Astore

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

The Wrong Door

The Wrong Door
By Ginger Reeves

I went to my EE (Evangelism Explosion) class as usual this week.  We were supposed to go share the Gospel with the mother of a friend of my trainer.  We went to what we thought was the right address but our knock was answered by a gruff and very non-motherly voice saying, “Go away!”  We looked at each other and Rusty said, “I think we have the wrong apartment.”

A young man answered the door and Rusty, who was obviously taken back by a young man and not an older woman answering, said that we were in the area doing religious surveys and asked if we could ask him a few questions.  The young man invited us in and introduced himself as Russell.

We started the survey and were then invited to sit down.  As we continued asking Russell questions a friend of his arrived, waved a brief hello to Rusty and I and went to the back.  Rusty continued the survey and stumbled pretty badly.  He missed some of the examples and did not use the proper transition sentences.  Once I realized he wasn’t sticking to the presentation as we had learned it, I started praying the God would clear his mind and give him the words he needed and that this young man would hear the Truth, regardless of Rusty’s presentation.  

Russell did want to receive the gift of eternal life so we prayed for him that he would receive assurance and repentance.  When Rusty asked him if he had a Bible, Russell said he needed to show us something.  Now this young man had some racy photo’s on his wall and a stack of “men’s” magazines on his end table so I was a bit nervous about what he was about to show us.  But he walks across the room and picks up this brand new looking Bible.  He was walking to work last week and passed the dumpster behind his building and saw this Bible in a Lifeway bag.  He picked it up and carried it to work and showed it to his friend, the one in the back of the apartment.  Rick, the friend, told him that God was trying to tell something and he needed to listen up!

Rick then comes out of the back and sits down and talks with us.  He is a believer and goes to a local church.  We don’t invite him to our church as not to steal someone else’s sheep, but we do invite Russell to church, Sunday school, Wednesday night dinner and Sunday night Bible study.  Rick says that sounds really great and he would be interested in coming also.  He has a 16 year old that is “riding the fence” so he wants to go where there is a good youth group.

We spent an hour talking with these two men about God, repentance, religion, church, Sunday school, and forgiveness.  They may or may not come to our church, that’s not the point.  The point is we did what we were supposed to do and maybe we did get the wrong apartment, or maybe we did not.  All I know is one young man will now spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus and another got some encouragement and got to see what we are all called to do.  

The Wrong Door

The Wrong Door
By Ginger Reeves

I went to my EE (Evangelism Explosion) class as usual this week.  We were supposed to go share the Gospel with the mother of a friend of my trainer.  We went to what we thought was the right address but our knock was answered by a gruff and very non-motherly voice saying, “Go away!”  We looked at each other and Rusty said, “I think we have the wrong apartment.”

A young man answered the door and Rusty, who was obviously taken back by a young man and not an older woman answering, said that we were in the area doing religious surveys and asked if we could ask him a few questions.  The young man invited us in and introduced himself as Russell.

We started the survey and were then invited to sit down.  As we continued asking Russell questions a friend of his arrived, waved a brief hello to Rusty and I and went to the back.  Rusty continued the survey and stumbled pretty badly.  He missed some of the examples and did not use the proper transition sentences.  Once I realized he wasn’t sticking to the presentation as we had learned it, I started praying the God would clear his mind and give him the words he needed and that this young man would hear the Truth, regardless of Rusty’s presentation.  

Russell did want to receive the gift of eternal life so we prayed for him that he would receive assurance and repentance.  When Rusty asked him if he had a Bible, Russell said he needed to show us something.  Now this young man had some racy photo’s on his wall and a stack of “men’s” magazines on his end table so I was a bit nervous about what he was about to show us.  But he walks across the room and picks up this brand new looking Bible.  He was walking to work last week and passed the dumpster behind his building and saw this Bible in a Lifeway bag.  He picked it up and carried it to work and showed it to his friend, the one in the back of the apartment.  Rick, the friend, told him that God was trying to tell something and he needed to listen up!

Rick then comes out of the back and sits down and talks with us.  He is a believer and goes to a local church.  We don’t invite him to our church as not to steal someone else’s sheep, but we do invite Russell to church, Sunday school, Wednesday night dinner and Sunday night Bible study.  Rick says that sounds really great and he would be interested in coming also.  He has a 16 year old that is “riding the fence” so he wants to go where there is a good youth group.

We spent an hour talking with these two men about God, repentance, religion, church, Sunday school, and forgiveness.  They may or may not come to our church, that’s not the point.  The point is we did what we were supposed to do and maybe we did get the wrong apartment, or maybe we did not.  All I know is one young man will now spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus and another got some encouragement and got to see what we are all called to do.  

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Why are we to share

Why are we to share the Gospel?
Ginger Reeves

Last year when my mother got sick, my husband brought my two stepchildren to see her and say good-bye.  They were visibly upset; they loved their “Cookie” very much.  I explained that they should not be upset, they would see her again some day since we know her to be a Christian and Walker and Matthew are as well.  Franklin used this as a great opportunity to explain why it is so important to share the Gospel with those we love.  He said that if we love them, we should share the Gospel with them so we can see them again in Heaven and they too can be with Jesus.  This seemed to comfort them a great deal.  

However, it also got me thinking that if we share the Gospel with those we love what about the woman at the grocery store or the man sitting next to us at work or our neighbor down the street from us?  The Bile tells us to “ 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)  Therefore, by this, we should love our neighbors and want to share the gospel with them.  We love them and as I have already stated we share the Gospel with those we love so they can be with Jesus and we can see them again in Heaven.  Right?

Ok, our neighbors, but what about the woman at the grocery store or the man at work?  Author, J.I. Packer, in his book Evangelism & The Sovereignty of God says  “…that any fellow human being whom you meet who is in need is your neighbour; God has put him there so that you may help him: and your business is to show yourself neighbour to him by doing all that you can to meet his need, whatever it may be.”  He goes on to say, “And that principle applies to all forms of need, spiritual no less than material.  So that when we find ourselves in contact with men and women who are without the Christ, and so face spiritual death, we are to look on them as our neighbours in the sense,…”.

We can surmises from this that we are to share the Gospel with everyone, not just our friends and family or just co-workers and cashiers, but with everyone we meet.  After all, isn’t that what God commanded? (Mark 16:15)

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Court orders free speech out of bounds

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ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND NEWS RELEASE October 14, 2005 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020

Court orders free speech out of bounds on its own steps

ADF attorneys file suit against California judge who declared all public areas of Los Angeles County courthouses “no speech zones”

LOS ANGELES — Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a federal civil rights lawsuit today against a California Superior Court judge who declared all public areas of Los Angeles County courthouses “no speech zones.”

“The courts are supposed to be protecting our First Amendment rights, not suppressing them,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Mike Johnson. “This judge’s order is a constitutional travesty and has already forced our clients and other law-abiding citizens from engaging in classic, ordinary free speech.”

ADF attorneys represent best-selling author and TV co-host Ray Comfort and Pastor Emeal Zwayne, two Christian ministers who have been peacefully sharing their faith most mornings for the last 2-1/2 years outside of the Los Angeles County courthouse in Bellflower. For 20 minutes each morning, Comfort and Zwayne talk with persons waiting outside before the courthouse opens for the day. They have never caused any disturbance for the court or for uninterested persons.

Because of the court’s “no speech zone” order, police officers removed the two men from a walkway outside of the courthouse on Sept. 30 and told them not to return.

According to the complaint filed today, the general order issued Sept. 13 by Judge William MacLaughlin “prohibits such free speech activities as picketing, distribution of literature, and demonstration. The ban requires even an individual prospective speaker to get a permit but fails to provide any objective criteria or time restrictions governing the granting of a permit.”

“Our clients have been peaceably speaking on the courthouse steps for years. Now a judge has proclaimed a sudden and sweeping crackdown on free speech. A courthouse is the last place you’d expect to find a restriction on an American’s First Amendment rights,” said Johnson. “We expect that the federal court will see the obvious problems with Judge MacLaughlin’s order and declare it unconstitutional.”

The full text of the complaint filed today in the case Comfort v. MacLaughlin in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California can be read at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/ComfortComplaint.pdf

ADF is a national legal alliance defending our first liberty--religious freedom--through strategy, training, funding and litigation. http://www.telladf.org/

Counting the Costs


Counting the Costs in Evangelism I can’t begin to count the number of Christians that I have talked to since I started sharing my faith with others. There have been different opinions on what should be said and how the Gospel should be presented, but there is always one common thread. Every Christian that I have talked to does believe that “someone” should be telling the lost about Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, when that is compared to the number of Christians that I have spoke with that actually share their faith, I have seen a massive variance. Why do other Christians hesitate to share the Good News? It’s evident to me that most have counted the cost of evangelism and have decided that cost is to great. They choose to engage in other activities with a lower cost.

What does evangelism cost us? It can cost us our friends, as they may be uncomfortable or convicted by your service to the Lord. It may cost you your family for the same reasons. It will probably cost you money, as materials are not always free. It will most certainly cost you your pride, your coolness, and maybe even your name in the community or at work. Suddenly you will go from being “one of the guys/girls” to being referred to as one of those “Jesus Freaks”. No doubt that if you share your faith consistently you will be mocked, laughed at, spit upon, rejected and cast out from worldly groups.

What a tremendous cost you may be thinking. You realize that it is important to share your faith, but not sure if it is worth all of this.

First, consider this. If you had $100.00 it would be valuable to you. You wouldn’t want to lose it or give it away….you may need it for something. On the other hand, if you gave it to a missionary in Africa would that money be more valuable in their hands? There would be no question that it would be much more valuable than if you had used it for yourself.

Just like the $100.00, our own “costs” are much more valuable when we give them to the Lord for His use. No one realized this better than Paul. In Philippians 1:12-14 Paul said, 12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[a] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Paul’s costs were greater than most of us will ever face. Paul’s costs for preaching Christ were beatings, stoneings, and in this scripture passage, his freedom. Paul didn’t whine about how much these things cost him, he knew that the costs were better spent by the Lord. He knew that though his costs were great, that the gospel was being furthered even by his suffering in prison.

Around 150,000 people leave this earth every day. How many do you think that are not saved? One fourth? Half? Even if it was just one what is it worth to you for that person not to have to spend eternity in Hell? Would it be worth even more if that person were a family member or a close friend? What costs are you willing to pay to save them?

The truth is this. As a Christian, we shouldn’t be considering the costs at all in evangelism. As children of God we aren’t to consider and ponder over our Father’s commands. We are to obey God’s word when we are told to “Go and preach the Gospel”. Paul continued to do that in the face of enormous costs, but he didn’t count them, he just did as his father told him. Do we do the same? Are we faithful each and every time that God calls us to speak?

I pray that we all stop counting the costs in sharing our faith and simply be obedient to the Lord.

This article was written by another seed sower, Tony, and is posted here with his permission.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Atheist views on evangelism.

You read the orgional post using the link below.
http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=MikeDavis&tab=weblogs&uid=295971170


Friday, July 01, 2005
I'm not sure how controversial this post will be, or is. But It has the potential to be. Thats for sure. The taboo issues are religion, politics, and sex. And religion is probably the most controversial of all of them. And I am about to touch that issue. So...dont read it if you think you might be offended. And if I get hate mail from this post....its your own fault for reading it, not mine for posting it.

Question:
I have heard may Christains who say something like:
"I am a Christain, but it's my choice, and I don't believe anyone should try to push Christainity on anyone else. I don't think thats a nice thing to do. We should let people believe what they want to believe."
This view is very tolerant. It is very multicultural. But I have a question.
Most people who know me well, know that I am not a Christian. Most people are fine with that, especially in the college community, because people are tolerant like that.
But: Most people who are Christains also hold the view that if you do not believe Christ died on the cross for your sins, and that if you do not accept him as your personal saviour - you will go to hell.
So - while trying to be nice, by not pushing your views on people...you are allowing them to go to hell for all eternity. Wouldn't it be better to violate some friendship, to push the envelope and maybe be a bit intolerant if you knew that trying to get them to convert would save their eternal lives?
Are you really doing me a service by being "nice" and not trying to convert me?
It seems the nicer thing to do, if you truly believe that I am d**ned to hell for eternity if I don't change soon, is to be a bit pushy - and try to challenge me to change my views.


I say this not because i think you will be successful in such an endeavor, but because I think you might be compromising your own belief system. If you really do think you are right, I think you should take own thoughts seriously, and think about the true implications.
For example, if I were a Christian: I would see many people each day who I knew were not Christains, and thus were not going to Heaven. I would have to ask myself which is the nicer thing to do. Should I be nice in the short term and let them continue to be wrong and avoid confrontation. Or should I confront them and hope to God that I can put them on the right track.
Just food for thought. You are probably thinking right now, why the hell is an Atheist trying to convince me to try and convert him. The answer: because I like to see people take their beliefs seriously instead of half-heartedly. I think that if people truly believe in something, they should follow it's rules. If they don't, it seems hypocytical.
The Bible says: "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" - Mark 16:15
If you feel like you are being judgemental when you try to convince someone that their religion is wrong, or that they need to be a Christain then I ask you: Arent you supposed to be judgemental? After all the Bible says:
"For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" - 1 Peter 4:17
If the reason you do not try to share your religion with others is that you think people will brush you off, and call you a "bible-thumper" then I have another question for you: Shouldn't you be proud to be a bible thumper?
The Bible says:
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.- Romans 1:16
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."- Mark 8:34-38
But I don't think most Christians preach. Are you intentionally disobeying the word of God? Ask yourself: Are you really taking your religion seriously? If you are not, shouldn't you?










Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Madison Street Festival Oct. 1

The young lady doing the good test is not sure if she wants the five dollars. I give her a second chance before giving it to some who is willing to receive it.



This guy belongs to a religion that believes Moses, Jesus, Buddha, and the founder of Islam were sent by aliens as their spoke persons. I was able to use the fact that he believes in the Muslim prophet by explaining the Muslim prophet consider Jesus to be a prophet and they respected the law of Moses. I used that to share the gospel with him and asked if he had kept the Ten commandments.



I shared the gospel with this woman by using the pink and blue illusion. I started by asking if karate really helped with concentration like the sign says. She said yes, so I tested her with the pink and blue. She realized that karate had not prepared her for that yet. I gave them to her along with the illusion tract for working with kids. I asked if she had any, and found out she is carrying twins. I ended up praying for her and the unborn babies. I did share gospel and she was already a Christian.



I found out this gentleman is from Mcalla area. He was on the voluntary fire unit that responded to a trailer fire in the trailer park we lived in over a year ago. I gave him a Hell's Best Kept Secret CD. He already professes to be a believer.



This picture went from giving out tracts to one kid. They all then crowded around so they could each get a Million Dollars. I then picked one and asked the Million Dollar question. I shared the gospel with him, but everyone heard it. Ginger said that two acted like they needed to go somewhere but they kept getting drawn back in to the conversation.














Sunday, October 02, 2005

What is missing in Evangelism

What is missing in evangelism?

Love - Loving someone enough to warn him or her of the wrath to come. Rev. 6:16 ,2 Cor. 5:11, Mat. 3:7

Law - The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul...Psalm 19:7.

Law - Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ Gal. 3:24


I am not a professional minister, but I do share the gospel with real people in real situations.



I talk to people about Christ. I do it a few different ways, and none of the ways did I event. I learned from others either through listening, watching, or participating. This means that you to can do the same.

1) Tracts - I give out gospel tracts that are fun to give and receive. People take them and even read them out loud in public places. Therefore, unbelievers have become preachers of the gospel in such places as Taco Bell.



2) 1-2-1's -I share the gospel to individuals, pairs, and occasionally three people at a time. I use four different ways to initiate this process.

a) tract - I say hello to a stranger, give them a gospel tract and depending on the tract I swing from the natural to spiritual. For example one tract is a Million Dollar Bill, I ask them if they have ever been asked the million dollar question? They say no, then I ask them if I can. If the say yes I proceed by asking them if they are a good person or if they are good enough to go to heaven. I have never had anyone offended by this approach. ( I just began using tracts is this way in Sept. 2005 and have shared with more than 20 people these way.)

b)Questionnaire - I learned to share the gospel with Evangelism Explosion. I took in on Thursday mornings so instead of visiting church visitors, we did questionnaires. I have shared 20-40 people this way. No one have been offended and I led two people to a profession of faith Thursday, God has allowed me to watch, help, or lead many to Christ this way.)

c)As I go - As I am talking to friends, relatives, and strangers with no plan to share the gospel, I get this feeling that I need to share the gospel. I try and fight it off, but my strength is waning and have a hard time winning the battle. I shared with a worker in an amusement park and he accepted Christ. This same voice led me to share the gospel with my ex-wife when picking up the kids. She also made a profession of faith.

3) Open Air - This is a new one, I did it twice in August in preparation for an Evangelism Boot Camp in Seattle. I went to the boot camp specifically to see this done by those doing it, and practice it. I have done it over ten times now. It is very hard the first time ( I was anxious from the time I gave in to the Spirit until I jumped up on a park bench, but now I only have to fight thru the fear when I arrive at the location)


Before Jan. 2005 I had only told the gospel to my two oldest boys. This was after washing the Jesus video, and they asked why they were hurting Him.

I took Personal Evangelism in the seminary as part of getting a counseling degree. The Evangelism Explosion way used by the seminary allowed me to learn a gospel presentation, watch someone (while I prayed) share the gospel, and eventually share the gospel with an experienced trainer present to take over if I lost my place. Many times I had to turn to my trainer when I got lost, or a really good objection.

I also became aware of a program called the Way of the Master, www.wayofthemaster.com

Between reading Soul Winner by Spurgeon, getting OJT in sharing the gospel, and learning Hell’s Best Kept Secret from the Way of the Master, I was equipped to share the gospel. I believe that if more churches would equip their members, by OJT(discipleship) in addition to preaching then more members would share the gospel. However many pastors/ministers themselves do not share the gospel, outside the pulpit) and until they learn to do so, and practice it they are not able to equip.

My best friend was saved 4 months ago. He is giving out tracts with me, had done questionnaires, and believes he will be ready to share the gospel vocally one day. I encourage and allow him to help were he is comfortable, and each time his comfort zone stretches.









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