God is so great. I was reading an article the other day and God showed me something I had overlooked so many times I was almost embarrassed to admit it. We have all read the parable of the sower I'm sure, but just in case you can't remember it I have posted it below;
Listen; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred.
(Mar 4:3-8)
I have used these verses so many times to illustrate a false convert and that false conversions are possible. Although a person can look and act the part of a Christian for a while in the end their true nature will prevail. The amazing thing about this parable is the fact that is has nothing to do with the false convert and everything to do with the sower. I feel that would be a fantastic reason for these verses to be labeled the parable of the sower.
So many times in American evangelism the attempt is made to try and coerce someone into believing or getting them to shake their head in agreement at the right time while reading certain verses with them as fast as you can so you can move on to the next person and get them to shake their heads. Our part in evangelism is not to get anyone to agree with anything we say and it's certainly not to play God or try and bring conviction, that is the part of the Holy Spirit. Our part in evangelism is simply to do as this parable instructs and sow seeds of the gospel. This sower didn't care what kind of ground the seed landed on he was only doing what he was commanded to do and that is to sow seed to every living creature. Sow the seeds and let God give the increase.
I hear people all the time say, I'm not sure what God's will is for my life. Or, I really want to do something for the Lord but I just don't what to do. May I suggest while your doing whatever it is you do to find God's will you start slinging as much seed out there as you can. Reach into your bag and start throwing seed and let it fall on whatever ground it will and let God be God.
How can crops grow unless a seed is planted, how can someone else water unless a seed is planted, how can God give the increase unless a seed is planted.
Be faithful, and fear not what man can do to you, but fear God. Jesus said the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.
Happy sowing.....
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
State Fair of Texas
I know this is a little late but to be honest I haven't logged on to blogger in quite some time. I would like to share a little of what God allowed me to be a part of last Saturday at the State Fair.
Four of us decided to go out to the fair to hand out tracts and witness as the Lord led. Between four of us we were able to hand out right at 600 gospel tracts. I know that is only a tiny fraction of the total number of people at the fair but I trust God that he had some of those people prepared to receive His word. I got to witness one on one with several people and or groups as well as preach to a group of about 8 college age girls sitting on a curb drunk as we were leaving. Most of them of course wanted nothing to do with what I had to say and thought I must be mistaken by talking about an Old Testament God that would pour out His wrath on the ungodly and unrighteous of the world. There was one girl however that I remember listening and shaking her head in agreement as I spoke. I pray God either opened her eyes to a life that may not be pleasing to God or that He revealed himself to her that her heart might be turned toward Him and He save her.
It has been a while since I have been out like this talking to people sharing my faith. I realized how much I missed it and how much it is needed. So many people out there believing they are saved because they have prayed a prayer or because a preacher or evangelist has told them they were saved yet their lives show no signs of repentance. So many people out there just waiting for someone to open their mouths and share the gospel with them. What a blessing it was to be used of God last Saturday to speak the truth to a few precious souls.
I want to encourage anyone reading this, don't be ashamed of the gospel. Don't fear what man can do to you. Don't fear what people will say to you or about you. Don't fear not having all the answers. When we fully lean on God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit He will bring to remembrance everything we need for that encounter. Don't preach or speak outside of the knowledge you have, be faithful with the truth you now have hidden in your heart.
Maybe you aren't comfortable or sure how to share your faith. If you live in the Cedar Creek Lake area I want to invite you to join me at Oak Street outreach in Eustace Tuesday's at 7:30 beginning on the 16th to learn the methods that Jesus used when talking with people. It is the same principals I use anytime I witness to someone. The address is 308 Oak Street in Eustace.
The Bible tells us in Romans 3:20 that no flesh is justified by the deeds of the Law. But that through the Law is the knowledge of sin. Galatians 3:24 says that the Law is our tutor to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Why has modern day evangelism employed alternative methods of pointing people to the Savior when the Bible says it's by the law a man see his need to be saved. Paul in Romans 7:7 said I would not have known covetousness was a sin unless the Law said thou shalt not covet. How did we go from the Law to an evangel cube???
Anyway, I could go on and on but I'll not at this time. I hope you will come join us as we learn to effectively share our faith. If you are already comfortable in your evangelism methods I pray you will redeem the time and share your faith with as many people as you can.
Four of us decided to go out to the fair to hand out tracts and witness as the Lord led. Between four of us we were able to hand out right at 600 gospel tracts. I know that is only a tiny fraction of the total number of people at the fair but I trust God that he had some of those people prepared to receive His word. I got to witness one on one with several people and or groups as well as preach to a group of about 8 college age girls sitting on a curb drunk as we were leaving. Most of them of course wanted nothing to do with what I had to say and thought I must be mistaken by talking about an Old Testament God that would pour out His wrath on the ungodly and unrighteous of the world. There was one girl however that I remember listening and shaking her head in agreement as I spoke. I pray God either opened her eyes to a life that may not be pleasing to God or that He revealed himself to her that her heart might be turned toward Him and He save her.
It has been a while since I have been out like this talking to people sharing my faith. I realized how much I missed it and how much it is needed. So many people out there believing they are saved because they have prayed a prayer or because a preacher or evangelist has told them they were saved yet their lives show no signs of repentance. So many people out there just waiting for someone to open their mouths and share the gospel with them. What a blessing it was to be used of God last Saturday to speak the truth to a few precious souls.
I want to encourage anyone reading this, don't be ashamed of the gospel. Don't fear what man can do to you. Don't fear what people will say to you or about you. Don't fear not having all the answers. When we fully lean on God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit He will bring to remembrance everything we need for that encounter. Don't preach or speak outside of the knowledge you have, be faithful with the truth you now have hidden in your heart.
Maybe you aren't comfortable or sure how to share your faith. If you live in the Cedar Creek Lake area I want to invite you to join me at Oak Street outreach in Eustace Tuesday's at 7:30 beginning on the 16th to learn the methods that Jesus used when talking with people. It is the same principals I use anytime I witness to someone. The address is 308 Oak Street in Eustace.
The Bible tells us in Romans 3:20 that no flesh is justified by the deeds of the Law. But that through the Law is the knowledge of sin. Galatians 3:24 says that the Law is our tutor to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Why has modern day evangelism employed alternative methods of pointing people to the Savior when the Bible says it's by the law a man see his need to be saved. Paul in Romans 7:7 said I would not have known covetousness was a sin unless the Law said thou shalt not covet. How did we go from the Law to an evangel cube???
Anyway, I could go on and on but I'll not at this time. I hope you will come join us as we learn to effectively share our faith. If you are already comfortable in your evangelism methods I pray you will redeem the time and share your faith with as many people as you can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
