Tuesday After Pentecost

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Tuesday in Whitsun-week

The Collect. (1)

O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Collect. (2)

GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful God, that thy Church, being gathered together in unity by thy Holy Spirit, may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen.



 For the Epistle. Acts 8:14. 

WHEN the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

  The Gospel. St. John 10:1. 

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

 

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which lie spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Monday After Pentecost

Monday in Whitsun-week.

The Collect. (1)

O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Collect. (2)

SEND, we beseech thee, Almighty God, thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, that he may direct and rule us according to thy will, comfort us in all our afflictions, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen

For the Epistle. Acts 10:34.

THEN Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

The Gospel. St. John 3:16.

GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only be gotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

EASTER WEEK

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Monday in Easter-week.

The Collect. (1892)

ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good affect; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Collect.  (1928)

O GOD, whose blessed Son did manifest himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread; Open, we pray thee, the eyes of our faith, that we may behold thee in all thy works; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

For the Epistle. Acts 10. 34.

PETER opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil;for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of. God, even to us, who did eat and drink with. him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

The Gospel. St. Luke 24. 13.

BEHOLD, two of his disciples went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and host not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

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Tuesday in Easter-week.



The Collect. (1892)

ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Collect. (1928) 

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with reverence the Paschal feast, may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  _Amen.

For the Epistle. Acts 13. 26.

MEN and brethren, children of the stock of  Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

But God raised him from the dead: and he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: but he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets: Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

The Gospel. St. Luke 24. 36.

JESUS himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.

The Epiphany, or The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles

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"We have seen his star in the east,
and have come to worship him."

The Collect

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious God-head; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


The Epistle

Ephesians iii. 1.
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
   ²If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
   ³How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
   ⁴Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
   ⁵Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
   ⁶That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
   ⁷Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
   ⁸Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
   ⁹And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
   ¹⁰To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
   ¹¹According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
   ¹²In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

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The Gospel

St. Matthew ii. 1.   ¹Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
   ²Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
   ³When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
   ⁴And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
   ⁵And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
   ⁶And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
   ⁷Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
   ⁸And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
   ⁹When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
   ¹⁰When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
   ¹¹And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
   ¹²And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Perils of Door to Door Witnessing

There are some neighborhoods where door to door witnessing is really tough.

Illustration from Calvinistic Cartoons. The caption is mine.

PENTECOST SUNDAY

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
   ²And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
   ³And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
   ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
   ⁵And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
   ⁶Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
   ⁷And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
   ⁸And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
   ⁹Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
   ¹⁰Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
   ¹¹Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
(Acts 2:1-11)

The Collect for Whitsunday - Book of Common Prayer

"O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen."

The Universal Proclamation of the Gospel

The promise of the gospel is that whosoever believes in Christ crucified shall not perish, but have eternal life.[1] This promise, together with the command to repent and believe,[2] ought to be declared and published to all nations,[3] and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of His good pleasure sends the gospel.

[1] Jn 3:16; 1 Cor. 1:23;     [2] Acts 2:38, 16:31;     [3] Matt. 28:19

(Canons of Dort, Second Head of Doctrine: The Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby, Article 5)

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"The church was not the fruit of the organizational genius of a group of zealots who came to believe that Jesus had risen in their hearts as they tried to cope with the disappointment they felt once Jesus was put to death by the Romans and His glorious kingdom did not manifest itself as promised. Instead, the biblical record tells us that the church was founded by a risen Savior who appeared to His chosen witnesses the first Easter, confirming that His death on Good Friday was the ultimate triumph over human sin. The church was not organized by Jesus’ disappointed followers trying to cover-up their embarrassment. The church was founded by Jesus Christ Himself.

"This becomes clear when we consider that the post-resurrection appearances of our Lord to His disciples do not take place in a vacuum. Our Lord’s resurrection appearances take place against the backdrop of His three-year messianic ministry during which Jesus demonstrated that He was the One promised throughout the Old Testament and that He had come to establish His kingdom and found His church. Pentecost (Acts 2), which is often considered the official birthday of the church, is the culmination of all of our Lord’s promises and only makes sense against the backdrop of our Lord’s messianic ministry."                    ____Kim Riddlebarger

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I AM BORN - AGAIN

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Thirty-seven years ago "today," at 9:00 p.m., I was born again and began to trust Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. The calendar date was actually June 7th, but I have always thought of the first Friday of June as the day.

A co-worker, who was a Christian, and I had had a few conversations about Jesus. She brought a couple of books for me to read (The Late-Great Planet Earth, and In His Steps), and even loaned me her New American Standard Bible, with the provision that I return it to her on Friday so that she would have it for church that Sunday.

I thank the Lord for Dave and Margie Dalmas, and for the members of the womens' prayer group at a Presbyterian church in the city of Orange, California.

I don't know where Dave and Margie are now. Apparently, they have moved since I last contacted them. At that time, they lived in Anaheim. I never met anyone from the womens' prayer group, but unbeknown to me, they had been praying for me for some time, Margie giving them weekly reports on how things were going.

God bless every one who prays for the salvation of people and who share the Gospel.

  

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.
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Textbooks Used in Seminary Evangelism Course

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These books are required reading for Introduction to Evangelism* at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson Mississippi.

Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People
by Will Metzger

A Faith Worth Sharing
by C. John "Jack" Miller

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
by J.I. Packer

Creation Regained : Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview
by Albert Wolters



Selections from the following books are also required reading:

The Heart of Evangelism. by Jerram Barrs

Becoming a Contagious Christian. by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg

The Reason for God : Belief  in an age of Skepticism. by Timothy Keller

Evangelism Explosion (4th Edition) by D. James Kennedy


* (This information is from the course syllabus for the Fall, 2009 semester.)


Students were also strongly encouraged to include one chapter each day from the book of Acts in their devotional reading. A thorough familiarity with The Westminster Confession of Faith was also stressed. I noticed that the recommended reading for R.T.S.'s Atlanta campus included, God Centred Evangelism by R.B. Kuiper and Ray Comfort's Hell's Best Kept Secret.

In addition to the books, a number of articles are included in the required reading. Two titles especially caught my eye. One was "Why Evangelicals Don't Read Pilgrim's Progress (and Why they Should)"; the other was "The Unconverted Calvin." 

Craig

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Just What We Might Have Expected From Ray Comfort

I was prepared to do a satirical "repost" today from the Olive Press on the non-rapture of the church, but seeing these 2 Facebook postings from Ray made me change my mind.

"The bad side (rapture coming 2day) is the mockery it'll bring tomorrow, but the good side is that it can open conversations with the lost." (Saturday Morning)

"We are still here. No rapture or Judgment day, as yet. This is great news, because it means that we still have time 2 reach out to the lost." (Saturday night)

Calvin on Evangelism

"God invites all indiscriminately to salvation through the Gospel, but the ingratitude of the world is the reason why this grace, which is equally offered to all, is enjoyed by few."

John Calvin __ Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels 1:116

Second Week of Advent: Monday

A SAVIOUR AND DELIVERER

Isa 19:19-25

In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border. It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them. The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them.

In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."
(NIV)

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"For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."

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"We know not of any event in which this prophecy can be thought to have its full accomplishment short of the conversion of Egypt to the faith of Christ, by the preaching (as is supposed) of Mark the Evangelist, and the founding of many Christian churches there, which flourished for many ages. Many prophecies of this book point to the days of the Messiah; and why not this? It is no unusual thing to speak of gospel graces and ordinances in the language of the Old-Testament institutions."

(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

John Calvin: On Evangelism

"Now we know that God prizes nothing above his honor, which lies mainly in men's knowing him and poor souls' being brought to salvation. So let us not be surprised if our Lord wants his gospel to be proclaimed with such diligence that nothing can hinder its course. For the only way men can come to salvation is through instruction in what the Bible teaches. Now since this is God's will, let us follow it."

"God invites all indiscriminately to salvation through the Gospel, but the ingratitude of the world is the reason why this grace, which is equally offered to all, is enjoyed by few." (Synoptic Gospels 1:116)

"We ought to pray that this and that and every man may be saved and so embrace the whole human race, because we cannot yet distinguish the elect from the reprobate. We pray for the salvation of all, whom we know to have been created in God's image and who have the same nature as ourselves; and we leave to God's judgment those whom He knows to be reprobate."

"[T]he godly will be filled with such an ardent desire to spread the doctrines of religion that [he] will desire to draw others along with him. And indeed nothing could be more inconsistent with the nature of faith than…to keep the light of knowledge choked up within [one’s] own breast." (Comment on Isaiah 2:3)

"It is true that the principle thing we have to look to is to show [men] the way of salvation.”

“We must have zeal and burning desire that everyone be brought to the knowledge of God for his forgiveness and for salvation."  …"We must do everything we possibly can to draw people to God."

“The salvation of souls…is more precious than the whole world.”

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Quotes excerpted from: Commentaries on Acts 1-7;  on the Synoptic Gospels;  on the Gospel of John; on Isaiah; Sermons on Ephesians; and Treatise: "On Scandals" Source: Words of Calvin, the Soul Winner  ("Evangelism"  page on http://www.corkfpc.com/)

An Alternative to Personal Evangelism



The cartoon is by Richard Gunther, and posted here with his permission (and an "OK" by Ray Comfort). See more neat things from Richard on his online magazine: Mighty Mag.

THE SECRET OF ALL EFFECTUAL WITNESSING

Part 2 of James Montgomery Boice on Personal Evangelism

If we spend time with Jesus, then the other matters -- knowing we are not the light, pointing to the light, desiring men and women to believe -- these will come naturally. And we will find ourselves increasingly used of God as He sends revival to our land.

(Continued...)
Andrew put himself second in order to bring others to Jesus. We do not know a great deal about Andrew. In the New Testament he is usually introduced as Simon Peter's brother. ... Yet, Andrew was constantly introducing others to Jesus. There are only three stories in the Gospels in which Andrew plays a significant role. There is the story recorded here [in John 1:40-42]. There was the time he brought Jesus the lad with five loaves of bread and two fish (John 6:8-9). There is the incident in which the Greeks were brought to Jesus (John 12:22). In each case Andrew put himself second in order to introduce others to the Savior.

How are we to become charged, as Andrew was? Andrew and the other disciples became witnesses after they had first spent time with Jesus. John tells us that the place where Jesus was staying at about the tenth hour - that is, about about four o'clock in the afternoon - and that they spent the night there. What do you suppose they talked about until nightfall? We are not told, but the story reminds us of the story in Luke in which Christ spoke to the Emmaus disciples, showing them from the Old Testament how it was necessary for Him "to suffer these things and then enter His glory," after which they confessed, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:26, 32). After such time spent with Jesus, when the heart burns, one is constrained to go out and find his brother.

Do you spend time with Jesus? Nothing can be a substitute for that. Only if you do that will you begin to show something of the character, particularly the love, of Him with whom you are spending time.


(emphasis added)

James Montgomery Boice: Three Points on Personal Evangelism

“In the first chapter of John’s gospel we have an outline of what our witness must be if we are to become ’informal missionaries.’ The outline is given to us in verses 6-9: ‘There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.’ If we outline these verses, we find that they contain three statements about John the Baptist’s testimony: 1) he was not the light, but 2) was sent to bear witness to that light, in order that 3) all men through him might believe.”

“…I believe that if only these three points are followed, the witness of any Christian, no matter how halting or weak it may be, will be effective. First, the believer must recognize in the depths of his being that he is not the answer to men’s problems, that he is not the light. Second, he must know that Jesus is the light and must point men to Him. Third, he must do it all with the express intention of having men and women believe.”

[1] “If we are to witness for Jesus Christ, we must first of all forget ourselves… and we must think first of the other person and of his need for the Savior. What is it that will make a person forget himself in order to point to Jesus? Only an awareness of Jesus’ worth and glory!”

[2] “We must know something about Him. We must have a message. The major parts suggested in our story …are: a) who Jesus Christ is, and b) what He has done. … (a) “I have seen, and I testify that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34) (b) The focus of Christ’s work is to be found in His death on the cross. Hence, we want to share the meaning of His death when we try to tell others about Him.”

[3] “John bore witness to Jesus, not to unload a certain amount of information…but to lead others to believe in Jesus personally. This means that he had their life and destiny in view when he was witnessing.”

“The [three-point] witness-giving of John was immediately picked up by those who believed, so that Andrew and Phillip, an unnamed disciple (probably John the evangelist), Peter and Nathaniel became the next witnesses. [And] they followed the same pattern of witnessing that John the Baptist had followed. That is:

1) They did not attract attention to themselves,

2) They bore a verbal witness to Jesus, and

3) They did so in order that those to whom they were speaking might also believe in Him.”

NEXT:  James M. Boice on: The Secret of All Effectual Witnessing!

 
Excerpts from an article by Dr. Boice titled, "Witnessing: The Progress of Revival" in Reformation and Revival - a Quarterly Journal for Church Leadership. Vol.2, Number 3 - Summer 1993

R.C. SPROUL ON PERSONAL EVANGELISM

"Somebody said once that evangelism, true evangelism, is only this - one beggar telling another beggar how to find bread. There's nothing that should make me boastful about my faith. I recognize that my faith is the result of the grace of God. And so we must understand that when we're talking to people, we're called to be gracious and kind. The fruit of the Spirit that the New Testament calls us to exhibit includes gentleness, meekness, patience, and love. That's the spirit in which we are called to communicate to people. 

"Even though we are gracious, kind, patient, friendly, and sensitive to people's dignity, we cannot remove altogether what the New Testament calls the offense of the gospel because the gospel does call people to repentance, and people are threatened by that.  But it is important that we not add unnecessarily to the offence that built into the message of sin and redemption. Sometimes people reject us and what we say because they're rejecting Christ - and we suffer unjustly. But many more times people get angry not because they're offended by Christ but they're offended by our insensitivity toward them as people."

RICHARD BAXTER ON PERSONAL EVANGELISM

"Aim at the glory of God in the person's salvation. Do it not to get a name or esteem to yourself, or to bring men to depend upon you, or to get yourself followers; but in obedience to Christ, in imitation of him, and tender love to men's souls."

"Lay aside excuses...and all lesser business, and, 'exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day, lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.' (Hebrews 3:13) Let your exhortation be from compassion and love. To jeer and scoff, to rail and vilify, is not a likely way to reform men, or convert them to God. Go to poor sinners with tears in your eyes, that they may see you believe them to be [in a miserable state], and that you unfeignedly pity their case. Deal with them with earnest, humble entreaties. Let them perceive it is the desire of your heart to do them good; that you have no other end but their everlasting happiness; and that it is your sense of their danger, and your love for their souls, that forces you to speak; even because you, 'know the terrors of the Lord,' (2 Corinthians 5:11) and for the fear that you shall see them in eternal torments.

Say to them, 'Friend, you know I seek no advantage of my own; the method to please you and keep your friendship would be to [affirm] you in your [present circumstances] or to leave you alone; but love will not [allow] me to see you perish, and be silent. I seek nothing from [you] but that which is necessary to your own happiness. It is yourself that will have the gain and comfort if you come to Christ.'"

From The Saints' Everlasting Rest. Some words and phrases modernized. C.B.

WEIRD CHURCH SIGN

Please tell me that this isn't for the purpose of Evangelism!

(Photo from the WhiteHorse Inn Blog)

ENTER TO WIN "THE BIG QUESTION"

The Big Question is a DVD that carefully and non-aggressively walks through a very clear Law and Gospel presentation. Todd Friel hosts it and it features Kirk Cameron, Voddie Bauchum, John Piper, and Ray Comfort. The quality is and content is excellent. I'd encourage you to watch it first then give it away to someone you care about who doesn't know the Lord.

Enter the drawing at FISH WITH TRISH. Four entries will be selected.

Whitsuntide, Pentecost & John the Baptist

*This is a cross-post of a comment I made on Ray Comfort's blog earlier today.

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 "As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." (Luke 3:4-6)

[Ray Comfort:]...John’s sole purpose was to be a voice in the wilderness, preparing the way for the One who would come to save human beings from God’s just wrath. He was clearing the path so that wicked sinners would hear the words of life, from the pure lips of the everlasting God manifest in human form....

Hi Ray, Happy Whitsuntide!

How appropriate (and providential) that the text of today's sermon features John Baptist, God's chosen prophet who introduced to the world Jesus Christ as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

I say "appropriate" because much of historic Christianity recognizes this season as that in which world-wide evangelism got underway. Ascension Day commemorates Christ's ascending into heaven and taking the seat of authority at the Father's "right hand." Whitsunday and the two days following are remembered as when the enthroned Christ sent the Holy Spirit to empower the church to "make disciples of all nations," preaching the good news to all peoples of all languages throughout the earth. The good news was (and is) that, on the cross, Jesus Christ has defeated sin, the grave, and the devil, and is gathering a people to be his very own possession.

What a privilege for us as believers to, in whatever locations and circumstances Providence has placed us, point people towards Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Happy Whitsuntide and happy Pentecost to all my brothers and sisters.

Craig B.