Paul's Pattern for Evangelism

In Acts 17 we read the account of the beginnings of the church in Thessalonica. Paul was there just a short time… perhaps four weeks or so but had a big impact. Some of the Jews were persuaded but of the Greeks “a great multitude and of the chief women not a few”. So what in that short period of time did Paul teach to produce such a response? - Paul taught the theory of Christianity. Acts 17:3 states that he taught, “it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, and that Jesus is the Christ”. - Paul taught how they should live their lives. Beginning in 1 Thess. 4 Paul states reminds them what he had taught them before. He taught them what not to do… don’t practice sexual immorality. He taught them to instead treat each other with brotherly love… the love that serves. To not lead riotous lives, to do honest labor and to mind their own business. - Paul taught them about eternal life in heaven. - Paul taught them about “The day of the Lord” and sudden destruction and being prepared. However, preaching and teaching a balanced Gospel message was not the only ingredient for success. Paul attributes his success with them to the manner in which the Gospel was presented including his having given himself up for them, “we were well pleased to give unto you not only the Gospel but to give up our selves for you because we loved you”. This concept is very well evidenced by the many expressions of Paul’s concern for them found in the text of 1 Thess. Paul was not just concerned about planting the seed but also nurturing the young plants. When he found out that their faith had survived persecution he was not self-satisfied and complacent but urged them to do even better in their service of love for each other and the world. Success in evangelism begins with teaching a well balanced view of the Bible coupled with a genuine love for people and a vision for what they can become. Conversely, unsuccessful evangelism begins with skewed teaching, treating evangelism as a job with little regard for God’s people and satisfaction with the status quo. Paul’s example is not just a model for Evangelists but for all Christians because we should all be concerned about the lost and helping each other to grow. Reflect on these things.

Thoughts about the Gerasene Demonaic (Mt. 5:1-20)

- When Jesus got out of his boat the demon-man came to meet Jesus. Sort of a fatal curiosity or demons and Jesus couldn’t be in the same town at the same time. The demon should have run away but didn’t. - The demon-man could not be restrained with chains. Demon strength allowed him to be able tear the iron chains apart. You see claims of demon possession today but you don’t see anyone tearing iron chains apart. - He screamed night and day and mutilated himself. I’ll bet the wives got sick and tired of all that screaming and sent their husbands to chain him and shut him up. - The demon-man knew Jesus and tried to negotiate with Jesus so that Jesus would not “torture” the demon. “Torture” to a demon was wandering around without someone to inhabit. - The demon apparently could not just inhabit just any random human being in the area. - The demon did not want to come out of the man but did not want to leave the region either. - The demon had a name and Jesus wanted to know what it was. - After continually begging, the demon suggested that they be cast into a herd of 2000 pigs. - The demons needed Jesus’ permission even to indwell within pigs. - The pigs rushed down into the lake and drowned. Either Jesus drowned the pigs, the demons drowned the pigs or the pigs committed suicide rather than have demons live inside them. - Do demons possess animals today? - The demon-man’s neighbors could not control him with chains much less cure him. Jesus didn’t need chains he could fix the problem.

Being Thankful for Bad Things That Happen to Us

You know, most of the time when we thank God in prayer, we thank him for the positive things he has done for us… food, health, occupation, etc. Did you ever think about thanking God for something bad that happened to you? That’s what a guy named Nebuchadnezzar did. In Daniel 4:2, “It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the most High God has done for me”. Nebuchadnezzar then recounts how God took his kingdom away and punished him. Daniel 4:33, “He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven until his hair grew as long as eagle’s feathers, and his nails were like bird’s claws”. God punished Nebuchadnezzar because in his pride Nebuchadnezzar failed to give God credit for the power of his kingdom. So the kingdom was taken away and Nebuchadnezzar became an animal. However, in time Nebuchadnezzar gave God the glory and his sanity and kingdom were returned to him. Nebuchadnezzar was letting his people know that something terrible had happened in his life and he had learned from it. He gave thanks to God for something negative that he had experienced from God. Nebuchadnezzar wanted his people to know about it and he wanted God to know that he knew too. Daniel 4:37… “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

Being Better Neighbors

Howdy. You know in David's class last night he asked the question, "Why aren't we saving more lost souls?" The answer was found in 1 Cor. 9...service...At the end of class I made the comment that another reason is that we aren't that different than non-christians.

Here is an example. My neighbor, Barney, mows 2 acres just like I do. I noticed the other day he was using his push mower. I talked to him and found out that his riding mower was broken and he was going to try to replace the engine on it. I told him he could use my riding mower any time he wanted. He said...no he would just keep using the push mower. I walked away feeling like I had done my duties as a neighbor and as a christian.

Tonight about 7 pm I was out with my chain saw trimming up my oak trees when I noticed Barney pushing that mower through grass that was about 12 inches tall. I thought, "Barney really needs to buy a riding mower" and continued trimming my trees. Then I saw Barney's other neighbor, Andy come over with his riding mower and start helping Barney. I thought, "Doh... I wish that was me!" and I felt ashamed because Andy was a better neighbor than me. Julie came out and I related to her my feelings and she told me to get my mower and help...it wasn't too late...so I did.

See, Andy's not even a Christian. I never see him going to church. Usually he's sitting on his front porch with a can of beer in his hand. Often times in areas of service we're not any better than non-christians. We're going to have to really work hard to be different than the rest of the world.

Here's another lesson. You can offer to help someone but oftentimes it's better just to help without asking. See a need and fulfill it. The benefit of helping others is not primarily for them...it's for you and me...it turns us into better people and we might convert a lost soul along the way.