G.R.A.C.E.

I have been doing a study on Grace and as I was meditating these
thoughts came to mind:

G--Grace, God's gift

R--Reigning in us

A--Abounding Actively with

C--Continual victory by constant trust

E--Exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ask of think

The Gift of God, through Christ for us to receive by faith without
wavering.

Praise You, Lord for the gift of Grace through Christ Jesus

contributed by S. Alt

Evangelism seminar available

One of the challenges of equipping church members to do evangelism is the follow through. To what extent will they have increased confidence and motivation to be faithful in sharing the gospel?

Grace Fellowship International (sponsor of RevitalizingPastors.org) has just completed a seminar that relates the message of the Cross and identification with Christ to the ministry of evangelism. The seminar could be given on a weekend or formatted differently to fit a church's schedule.

Excerpt from the first section of the seminar:

1.Introduction 

What is effective evangelism? 

  -Ineffective witnessing - Matt. 7:21,22 

  - Effective witnessing 

       Decision and disciple - John 5:24; 2 Pet. 1:10 

      "Fruit that remains" - John 15:16; Col. 1:23 

The importance of effective evangelism 

 - The Great Commission - Matt 28:18-20 

       Evangelism is the beginning of discipleship 

       Discipleship is the validation of evangelism 

The chronic lack of effective evangelism in American churches 

 -Statistics 

 -Significance 

     Neglecting evangelism is a sin of omission - James 4:17 

     Equipping without witnessing quenches the Holy Spirit  - 1 Thess. 5:19 

     Evangelism is the privilege and responsibility of the whole Body of Christ - Matt 4:19 

Evangelism as a process: The parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23) 

-Till the soil (live the abundant life, build relationships, pray) 

-Sow the seed (share the Gospel) 

-Water the seed (patiently ask and answer questions, pray, show love) 

-Pull weeds (be able to politely refute unbiblical viewpoints - 2 Tim. 2:23-26) 

-Harvest the wheat (invite him/her to receive Christ - John 1:12) 

~~~~~~~~

The seminar also introduces complementary materials and resources that are available for pastoral and lay ministry.

We would be glad to get feedback from pastors as we make this module available.

Baptized into Christ

"...OR DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT AS MANY OF US AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
JESUS WERE BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH?" ROMANS 6:3

When we continue reading through verses 4 and 5, we understand that
when we were baptized into Christ at our conversion experience, we
were baptized into His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. That is,
we became spiritually crucified, buried and resurrected.

When we respond to the guidance of Romans 6:11-13, we actually
experience our own spiritual crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
Then Romans 6:14 says that by experiencing our crucifixion, burial and
resurrection, sin will no longer rule over us because we are not under
law but under grace.

Galatians 3:27 says: "For as many of you as have been baptized into
Christ have put on Christ."

Galatians 3:28 adds, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in
Christ Jesus." When we were baptized into Christ, we were baptized
into a spiritual oneness with all believers.

A clear explanation of our baptism into Christ is presented in 1
Corinthians 12:12-13, which says: "For as the body is one, and hath
many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are
one body: so also [is] Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized
into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond
or free …."

As the human body is one with many members. Jesus is one body with
many members. Again we see that when the Holy Spirit baptized us into
the one body of Jesus, we were baptized into a oneness with all other
believers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Living by Grace, Oct. 10, 2010. www.livingbygrace.org.
Copyright © 2000-2005 David Kuykendall Ministries.

SPIG?

SPIG?

...It seems that the common contemporary approach to church ministry reflects four key words: Strategy, Programs, Imitation, and Growth.  In essence, we often believe the key to successful ministry is a proper strategy – which often includes discussions about mission, values, vision, and ministry structure.  To implement this strategy, we create or refine our programs.  These various activities are the key to implementing the strategy.  The outcome of this is often "imitation."  We try to pattern our efforts after the success of another church or some model described in a popular book.  Perhaps, we even hope others will imitate our projected success.  Ultimately, our goal is growth.  We want to be bigger and better than we were before we had a strategy.

I am not saying that every element of this approach is wrong.  God can use our plans for His purposes.  Yet, it seems disconnected from the sufficiency described in Romans 11:33-34 and the non-conformity of thought commanded in Romans 12:1-2.  Rather, it can appear to be an attempt to do ministry following a more corporate model that seems to work in the world of business enterprise.

Or SPIG?

A less common approach would reflect four different words: Spirit, Prayer, Inspiration, and Glory.  In this case, there is a resolute recognition that the Spirit is the instigator and source of all effective initiatives and the power for fruitful ministry.  Extraordinary prayer is the practical means by which we understand, experience, and implement the Spirit's desires.  The result is the "inspiration" of a ministry effort that comes from the Lord's unique plan for our specific ministry and context, not to be copied by anyone else.  The ultimate goal is glory.  This involves the compelling manifestation of the presence of Christ among His people and the clear magnification of the person of Christ by His people.  This glory produces supernatural kingdom advancement and proclamation of the Gospel...

When we grasp the "riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God" (Romans 11:33) made known to us by His Gospel and working in us by His Spirit, it changes the way we approach life and ministry.  As Romans 11:34 declares, "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever."  Our approach to ministry is transformed, not conformed.  Then the will of Christ is on glorious display before broken people desperate for an encounter with the supernatural power of the Spirit in and through a revived church. 

excerpts from the e-devo from strategicrenewal.com

DanielH@strategicrenewal.com

Discipling the Desperate

This new book by Dr. Charles Solomon features brief case studies from his four decades of biblical counseling. These stories serve as inspirational examples of how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of "desperate" people who are open to all that Christ provides. It available at the GraceFellowshipIntl.com bookstore or at 1-88866GRACE.

.

That Unmentionable "S-Word"

It's a word rarely uttered by non-Christians and one that is grossly misunderstood by many Christians.

Would it surprise anyone that this unmentionable S-Word is mentioned less in America than the F-word...or even the N-word?

No, it's not a four-letter word, it's a three-letter word. And, while it is all but absent from the vocabulary of secular society and deemed by some as provincial or even archaic when uttered from the lips or flowing from the pens of Christians, it is prolific in the Bible; indeed, it is a major doctrine of the Bible.

The word is "sin."

"Sin!" I can imagine some Christians might exclaim. "Who wants to talk about sin? Let's just sing praises to the Lord and talk about how wonderful Jesus is!"

The rationalization of sin


Traditionally, behavioral sin, in its many manifestations, was taboo in America's mainline, largely Christian-influenced culture. But not today. Most obviously, behaviors such as adultery, lying, covetousness, and pridefulness are rarely recognized as "sin." Instead, kinder, gentler words are used, among them: mistake, poor judgement, gaffe, over-sight, and even the past-tense of the F-word in antecedent to "up."

But it goes beyond behavioral manifestation: Today, the S-Word itself is taboo—or, should I say, "politically incorrect."

The objective of rendering sin a non-word is to replace biblical concepts of personal morality, responsibility and accountability to God with the humanist philosophies of: "I'm just doing what comes naturally"; "I'm simply acting out the 'free will' I was born with"; "boys will be boys" (and girls will be girls); and, "I'm enjoying what the Declaration of Independence states is the God/nature-endowed 'unalienable right' to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Of course, it's up to the individual's free will to set his own boundaries, if any, of personal responsibility and morality. Likewise, he freely conjures up his own definitions of those God/nature-endowed, unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—even if it is in contradiction of God's Word.

Consequently, the world's lists of sins are getting shorter and shorter—and one-by-one the Ten Commandments and others in the Bible are being scratched from lists. Some beliefs and behaviors that once were considered sins—affronts to God—are now seen as God-given, Constitutionally-protected "rights"—pagan religions, homosexuality, murder by abortion...and the list goes on and on, ad infinitum.

Denial among Christians


Some Christians simply ignore the subject of sin. Some believe that since they have been saved from sins past, present, and future, sin and sinning have become non-issues to them. With others it is a matter of intellectual avoidance (but not necessarily behavioral avoidance). You know: out of sight, out of mind. But they continue to sin and deny it. That is a vain attempt to keep sin at a far and safe distance so as not to get dangerously too close to conscience or public disclosure for comfort. Of course, I'm talking about personal sin here. When it comes to the sins of others it's amazing how the spiritually farsighted can see a tiny speck in a distant other's eye but lack the nearsightedness to see the log in their own!

The Apostle John commented on that: "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).

Why do Christians sin?
I've been asked in so many words: "If Jesus set me free from sin, then why do I continue to sin?"

Some Christians believe they still possess a "sin-nature." So why even try to overcome their sinfulness?

Among them are those who believe they are presently "sinners saved by grace" who see themselves as innocent victims of a spiritual war between God and Satan that is being fought within them. Like pawns in a chess game. Or the Dark Side of the Force versus the Light Side of the Force in Star Wars™. Consequently, they see life as a constant struggle between their sin-nature and righteous nature.

But does the Christian really have two natures? Does that perception address the real reasons why Christians sin?

There are other "answers" to why Christians sin that are also bewildering:

"You've already been forgiven, so just shake it off."

"You don't have enough faith."

"You need to pray more and try harder to repent."

"Maybe you're not really saved."

"You're addicted to sin—it's in your genes, in your DNA."

"The devil made you do it."

"You're not the one sinning—it's the power of indwelling sin in your body that's the culprit."

Do those "answers" leave you still baffled over sin in your life?

Victory over sin


Well, I have some good news for you. As a Christian you have victory over sin. And you can take God's Word on it.

Yes, yes—I know you've heard that before. But have you personally learned from the Bible how you can presently experience your victory over sin?

God is not a God of confusion. And everything you need to know about sin and your victory over it is in the Bible. Of course, there is no single book or chapter in the Bible that presents the complete doctrine of sin. To learn all the Bible has to say on the subject means studying the Scriptures from beginning to end—and assembling all the pieces of the puzzle into a complete picture ("systematic doctrine") of sin. Believe me, I know. I've been at it for years! And I still have not taken in all the Bible has to say. But I've learned enough to see the big picture.

Further study


I recommend that you take the same approach I did—study the Bible. There is no better way, and there is no substitute—certainly not my writings. At best, my writings can complement your Bible studies, and you can read a somewhat systematic presentation of the biblical doctrine of the heart on this web site, as well as in my available books and booklets. Other than my own published works, I've never found a single book on the doctrine of the heart.

In my Advanced Study No. 1, The Christian's New Heart, you will learn who you are in Christ—what it means to be a new-hearted, new creation in Christ, and how God dealt with sin in making you an ontologically new person in Christ. In Advanced Study No. 2, The Ways of the Heart—especially Chapter 6, "The Ways of Sin vs. The Ways of Love"—you will learn how sinful behavior functionally divides the heart, and how godly love unites the heart—makes it whole.

My writing is not the last word on sin and it's not infallible, but I do analyze some teachings on sin that don't hold up to Scriptural scrutiny, and I offer an overview of the biblical doctrine of sin that includes Paul's teaching on the duality of sin and love.

_______________



Christian Living and Current Events Commentaries from a Biblical Perspective
by Frank Allnutt, August 21, AD 2010, Frankly Speaking  Copyright AD2010 Frank Allnutt. All rights reserved.  http://www.frankallnutt.com/

Monday Morning Church

Excerpted from The Monday Morning Church by Jerry Cook.

Everyday Evangelism: Christ in You

You are called not so much to do great things, as to be a great person--and that person is Jesus Christ. The Church is the resident presence of Jesus in the world.

No matter how big church attendance is on Sunday, it will never penetrate the culture with Jesus. The reason is clear: The church on Sunday is experienced by the church community; it is only observed by the unbelieving community.

However, Monday through Saturday, the church operates in the experience of non-believers. It lives on their turf, moves in their society, and operates in their culture. On Monday Jesus becomes incarnatethrough you. And because He can be seen and touched, He can be received or rejected. True evangelism is possible.

Your Strategic Placement
Most Christians have been trained quite well to be the church on Sunday. But what does it take to be the church on Monday?

The first step is to recognize your strategic placement. "Strategic placement" means this: each redeemed, Spirit-filled Christian has been strategically placed by Jesus, the Lord of the church. Where each believing man or woman lives and works is part of that strategy. Christians are people of destiny, purposely placed deep in our culture. We are God's points of penetration. Because of us Jesus is present at the very heart of society. And it is this strategic presence of Christ that opens the door for his revelation as Savior to man.

Christians are people of destiny, purposely placed deep in our culture. They are God's points of penetration.

Incarnational Christianity doesn't try to get people to God. Many men and women don't want to get to God. Others are unaware there is a God to get to! The incarnation was God coming to us; in a similar way, incarnational Christianity brings Jesus to man.

That's the basis for true evangelism: in the believer the presence of Christ reaches out to others. It's also the basis for true discipleship: in the believer the presence of Christ walks alongside the new believer. Thus, the two main activities of the church–conversion and discipling–are wed, as they were meant to be. The Great Commission, after all is not simply to go into all the world and make converts; we are to go and make disciples.

Jesus said simply, "I am the way. If you have found me, you have found God." Unfortunately, the church often adds a debilitating step to the divine program. We say, "Jesus is the way to God, and the church is the way to Jesus. Come to the church and find Jesus, then Jesus will take you to God." We must never allow the church institution to be the way to God. Jesus himself is the Way. The goal of the church on Monday is to make the Way present and visible in the world.

Open for Business
Of course, it does no good to have a strategic force in place if the people don't know they are strategic, don't know they are a force, and don't know they are in place.

Most Christians give mental assent to this idea of strategic placement, but they have no concept of its implications. Some think of inviting hurting people to a church program, others think of using some type of soul-winning gimmick to make a convert. Most, however, don't do anything with the idea at all. It simply floats around, untapped, in the background of their experience. They're strategically placed, but they're not "open for business."

Through the gifts of the Spirit, you are fully equipped and capable of responding to the needs of others exactly the way Jesus would.

"Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27) means you are filled with the Holy Spirit and Jesus is present wherever you go. You are capable of responding to the needs of others exactly the way Jesus would. The gifts of the Spirit are how Jesus works through you to touch people's lives.

Our time on earth is about being Jesus in our world. Jesus didn't come to our planet on vacation; He came on assignment. Likewise, you and I have not been born here and now accidentally. We don't just happen to bump into hurting people. There's divine strategy at work. You are where you are because God strategically placed you there.

I'm convinced that if more Christians were open for business, then more business would show up. Evangelism as a primary goal is often artificial and powerless. But when it's a serendipity of spirit-filled believers being Jesus in their world, it is natural and unstoppable!

 Reprinted with permission from www.jerrycook.org.