Stephen Bradd: The Great Omission?
Stephen Bradd’s Audio Evangelism website (excellent, BTW) has a new article/audio recording on the Great Commission, well worth your read/attention. Here’s a segment:
Now, I do understand and agree that some Christians will have more talents than others in the area of evangelism. But, even the most limited soldier in God’s kingdom has a role in the realm of evangelism. Every Christian must do what he or she can to reach the lost! If you’re not doing anything to reach the lost, you are wasting abilities and opportunities; you are rebelling against God’s command (whether you realize it or not; cf. Matt. 25:14-30)!
As you consider this lesson, I challenge you to look into your heart and life. Are you a sower of seed for God? Or, are you content to babysit the seed sack and not share it with others? Are you obedient to the Great Commission? Or, is evangelism a great omission in your life?
I have seven points I’d like to share on this theme. These are seven reasons why I believe some people are not evangelistic (though I believe we all should be passionate about trying to save the lost):
Read the whole article with his seven points here.
Our noblest function
The GP site and effort have been neglected of late. I hope we can continue to encourage one another in the mission of God here, and explore avenues of cooperation.
Over on the Biblical Notes ezine, I explored a few weeks ago what is “Man’s noblest function,” taking my cue from a jornalist’s quote. I pray you’ll find it thought-provoking as we consider the nature of our earthly task.
I take advantage of the moment to say, once again, to those who perhaps have not yet heard, that an email scam is circulating in my name asking for funds for a British evangelist. It did not originate from me, in spite of the use of personal information.
George Jensen tackles ‘numbers test’
From BNc, in the second of two articles, Tanzania missionary George Jensen finds the “numbers test” lacking, that so many churches use.
We now turn our attention to an “evaluation tool” which is sorely misunderstood and frequently abused. This tool or test may be termed the “numbers test.”
It takes various forms and is spoken of in a variety of ways, but one basic attitude prevails. “How many baptisms do they have each year?” “How many congregations are being established?” In reality, if you ask faithful veteran missionaries, they will readily admit that this mindset often comes out in “mission reports” more as a numbers game, rather than a true test.
Both articles are worth your time. The second one on BNc is here.
When support is not forthcoming
When the apostle Paul had help from congregations, he worked what we call full-time in preaching the gospel. When he didn’t, he put his hand to making tents to provide for his needs. See what happened in Corinth.
After this Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome. Paul approached them, and because he worked at the same trade, he stayed with them and worked with them (for they were tentmakers by trade). He addressed both Jews and Greeks in the synagogue every Sabbath, attempting to persuade them. Now when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul became wholly absorbed with proclaiming the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 18:1-5 NET
The text seems to indicate that when Silas and Timothy arrived, they may well have brought with them help from Philippi (see chaps. 1 and 4 of that letter). Then Paul “became wholly absorbed with proclaming the word.” That probably means he “devoted himself exclusively to preaching” (NIV) since he no longer needed to take time out to personally earn his living.
Paul went on his journey expecting to have to work with his hands while he preached. He never once thought that he couldn’t embark on a missionary tour nor that he’d have to return to Antioch because he didn’t have the funds. Read more…
Fulfilling the mission from a hospital bed
On Daniel Howell’s blog, “The Christian Practice,” Martha Howell offers five solid suggestions for “Hospital Bed Evangelism.”
What about the homebound, the hospital bound, the nursing home bound? Does this mean that they’re out of luck when it comes to trying to fulfill this command? Absolutely not. Here are some ideas for personal evangelism that are completely doable from a hospital bed…
One of her points deals with attitude.
Have the right (cheerful, thankful, etc.) attitude! If you’re around nurses, doctors, or other caregivers, focus on being a grateful patient. Let them see that you’re different, even if you’re in pain, sick, or not wanting to be on bed rest!
Other points: Use the Internet, write snail-mail letters, pray, study. The article is worth a read, at the link above.
Off to Costa Rica
I will be leaving on March 1 to go to the Dominican Republic for 10 days, and then on to Costa Rica until the end of July. Please keep me in your prayers. I will be there by myself. However, the church is wonderful there, so I will not really be by myself!
Getting people into the Word of God
The means by which we put people in contact with the will of God, and usher them into his presence is by getting people into the Word — reading and studying the Bible. As his inspired Word, the Bible is at the center of our faith. So at every point we seek to encourage others to read for themselves, to understand what the will of the Lord is.
At the beginning of 2010 we distributed in print and on the Internet a reading plan for the New Testament. We did it first in Portuguese, then translated it into English. It’s been updated for 2011, and is at this site for free distribution, in PDF format. Some of its positive characteristics are also described there.
Christian workers should avoid using these manipulative techniques for fund-raising and reporting. Churches should be aware that missions presentations may not tell the whole story. Watch out for these.
#1. Emergency appeal
“If you don’t help now, the kingdom of God will go down the tubes.” You’ll never hear a missionary say those exact words, but sometimes the impression is left that if you don’t help now a particular effort, then all is lost. It’s manipulation to lay a guilt trip on the hearers to shell out the dough. You will hear people say, “Give now or this opportunity will be lost forever!” Urgency is good, and we need more of it, but foretelling the bleak future is a risky business.
#2. Tear-jerking
You’ve seen the photos of the dirty, bare-foot, stomach-distended children, the emotional appeals, the heart-breaking stories, the pitiable cries for help from the dark corners of the world. There is suffering out there, much of it, but don’t believe all you’re told either.
#3. Pentecost success
If you really want to impress, show mass baptisms.
“The Underanians are converting by the hundreds every day! A kadzillion churches are being established every month! On our two-week trip (including three days of travel, two days of sight-seeing, and one day in bed sick as a dog) we baptized 4,732 souls whom we left to fend for themselves. We must send more help! Contribute today!”
Yeah, right. Go back next year and see how many of those are still faithful. There is that soul who hearing the gospel the first time will follow Jesus to the end. Many, however, require a process, often extended, in order to come to faith, one in which a friend accompanies them.
Some mission efforts, among them not a few short-term, are little more than a dip trip. Get ‘em in the water and show the folks back home.
One suspects that mission reports and appeals tend to reflect the character of the work done on the field. By their PowerPoints you shall know them.
Two audio lessons on missions
James Rennaker spoke this past weekend in the Preachers Files Lectureship in Rush Springs OK on “Seeking the Kingdom of God in Mission Fields.”
Evangelist David Sain of the West Fayetteville church, Fayetteville TN, speaks on “What Does The Bible Define As A Successful Missionary Effort?“
We’re not home yet
I’ve read this story before, but bro. Mike Benson shares it again as a wonderful reminder to all who dedicate themselves to the progress of the gospel in the Kingdom of God.
