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| Evangelist Keith Wilson's blog |
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| I Study Apologetics! (But do you make time to Go out and share with the lost?) |
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Many people study different things From Apologetics to anything theological!
How many of us ( Christians) make time to Go out and share Christ with the Lost?
28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. |
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Ragland |
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November 30, 2007 at 8:32am |
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Hi Keith, I am one of the Alumni of the local Haggai Institute in the town where I live. We just concluded two three day seminars, one in English and the other in Tamil (my native language). On the last day o the seminar in Tamil, I was asked to take the devotion time for the participants. The main theme was nothing but the same passage which you have given above. Matt 16-20. As I was preparing for the devotion, I was wondering, gospel was brought to India 2000 years back, through St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ himself. I was trying to understand why even after 2000 years only 2% of the Indian population (100,00,00,000). As I was going through the passage slowly, this is what was prompted by the Lord to me: 1. We go to all nations and teach others 2. We baptise belivers in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. But we fail miserably in teaching them to observe ( some translation says to teach them to obey the commandments taught by Jesus). I think we dont teach them because we dont follow them. Some of the commandments which came to my mind are writen in Luke 6:27-28 6:27 But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, 6:28 bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you. I wisht to know if this is only in this part of the country or is it through out the world. God Bless you Keith for pointing this out. I think I still lack in following absolutely all the commandments of our Lord and Saviour. |
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Ragland- your point is well taken,The bible teaches us to go, teach, and observe (obey follow)
my understanding is that all the things mentioned are what we call "Discipleship" when a person receives Jesus Christ as savior, they need to be taught how to follow after The Lord!
Public profession,and baptism, 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. 2:42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
verse 42, points out that they continued in the Apostles doctrine.
What was the Doctrine?- Death , burial , Resurrection, of Jesus Christ.
Man no matter where they are India, America ect. does not make a difference, the difference is doing what God tells us to do. Human nature makes us not observe it or teach it. |
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Gina |
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November 30, 2007 at 10:22am |
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Awesome points my Brothers! It is so many Christian Intellectuals, but not enough Christians ( in the true sense of the word, Christ Like). You see if we were truly "Christ Like" we would want to see all people come to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ! We would take the time out of our busy schedules, whether it be studying...working...or whatever it is that we do on a daily basis, to share the Gospel with those who don't know Jesus. We won't save the world if we don't spread the WORD!
Just a little food for thought!
God Bless you both! |
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So often (in this country at least), Christianity is regarded as a one-time event, the altar call. Everyone who's responded to an altar call claims they are saved, and often at the expense of holy living. I was like that, many people I know are/were like that. This type of thinking tends to deaccentuate the importance of discipleship. Thus we fail at "teaching them to observe."
Good point Ragland. And great follow-ups too. ~mike |
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| Amen mike! Teaching them to observe is the key, thus we have to keep the word of God before them. One of the biggest mistakes of the church is we don't follow up on the converts. |
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Keith,
I guess I have a little different take on this. I understand those who are called to the office of evangelist, and the highly focused passion they have for bringing the lost to Christ. But I also understand that we are ALL to do the work of evangelists. So often the call to this is couched in language that urges us to set aside special time devoted to 'soul-winning'. And the resistance I hear (and at times experience myself) is not born of a desire to sit and quietly channel surf or whatever. It comes of a busy-ness that is rampant in our culture, where multiple demands and priorities and urgencies all call for our attention. It's not so much a matter of choosing between Godly and ungodly pursuits, but rather of balancing our lives. We have been taught that there are spiritual pursuits and then there are secular pursuits. Work, ministry, family, homemaking, etc, etc,...each needing its own neatly defined and dedicated block of 'quality time' and attention. Yet scripture tells us to do all things as unto the Lord. Perhaps we need discipleship that does away with the concept of 'secular' pursuit and teaches folks that they can live and move and have their being in God's Presence every moment, whether their vocation is as a pastor or an evangelist or a banker or mechanic or homemaker...They are not second class citizens in the Kingdom who need to carve out extra time to evangelize. They can be and should be anointed to be what they are wherever they are. And the life of Christ can pour out of them in those activities. In their homes...in the factory...in the marketplace...And doing acts of justice and mercy, speaking prophetic words of encouragement, ministering healing, sharing the Gospel, can and should be a real and regular natural part of their (our) daily rhythm of life. No? |
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It is important to make time to share the love of Christ with the lost. I believe that making time is taking advantage of the opportunities that we have in our everyday life. Most of the time it happens in casual conversations as we go about our day. One thing I like to do is every morning ask God to put someone in my path that I can share Jesus with (Sorry, I get lazy in my posts and end sentences with prepositions, lol). I believe if that we are willing to be a vessel that God can work through, he will send the people.
Regarding apologetics, if someone is studying apologetics just for the knowledge, he or she is doing it for the wrong reasons. The purpose of this disicpline is to clear away the obstabcles so the Gospel can be presented. It really doesn't make any sense to take time to clear the obstacles and never offer people the Gospel.
Another word about apologetics that I would like to briefly reflect on is that we should seek to answer questions that people are asking. Too often we answer questions that nobody is asking. Then we should answer those question for the purpose of winning them to Jesus. |
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Don- I agree with you in most of what you are saying , but let me say this first " This is not a blog about being an evangelist" this is a question that i opened up to see if people (Christians make time to share the faith) you pointed out that we should spreed out the time (Work, school, ect) but the truth be told wherever we are we are Christians, and the Bible say "Go" you also pointed out we are to " do the work of an evangelist" we make time for work, school, and everything else but we don't seem to set a specific time to share are faith. So if we are Christians, and if we are to do the work of an evangelist , When do we set a time to go? or do we just let are light shine with out opening are mouth? If i am wrong please let me know!
Pastor Tim- Thank you for your comment as well, You used what i was trying to get out of this "MAKE TIME" Also I used Apologetics to get people drawn into this conversation, and you have said just what i thought" if someone is studying apologetics just for the knowledge, he or she is doing it for the wrong reasons" Thank you so much |
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| Don, Pastor Tim-Great comments. Hanging with Jesus all day and making Him in our daily walk. |
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| I do it when God gives me the opportunity...mostly on facebook, but sometimes in person. Like one of my friends stopped here on the way to NFLD, and God already showed me last summer (06) that she will get saved...I even gave her a word from the Lord and a Scripture (which doesn't honestly happen hardly at all) to send her off with...but she said she wasn't ready yet. I have wimped out before, but as I pray for boldness and courage, it seems to be getting much better. But I am at home mostly, so I do what I can. |
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| Laura-That is what you call a good Honest answer! eliminating excuses is always an avenue of open opportunity |
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Carolyn |
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November 30, 2007 at 12:15pm |
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Brother..I like how you said that we are all called to do the work of an evangelist...to compel the people to come into the truth..in Christ Jesus. The Great Commission is for all believers to fulfill not people with titles.
In my years of being in the church, I have seen people wanting only to minister on Sunday to believers instead of going out and compeling the lost..They rather to minister to a pew of people then going to the prison or homeless shelters...It's amazing to me... |
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MaKelly |
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November 30, 2007 at 12:18pm |
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APOLOGETICS, APOLOGIST
Apologetics is the logical defense and proof of Christianity. An apologist is a Christian intellectual who specializes in presenting the Christian faith in a way that is understandable to his contemporary culture.
Challenge to prove divinity The trinity
John 10:22-39
Religious leaders surround Jesus at the Temple
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
l thessalonians 5:21
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. |
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Keith,
My core point was that we would not need to "make time" to evangelize if sharing the Gospel was simply a natural and integral part of our life at work, at school, etc. I heard Bill Johnson from Redding, California describe how he had folks calling his church to find out how to get involved with their "Mall Ministry" because so many people were getting saved and healed at the local mall. He had to tell them "We don't have 'mall ministry'. We just have Godly people who shop." Now I love the idea that some folks want to get training and hit the streets for a dedicated period of time weekly or whatever. But I am even more interested in raising up folks whose radar is always on, every waking hour, for divinely appointed encounters, be they opportunities to pray, encourage, give, heal, evangelize. And if those occur in the workplace then the workplace is blessed. And if they happen when the family is out to dinner, then the family and the restaurant are privileged to witness and participate in a moment when God's Kingdom is breaking in. We have such clearly defined boundaries set for our lives, and we think its a virtue. Yet when I read scripture, it seems like God has a real thing for crazy people with crummy boundaries. |
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MaKelly |
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November 30, 2007 at 12:25pm |
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| YES YES I DO SHARE WITH THE LOST |
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| Don_ I am so sorry, I miss read what you were saying, and it wasn't until after i read it again that i realized we were on the same page, Thanks bro. I Was incorrect! |
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MaKelly |
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November 30, 2007 at 12:38pm |
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| Evangelist keith that was my assignment for 3 years when I first went into ministry I was under the pastor who went out, then I had to come back with the list of names a call each and everyone to make sure the understood want they did and to invite them to service and enroll them in a class call ( WHAT DO I DO NEXT AFTER I BECOME SAVED) That Followup keep in touch a call to new converts a least once a week. |
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| MAkelley- Amen to the follow-up, and thanks for the Apologetic lesson. |
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| Thanks, bro! And I love your heart and your passion. |
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I NEED THIS STUDY SO BAD RIGHT NOW... I AM GETTING READY TO POST A BLOG ON IT.
IS THERE A TEACHER OUT THERE...
OR
Keith could you start another group to teach us you are good. |
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Wow that was weird. Instead of one comment I left 10... oh well Keith your computer is too slow and mine too fast I must have hit enter as I was typing or something...
at least I kept you in the recent posts for a while |
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| Don- Amen bro! 24/7 demonstrating the King's domain. Hey you ever been to Bill Johnson's church? Loved his book when heaven meet's earth. I call it a Pentecostal Proverbs! I with you! |
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| Its easier for me to demonstrate love to the lost and live a clean life. Teaching by example and training disciples and showing them how it is done. By myself I can reach a few. But with a group of people learning to do things properly will have a much greater impact on a community than a lone ranger. Shalom |
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