Tag Archives: evangelism

While We Sleep – Pastor Mike Spaulding

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He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away.” Matthew 13:24-25

The passage of Holy Scripture above comes from a collection of parables that Jesus used to describe different aspects of the kingdom of God, sometimes referred to as the kingdom of heaven. The entire collection in Matthew 13 is referred to as The Kingdom Parables.

Jesus explained the meaning of this parable to His disciples in verses 36-43 of Chapter 13. He is the man who sowed good seed in the field. The seed is His disciples. The field is the world. The tares are Satan’s slaves, i.e., the unredeemed, and the sower of the unredeemed is Satan himself.

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Four Reasons Every Believer Should Study Apologetics

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apologetics

The number of Christians who know virtually nothing about apologetics still amazes me. When discussing this topic even with pastors I often receive a blank stare that suggests they’ve never considered apologetics to be of much importance. Clearly this needs to change. Here are four reasons why.

Reason #1 – Skepticism is at an all-time high and that breeds confusion. In fact you could say that there is also an inverse relationship between confusion and skepticism. Skepticism in the culture breeds confusion in the church but it is also true that skepticism about the adequacy of the Christian faith within the church breeds confusion in the culture. If Christians won’t affirm what it is they believe why should the culture listen to anything they say.

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Apologetics? Yes!

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“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”  1 Peter 3:15

This verse from Peter’s first epistle is often cited as a basis for the work and ministry of apologetics.  Rightly understood, we are exhorted by the apostle to be prepared at a moment’s notice to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This assumes a number of things.

First, that we recognize that all disciples of Jesus are expected to share the news of God’s forgiveness through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Contrary to the thinking of many Christians, evangelism is not limited to those believers with the spiritual gift of evangelism.

The second thing this verse assumes is that we have taken the time to memorize Scripture and especially relevant passages that speak of the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ upon Calvary’s cross.  Chances are you don’t carry a Bible with you 24/7, so having Scripture memorized will enable you to always be ready.

Third, the exhortation assumes that we have taken the time to understand the thinking that characterizes the days in which we live.  Would you know how to respond to someone who says “Well, this gospel of Jesus stuff works for you but it doesn’t do anything for me.”? What would you say to someone who says, “Christianity is nothing more than a crutch for the weak-minded.”?

Finally, Peter’s admonition in this verse to make a defense or presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, instructs us to view the apologetic task as one that is done with gentleness and reverence.  This is one aspect of the apologetic mandate often overlooked.  We will never win anyone to Christ through argumentation or heated exchange.  Only when we have prepared ourselves for the harsh reality that many will ignore and even attempt to shut us up, will we be mentally and emotionally prepared to love them anyway.

The basis for the apologetic task is the gospel itself. When we have made Christ the priority of our lives – Peter says “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” – we will seek opportunities to share Christ and we will be ready when opportunities find us.

Brothers and sisters, that is a transforming truth.

Saturday Morning Musings

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A few thoughts I’ve spent some time on recently:

Why do some Christians spend so much time on things that are counter-productive and do not build the Kingdom of God in the least? Examples of what I see are:

  • Making a supposed “career” of shouting at the darkness.  Does the darkness listen?  Does it even care?  Or is this exercise more about puffing up the one shouting?  Brothers and sisters we are called to preach the gospel of Jesus, the “Light” of the world.  Let’s remember to focus on that.
  • Making a “supposed” career out of critiquing the Church.  Almost every believer knows at least one of these kind of people.  They are thrilled to have finally found a church home when they first arrive on the scene.  It isn’t long before the criticism starts though.  After a time that is characterized by trying to enlist other people in their “hobby-horse” ideology, the critics disappear.  The reason is always the same – the church or the pastor is off-base and slipping into the error the hobby-horse theologian warned about.

Then there are those who rightly ignore the misguided efforts of those described above but make equally troubling mistakes by:

  • Advancing a “let’s just focus on experiencing Jesus” theology.  This is the theology of the “selfie.” This is the thinly disguised “let’s just all get along” mentality forever made famous by John Lennon in his humanist manifesto, “Give Peace a Chance.”  Christianity is about being a disciple of Jesus Christ and teaching others to be one as well.
  • Focusing on relieving human suffering.  For this group Christianity is all about the “work” they do for Christ.  A social gospel is not The Gospel that saves.  A gospel that makes you feel good about yourself is not The Gospel.
  • Finally, many believers I see have turned to a “prepper” mentality.  They focus exclusively on studying the Bible, seeking to learn some mysterious message.  What they plan to do with this message is seldom discussed.  How this message once revealed will help them advance the Kingdom is never mentioned either.

Folks, we each have many opportunities to simply tell others about Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers through faith to all those who place their trust in Him.  Let’s focus on this as the main thing shall we?

Your thoughts?