Eric's Blog - Entries tagged "Evangelism"

MonMondayNovNovember16th2009

Posted Monday, November 16 2009 @ 9 AM byEric Posteluk Tagged Evangelism Joy Staying Connected 0 comments Add comment

Hey everyone!

Below are some updates from last week in the Training Center for me and a couple verses to mediate on.

Summary

practiced telling personal stories – illustrations
discussions on the application of biblical texts (ancient world to modern world)
exegesis (getting the meaning out of the bible verse) on verses from Revelation for James’ preaching series
the Pastor from the Gurnee, IL church plant came and talked to us about his experiences over the last 2 years as a senior pastor
listened to various pastors apply biblical texts
reviewed and critiqued a class mates recent sermon
several administrative times
discussions regarding a “potential” moral failure of a lay-leader at one of the Harvest church plants (the situation is in the news in this area… very sad)
a number of discussions and decisions regarding selling our church property

Scripture
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven…” Luke 6:22-23

Jesus calls us to think radically different than we would normally think…. Our world would does not have a category that includes suffering and joy together. Jesus however does! As we live with an eternal perspective on life, we will too.

When we step out in faith and seek to engage people with the gospel (the good news that sinners can be forgiven and go to heaven) we will run into situations where people don’t appreciate what we’re trying to do because of their spiritual blindness to the gospel. If these people hate us or revile us etc.., we don’t have to base our joy in their response. Rather, in the midst of this form of suffering (though many in the world are being beaten and killed to advance the gospel message) we can actually REJOICE! Why? Because God Himself will reward us! His rewards will never fade. No one can take them from us. Realization of His future reward will bring present joy! This realization enables us to have a category for how suffering and joy can go together.

Let’s allow Jesus’ promise to spur us on to greater and greater obedience. Let’s allow His promise to free us from the fear of rejection. And let’s reach those around us with the good news that they can personally know God now and forever through faith in Jesus Christ! We’ve only got one life to live – let’s make every day count. “Father, please help us in this!”

Grateful for you all!