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Evangelism
by Father Al Jenkins
Matthew 28:16-20
This is a passage from Matthew 7 that tells us how to
BE
a Christian.
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
In Matthew 28 Jesus tells us what we should
DO as Christians.
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
In the first instance, a wise person builds his or her spiritual life upon the Words of Christ, making it possible to ride out the storms of life.
In the second instance, Jesus tells us tells us we are to make Christians.
There is a hidden message in both passages.
In the first passage we hear these words -
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught
as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
And in the second story we hear these words -
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples…
Here's what both say to me!
Jesus is the authority of God.
Success as a Christian comes from the authority of Christ.
What this means is this - Power comes from being plugged into the power source and success comes from the power. It's called empowerment.
Jesus is clear - we are to make disciples.
The First Time in Church
A mother took her three-year-old daughter to the Episcopal church for the first time.
The choir came down the aisle, and the acolytes were carrying lighted candles.
All was quiet, very solemn, until the little one realized what was happening and started to sing in a loud
voice, "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you..."
This child, with innocence, knew what worship was all about.
Therefore, let us not complicate winning others to Christ!
Be a friend, win a friend, bring a friend to Christ!
John 1:40-41
40Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah."
Do you see how to make disciples?
John the Baptist told Andrew who Jesus was - Andrew found his brother Peter and told him "we" have found the Messiah.
Will you tell someone you have found Christ?
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest" (Matt. 9:37-38).
The Challenge: Millions Lost
The Solution: Jesus
The Power: God's
The Call: To Pray
The Choice: Yours
The Time: NOW
1 Timothy 2:1-4
I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks, be made for all people: for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.
Amen.
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