Planting the SEED!!!!

Luke 8:4-15

Did you know that the gospel is the seed of God’s work in your life?  The gospel is also the seed that is to be taken to the world.  Your culture is the soil in which the seed is planted.  Obviously, you want the seed to take root rather than being washed away.  Before you will be able to affectively reach your culture, you need to take a good look at your culture (soil).  When you do this, you are looking for the weeds that appear in the form of sin and theological error.  When you understand the sins and errors in thinking, you will have an understanding of how to best show Jesus to the culture.  Ask God to reveal the sins and errors that choke out the gospel in your city.  Ask God to give you the ability to plant the gospel so that it takes root.

GET InVOLVED

Acts 17:16-17 and 22-31
In this passage, Paul is in one of the major cultural centers of his day: Athens.  Even though there were countless sightseeing opportunities in the city, Paul was unable to enjoy them.  Why?  Because, as a missionary, his heart was broken over the idolatry he saw in the city.  So, he spent his time going into the culture to intentionally preach about Jesus.  Read Acts 17:16-17 and notice what Paul did before he preached Jesus.  Yes, Paul went into the city and gained an understanding of the culture of the city. How often do you go into the culture of your town/city with the intention of asking God to reveal the needs of the city?  Pray that God would show you how to reach our city.

Dealing with SIN...Part 2

After weighing a sin and deciding that the issue must be dealt with, the next step is to go to the sinner in a one-on-one manner.  Your goal is to restore the sinner!  In this gathering, get the truth about the sin.  Remember, hearsay and secondhand reports from others about someone’s sin don’t deem the person guilty of sin.  Hearsay and secondhand reports about someone may be gossip.  This type of indirect sinful communication hurts God and others.  It also hurts the reputation of God and His church.  Are you guilty of this?  If so, acknowledge your sin and ask God for forgiveness. 

Dealing with SIN...Part 1

When dealing with sin, the first step is to simply think through what has happened by weighing the sin. Sometimes the issue is minor and the sin is out of character for the person.  Other times there may be an extenuating circumstance that has led the person to a particular behavior.  In these cases, it may be best to forgive the sin and move on.  Remember that Jesus is patient, gracious and merciful with you.  He is your example.  So, you should be patient, gracious and merciful in these situations.  

TRUST in JESUS

When you trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, your life changes.  One change is that you now live a new life.  This new life involves loving God so much that you want to do what He says in the Bible.  The Bible commands you to be baptized.  The Bible commands you to make disciples.   And, the Bible commands you to ensure that all disciples are baptized.  How well are you doing your part in this process?

Living it for Jesus

Every person who has given a reasonable evidence of believing in Jesus Christ as their God, Lord, and Savior should be baptized.  This involves realizing that your sins have separated you from God.  It involves realizing that only Jesus Christ can bring you into a relationship with God. You must also put these facts into action by repenting of your sins (turning from your sins) and trusting in Jesus Christ alone (faith) for salvation. This means that you are experiencing your new life lived for Jesus. 

Baptism!!!

The act of baptism is an outward sign of what happened to you internally when you received the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  Baptism is done as you are put completely under water and then pulled up out of the water.  This represents the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  This also represents your new life in Christ.  If Jesus is your Lord, God, and Savior, and you have been baptized, please pray for those in your town/city who never experienced this.