Introducing your Father
One of my favorite examples for true evangelism came from a sudden realization that rocked my world. Here it is:
Suppose I go to a party and take my dad with me. Then I meet you and say, "Hi there! My name is Art. I have a dad--he's a great guy. He's a car salesman, too. In fact, he's one of the top Ford salesmen in the United States because he's so honest and selfless. If you ever need a great deal on a car, just let me know, and maybe I can take you to the dealership to look at cars." All the while, my dad is standing silently behind me IN PERSON!
How often do we do this with God? If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, then we have Him right there with us. And yet we say things like, "I have a God...let me tell you about Him. If you're interested, I'll take you to church and let someone else tell you about Him."
When are we just going to introduce people to our God?
"I have a God, here He is!" Let's pray for people. Let's express love in practical ways. Let's demonstrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit to heal, work miracles, prophesy the words of God, and share personal revelations from the Holy Spirit! Let's cast out demons and raise the dead in the name of Jesus Christ!
Let's introduce people to our God!
Evangelism is not handing someone a "Gospel tract" or saying "Jesus loves you." That's called planting a seed. Not that there's anything wrong with that--it's actually a good and necessary part of the Christian life. The point is that if all you ever do is plant seeds and never seize the opportunities the Lord is granting for actually introducing Him, your effectiveness will be sadly limited.
Go in the power of the Holy Spirit, and expect the Lord to minister alongside you!
Suppose I go to a party and take my dad with me. Then I meet you and say, "Hi there! My name is Art. I have a dad--he's a great guy. He's a car salesman, too. In fact, he's one of the top Ford salesmen in the United States because he's so honest and selfless. If you ever need a great deal on a car, just let me know, and maybe I can take you to the dealership to look at cars." All the while, my dad is standing silently behind me IN PERSON!
How often do we do this with God? If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, then we have Him right there with us. And yet we say things like, "I have a God...let me tell you about Him. If you're interested, I'll take you to church and let someone else tell you about Him."
When are we just going to introduce people to our God?
"I have a God, here He is!" Let's pray for people. Let's express love in practical ways. Let's demonstrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit to heal, work miracles, prophesy the words of God, and share personal revelations from the Holy Spirit! Let's cast out demons and raise the dead in the name of Jesus Christ!
Let's introduce people to our God!
Evangelism is not handing someone a "Gospel tract" or saying "Jesus loves you." That's called planting a seed. Not that there's anything wrong with that--it's actually a good and necessary part of the Christian life. The point is that if all you ever do is plant seeds and never seize the opportunities the Lord is granting for actually introducing Him, your effectiveness will be sadly limited.
Go in the power of the Holy Spirit, and expect the Lord to minister alongside you!
Mark 16:19,20--After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it (NIV).--Art--
Labels: Art Thomas, evangelism, gifts of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, planting seeds, power
posted by Art Thomas | 8:48 AM
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