Exposed

What went wrong?

This past weekend Hurricane Irene ripped through the East Coast, leaving millions without power, destroying thousands of homes, and ruining multiple towns, cities, and villages. (http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2011/08/29/residents-return-home-to-assess-irene-damage-with-floodwaters-still-rising/) All of the destruction and devastation leaves individuals asking questions such as why would a good God allow evil, why did this happen, and what went wrong? Hurricanes, death and destruction were never God's original plan...

In the beginning, God spoke and everything came into existence. By His command, the entire universe was created and filled with a dramatic display of galaxies, stars, and planets-including Earth, on which was a perfect garden of paradise called Eden. Of all the beauty He created, the masterpiece was a man and a woman. God made Adam and Eve in His image to reflect Him. They were created with the grand purpose of worshiping Him by loving Him, serving Him, and enjoying relationship with Him. By God's design all of creation was in harmony and was exactly the way it was supposed to be. During this time there was no pain, suffering sickness or death. There was complete love, acceptance, and intimacy between God and man, between Adam and Eve, and throughout creation. But something tragic happened...

Adam and Eve were far from being equal to God, yet He lovingly placed them in charge of all He had created in Eden. He gave them the freedom to make decisions and govern the earth with one rule: not to eat fruit from a specific tree. One day, God's enemy, a fallen angel named Satan, wanted to overthrow God so he took the form of a serpent and lied to Adam and Eve. He deceived them into thinking God was not good and did not have their best interest in mind. As a result, they knowingly disobeyed God. In rebellion, Adam and Eve ate the fruit, deciding that they, not God, would determine right and wrong.

The consequences of their actions were devastating! Like a virus, sin entered into all of creation and into the hearts of Adam and Eve. Sin, suffering, and pain were passed down from generation to generation; all of creation was distorted from it's original design. We have all read or heard the stories of war, poverty, hurricanes, earthquakes, greed, and scandals that plague our world today. Those are all a result of sin.

Sin not only exists out there but also inside each of us. How many lies have you told this week? last week? in your life? Have you ever stolen anything? Did you know that if you look with lust or sexual desire it is the same as adultery? Just think of the grudges you've held, the lies you've told, the thoughts you'd never dare say aloud. An honest glance into our own hearts reveals the truth: we are all guilty! Everyone has sinned, and the ultimate consequence, even worse than physical death, is eternal separation from a loving God, in terrible misery and unhappiness. Because of all this, we need to consider the question: Can anything be done? Is there hope? Find out here...http://viewthestory.com/3156

Go Stand Speak

Confession Time:

My name is T Elliott Welch and I am a people-pleaser and have a shy personality. This may come as a shock to some of you, but I worry about what others think of me. My fear of people has resulted in numerous awkward moments as well as times of missed opportunities for the Gospel. I may be a people-pleaser and I may have a shy personality, however, I do not have the right to be silent about my faith. I have heard numerous Christians attempt to rationalize their lack of evangelistic zeal with the excuse that they do not have a type A personality or that they are afraid. If this is your excuse I understand, however, this is not a valid excuse. Here are five reasons why even though we are afraid we must still share our faith and preach in the open air.

5) Sharing your faith is pure joy:

• This may be hard to believe but it is a blast to share your faith. I always leave dragging my feet not wanting to go but when I return I am leaping for joy.
• The adrenaline pumping through your veins as you walk up to a complete stranger and prepare to share the Gospel is addicting. I have run into a burning building and not even that experience compares to the adrenaline which I receive when I share my faith. It is pure joy to share your faith!

4) You're able to put into practice what you learn in school/church:

• This semester I will spend forty hours a week in the classroom or in the library reading and studying theology. I will become arrogant and prideful if I do not share what I am learning. Sharing your faith allows you to apply what is learned in school.
• When you share your faith or preach in the open air you are teaching theology. You are teaching others to have a correct view of God, a correct view of man and in return this will result in a correct understanding of the Gospel. 

3) You're able to observe the Holy Spirit bring conviction on a sinners heart and watch God miraculously save sinners:

• I have watched hardened sinners become broken by the Holy Spirit and cry out to God on the side of the street. Nothing compares to watching the Holy Spirit break a man and draw him to God.
• James tells us: "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
• Proverbs tells us: "He who wins souls is wise."

2) You grow closer to God:

• When you go out to share your faith you are relying on the Holy Spirit to bring individuals across your path who are open to having a spiritual conversation. You are relying on the Holy Spirit to bring about a conviction of sin and you are relying on the Holy Spirit to draw the elect to God. When you share your faith you learn to trust God and lean on Him, because of this you grow closer to God.
• Your prayer/bible study/worship improves when you share your faith, because you desire to learn more about God so that you may share Him with others.

1) Christ is worthy:

• John tells us: "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open it's seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
• Christ is worthy to receive the reward of His suffering! Christ is worth losing everything for!
• If you don't share your faith than you don't believe He is worth having an awkward conversation or losing a friend over, trust me, He is worth it!

Are you a people-pleaser? Are you afraid of what others may think? Are you afraid you can't witness because you don't have a type A personality? If so, hear the words of Paul..."God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." If you are a people-pleaser, afraid of what others think, or shy than you are just the person God wants out on the street sharing your faith with others! Now, GO and share your faith while there is still time.

Football, Carolina Panthers, and The Great Commission

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  Football season!  I can think of no greater way to spend a Thursday evening, Saturday, Sunday afternoon, and/or Monday night, than by watching football.  I was not a football fanatic for twenty one years but now I have been bit by the bug and bit hard.  During the week I fill my hunger for football by checking espn.com and receiving “tweets” from the Carolina Panthers. These “tweets” inform me of practice and how the team is preparing for Sundays match-up.  The majority of the “tweets” deal with the Panthers memorizing plays.

Ballplayers have to memorize a lot of plays.  They run their plays over and over until their moves are automatic.  The interesting thing is that once Cam Newton calls the play and takes the snap, everyone does something different.  Same play, different assignments.  The guys on the line block, but each one has a different blocking scheme.  Other guys take off from the line and run passing routes-again, each man on his own route.  Even the men in the backfield have different moves to make, depending on the play.

This is an analogy for what should happen when a Christian comes across a specific exhortation in Scripture.  For example, Matthew 28:19 couldn’t be clearer: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.”  That’s the command.  Every believer needs to obey that command.  But note: the way in which a believer “makes disciples” will be different, by virtue of how God has designed that believer.  Same command, different ways of executing it, or to stick with our football analogy same play, different routes.

When it comes to “making disciples”, some people will do that by teaching, because that’s what they do best.  Some will do it by modeling and mentoring.  Some have a giftedness for influencing people, so they will focus on proclaiming the gospel in very straightforward, impactful ways.  Some will come alongside believers and build relationships and live out the gospel, so that over time they will come to Christ.  Some will bring their friends to people who have the ability to explain the gospel much more effectively than they can.  Some will participate in teams that go into the world and do specific projects aimed at drawing people to Jesus.  Some who have a talent for telling a story will write books in which they relate their own journey’s of faith in ways that are compelling to an unsaved reader.

Each “player” on God’s team has different strengths to be used by God in carrying out His will.  You will not see Steve Smith attempting to play offensive line, because that is not where God has gifted Him.  The same is true with Christians, many are trying to fill a role God never designed them to fill you must find your spiritual gift and serve God using those gifts He has given you.  Here is a link in order to take a spiritual gifts test if you do not know what yours is: http://elmertowns.com/spiritual_gifts_test/. 

It is very important that you identify your God-given strengths, as best you can.  God has specific “good works” assigned for you to do, and the strengths that He has designed into you will tell you a lot about what your assignment is.

Top Five:

Recently, my Sunday School teacher asked the class, "How do you cultivate compassion for the lost?" I have been chewing on this question for the past two weeks, and finally have an answer. Here is my top five ways to cultivate compassion for the lost:
5) Pray!

• Pray for the lost in your Jerusalem (family members, friends, neighbors, etc.)
• Pray for the lost in your Judea (Co-workers, Servers at restaurants, Barista at local coffee shop, etc.)
• Pray for the lost in your Samaria (Governor, Senator, President, Congress, etc.)
• Pray for the lost at the end of the world (Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Mormons, Atheists, etc.)

4) Read your Bible!

• Begin in the Gospels and study the life of Christ. Notice the times He has compassion on the multitudes, watch as He heals the sick, comforts the brokenhearted, and saves the lost. The more you study the Bible, the more you will see that God's heart is for the lost and the more your heart will begin to look like God's.

3) Soak in the Gospel!

• Study Ephesians 2:1-10
• See your life before Christ; 2:1-3
• See your life in Christ; 2:4-9
• See your life with Christ; 2:10

2) Surround yourself with individuals who already have a compassion for the lost.

• Evangelism is contagious. If you get around others who love to witness you will begin to share your faith as well.
• Get together a group of friends and go out with the intention of sharing your faith. There is strength in numbers.
• Read biographies of soul-winners.
• Find a soul-winner in your church and learn from him or her.

1) Share your faith.

• The easiest way to cultivate compassion for the lost is to begin to witness.
• Start by smiling at strangers, saying hi, and asking them how their day is going.
• Buy Gospel tracts and begin handing them out. People love free stuff! Here is a great site with catchy, fun Gospel tracts...www.livingwaters.com
• Share your faith with total strangers. If they don't listen or they are rude, no worries because you will never see them again.
• Share your faith with your family members, co-workers, and neighbors. Remember their eternal destiny is at stake!

If you implement these five strategies into your daily Christian life, you will cultivate compassion for the lost. Now GO, share your faith while there is still time!