THE BLOG
Topic
- Acts 17 2
- Anxiety 2
- Bible 4
- Body of Christ 1
- Burden 1
- CEO 1
- Christian Living 33
- Christianity 3
- Christlikeness 6
- Christmas 3
- Conflict 1
- Cults 1
- Death 1
- Discipleship 3
- Emotions 1
- Evangelism 4
- Faith 2
- Forgive 2
- Fusion 1
- Gospel 8
- Hebrews 11 1
- Holiness 1
- Holy Spirit 1
- Homosexuality 1
- Humility 1
- Israel 2
- Jesus 5
- King of Glory 1
- Missions 1
- More Disciples 29
- Outreach 1
- Pastor Jeff 36
- Psalm 119 3
- Reading 1
- Satan 1
- Stress 2
- Study 3
- Tell Someone 35
- Temptation 1
- Truth 4
- abortion 1
- again 1
- angels 1
- church 4
- desires 1
- devil 1
- disagree 1
- disciples 1
- disgrace 1
- doctrine 1
Fast Facts on Responding to Popular Criticisms of Christianity (Copy)
I’ve investigated a number of murders over the years motivated by nothing more than an act of disrespect. The pursuit of power is one of three motivations driving criminal behavior, and it often manifests itself as a response to a simple act of insolence. When a gang member feels disrespected, for example, he may retaliate violently. As humans, all of us are repelled when we feel dishonored, insulted or belittled in some way, even if most of us won’t react as aggressively as gangsters. If you’re trying to persuade someone, it’s important to understand the relationship between respect and reach. The more we respect and honor the dignity of others, the more likely we’ll be able to reach them with an idea, concept or worldview. Jesus reiterated the importance of respecting others in his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount:
We Need More W.A.T.W. Types @ Christmastime
What is a W.A.T.W type? I’ll get to that in a moment.
Christmas is probably the most universally celebrated holiday of any on the calendar. For almost an entire month, there is a party atmosphere everywhere with all kinds of traditions around lights and trees and decorations and special food and songs a seemingly endless array of gifts.
While we as believers know why this celebration is so special (“there is born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”), but most in our culture give nothing more than a superficial nod to some little cuddly baby born in a manger.
What can be done to bring more attention to the centerpiece of this celebration? Be more like W.A.T.W. What?
Fast Facts on Responding to Popular Criticisms of Christianity
Jason Carlson (Christian Ministries International) Sometimes in our apologetic conversations, whether with cultists or skeptics, we will be confronted with a question or challenge that we simply don’t have an answer for. What should we do in those situations? Avoid the temptation to make up an answer. Not only is this dishonest, but it’s not really helping the person you’re witnessing to.
4 Essential Ingredients of the Gospel
In a word, the evangelistic message is the gospel of Christ and Him crucified, the message of man’s sin and God’s grace, of human guilt and divine forgiveness, of new birth and new life through the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a message made up of four essential ingredients.
1. The gospel is a message about God. It tells us who He is, what His character is, what His standards are, and what He requires of us, His creatures. It tells us that we owe our very existence to Him; that for good or ill, we are always in His hands and under His eye; and that He made us to worship and serve Him, to show forth His praise and to live for His glory. These truths are the foundation of theistic religion; and until they are grasped, the rest of the gospel message will seem neither cogent nor relevant. It is here with the assertion of man’s complete and constant dependence on his Creator that the Christian story starts.
4 Verses that Transformed my Evangelism
Paul’s trip to Athens is a goldmine for giving us a biblical approach to witnessing. We’re used to looking at Acts 17 and considering his approach in the marketplace and the synagogue, and to analyzing how in his Areopagus speech he both connects with and confronts the lies of the Athenians’ culture and worldview.
But what transformed my evangelism was verses 24–27. Look at what the apostle says about God and about people:
Fast Facts on What To Do When You’re on the Ropes in a Witnessing Encounter
Jason Carlson (Christian Ministries International)
Sometimes in our apologetic conversations, whether with cultists or skeptics, we will be confronted with a question or challenge that we simply don’t have an answer for. What should we do in those situations?
Avoid the temptation to make up an answer. Not only is this dishonest, but it’s not really helping the person you’re witnessing to.
It’s Summer: Look Around and Engage
Summertime always seems to be a greater opportunity to engage in gospel conversations. There’s more light. There are more people out and about. There are more relaxed environments. People seem happier and more relational.
