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Are you familiar with Penn & Teller? They are two men who have been around for many years putting on magic shows. Penn Jillette is an outspoken atheist. After one of his shows a businessman came up to him and spoke very kindly about his show. He then told him that he had a Bible that he would like to give him. Penn was impressed with the fact that this man looked him straight in the eyes, was sincere in his words and not embarrassed to hand him that little Bible.  Later on Penn reflected on the incident in a youtube video and said this:

“I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. If you believe there is a heaven and hell and that people could be going to hell … and you don’t think it ‘s worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward – then how much do you have to hate someone to not proselytize them? How much to do have to hate someone to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?”

In Matthew 28 we are charged to go out into all the world and make disciples. We are to take the good news which we have heard and received and share it with those who are still lost. For some that may means becoming  missionaries in some remote place on earth, but for most of us that means being a light to the community around us and sharing the good news of Christ crucified in the towns and neighborhood we live in right now. Penn is right, if we are not willing to share our message with others what does that say about our love for them?

Our Message

The message we are to share is really the same message we need to hear ourselves, right? Jesus died for sinners so we could be free! Free of the condemnation of sin, free of the power of sin and, someday, free of the presence of sin.

Sin is a curse on all of us, but there is salvation to be found through Jesus our substitute and our advocate. This is our good news!

Our Method

Have you heard the expression, “preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words”? It has been attributed to Francis of Assisi, but he actually never said it. It is not found in any of his writings, nor do his disciples or biographers attribute these words to him.

I understand the sentiment of that saying. Basically our lives should point to Jesus in such a way that we shouldn’t need to use words. But this it is only partially true. Yes we are called to be a light among a dark people and others should see that there is something different about us by looking at the way we live and the things we say.  But the gospel message is a verbal message.

Jesus spent a lot of time preaching and teaching. All of his miracles were accompanied by words. He is called “the Word” (John 1). And Paul reminds us in Romans 10:14 that a person cannot come to find salvation apart from hearing the word.

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

Personally I wish words were not necessary. I feel uncomfortable around people unless they are my good friends. The thought of going up to a stranger and starting a conversation about their need for salvation gives me anxiety. Thankfully that is not the only way to preach the word. A more effective way to share our love for Jesus is through relationships. But these friendships need to be genuine and truthful. People can tell if they are truly loved or if they are simply a project.

Our Confidence

I don’t feel like I am very good with words, especially not when I am face to face with someone. But that is okay. Our confidence should not be in our ability to explain the gospel perfectly (though we should always be working on that) or whether or not we have been persuasive enough.

Our confidence must be in God.

We must be faithful in obedience and then we must trust that the Spirit will use our words to work in the heart of the person we are speaking to as He sees fit. We must sow the seeds in love and let God work.

Remember that God is with us always! He has promised this to us and his immutability and truthfulness ensure that those promises are kept.

Make most of the relationships God places in your life. Live in such a way that will make others take notice and ask question, but also be willing to share the good news of Christ’s sacrifice with words.

Let’s be women who are not ashamed of the gospel but who are so in love with our Saviour that we cannot keep his beautiful message to ourselves.

Looking to Jesus,
jen-sig

 

 

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{Announcing our upcoming spring study…1st & 2nd Peter!}

How, as followers of Christ, can we stand strong in a world filled with persecution, hardships, suffering, division and false-teaching?

God’s Word has the answers! The books of 1 & 2 Peter address these very issues – not only identifying them as real and present dangers – but also practically empowering and equipping weary believers to rise up, suffer well, and press on because of the hope that lives within us! Are you feeling the weight of the world? Have you endured suffering at length with no end in sight? Do you feel more and more like an alien in a foreign land?

Then find HOPE with us as we dive into {1 & 2 Peter}, our brand NEW #LoveGodGreatly 8-week online Bible study!

“As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones are being built up…” ~ 1 Peter 2:4-5

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow and be encouraged in your faith as we study God’s Word TOGETHER! Grab some friends and join us starting March 23rd… it wouldn’t be the same without YOU!

Jen Thorn

Jen Thorn

Jen Thorn grew up in Germany and then spent her teenage years in Africa, where her parents were missionaries. She moved to the United States for college and attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she met her husband. They have been married for twenty-two years and have four children. Jen lives in the suburbs of Chicago, where her husband is the pastor of Redeemer Fellowship. Jen is passionate about theology and the connection to daily living.

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