The Challenge |
The Daily Prayer |
That every member of our church family will, during the coming year, involve one person in the life of this church who is not involved right now.
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Lord, my pastor has issued this challenge. What do YOU want ME to do about it?
And, Lord, please show me what I have to give. |
A Word About Evangelism
We remember this familiar scene from the Christmas story. An angel appeared to the shepherds, who were "watching their flocks by night" in the fields outside of Bethlehem. And the angel said, "I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people" (Luke 2:10 NASB).
In the original Greek of the New Testament, when the angel said, "I bring good news," the verb was euangelizo. Meanwhile, when Paul wrote to the Romans, saying, "I am eager to preach the gospel to you" (Romans 1:15 NASB), he used the same Greek verb. Euangelizo is the word we translate there as "preach the gospel."
A closer look at the transliterated verb gives us more insight. The prefix "eu" means "good" or "well." We think of its function in English words like euphoria, euphemism, and eulogy. The Greek word "angel," meanwhile, referred to messages and messengers. To euangelizo, therefore, was to bring a good message.
Now change the "u" to a "v," which is what happened as the word came into English, and you see what you've got. The root "evangel" becomes the basis for our English words evangelism, evangelist, and evangelize. Some of these words have gotten painted with negative connotations in our world, but let us not lose sight of what the words really mean. It's all about bringing good news!
In the original Greek of the New Testament, when the angel said, "I bring good news," the verb was euangelizo. Meanwhile, when Paul wrote to the Romans, saying, "I am eager to preach the gospel to you" (Romans 1:15 NASB), he used the same Greek verb. Euangelizo is the word we translate there as "preach the gospel."
A closer look at the transliterated verb gives us more insight. The prefix "eu" means "good" or "well." We think of its function in English words like euphoria, euphemism, and eulogy. The Greek word "angel," meanwhile, referred to messages and messengers. To euangelizo, therefore, was to bring a good message.
Now change the "u" to a "v," which is what happened as the word came into English, and you see what you've got. The root "evangel" becomes the basis for our English words evangelism, evangelist, and evangelize. Some of these words have gotten painted with negative connotations in our world, but let us not lose sight of what the words really mean. It's all about bringing good news!
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Introduction to the SeriesOn Sunday, June 30th, Pastor David launched a new sermon series on evangelism, "Heirs to the Angels." Here is his introduction to that series and to that subject.
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the People Who Aren't in ChurchWhen you think of the people who aren't in church, who comes to your mind? Those people are our concern in Pastor David's "Invitational Challenge," and Jesus talks about them. Yet we may be surprised to discover who they are.
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ChanGing Our MindsSome religious folks in Jesus' day did good things -- praying, charitable giving, fasting -- but they did those things for the wrong reason. Pastor David urges us not to make that mistake with our evangelism and our "Invitational Challenge."
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The Facts of LifeWe know how animal families grow in nature. And, more specifically, we know how human families grow. But it may be that the church family has, at times, tried to grow unnaturally. And so Pastor David reviews with us "The Facts of Life" when it comes to how a church is meant to grow.
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Peter EvangelismWe want to learn how to do what we are called to do -- how to do evangelism -- from role models in the Bible. In this sermon, Pastor David encourages us to take our cue from Peter. Let "Peter Evangelism" be the mentality that we carry out into the world each day.
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Philip EvangelismIn the early church, Philip became known as "Philip the Evangelist," a natural role model for us. Pastor David looks at Philip's example and concludes that "Philip Evangelism" is all about making ourselves available to God. Do you want to be used by Him? Cheerfully report for duty each day, and surrender yourself to His will!
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Nehemiah EvangelismEvangelism is a big job, and Nehemiah teaches us how to get a big job done. Using the example of that Old Testament hero, Pastor David encourages us to take responsibility for the part of the job that is closest to home.
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Fisher and Farmer EvangelismWhen we think of fishing, we probably picture ourselves casting a line. When the first disciples thought of fishing, however, they thought of casting a net. Pastor David urges us to recognize that the Lord doesn't call us to bring in one or two souls, but a great catch for the kingdom of God!
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musical Invitations to "Nehemiah Evangelism"
a hymn by Ina Mae Duley Ogdon
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a song by Tom Coomes and Chuck Butler
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Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar, To the many duties ever near you now be true, Brighten the corner where you are. Here for all your talent you may surely find a need, Here reflect the bright and Morning Star; Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed, Brighten the corner where you are. Right beside you are believers who have gone astray; For lost sheep, you need not seek afar. In Christ’s love, exhort, restore, and comfort them today; Brighten the corner where you are. Stay in fellowship with Jesus and behold His face If His glorious radiance you’d impart. Love and serve the Lord sincerely; this will touch men’s hearts; Brighten the corner where you are. Christ is coming as the Master to reward His slaves; He appears on high, the Morning Star; Sinners rescue, saints recover while it’s still today, Brighten the corner where you are. |
We're all gathered here
Because we all believe If there's a doubter in the crowd We ask you not to leave Give a listen to His story Hear the message that we bring Feel the faith swell up inside you Lift your voice with us and sing Accept Him with your whole heart And use you own two hands With one reach out to Jesus And with the other, bring a friend Many know Him well, others just by name If you don't know for what He stands, You've really much to gain With faith you can move mountains These are common words but true We aren't quite a mountain But He's moved us here to you Accept Him with your whole heart And use you own two hands With one reach out to Jesus And with the other, bring a friend |