Category: Evangelism

To the People in the Pews

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, God's Word, Prayer, The Gospel

As a follow up to yesterday’s messages from Philippians 2:3-4, consider and answer the following:

Quick Review

SS: Unless we live in Christ-centered unity, our gospel testimony is of no effect.

  1. The gospel is effective when we are not selfish (2:3a)
  2. The gospel is effective when we are not conceited (2:3b)
  3. The gospel is effective when we are humble (2:3c)
  4. The gospel is effective when we are focused on others (2:3d-4)

Questions for Application:

  1. List 25 ways you are selfish. How do these areas you listed hinder your gospel witness?  How do they hinder the gospel witness at BCBC?  At work?  At school?  In recreation?

 

  1. As you prepare for your day, what is uppermost in your mind as you choose your clothes, your activities, your goals, your plans—what people think of you or what they learn of Christ from you?

 

  1. How have your pursued Christ this morning? What did He say to you through His Word?  Remember, we do not pursue humility.  We pursue Christ is the definition of humility in bodily form and character.  As we pursue knowing Him, meditating on Him, and learning His Word, humility becomes a part of our life.

 

  1. What individuals will be the focus for prayer and witness today? Will you be ready for a complete stranger that God may send your way?  Remember the word, “look.”

 

  1. What did God say to you at the end of the sermon? What did you put into sentence form?  How will that truth be fleshed out in your life today?

 

Let’s keeping growing and changing!  Be intentional for the gospel today!  And remember, Love Works!!

The Making of a Man

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, Family, God's Word, Marriage, Men, Parenting, Prayer

Last Tuesday’s blog was the first entry in the weekly series entitled, “The Making of a Man.”  As I said in that blog post, January 6, my heart’s desire is to see us be genuine, Spirit-filled, Christlike, servant leaders . . . men of God.  Obviously, to do so, we MUST be in the Word of God on a daily basis reading the Word and letting it read us.  Also, I mentioned that oft-repeated statement, “Leaders are readers.”  So, in today’s post, I want to share some book titles that have impacted me in my relationship with Christ, my wife, my children, my ministry and life in general.  Many of these books can still be purchased in book form, or as many of us do today, you can get the Kindle edition.  Men, let’s read the Bible first, and then let’s read other good books so we can be made a man of God!

Disciplines of a Godly Man, R. Kent Hughes

“The Christian leader’s vision of God makes all the difference in his life” (p.163).  I have read this book several times and have even used it with deacons and men’s meetings.

Disciplines – Kindle Edition

 

The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make, Hans Finzel

“Top-flight leaders really aren’t born, they learn by trial and error.” (p.18)

“My greatest fear is that our best days were our past days.  I loathe the thought that we should fade into irrelevance” (p.71).

Top Ten Mistakes – Kindle Edition

 

The Masculine Mandate:  God’s Calling to Men, Richard D. Phillips

“It is virtually impossible to find a man greatly used by God who is not strongly devoted to prayer.” (p. 39)

“God intends for man to have a [wife] who bears God’s image along with man, and who with man can look upward to God and live for Him.” (p. 58)

Chapter Five, “Man as Shepherd-Lord,” is an excellent read.

Masculine Mandate – Kindle Edition

 

Power Through Prayer, E.M. Bounds

Here’s a little book that every man of God must read!!  A classic.

Power Through Prayer – Kindle Edition

 

There are many, many others, but these are just a few.  I’ll share more in later posts.  Men, let’s take the challenge to read, to share, to grow, and to make a difference for Christ wherever we live!

To the People in the Pews

by Dale, posted in Discipleship, Evangelism, Joy

What an awesome day the Lord gave us yesterday as we gathered to worship our great God!  There are many things to mention, but three things stand out in context.  Our 2015 theme at Boones Creek Bible Church is “Love Works.”  The whole goal is doing more than talking about reaching people for Christ.  We are being intentional about investing our lives in tangible ways to reach a lost world for Jesus Christ through every ministry, home, and person connected with BCBC. Through a conference I attended last summer in California and the subsequent study by all of our adult Sunday School classes of the book Out of Commission, the Lord has so challenged us to “hit the streets.”  Like a song I heard years ago that asks some penetrating questions,

“How can we reach a world we never touch?

How can we show them Christ if we never show them love?

Just to say we care will never be enough . . .

How can we reach a world we never touch?”

So, our goal yesterday was to begin laying the groundwork for where we are headed this year.  I preached from Philippians 2:1 and 1 John 3:16-18 used a quote from the book in both sermons found on page 215, “We are surrounded by needs.  We live in neighborhoods and communities desperate to see the love of God. And what is our response?”  Then I asked the congregation to personally answer the question, “What is my response?”

Here’s the three things that happened yesterday with all of this as a backdrop:

  1. When I gave the invitation at the end of the morning sermon, several came forward to pray for lost souls, to respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading in their lives, and for anyone who needed to receive Christ. Out steps this lady that I had met for the first time before the service began.  As she came forward, two of our ladies were walking with her.  Betty had stepped out at the invitation to make a public profession of her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  You see, during the Christmas break, these same two ladies had visited with her, gave her the plan of salvation, and she trusted Christ alone as her Savior and Lord!  What was the response of these two ladies?—Go and tell others about Jesus.  “How can we reach a world we never touch?”
  2. For years, I have prayed on and off that the Lord would raise up someone in our church who had a burden to use our church van to bring folks to hear about Christ. The Lord has heard my cry and my heart’s desire.  Words cannot express the joy in my heart to see that van leave the parking lot today and see young and old being brought to church.  By the way, one of those was Betty, mentioned above.  What was the response of this dear man who drove that van?—Go into the streets of our town and compel them to come.  “How can we reach a world we never touch?”
  3. At the conclusion of my message last night from 1 John, I put the quote and question on the power point one more time. The focus was on them thinking through what is their honest response.  After small groups met to pray for the lost and for boldness to reach people this week, I said, “When you witness for Christ this week, let me know about it that I may rejoice with you.  Send me an email, call me, or shoot me a text; just let me know!”  Around 7:45 p.m., I received a text from a church member that said, “Gave a tract to the self-serve cashier at the grocery store” and then a smiley face was added to her text!  Wow!  What was the response of this dear lady who handed out a gospel tract?—I must obey.  “How can we reach a world we never touch?”

I wonder, what will your response be this week, each day, to reach a world desperate to know the love of God?  May I offer a few suggestions?

  • Take a loaf of bread to your next door neighbor as an act of love and kindness.
  • Invite folks to your house for coffee and dessert.
  • Take a baby gift to the folks down the street celebrating the birth of their child.
  • Walk through the ICU waiting room, introduce yourself, and ask if you can pray with them as a gift of love and compassion.
  • Do some project for someone that lives near you or works with you as an act of genuine love.
  • Fix a meal and deliver it as a gift of love.

“How can we reach a world we never touch?”

Blogging in 2015

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Church, Evangelism, Family, Marriage, Men, Pastoring

As I mentioned yesterday, a special thanks to everyone for reading this blog.  My heart is to simply use this medium of the internet to share things that I love about life and ministry.  Hence, I am refining this blog to cover certain topics each day of the week that I hope will edify and encourage; that will lead to biblical change; that glorify God; and that will show that life is worth living because of Christ.

So, be looking next week for the following:

To the People in the Pews (Mondays) This will be a follow-up to the messages I preach on Sundays with the purpose of helping my congregation make the needed application and taking the next right step in wisdom.

The Making of a Man (Tuesdays) I have such a burden to see men be the spiritual leaders at home, church, work and recreation; to win over sin; to be men of the Word; to be gospel-centered and gospel-communicators.

Marriage Matters (Wednesdays) Being married for over 33 years does not make me an expert on this subject.  I simply love being married, believe it to be the best thing next to my own personal salvation, and am very concerned about the lack of strong marriages in our world today.  Hence, I’ll be sharing all kinds of tips to make marriage a blessing instead of a dread.  Marriage matters to God; He created it.  He has an awesome plan to make it work for His glory and our good . . . and to be fun!

This-N-That (Thursdays) Here’s a day to share various things on my heart about life in general.

Friday’s Findings (Fridays)  I’ll continue to share links to good articles, tell you about a good book or resource, share music, and various other things that I trust will be of interest to you.

Looking forward to 2015 and all that the Lord has in store for us of which may be the year of His return in the clouds (John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  Therefore moving forward, let not your heart be troubled (14:1) and comfort one another with these words (4:18).

Friday’s Findings

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, God's Word, Missions

MTR11 Spain Deck View

Usually on Fridays, I share some links that I have found in the past days that I believe would be of some interest to you.  Today, I want to share some different findings. The Lord graciously and unexpectantly provided for Denise and me to travel to Spain on December 2nd to be the guest speakers at the Missionary Teen Retreat 11, Aierdi Farmhouse near Zegama.

While we were in the Basque country of Spain, we found . . .

  • Faithful servant missionaries who have given their lives to reach the Basque people for Christ. They labor for the Lord day and night at the 300 plus year old farmhouse, at Lighthouse Baptist Church, in Bible studies, so often entertaining folks in their homes, teaching English, leading intensive discipleship seminars, living in community among the Basque folk, lodging and providing for mission teams and retreats, creating ministry opportunities through the week, and all by the grace of God.  Not once did I hear them grumble or gripe . . .    (Philippians 1:3-5, 27; 2:13-14)
  • The next generation of missionary kids taking up the mantle from grandparents and parents to reach these dear Basque people, to carry on the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:1-2)
  • The Lord relocating one missionary family back to the States that has served in the Basque country for several years and providing another family to take their place before any of them knew this would take place. As we heard from Andy Bonikowsky, “God likes to surprise us” (Jeremiah 33:3, which you do not know).
  • Nearly 30 young people who want to be used for the Lord today and in the future. If their hearts were not already tender to the Lord, they all certainly became that way as the retreat ended.  They are normal believers looking for answers from the Lord through His Word for life and want to finish well in preparation for the Bema (2 Corinthians 5:9-11)
  • Once again that the Word works! (Hebrews 4:12)
  • Teens who love to sing! (Psalm 98:1; Colossians 3:16)
  • Many villages that need a gospel witness. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 16:6-10)
  • That preaching through a translator (“interrupter”) has its challenges!
  • Coffee to be super strong stuff!! (I really liked it.)
  • Few stop signs and many, many roundabouts.
  • Narrow roads and fast drivers.
  • Sheep everywhere, even being herded up the road you’re travelling in, so you just wait.
  • Beautiful waterfalls, steep mountains, narrow canyons, and the fingerprint of God everywhere!
  • Quaint little villages steeped in tradition.
  • Thousands of people who need the Lord!
  • God has warmed our hearts more and more for these people and this region of the country.

20141208_215905 1417877160790

Tidings of Great Joy To All People!

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Christmas, Discipleship, Evangelism, Hope, Joy, Music, Salvation, Speech

Irun Town Square (2)

Christmas is a glorious time of the year here in the States to hear the celebrated proclamation of Christ’s coming to earth to be born to die and to rise again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Philippians 2:6-8).  How interesting and blessed to enter into a secular arena (store, restaurant) and hear the songs of Christ’s incarnation and redemption as well as in local churches throughout our land.  Even though, sadly, America becomes more and more pagan and agnostic, the message of great joy which shall be to all people (Luke 2:10) is given during this season.

While in Spain, I met Iñaki,  who doesn’t wait for just the yuletide season to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ.  Every first and third Saturday, he, along with others, sets up a booth (pictured above) in the town square of Irun, a city of the Bidasoaldea region in the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Community.  Without shame or fear, Iñaki hands out tracts and booklets as well as personally shares the liberating, reconciling truth of salvation for sinful men through Christ alone.  His enthusiasm and commitment to announce the Good News is “off the charts” and contagious (Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16). Obviously, I could not understand him, but communicated with him through a faithful translator. I say that to say this, that if I had never understood a word, I would have fully grasped his passion via his countenance, tears, gestures, and pointing to the picture on the wall.  To say Iñaki was animated about it would be an understatement.  The disappointment was all over him because the Saturday before, rain prohibited him from his passion, but the anticipation of the next Saturday had already eclipsed the regret knowing that it is all in God’s hands anyway.

Inaki Moreno

In the spirit of this season, let’s unwrap the gift that is in us, this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:5-7), and let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).  Perhaps the Lord has not led you to set up a booth in the town square, but the whole world is out there for you to proclaim the tidings of great joy!   Just as you sing without fear “Joy to the World” or “O, Come All Ye Faithful,” speak to others about this marvelous gift of grace, a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

Fighting for the Forgotten

by Dale, posted in Discipleship, Evangelism, Hope, Salvation

Basque Shepherd

Upon receiving my latest edition of WORLD magazine, I read the following front-page headline:  DANIEL OF THE YEAR, Frank Wolf, “A career in Congress spent fighting for the forgotten.”  Virginian Congressman Wolf has given the past thirty years plus of his life to travelling to some of the most dangerous places in the world to do something about suffering in seemingly forgotten areas.  As the WORLD article reported, “As part of his work in the House of Representatives, he traveled to hot spots like Cold War-era Romania, oppressed Tibet, communist China, beleaguered Sudan, and war-ravaged Iraq, often focused on the plight of religious minorities persecuted by government officials and extremists.”  Congressman Wolf retires this month, but his work will continue.  When he visited Ethiopia in 1984, he said, “What I saw and experienced in Ethiopia . . . fully awakened me to the suffering of other people.  And as both a U.S. c congressman and a Christian, I knew I had to do something about it.”

December 2-11, my wife and I spent time with other “Daniel’s” like Congressman Frank Wolf.   These are missionaries located in the Basque region of Spain who have given their lives “fighting for the forgotten.” This northern region of Spain bordering the Bay of Biscayne and the Pyrenees Mountains is unique unto itself.  The Basque people are a very proud people holding onto their national traditions and guarded in their approach to other Spaniards and outsiders.

What causes me to consider them “forgotten” is the impact of cold, lifeless religion that has left them suffering in their agnostic, sinful condition in these small mountain villages or large cities.  Many, many Basque people have never heard the gospel, never read a Bible or heard the name “Jesus.”  This land is virgin territory for the Good News.

How my heart was moved by a lone shepherd leaning on his staff as he tended his sheep near the small village of Zegama. He stood all alone, seemingly forgotten, quiet and forlorn. I waved at him as we passed by on our way up the mountain to the Aierdi Farmhouse.  On the third pass, he finally acknowledged my wave.  Here is a man, most likely unsaved, a shepherd in need of hearing the gospel of the Good Shepherd (John 10:10-11).  My heart ached as I realized that I could not speak to him in his own language. Just as quickly, though, I rejoiced because of the dear missionaries who have given their lives to learn his language and “fight for the forgotten;” who live near him and have a burden for him as well.

Truth is, you do not need to travel 5,000 miles to Spain to “fight for the forgotten.”  They live next door to you, work alongside you, ride on the bus with you, attend your school, etc.  They are gripped in the cold clutches of their sin and have never heard the gospel. Many of their children have never heard John 3:16 or the simple children’s Christmas song, “Away in a Manger.”  God has not forgotten those around you in your community, and He has not forgotten these Basque people, and therefore, neither should we.  We must fight for the forgotten.  We must do something about it.  What sacrifices will you make this Christmas?  Where will you go to reach the “forgotten?”

Trick or Truth

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, Family, Halloween, Parenting

The first time I can remember observing Halloween, I was five years old. How excited I was to wear my Yogi Bear costume, knock on our neighbor’s doors, receive candy, and then go eat candy! To me it was a simple evening of clean enjoyment. My parents made it that way. Instead of making an issue out of it, they just made sure it was an evening given to what was right.

Much has changed in 50 years. That’s why I am sharing two very well-written articles on the subject of Halloween. The balanced approach of John MacArthur’s writing is informative, practical, and spot on. David Mathis’ article adds to the first, but turns our thoughts in a direction that will make us think and hopefully understand, “The gospel changes everything!” Please be sure to read each article in its entirety.

Christians and Halloween – John MacArthur

Sent Into the Harvest – Halloween On Mission – David Mathis

I’m sure you will handle Halloween as you believe is right before the Lord. These two articles say what is in my heart, give the basic reasons for what we do at Boones Creek Bible Church, and why, if I am able (due to recent surgery) will be going door-to-door to GIVE out GOSPEL tracts and a GIFT to my neighbors. Oh, by the way, if you are wondering, I’ve grown out of my Yogi Bear costume. 🙂

 

Bluegrass & the Gospel: Makes People Grin

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, Music
 

Every once-in-awhile, I am blessed to have a guest blogger from right here in the mountains of East Tennessee. Wayne is a simple man born and bred in the Boones Creek area. His love for Christ and others is infectious. He grew up hard, but the grace of God continues to mold and shape him into Christlikeness. His viewpoint on life is biblical and full of plain ol’ common sense. So, with joy I share with you today a recent writing of his. Besides, I have a genuine love for bluegrass, too!

Did you happen to see the video of Earl Scruggs and Friends. Not only was there some great pickin”, there’s a lesson to learn. As the video took us through the door into the midst of some very talented musicians, we immediately picked up on the toe-tappin“, hand-clappin” tune of “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”. If you could see the sheet music, you would note that each musician was seeing five lines and four spaces with matching notes to the old familiar tune. Granted, there was a considerable amount of talented liberty taken by each individual, but each was following the fundamental notes, the original standard, the very foundation of this song penned by Earl Scruggs. Now, as the music progressed, did you find yourself, pattin” your foot, maybe tappin” the table with your fingers. I know you grinned, no-one can listen to that and not grin…So, what made it so special. It was the individual musician. Their zest for the moment, their excitement, their pure enjoyment of playing the fundamental song their own special way.

Let us take a lesson from that. We have the fundamental, original standard, the foundation, the absolute truth of the Word of God. What we must learn is to present it with zest, excitement, enjoyment in our own unique way to all who will allow us to do so. Ponder on that a while and look for ways to make people grin.

Earl Scruggs and Friends

Sunday Twitter Tweets

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Church, Evangelism, Uncategorized

Personally, I enjoy Twitter much more than Facebook. Nobody’s inviting me to play Farmville for the 2,878,734th time. J Yesterday, there were several tweets that caught my attention, and I want to share them with you. Each one reflects a piece of why Sundays are so important, so awesome!

Nick Reed: Amazing morning with @bryansamms! Packed out church house! 6 baptized & 8 adults walked an aisle aornnd accepted Christ! 2 kids saved also!

Tony Evans: God wants full custody of His children, not just weekend visits.

Paul David Tripp: Corporate worship is meant to fill your eyes with the beauty of your Redeemer and fill your heart with the wonder of His grace.

John Goetsch: You can’t hide from God by missing church.

Paul Chappell: “Go ye into all the world & preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). “All the world” surely includes our neighborhoods & communities! #soulwinning

John Guy: Sweet time of #worship in song this morning. “If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus ‘tis now.”