THE CALL
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!
Romans 10:15
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
THE IDEAL RESPONSE
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?”
And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.”
THINGS TO PACK/NOT TO PACK
Joshua 1:9
I command you-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
SAYS WHO?
Exodus 4:12
Now go, and do as I have told you. I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say.”
Genesis 28:15
What's more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised."
YOUR RESPONSE TO THE CALL
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?”
And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.”
REMEMBER:
Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
So please share with me (us) what this ALL means to YOU!
What is evangelism?
Personal and Corporate:
What’s YOUR testimony?
What WERE you like?
How DID you come to need/know Jesus?
What’s YOUR LIFE like now?
When was the last time you shared this with someone….lead them to Christ?
Please note:
This blog entry was inspired by Malia Parker's work, John and Sonja Decker's sermon and further inspired by a great discussion with Shelby Yanaga. Thanks to you all.... GOD ROCKS!
Malia is currently a Campus Minister (call her Pastor Malia, she likes that) at Oregon State University with Every Nation Campus Ministries (www.everynation.org).
If God leads you to pray for her and/or help support her efforts for the growing Kingdom of God, please call her at 541.908.2529 or email her at maliaeparker@yahoo.com
Pastor Malia is in Hawaii for about a month, before heading back to OSU, so please contact her if you'd like more information and to hear of the wonderful work she's doing.... write her, call her, or look for her comments on this blog entry.
John and Sonja Decker are Evangelists with the Foursquare denomination...They have written and taught internationally on, "Doing What Jesus Did." Buy the book! Read the book! DO WHAT JESUS DID!
Shelby Yanaga is a minister-at-large in Hawaii...based at Mana'olana Foursquare Church and a super dear friend and brother-in-Christ.
GOD ROCKS!
5 comments:
Hhhmmmm. Sounds much like Chapter 1 in said book. (The questions anyway.)
I remember the first time I had to sit down and write out my testimony for Evangelism Explosion. I struggled with it at first. Having received Christ as a young child, I didn't feel like I had much of a story.
Since then, however, I have found that sometimes people need to hear that God can draw children to Himself and keep them through the difficult years.
My testimony still doesn't fit the "pattern", but I have found it can be effective to focus on testimony of what God has done along the way, things He has taught, comfort He has given, etc.
I think it is good for all of us to sit down periodically and organize our thoughts on how God is moving in our lives. Our testimonies should never end 10 years ago. They should be alive and growing day by day.
It has been a long time since I have led someone to Christ. I can think of at least one instance in the past year when I have had the blessing of leading someone back to Christ. And I have had the opportunity to pray with a number of the guys at Waikiki, although not specifically for salvation.
The Matthew 28 passage reminded me of something (slightly off topic.) One of the things Dr. Blackaby pointed out on Friday was that we are to go and make disciples, teaching them to obey Jesus commands. He asked if any of us had made a list of the teachings of Jesus. As teachers, leaders (or simply disciples)we have a duty to teach those we lead to Christ the Words of Christ.
Thanks for the heavenly thoughts on a Monday morning.
This is awesome! A great reminder that it is not by our strength but God's.
Personally, to me evangelism is spreading God's word, done by sharing the gospel, or even just being a friend to someone in time of need. I guess what I am saying is showing God's love and compassion to those we come in contact with. Prayer is also a big part of evangelism, with out it we'd be in big trouble.
I thank God for His grace, and mercy upon me daily! Being born and raised in a Christian Home, I rebelled, and decided to do things my way. Only to realize it brought nothing but pain, hurt, and sorrow. I went through a depression, which all the anti-depressants perscribed to me did not cure me.
Praise God for those who answered God's call. A very close friend of mine took the time to be that friend, to share God's word, love and compassion. Reminding me how much God Loves me.
When I re-dedicated my life to God, I decided to sell-out completely to Him. Also to spread God's word through, word and deed...
Now, I have bible studies on a weekly basis, with other women I attend church with. It's an awesome time of studying God's word, prayer, encouraging each other, and just sharing how good God is...
Not only are we called to share God's Word, but we are equipped with everything we need to do so.
Colossians 4:17
"Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."
1 Timothy 1:12-17
12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise,[a] be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen
Well, small kine late but I wanted to give my two-cents since my name is so graciously mentioned in this entry...
Evangelism...personally, I believe it's dependent on where you are and who you're talking to. My job right now, as a vocational minister is to reach out to students from Hawaii that are on the mainland. It's amazing how much more open students are meeting them on "foreign" soil. So that's my take on it...and basically, the biggest key is to be OPEN. To allow the Holy Spirit to work and meet the person where they're at. Thank goodness it's not any of our doing that will lead a person to Christ.
Currently my heart is to reach out to girls that were like me...caught up in the party scene, looking for an identity, and getting lost during the search. That's basically my story and the fuel that drives my passion to "save the world." Or at least, touch a few people's lives and let them know that there's more out there than drugs, sex, and alcohol.
In any case, thanks for the shout out...didn't answer all the questions, but I hope this will suffice..........malia
Pastor Malia,
What caused you to select this ministry, why not here in Hawaii?
How does it work to be a vocational pastor on the Oregon State University campus?
Is there issues regarding separation of Church and State on the campus?
I have a hard time checking this...if you have any questions, email me. I'd love to tell you more...
malia
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