Go

by ricks 13. January 2010 14:59
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So I think God may be posing a question: Is there anyone that we exclude from the gospel? Our first reaction would likely be "No." But the effect of our American style of Christianity is that churches become so much like a social club that people outside the "club" are afraid of ever coming to church. Isn't it interesting, though, that Jesus said, "Go, and make disciples . . ."? In other words, while some people certainly will "come" to church, others need us to go and be the church to them. In a way, that's the story of Acts 10-11.

God shows no favorites (10:34). That was Peter's lesson. God led Peter, a Jew, through a vision and by the Holy Spirit to step into Cornelius's, a Gentile, house and share the good news of Jesus. To confirm to the Jewish believers that God shows no favorites and wants to save Gentiles, too, the Holy Spirit came upon the Gentile listeners. They spoke in tongues, believed, and were baptized (10:44-48). Jesus is for everyone. We must go to them even if it is uncomfortable.

Many examples of engagement happen in these chapters: Peter prays (10:9), responds to the vision and the Holy Spirit (10:9-20), enters into a Gentile's house against Jewish law (10:28), churches are planted and believers are encouraged (11:22-26), people tell both Jews and Gentiles about Jesus as they flee persectuion (11:19-21). Your thoughts?

 

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Comments

1/13/2010 6:37:39 AM #

Pastor Rick -

I agree that we should not exclude anyone from the Gospel.  God does the calling and the saving, it's up to us to sow the seed of the Gospel and let Him do the work of conversion.

I agree that many won't come to Church on their own, primarily because it doesn't make sense to them.  They need to be saved first, then they'll want to learn more and have fellowship with other believers.  You're right:  We need to GO.  Using the Church as an evangelistic tool has a limited effect.  The personal sharing of the Gospel will bring people to Christ, then they'll want to go to church.

Here's my thoughts on Acts 10-11.

1 - What ingredients are necessary for spiritual transformation?
- As in chapters 8 & 9, the Gospel now extends to another (and final) people group:  The Gentiles.
- God had to complete this work miraculously to show that it was his will.  Visions were given and they witnessed the fruit of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

2 - How were followers of Christ engaged?
- Willing to follow God's lead to uncomfortable situations, especially Peter who had to violate life-long rules about mixing with Gentiles and the uncircumcised.
- Believers supported the needs of other believers with the collection for those in the famine (11:29-30)

3 - What is God saying to our church and me?
- Evangelism is NOT a comfortable and automatic thing to do.  I have to get out of my comfort zone and GO.

Brett H United States |

1/14/2010 4:31:00 PM #

I would add that intent is also very important.  If we intend to witness to those outside of our church, preparation must take place first.  We can pray and ask God to guide us to someone who needs to hear the Message. We can pray for our co-workers and pray for opportunities to witness to them. We need to be prepared, know how to speak to someone about Christ, and be ready at any moment to share who Jesus is.  We need to be ready. Just as a soldier goes into battle with his weapons, we must have ours. Training in evangelism is very helpful. "Share Jesus Without Fear" by Bill Fay is a wonderful non-threatening training tool that is easy to use.

Jan Lamberty United States |

1/15/2010 11:40:57 AM #

I like Bill Fay's material -- very helpful. Another seminar that makes a lot of sense in regard to evangelism preparation is "One Step Closer." The idea is that evangelism has to do with helping people, from wherever they are at, to move one step closer to Christ. It's a helpful approach given the cultural realities that we face in which people do not want the gospel "jammed down their throats." The idea is that we simply engage people with significant spiritual conversation and help them move toward faith in Christ.

ricks United States |

1/19/2010 7:09:07 PM #

I've found Ray Comfort's "The Way of the Master" of great help in understanding Biblical evangelism (softening the heart with the Law before presenting the Gospel).  We have to know what we're being saved from (i.e. God's wrath over sin) before we can be saved.

Brett H United States |

1/20/2010 12:00:42 PM #

It would be great if increasingly our congregation could become the spiritual leaders who initiate spiritual conversation. It's not hard. We can ask questions like: "What are your spiritual beliefs?" "How are you and God doing?" Those types of questions bridge into spiritual conversation and opens the door to share your beliefs as well.

Rick Stapleton United States |

10/11/2010 11:46:40 AM #

I reall like this, I really am seeing the transition from High school to college and finding a regular church here in the cities. I can imagine what it must be like for people who have grown up in a church or church setting they have come to know and then when everything is switched up on them they are less inclined to simply come, but they need the encouragement from the church community to really "GO" out and reach the lost, no matter the circumstance.

511039393 |

10/11/2010 11:46:40 AM #

P.S. you should tag me in your coming notes so I can catch them more often maybe?

511039393 |

10/11/2010 11:46:40 AM #

Ben, we're supposed to put our comments on www.rickstapleton.com, but I'm being a rebel.
We were at a lasagna fundraiser last night at Peace Lutheran Church, and they have a sign you see when leaving the parking lot that says "YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD".  I thought that was pretty neat and appropriate to what we are studying.

100000651272532 |

10/11/2010 11:46:40 AM #

Hey Ben -- not sure how to "tag" you -- maybe you could explain that to me. Otherwise, as our rebel friend correctly notes -- there's a discussion at my blog site. There you'll find more interaction and videos (yay) that don't make the transition to my facebook.

The community transitions into college are many -- church, home town, new friends. It's an interesting moment in life, and I'm glad you're growing through it. Many simply disconnect from church. But if we understand that "go" is why we're here, we're more likely to engage.

1485908163 |

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