I. Introduction
Satan is up to some very nasty things in last days. Let me start by saying that the occult is an abomination to God. The God of the Bible hates the occult and years ago when He ruled Israel, such practices earned the death penalty.:
Exodus 22
18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Lev 20
27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Lev 20
6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
As you can see above in historical days in Israel's past, it was a criminal offense to be involved in any way with the occult. These verses are commands given from God to His people. God's attitude toward the occult can be clearly seen. Quite simply, He does not like the occult. In fact God likens it to spiritual harlotry. Men have a choice. They can either believe and trust in God or they can reject God and in effect, accept the devil and his ways. Harry Potter is for those who have rejected God and have accepted the devil and his ways. The occult with all the spells, wizards, and psychic powers is part of the devil and his ways.
Occult books like Harry Potter are nothing but a gross sin and an abomination against God. People who reject God get very close to the devil. Harry Potter is great for those who reject God. People who want nothing to do with Jesus, salvation, eternal life, and heaven, have a great interest in Satan's wizards and spell casting. Hence, Harry Potter has a place in those peoples lives.
If you, approve of Harry Potter and even let your children read that Satanic filth, then you are on the devils side. You either choose God or you choose the devil. Those who accept Harry Potter with all the spells and wizardry are choosing the devil. It is as simple as that!
II. THE OCCULT IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD!
There is also very little said from within the Christian church about Harry Potter. True there are some who are trying to get the books banned from schools. But there certainly is not a great outcry against this latest fad in occultism. Why is this so? Never before has the occult been made so attractive and packaged so nicely. Children are being led, by a Satanic pied piper, into the occult. The Bible clearly states that occultism is forbidden and it is an abomination to Him.
Deuteronomy 18
9. When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you [any one] that
- maketh his son or his daughter to pass thrrough the fire, [or]
- that useth divination,
- [or] an observer of times,
- or an enchanter,
- or a witch,
- 11 Or a charmer,
- or a consulter with familiar spirits,
- or a wizard,
- or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
III. WOE TO THOSE PROMOTING EVIL
God is very aware that evil will come in this world. He has allowed men free choice to receive or reject Him. Those who reject God always accept the devil. The occult is also very popular with those who reject God. Again, God knows such evils will come into the world. However, He gives a 'woe' of judgment to those by whom these evils come.
Matt 18
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Luke 17
1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Are you encouraging and promoting evil? Does the above 'woe' apply to you as it certainly does with the author of the Harry Potter books? Get ready, in God's time judgment will certainly come!
This is a very sad thought... how many Christian families let their children get involved with Pokemon or Harry Potter? How many church pastors allow Harry Potter into their assembly? One liberal-apostate 'Christian' magazine (Christianity Today) has articles on the web praising the Harry Potter books while dismissing the blatant occultism!
IV. WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Those who belong to and love God will remove occultism from their lives. They will not accept any occult book, game, or video into their homes. Those backslidden who repent will destroy all forms of the occult from their homes. What will you do reader? Whose side are you on? God's or the devil's?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
WOMEN'S ROLE IN TEACHING & CHURCH LEADERSHIP
WOMEN'S ROLE IN TEACHING & CHURCH LEADERSHIP
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. THE VALUE OF WOMEN AND THEIR WORK
=====================================
A. Women's Work Is Equally as Important as Man's.
=================================================
Women are just as important or valued as men. They are honored and rewarded for
their work as highly as men are for their work.
Gal. 3:28; I Pet. 3:7; Prov. 31:10-31
B. God Values People for Their Service, not Their Authority.
====================================================
Matt. 20:25-28
Note that this does not deny the existence of valid authority. Jesus used
Himself as the example, and He possessed authority (Matt. 28:18; 7:29). The
point is that possession of authority does not inherently make one great. People
without authority can be just as great as those who have it. Cf. citizens to
rulers, men to elders, etc.
However, the fact men and women are equally valued does not mean God expects
them to do the same work.
C. In Particular, the Woman's Role as Homemaker Is of Great Value
====================================================
God honors woman in this role, and she ought to be honored by men.
1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:5; Psalm 113:9; Proverbs 31:10-31; 7:11,12
C. Women Have a Definite Responsibility in teaching.
====================================================
They may teach women or children.
*********************************
Titus 2:3,4; Proverbs 31:1; 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:5
They may even impart truth to men in a limited capacity.
*****************************************************
Acts 18:26; 2:17; 21:9; John 4:28-30,39,42
However, note that none of these passages place women as preaching God's word in
the public worship assemblies of the whole church or in any capacity which puts
them in authority over men.
II. RESTRICTIONS ON WOMEN IN AUTHORITY AND TEACHING
===================================================
A. Women Are Subject to Men
===========================
Many passages teach the subjection of women to men in general.
Genesis 2:18; 3:16; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18; I Corinthians 11:3;
14:34; I Timothy 2:12-14; 3:4,12; Titus 2:4,5; I Peter 3:1-7
B. Positions of Authority & Leadership in the Church Are Reserved for Men.
====================================================
Apostles were all men -- Acts 1:13.
Elders, who oversee the local church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3), must be men --
1 Timothy 3:1,2; Titus 1:5,6.
C. Women Are Subject to Men in Spiritual Teaching.
====================================================
Women are expressly forbidden to take a leading role over men in the church or
in any circumstance of teaching God's word.
1 Timothy 2:11-14 -- Women are subject to men in spiritual teaching situations.
*****************************************************
V13,14 give two reasons for women's subjection to man.
V13 -- First, man was formed before woman. This refers to the creation account
of Gen. 2:18ff. See also 1 Cor. 11:3,8,9.
Woman was created from the beginning to be a helper or companion to man, not a
leader or authority figure over him. Man was created with the position of leader
and his nature suits that position.
V14 -- Man has the leadership role because, though both Adam and Eve sinned, the
woman was deceived where man was not. Both man and woman were punished, but God
made the punishment fit the sin.
Eve tried to take the leadership role and made a decision to disobey God without
consulting her husband. She allowed herself to be deceived and made a colossal
blunder, so God required that she would always be subject to her husband (Gen.
3:16). Her punishment reminds her that she left her role of subjection. Man was
punished just as severely, but in a different way.
1 Corinthians 14:34,35 -- Women are to be silent in the assemblies of the
church.
*****************************************************
V34 says women must keep silence "in the churches." V35 says it is shameful for
them to speak "in the church." The context defines "silence" to mean not
speaking, not even to ask a question.
The context shows that "in the church" refers to the public worship assembly in
which the church is called together to sing and pray (v15) and be edified (v26).
The church is gathered together in congregation as a body. See v23,26 (cf.
v4,5,12,19,28,33,34,35). Compare the similar usage in 1 Cor. 11:17-34 regarding
the assemblies in which the Lord's supper was offered (cf. v17,18,20,33).
III. ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS
==========================
A. Was Phoebe a Preacher?
=========================
Romans 16:2 says Phoebe was a "minister" or "servant." How she served is not
defined. There are many different ways people may serve or minister to others.
Cf. John 2:5.
No passage anywhere indicates that any women were appointed to any specific
office of work in the church like elders and deacons. Appointment to office
requires specific qualifications (Titus 1; 1 Tim. 3). None are ever given for
women.
If Phoebe had preached in public church meetings, she would have violated
express New Testament commands.
B. Was This Just Paul's Opinion or a Requirement of God?
====================================================
Some people claim this was just Paul's personal opinion, not Divine regulation
1) It is based on the principle of subjection of women to men. This was a
principle established by God and revealed through various inspired teachers, not
just Paul. Gen. 2:18; 3:16; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18; I Cor. 11:3; Tit. 2:4,5; I
Pet. 3:1-7; I Cor. 14:34.
2) 1 Cor. 14:34,35 says the same was also taught in the law (Gen. 2:18; 3:16).
Hence, it was not just Paul's opinion nor a temporary or local custom but had
been the rule even under the Old Testament.
3) 1 Cor. 14:37 expressly states that these teachings were "the commandment of
the Lord." Paul was an inspired apostle (2 Cor. 11:5: 12:11,12; 1 Cor. 9:1-5;
15:4-8; Acts 9:15; 26:16). To reject this teaching is to reject the commands of
God. See also 1 Thess. 2:13; 4:8; Eph. 3:3-5; Gal. 1:6-12; 1 Cor. 2:1-5,10-16; 2
Peter 3:15,16; Luke 10:16; John 16:13,14; Matt. 18:18;
4) Paul was not prejudiced against women. Much of the teaching about the value
of women was done by Paul. See also Eph. 5:25-29,33; Galatians 3:28; Col. 3:19;
Acts 16:14,15,40; Rom. 16:1-4,6.
C. Was This a Binding, Permanent Command or Just a Custom of That Day?
====================================================
Some claim that the teaching about women's subjection was not intended to be
permanent but was a local, temporary custom of that day.
1) It is based on the principle of subjection of women to men. This is a
universal principle binding on all Christians in the gospel age, taught in other
passages including Gen. 2:18; 3:16; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18; I Cor. 11:3; Tit.
2:4,5; I Pet. 3:1-7; I Cor. 14:34. Note that some of these are taught by
inspired men other than Paul.
2) 1 Cor. 14:34,35 says the same was also taught in the law (Gen. 2:18; 3:16).
Hence, it was not just a temporary or local custom but had been the rule even
under the Old Testament.
3) V33 says that the things Paul was teaching apply "in all the churches of the
saints."
4) Again, 1 Cor. 14:37 expressly states that these teachings were "the
commandment of the Lord." Hence, they were not just local, temporary customs.
Paul was an inspired apostle. To reject this teaching is to reject the commands
of God, not just temporary customs. See passages above.
We must not lightly set aside the teachings of God's word as non-binding
customs. Unless there is clear evidence to the contrary, we must accept that
which God's word teaches to be Divine command.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. THE VALUE OF WOMEN AND THEIR WORK
=====================================
A. Women's Work Is Equally as Important as Man's.
=================================================
Women are just as important or valued as men. They are honored and rewarded for
their work as highly as men are for their work.
Gal. 3:28; I Pet. 3:7; Prov. 31:10-31
B. God Values People for Their Service, not Their Authority.
====================================================
Matt. 20:25-28
Note that this does not deny the existence of valid authority. Jesus used
Himself as the example, and He possessed authority (Matt. 28:18; 7:29). The
point is that possession of authority does not inherently make one great. People
without authority can be just as great as those who have it. Cf. citizens to
rulers, men to elders, etc.
However, the fact men and women are equally valued does not mean God expects
them to do the same work.
C. In Particular, the Woman's Role as Homemaker Is of Great Value
====================================================
God honors woman in this role, and she ought to be honored by men.
1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:5; Psalm 113:9; Proverbs 31:10-31; 7:11,12
C. Women Have a Definite Responsibility in teaching.
====================================================
They may teach women or children.
*********************************
Titus 2:3,4; Proverbs 31:1; 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:5
They may even impart truth to men in a limited capacity.
*****************************************************
Acts 18:26; 2:17; 21:9; John 4:28-30,39,42
However, note that none of these passages place women as preaching God's word in
the public worship assemblies of the whole church or in any capacity which puts
them in authority over men.
II. RESTRICTIONS ON WOMEN IN AUTHORITY AND TEACHING
===================================================
A. Women Are Subject to Men
===========================
Many passages teach the subjection of women to men in general.
Genesis 2:18; 3:16; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18; I Corinthians 11:3;
14:34; I Timothy 2:12-14; 3:4,12; Titus 2:4,5; I Peter 3:1-7
B. Positions of Authority & Leadership in the Church Are Reserved for Men.
====================================================
Apostles were all men -- Acts 1:13.
Elders, who oversee the local church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3), must be men --
1 Timothy 3:1,2; Titus 1:5,6.
C. Women Are Subject to Men in Spiritual Teaching.
====================================================
Women are expressly forbidden to take a leading role over men in the church or
in any circumstance of teaching God's word.
1 Timothy 2:11-14 -- Women are subject to men in spiritual teaching situations.
*****************************************************
V13,14 give two reasons for women's subjection to man.
V13 -- First, man was formed before woman. This refers to the creation account
of Gen. 2:18ff. See also 1 Cor. 11:3,8,9.
Woman was created from the beginning to be a helper or companion to man, not a
leader or authority figure over him. Man was created with the position of leader
and his nature suits that position.
V14 -- Man has the leadership role because, though both Adam and Eve sinned, the
woman was deceived where man was not. Both man and woman were punished, but God
made the punishment fit the sin.
Eve tried to take the leadership role and made a decision to disobey God without
consulting her husband. She allowed herself to be deceived and made a colossal
blunder, so God required that she would always be subject to her husband (Gen.
3:16). Her punishment reminds her that she left her role of subjection. Man was
punished just as severely, but in a different way.
1 Corinthians 14:34,35 -- Women are to be silent in the assemblies of the
church.
*****************************************************
V34 says women must keep silence "in the churches." V35 says it is shameful for
them to speak "in the church." The context defines "silence" to mean not
speaking, not even to ask a question.
The context shows that "in the church" refers to the public worship assembly in
which the church is called together to sing and pray (v15) and be edified (v26).
The church is gathered together in congregation as a body. See v23,26 (cf.
v4,5,12,19,28,33,34,35). Compare the similar usage in 1 Cor. 11:17-34 regarding
the assemblies in which the Lord's supper was offered (cf. v17,18,20,33).
III. ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS
==========================
A. Was Phoebe a Preacher?
=========================
Romans 16:2 says Phoebe was a "minister" or "servant." How she served is not
defined. There are many different ways people may serve or minister to others.
Cf. John 2:5.
No passage anywhere indicates that any women were appointed to any specific
office of work in the church like elders and deacons. Appointment to office
requires specific qualifications (Titus 1; 1 Tim. 3). None are ever given for
women.
If Phoebe had preached in public church meetings, she would have violated
express New Testament commands.
B. Was This Just Paul's Opinion or a Requirement of God?
====================================================
Some people claim this was just Paul's personal opinion, not Divine regulation
1) It is based on the principle of subjection of women to men. This was a
principle established by God and revealed through various inspired teachers, not
just Paul. Gen. 2:18; 3:16; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18; I Cor. 11:3; Tit. 2:4,5; I
Pet. 3:1-7; I Cor. 14:34.
2) 1 Cor. 14:34,35 says the same was also taught in the law (Gen. 2:18; 3:16).
Hence, it was not just Paul's opinion nor a temporary or local custom but had
been the rule even under the Old Testament.
3) 1 Cor. 14:37 expressly states that these teachings were "the commandment of
the Lord." Paul was an inspired apostle (2 Cor. 11:5: 12:11,12; 1 Cor. 9:1-5;
15:4-8; Acts 9:15; 26:16). To reject this teaching is to reject the commands of
God. See also 1 Thess. 2:13; 4:8; Eph. 3:3-5; Gal. 1:6-12; 1 Cor. 2:1-5,10-16; 2
Peter 3:15,16; Luke 10:16; John 16:13,14; Matt. 18:18;
4) Paul was not prejudiced against women. Much of the teaching about the value
of women was done by Paul. See also Eph. 5:25-29,33; Galatians 3:28; Col. 3:19;
Acts 16:14,15,40; Rom. 16:1-4,6.
C. Was This a Binding, Permanent Command or Just a Custom of That Day?
====================================================
Some claim that the teaching about women's subjection was not intended to be
permanent but was a local, temporary custom of that day.
1) It is based on the principle of subjection of women to men. This is a
universal principle binding on all Christians in the gospel age, taught in other
passages including Gen. 2:18; 3:16; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18; I Cor. 11:3; Tit.
2:4,5; I Pet. 3:1-7; I Cor. 14:34. Note that some of these are taught by
inspired men other than Paul.
2) 1 Cor. 14:34,35 says the same was also taught in the law (Gen. 2:18; 3:16).
Hence, it was not just a temporary or local custom but had been the rule even
under the Old Testament.
3) V33 says that the things Paul was teaching apply "in all the churches of the
saints."
4) Again, 1 Cor. 14:37 expressly states that these teachings were "the
commandment of the Lord." Hence, they were not just local, temporary customs.
Paul was an inspired apostle. To reject this teaching is to reject the commands
of God, not just temporary customs. See passages above.
We must not lightly set aside the teachings of God's word as non-binding
customs. Unless there is clear evidence to the contrary, we must accept that
which God's word teaches to be Divine command.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Challenge to the Laborers
Matt 9:36-37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
The words of our Lord seem never truer than they are at this present time. On planet Earth we now have 6.6 billion people, more than has ever lived at one time in human history. That means there are 6.6 billion people who need to hear the gospel and to be saved. America has an estimated 305 million people, which means there are 305 million people who need the gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved. Polling data from the 2001 ARIS study tells us that 76.5% (159 million) of Americans identify themselves as Christians and in that 52% of Americans identified themselves as Protestant and 24.5% are Roman Catholic. That poll was taken 7 years ago and I believe that the number of professing Christians would probably be less, with the rise of humanistic atheism, Islam, and the occultic religions as Wicca. The majority of professing Christians are just that, professing. They know nothing of a relationship with Christ and would claim to be saved by a work of some sort (baptism, church membership, etc). Ask some of you're "Christian" friends. You'll see what I'm saying. My point? America’s in desperate need for the gospel. Many people believe missions work is something that happens overseas, but it actually starts in your own neighborhood.
Jesus tells the apostles in Acts 1:7-8 ... “ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
This command is also relevant for us as believers today. Jerusalem was the headquarters of Judaism, the capital of their country and the first place evangelized in the Book of Acts. After Jerusalem was reached Judea, then Samaria followed, then to the uttermost part of the earth. This order was followed exactly.
Ok, so why have I said all of this? I think as believers we have neglected our Jerusalem, our home towns and the wider scope of our country. I have nothing against foreign missions, but should our burden for missions be entirely for the foreign fields? Jerusalem was the apostles’ top priority before the uttermost part, and if we have neglected our Jerusalem, what right do we have to move on to the next ring of the circle?
There is a definite need. Our Lord said in the verses mentioned above that the harvest is plenteous, so the reason the gospel is not going out isn’t for the lack of people who need to hear it. It is because of the lack of laborers in the harvest!
So you may be thinking, “Well I’d love to help, but I’m not a pastor or a missionary or any sort of “professional Christian.” That’s the great part, the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-16; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8) is for every disciple of Christ.. every believer!
But can’t someone else do it?
That’s exactly what Satan is telling people. “I’ll let someone else do it” more often than not, this apathetic approach means it never gets done, which means more people perish. There may also be people in your life that with whom you may be the only one who can share the gospel. So if you won't do it, no one will. Every one of us needs to be involved with the evangelization of our Jerusalem, no matter what our occupation, age, gender, etc. There will be something to be done, whether it be inviting unsaved neighbors to ones home for a meal, or going canvassing door to door.
Not convinced yet?
Go visit a shopping mall or grocery store. There will be hundreds of people in one of these locations that may never hear the gospel. Why? Because no one took the time to tell them! They will die, and spend eternity in hell because the Christian church neglected its command to be witnesses in our Jerusalem! Your neighbors, friends, family may be in that group of the unevangelized!
Think you’re too busy?
The average US household has a television on for 7 hours, 12 minutes each day.
Approximately 10 people per minute die in the USA. From my math, that’s over 4300 people during the time the average American is watchiing television. How many of those people do you think knew Christ as savior?
Imagine how much you could do if you spent just an hour a day or an afternoon once a week walking around your area knocking on doors witnessing!
When was the last time you prayed for the harvest in your town or area? Have you prayed for the Lord to send laborers into that harvest? When was the last time you approached someone with the gospel? Have you ever approached someone with the gospel? When was the last time you led someone to the Lord? Have you ever led someone to the Lord? Do you constantly say “I’ll get involved later?” The clock is ticking. I hope this will motivate you to get involved.
If you aren’t sure how, email me back, and I can give you some suggestions. Thanks for reading this.
Raymond Wilfong
www.raymondwilfong.blogspot.com
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
--Matthew 6:33
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
The words of our Lord seem never truer than they are at this present time. On planet Earth we now have 6.6 billion people, more than has ever lived at one time in human history. That means there are 6.6 billion people who need to hear the gospel and to be saved. America has an estimated 305 million people, which means there are 305 million people who need the gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved. Polling data from the 2001 ARIS study tells us that 76.5% (159 million) of Americans identify themselves as Christians and in that 52% of Americans identified themselves as Protestant and 24.5% are Roman Catholic. That poll was taken 7 years ago and I believe that the number of professing Christians would probably be less, with the rise of humanistic atheism, Islam, and the occultic religions as Wicca. The majority of professing Christians are just that, professing. They know nothing of a relationship with Christ and would claim to be saved by a work of some sort (baptism, church membership, etc). Ask some of you're "Christian" friends. You'll see what I'm saying. My point? America’s in desperate need for the gospel. Many people believe missions work is something that happens overseas, but it actually starts in your own neighborhood.
Jesus tells the apostles in Acts 1:7-8 ... “ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
This command is also relevant for us as believers today. Jerusalem was the headquarters of Judaism, the capital of their country and the first place evangelized in the Book of Acts. After Jerusalem was reached Judea, then Samaria followed, then to the uttermost part of the earth. This order was followed exactly.
Ok, so why have I said all of this? I think as believers we have neglected our Jerusalem, our home towns and the wider scope of our country. I have nothing against foreign missions, but should our burden for missions be entirely for the foreign fields? Jerusalem was the apostles’ top priority before the uttermost part, and if we have neglected our Jerusalem, what right do we have to move on to the next ring of the circle?
There is a definite need. Our Lord said in the verses mentioned above that the harvest is plenteous, so the reason the gospel is not going out isn’t for the lack of people who need to hear it. It is because of the lack of laborers in the harvest!
So you may be thinking, “Well I’d love to help, but I’m not a pastor or a missionary or any sort of “professional Christian.” That’s the great part, the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-16; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8) is for every disciple of Christ.. every believer!
But can’t someone else do it?
That’s exactly what Satan is telling people. “I’ll let someone else do it” more often than not, this apathetic approach means it never gets done, which means more people perish. There may also be people in your life that with whom you may be the only one who can share the gospel. So if you won't do it, no one will. Every one of us needs to be involved with the evangelization of our Jerusalem, no matter what our occupation, age, gender, etc. There will be something to be done, whether it be inviting unsaved neighbors to ones home for a meal, or going canvassing door to door.
Not convinced yet?
Go visit a shopping mall or grocery store. There will be hundreds of people in one of these locations that may never hear the gospel. Why? Because no one took the time to tell them! They will die, and spend eternity in hell because the Christian church neglected its command to be witnesses in our Jerusalem! Your neighbors, friends, family may be in that group of the unevangelized!
Think you’re too busy?
The average US household has a television on for 7 hours, 12 minutes each day.
Approximately 10 people per minute die in the USA. From my math, that’s over 4300 people during the time the average American is watchiing television. How many of those people do you think knew Christ as savior?
Imagine how much you could do if you spent just an hour a day or an afternoon once a week walking around your area knocking on doors witnessing!
When was the last time you prayed for the harvest in your town or area? Have you prayed for the Lord to send laborers into that harvest? When was the last time you approached someone with the gospel? Have you ever approached someone with the gospel? When was the last time you led someone to the Lord? Have you ever led someone to the Lord? Do you constantly say “I’ll get involved later?” The clock is ticking. I hope this will motivate you to get involved.
If you aren’t sure how, email me back, and I can give you some suggestions. Thanks for reading this.
Raymond Wilfong
www.raymondwilfong.blogspot.com
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
--Matthew 6:33
Monday, October 6, 2008
Johnny and the Cat
Johnny's mother looked out the door and saw Johnny reading
the Bible to his cat. She thought to herself, "Isn't that
sweet? I will not disturb him and will let him continue to
play with the cat."
Sometime later, Mom heard an awful noise and looked out the
door to see Johnny trying to force the cat into a bucket of
water. She loudly said to Johnny, "Johnny, what are you
trying to do with the cat?"
Johnny replied, "I am trying to baptize him!"
His mom said, "Cats don't like to be in water."
Johnny replied, "Well, then he shouldn't have joined my
church."
the Bible to his cat. She thought to herself, "Isn't that
sweet? I will not disturb him and will let him continue to
play with the cat."
Sometime later, Mom heard an awful noise and looked out the
door to see Johnny trying to force the cat into a bucket of
water. She loudly said to Johnny, "Johnny, what are you
trying to do with the cat?"
Johnny replied, "I am trying to baptize him!"
His mom said, "Cats don't like to be in water."
Johnny replied, "Well, then he shouldn't have joined my
church."
Friday, October 3, 2008
Biblical Headlines
Biblical Headlines
If Biblical Headlines were written by today's liberal
media...
On Red Sea crossing:
WETLANDS TRAMPLED IN LABOR STRIKE
Pursuing Environmentalists Killed
On David vs. Goliath:
HATE CRIME KILLS BELOVED CHAMPION
Psychologist Questions Influence of Rock
On Elijah on Mt. Carmel:
FIRE SENDS RELIGIOUS RIGHT EXTREMIST INTO FRENZY
400 Killed
On the birth of Christ:
HOTELS FULL, ANIMALS LEFT HOMELESS
Animal Rights Activists Enraged by Insensitive Couple
On feeding the 5,000:
PREACHER STEALS CHILD'S LUNCH
Disciples Mystified Over Behavior
On healing the 10 lepers:
LOCAL DOCTOR'S PRACTICE RUINED
"Faith Healer" Causes Bankruptcy
On healing of the Gadarene demoniac:
MADMAN'S FRIEND CAUSES STAMPEDE
Local Farmer's Investment Lost
On raising Lazarus from the dead:
FUNDAMENTALIST PREACHER RAISES A STINK
Will Reading to be Delayed
If Biblical Headlines were written by today's liberal
media...
On Red Sea crossing:
WETLANDS TRAMPLED IN LABOR STRIKE
Pursuing Environmentalists Killed
On David vs. Goliath:
HATE CRIME KILLS BELOVED CHAMPION
Psychologist Questions Influence of Rock
On Elijah on Mt. Carmel:
FIRE SENDS RELIGIOUS RIGHT EXTREMIST INTO FRENZY
400 Killed
On the birth of Christ:
HOTELS FULL, ANIMALS LEFT HOMELESS
Animal Rights Activists Enraged by Insensitive Couple
On feeding the 5,000:
PREACHER STEALS CHILD'S LUNCH
Disciples Mystified Over Behavior
On healing the 10 lepers:
LOCAL DOCTOR'S PRACTICE RUINED
"Faith Healer" Causes Bankruptcy
On healing of the Gadarene demoniac:
MADMAN'S FRIEND CAUSES STAMPEDE
Local Farmer's Investment Lost
On raising Lazarus from the dead:
FUNDAMENTALIST PREACHER RAISES A STINK
Will Reading to be Delayed
Thursday, October 2, 2008
What Cancer Cannot Do--lwf.org Devotion from 10/2/08
October 2
BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What if you had an appointment with the doctor and found out that you had cancer? Maybe you have heard this news or heard it on behalf of a loved one. I want to tell you some things cancer cannot do. Cancer cannot shatter hope. Cancer cannot corrode faith. Cancer cannot eat away peace. Cancer cannot place a limit on eternal life. Cancer cannot quench the Spirit of God and cancer cannot lessen the power of the resurrection. That’s how limited cancer is!
ACTION POINT:
Is there someone in your life who is suffering from cancer? Give them the Good News that you’ve read today. And pray that they will know the Savior.
BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What if you had an appointment with the doctor and found out that you had cancer? Maybe you have heard this news or heard it on behalf of a loved one. I want to tell you some things cancer cannot do. Cancer cannot shatter hope. Cancer cannot corrode faith. Cancer cannot eat away peace. Cancer cannot place a limit on eternal life. Cancer cannot quench the Spirit of God and cancer cannot lessen the power of the resurrection. That’s how limited cancer is!
ACTION POINT:
Is there someone in your life who is suffering from cancer? Give them the Good News that you’ve read today. And pray that they will know the Savior.
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