just go in his house and hope to not run into her. Ed never discussed this with his college roommate who was his good friend
One evening, his sophomore year, his college roommate said, "Have you noticed, Ed, that I am a moral agnostic and you and I live the same life? This comforts me. Your belief and my agnosticism run at the same level." This conversation grew inside of Ed Young and changed his belief. His life. His career.
The Bible says gently have an idea what you would say to support your belief in Jesus Christ.
(Ed's roommate is now part of the Believing Body of Christ!)
God is God in evangelism.
Some people who go door to door for their faith - lose their faith. They feel rude and unwanted and unwelcome. If this happens - this was not their gift. But real meaning in belief happens when mankind is loved by Jesus.
Be prepared to say why we love Jesus.
And be real and be sincere. Let the person asking talk. Listen to what they say. I learned to pray for the ones I love by remembering a loving moment with them. The prayers of a Righteous Man availeth much = Love covers a multitude of sins. The Greatest of these is Love.
Jesus is not formula, a numbers game, a score card. God is Love. You knew that!
Abba
We pray that You, our Father God, the source of hope, will fill us completely with joy and peace because we trust in You. Then we will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Believe the Holy Spirit dwells is us. Help us each day to dwell with You and know You love us.
Inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell in those we Love and Care for.
Believing You cover the world with Your Love and our prayers connect us to You. Your almighty Love.
Thank You God the cysts Edward and I had were benign. Thank You Jesus.
Prayers for pain from surgery and nausea recovery. And Good Health for us all.
Jesus Christ go with us with our gentle Word we carry for Jesus Christ. And the opportunities for Jesus to join the conversation of willing hearts and souls.
Jesus is God. Alleluia. Your Word is Good! Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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