Huge Frogs. Night Sounds From our Backyard in Thailand.
During a power outage we had a little fun and went outside to explore the crazy frog sounds.
Important element in evangelism. Embracing Jesus!
Is it possible to hurt someone by not helping them enough?
To possess saving faith it is essential to know what Jesus has accomplished through his life, death and resurrection on behalf of sinners. It is important to be aware of Christ's physical, spiritual and mental anguish he endured during his beatings, insults and crucifixion. It is good to see his love and the love of believers.
However, knowing about God and knowing God are and can be eternally different. Knowing what Jesus did and embracing Him must go together. Embracing a teaching is not enough. It can not merely be some news that makes us aware and even moves us emotionally. Seeing clearly that we are sinners and knowing that Jesus makes the only way to be forgiven does not equal faith and repentance although it is part of it. In other words we must have a basic grasp of the gospel...
"Mere mental consciousness is a vain, empty thing; it does not fulfill God’s will in us. In deed, it eventually becomes a condemnatory knowledge of our own eternal destruction." Martin Luther on Colossians 1:9-14
Evangelism is not just about sharing the awesome and powerful news of Christ and encouraging people to repent and believe. We must also help strangers, loved ones and friends contemplate the implications of the gospel and the call of God. What does it mean to believe? What does it mean to repent? Repent from what to turn to what...or whom? We must be patient and thorough for their sake, that they would know the good-news unto salvation, not into deadly religion and misplaced assurance.
If we love them, we will help them to see the difference between knowing about God and knowing God. We must help them to see the difference between changing their religious views again and being born again. We must help them to count the costs of loving Jesus. We will help them to see that we embrace Christ for salvation not events, religious systems, friends, parents, group inclusion, alters or aisles.
With that said, God is more committed to his glory and bringing his sheep into his fold than we are. The Holy Spirit works through the basic message of the gospel to break even the darkest hearts. God is not wondering how it will all work out, he is not only good but he is sovereign. This is not where I am trying to breakdown the difference and unity of God choosing and us choosing, but to remind and be reminded of the need to help others see clearly who and what they are choosing. They are choosing a Person not just heaven, they are choosing a master not just a wise teacher, they are choosing to die and no longer live for themselves.
So yes, it is possible to hurt someone by not helping them enough. If you consider not helping someone see the implications of the call of God through the gospel.
May it never be that we disregard the need to help someone examine their motives, beliefs and treasures in the name of evangelism.
How are we helping others to see that "God is the gospel"?
Praise the Lord that he is gracious with us...fragile jars of clay.
Baptisms. We Will Rejoice and Be Glad!
Baptisms at Covenant Church Khon Kaen today.
It's always good to see brothers and sisters in Christ follow in Jesus' command to be baptized. The Lord's commands are always good and full of purpose, bringing him glory and his children joy. Today many of our friends expressed outwardly to the church of an inward reality; that they have been crucified with Christ, have been buried with him and have been raised to walk in the newness of life, the life Jesus has secured.
Regardless of country or people group it is also always good when anyone is set free in Jesus. However, there is something especially encouraging when many people who are listed among one of the top 100 most unreached large people groups of the world desire Jesus and trust in him through repentance and faith.
So today we celebrated the awesome work of God and his Holy Spirit in the lives of our Thai friends who have been redeemed by Christ!
Thank you for your prayers and support!!
The Lewis'
Song by Shane and Shane
Odd Collection
A collection of my odd and maybe even funny posts.
A Man Hit Me with His Fist Today
T-Roy Welcomes Ryan Garrett to Salem (video)
Win Some Pickled Sweet and Sour Tamarind
1982, Sugarhill Gang, Culture and the Gospel
T-Roy Welcomes Ryan Garrett to Salem (Video)
Rick Statham, my stateside pastor, asked me to put together a little something for our new youth pastor. I got T-Roy and we made this video and posted it on FB.
Discipleship Collection
How does the Church Multiply? Part 1
Burn Us Up...Don't Miss the Implications of These Words
1982, Sugarhill Gang, Culture and the Gospel
Chic-fil-awesome Could and Should Go Global
(unofficial) What is the Gospel Study Guide
Doing Missions Why Dying to Self is Gain (Chicken Dance Fail?)
Radical by David Platt- A Book That Will Shake You, Unless You Have It All Together
The Dangers of Receiving Rewards Now
Counterfeit God's by Timothy Keller. Read This Book.
Gladly Overwhelmed by the Gospel
Grow: Reproducing Through Organic Discipleship
A Hike With My Daughter and 1 Thessalonians
When Methods Fail (Part 2) Forced Into the Waters!
Soccer, Coke in a Bag and Purpose
And Hey...Could You Pick Up Some Bread on Your Way Home?
Revolution Using a 12 Passenger Boat
Family, Multiplication and the Gospel
Christ the Center Collection
Here are some posts I have written about Jesus being the center of our lives. I write these things to help me process what I am learning. I also hope to encourage others.
"But I have this against you..."
The Danger of Receiving Rewards Now
A Hike with my daughter and 1 Thessalonians.....Walking Worthy?
Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means.
Sherlock Holmes and the Apostle Paul...Mystery
Death by Love, Letter from the Cross
Futsal and Jesus...Ordinary Life?
His Body was Broken for Broken Families
Renovation-a lesson from Chic-fil-A(wesome)
...and hey, could you pick up some bread on your way home?
Celebrate Grace Series (11 posts)
Humility Series
Here are my "take-aways" from reading Humility by C.J. Mahaney
Humility: Chapter 2 the Perils of Pride
Humility: Chapter 3 Greatness Redefined
Humility: Chapter 4 Greatness Demonstrated
Humility: Chapter 5 As Each Day Begins
Humility: Chapter 6 As Each Day Ends
Humility: Chapter 7 For Special Focus
The Great Work of the Gospel Series
In 2008 I read the book The Great work of the Gospel by John Ensor. Here are my "take-aways" from each chapter.
The Great Work of the Gospel-Introduction
The Great Work of the Gospel: 1
The Great Work of the Gospel: 2
The Great Work of the Gospel: 3
The Great Work of the Gospel: 4
The Great Work of the Gospel: 5
The Great Work of the Gospel: 6
The Great Work of the Gospel: 7
The Great Work of the Gospel: 8
The Great Work of the Gospel: 9
The Great Work of the Gospel: 10
The Great Work of the Gospel: Closing
Celebrate Grace Series
When C.J. Mahaney was the pastor at Covenant Life Church, he would begin their staff meetings with one hour of pointing out grace in the lives of the people of the church! Spending time talking about seeing the Holy Spirit for an hour is the greatest accountability and motivator for any spiritual leader. It would help us all to get back to what we are called to do as ministers; help people to see and savor Jesus Christ. How can we do this if we aren’t looking for Him? How can I better see and celebrate Grace in my life and in the lives of those around me?
After listening to a podcast from Mahaney I was motivated to write the following entries on Celebrating Grace.
Celebrate Grace: Be Gospel Centered
Celebrate Grace: Practice Humility
Celebrate Grace: Remember Your Calling
Celebrate Grace: Have Fellowship
Celebrate Grace: Study Scripture
Celebrate Grace: Be Full of Faith
Celebrate Grace: Forgive and Be Forgiven
Follow. Pray. Encourage.
Recent Posts
- Huge Frogs. Night Sounds From our Backyard in Thailand.
- Important element in evangelism. Embracing Jesus!
- Baptisms. We Will Rejoice and Be Glad!
- Odd Collection
- T-Roy Welcomes Ryan Garrett to Salem (Video)
