Classic Green, sweet. BTW Green was a great Vineyard person (my denomination). Some of his theology is funny, but in those days whose wasn't? His bio, 'no compromise' is definitely a must read.
That message rings out so true today. Don't you care for all the people that you see around you and not share how to live in a life that is pleasing to God so he can dismiss his case on the day of judgement. But instead the majority fo churchs would rather not do anything and just let 150,000 people a day pass from this world to the next everyday and most will be going to hell. The Church who are active in evangalizing and putting time into sinners lives need to AWAKEN THE SLEEPY CHURCH AND GET THEM CAREING ABOUT LOST SOULS!!!!!!!!
I think we always have to be careful what we assume about how people are living their lives. When we assume that people are "asleep in the light" we can easily place a guilt on them based on _our own" expectations (often the ones we have not fulfilled in our own lives). I was watching John Wimber's "The Cost of Committment" with a guy from my church last night and it is another hard hitting message, but Wimber is careful to define a disciple in terms that are more invitational than directive. I think that is extremely important, and I speak as one who has brow beaten as well as been brow beaten into "evangelism".
Intern, your second sentence is quite scary actually. The only thing that is going to be dismissed is a life covered in the blood of Jesus. Jesus did not frame it in that way ever, if you are saved then it doesn't matter if it is a little saved of a lot saved. What Jesus did invite us to is to live the live that caused God to say, 'well done, my good and faithful servant.' In fact Jesus' heard those words in his lifetime - at several points. It doesn't matter if you win a billion lost to Jesus, God won't dismiss his case against you unless you accept the blood of his son.
As for thinking the majority of churches are not doing anything, I think that comes from a very narrow perspective of what doing something is. This is the arrogance of the evangelical church. The body is a wonderfully diverse and beautful picture of Christ. It reaches into human need in so many profound and wonderful ways. Not the least of which is evangelism. You asked how Jesus evangelized, often he would just say "follow me" and because of who the people had seen him to be they would literally uproot their lives at nothing more than a "follow me". For many churches this is the reality of evangelism too - they do the works of Christ and others begin doing it as well. As they go they realize that no one else is quite like Christ and this leads them closer and closer to the waters of baptism.
Frank you bring up some very good topics for discussion: What role does evangelism play in the life of the church and the believer? What role does our efforts at sharing our faith play when we see Jesus face to face? WHat is the definition of a disciple? WHy has GOd not returned yet? (Okay that one was mine) but is that linked with spreading the gospel? Where did Keith Green get that shirt? Is Keith Green right about those who have fallen asleep? Are their any similarieties with out churches today and the seven churches in the bookof Revelation? Enough questions to keep Frank and the Intern busy for at least 4 months. Anyway...message to all of us...let's remember to not be offended by each others opinions, but challenged...even in the least bit at times, at the fact that "you" are having to defend a view you thought was agreed upon among many Christians. Interesting to see how many roads we can take scripture, interpretations, and core beliefs. Which will lead to another great question to be answered on Thursday (and please wait until that time to answer this one- I'm just giving some time for ya'll to think about it before you write an answer) AS A CHURCH- THE BODY OF CHRIST- WHAT ARE SOME CORE BELIEFS THAT WE CANNOT COMPROMISE ON? Seems like a simple question...however, I feel that assumption will prove as an "I told you so" come Thursday. Also on Friday's for our free for all...let's try going to a format where you guys get a chance to ask the questions or bring up a topic instead of me. Let me know if any of you would be interested in doing so. To keep it running smoothly I would ask that you email your topic or question in so I can post it and then have the wonderful feeling that I experience on a weekly basis here at Way of the Pastor- throwing your question to the sharks only to have it ripped up, bitten, gnawed on and destroyed only to see the remains of your topic or discussion float to the top for you to observe what is left, what remains, and what lasted after such activity! I consider it pure Joy!
Classic Green, sweet. BTW Green was a great Vineyard person (my denomination). Some of his theology is funny, but in those days whose wasn't? His bio, 'no compromise' is definitely a must read.
ReplyDeleteThat message rings out so true today. Don't you care for all the people that you see around you and not share how to live in a life that is pleasing to God so he can dismiss his case on the day of judgement. But instead the majority fo churchs would rather not do anything and just let 150,000 people a day pass from this world to the next everyday and most will be going to hell. The Church who are active in evangalizing and putting time into sinners lives need to AWAKEN THE SLEEPY CHURCH AND GET THEM CAREING ABOUT LOST SOULS!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteway of the pastor
intern
I think we always have to be careful what we assume about how people are living their lives. When we assume that people are "asleep in the light" we can easily place a guilt on them based on _our own" expectations (often the ones we have not fulfilled in our own lives). I was watching John Wimber's "The Cost of Committment" with a guy from my church last night and it is another hard hitting message, but Wimber is careful to define a disciple in terms that are more invitational than directive. I think that is extremely important, and I speak as one who has brow beaten as well as been brow beaten into "evangelism".
ReplyDeleteIntern, your second sentence is quite scary actually. The only thing that is going to be dismissed is a life covered in the blood of Jesus. Jesus did not frame it in that way ever, if you are saved then it doesn't matter if it is a little saved of a lot saved. What Jesus did invite us to is to live the live that caused God to say, 'well done, my good and faithful servant.' In fact Jesus' heard those words in his lifetime - at several points. It doesn't matter if you win a billion lost to Jesus, God won't dismiss his case against you unless you accept the blood of his son.
As for thinking the majority of churches are not doing anything, I think that comes from a very narrow perspective of what doing something is. This is the arrogance of the evangelical church. The body is a wonderfully diverse and beautful picture of Christ. It reaches into human need in so many profound and wonderful ways. Not the least of which is evangelism. You asked how Jesus evangelized, often he would just say "follow me" and because of who the people had seen him to be they would literally uproot their lives at nothing more than a "follow me". For many churches this is the reality of evangelism too - they do the works of Christ and others begin doing it as well. As they go they realize that no one else is quite like Christ and this leads them closer and closer to the waters of baptism.
peace,
Frank
Frank you bring up some very good topics for discussion: What role does evangelism play in the life of the church and the believer? What role does our efforts at sharing our faith play when we see Jesus face to face? WHat is the definition of a disciple? WHy has GOd not returned yet? (Okay that one was mine) but is that linked with spreading the gospel? Where did Keith Green get that shirt? Is Keith Green right about those who have fallen asleep? Are their any similarieties with out churches today and the seven churches in the bookof Revelation? Enough questions to keep Frank and the Intern busy for at least 4 months. Anyway...message to all of us...let's remember to not be offended by each others opinions, but challenged...even in the least bit at times, at the fact that "you" are having to defend a view you thought was agreed upon among many Christians. Interesting to see how many roads we can take scripture, interpretations, and core beliefs. Which will lead to another great question to be answered on Thursday (and please wait until that time to answer this one- I'm just giving some time for ya'll to think about it before you write an answer) AS A CHURCH- THE BODY OF CHRIST- WHAT ARE SOME CORE BELIEFS THAT WE CANNOT COMPROMISE ON? Seems like a simple question...however, I feel that assumption will prove as an "I told you so" come Thursday. Also on Friday's for our free for all...let's try going to a format where you guys get a chance to ask the questions or bring up a topic instead of me. Let me know if any of you would be interested in doing so. To keep it running smoothly I would ask that you email your topic or question in so I can post it and then have the wonderful feeling that I experience on a weekly basis here at Way of the Pastor- throwing your question to the sharks only to have it ripped up, bitten, gnawed on and destroyed only to see the remains of your topic or discussion float to the top for you to observe what is left, what remains, and what lasted after such activity! I consider it pure Joy!
ReplyDelete...did you guys hear something?
Way of the Pastor,
Joe
Hey be looking forward to more video format topics coming soon. I have found some very challenging and interesting stuff!
ReplyDeleteJoe