Evangelism is hard for me to wrap my head around. The Great Commission
is plain. "Go, and make disciples of all nations." [i]
except that it does not show me how to
do this step by step. There aren’t
detailed instructions on how to approach a human being and give them the love
that you’ve been experiencing. There aren’t exceptions based off of whether
it’s an old friend, or a stranger; girl or boy; adult or child. We just have to
fill these holes ourselves, right? Jesus tells us to do it, we just figure out
how right?
We do have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us who calls us to Himself.[ii]
But look, there’s more to scripture than just words. The words are the only
things our minds can understand…. In the Book of Luke, it is written (I always
feel like this is just a fun way to write….it is written….very stately.
Hufflepuff…..) “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”[iii]
This tells us this: Jesus IS telling us the details! But can our carnal finite
minds understand the deetz? Nope. I’ll use an extreme. They can’t. It’s like a
new language that we can’t understand so it’s translated, however there are
terms that don’t quite translate fully.
Ok, coming back to Evangelism. I see it happen. There are ways that I
see work and there are ways that I think don’t work well. I believe in relationship. I believe in sharing Jesus.
Although, I also believe in sharing Jesus with action and life, rather than
words all the time. Personally, I just can’t do Jesus good when I’m sharing Him
with words, UNLESS (yes I’m throwing the unless into the ring) Jesus is sharing
Himself with me. Wait, that’s an option? Oh, yes. It’s the only option.
It has to be the only option
available. Folks, check it. We really
don’t do anything. We just need to be
available. I guess Evangelism isn’t ours
to perform at all. In fact, since it belongs to Christ; we are just hollow
vessels. Slaves. But, slaves with a gracious master: slaves with stock
options. Why not say this, we are born
able to inherit all that our parents have. Christians, we choose to die to our
parent’s inheritance, and choose to inherit the inheritance of Heaven. In this
choice we become a child of God, pulled into the family of God. Our prize isn’t
only going to Heaven(which is a big thing.), our joy comes from this: that we
are bonded with Christ and made clean in order to stand before God, the Father,
and see Him. It’s much deeper than just the phrase, “Accept Jesus as your
personal LORD and savior and you won’t go to HELL.” You aren’t holes punched in
our evangelical members punch card. But know this…
Jesus is more than
just a guy. God is more than just a mean punisher.
God created this
world to be beautiful. We as humans have been poor stewards of this world. We
have allowed sin (which is an unholy thing; a un-God thing) to become a staple
in our daily life, we are unable to escape this now. We could never do good our
whole lives, even if we tried. We will always mess up and make a
mistake. But here’s the deal. Since the beginning of time God has made
covenants with us. Giving us chances to come back to Him, some using sacrifices
and atonements, with Law and order. But being human we weren’t able to do this
either. So God, giving us so much of himself; made Jesus. Now, Jesus is the
perfect man, He is tempted, but falls not. Keeps communication with God. Since
Jesus didn’t sin, He didn’t deserve death.[iv]
No sin; no death. Now, as far as these covenant sacrifices were concerned, they
were usually blameless things, like lambs or crops or bulls. There would be a
blood offering and then a burnt offering. Now check it, here’s where it gets
the best. Jesus WAS the offering. When Levite priests would make an offering
all the sin from the people’s past would cling to that offering and they would
be atoned for. But Jesus was much more. When Jesus became the offering, he not
only took on EVERY sin that was committed, He took every sin being committed at
that time, and then he claimed every sin that would be committed. Jesus claimed
every single piece of dark, dirty, filth that had kept human beings from being
in communion with God. Essentially, he paid our bills, debt, and gave us a
little something for the afterlife. His death didn’t just break us even, it
reached into even our future. Now all that sin, sent Jesus to Hell. Funny thing
is. Jesus didn’t stay in Hell. Being God, he just collected the keys got some
folks and walked out. He walked out and came back, He appeared to his
Disciples. Then ascended (the best word for what happened) into Heaven to sit
with God. Believing in this we receive the spirit of God, or the Holy Spirit.
This doesn’t make us perfect, for we as Christ Followers still must strive to
give ourselves completely to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, every single
minute.
You know what? Sometimes we fail at that. It happens, were in broken
earth suits. But we will strive to hit that mark of total and complete
servitude every moment, no matter how many times we fall. We stay in
communication with our Jesus, and we strive to be like Jesus.(it doesn’t always
happen that way) it’s hard. It’s not a box to check, or a thing to put down on
a resume. It’s a lifestyle change. It’s a life thing. It involves shutting
doors to the old way of life. And going through the open door of true life.
This is a lot to take in, however, if you have decided that you would like to
know more about this Jesus thing, or this God thing then feel free to contact
me. Or I do know this. You can click this link and it will bring you to
resources to get in touch with a church body or pastor near you.
Here are some resources to help you find what you need: when looking for
a church body, please look for a pastor that desires to serve you, as well as a
healthy community of people. You are loved by God so they should love you too.
Acts 29 Network of
churches, is a nationwide network of churches.
Southern Baptist
Convention is a huge network of churches in America. This is a group of
churches dedicated to Jesus and strengthening families.
These are only two
resources. Check with your local listings on finding a church in your area that
will serve you and that you can serve in! different churches hold different
aspects, beliefs and rituals. Find a church and get to know the people.
[i]
Matthew 28:18 – Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore,
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded
you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
[ii]
The Holy Spirit the third application of God. “it” is God, a part of God, and
should be treated as such. In order to be in right with God, we must be in
right with Jesus AND the Holy Spirit.
[iii]
Luke 24:45
[iv]
Sin is a dangerous thing. It’s a word thrown around a lot in common thought.
Usually it is meant to alienate someone, either away from their friends, or
family, or help. And that’s normal, sin is an alienation. It’s not good, but
it’s normal. Now sin has a little progression. It starts as temptation, and
then if you give in to your temptation, that poor choice turns into sin. That
sin, then does something, it changes the spirit and thus it changes the body;
because, God is life, and sin is separation, then we become separated from Life
itself. It’s like being grounded from water, you’ll live but eventually the
effected will catch up to you. So that sin, then leads to death.
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