The Gospel – Page 3

To the People in the Pews: Love Works

March 2, 2015March 1, 2015 by Dale, posted in Evangelism, Love, The Gospel

LWBN

There are so many things to praise God for in looking back over yesterday at Boones Creek Bible Church! One of which was the official beginning of the Love Works initiative! Through loving God with all our heart and our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39), we want to reach the world around us for the cause of Christ. With the Great Commission as our authority (Matthew 28:18-20) and Jesus Christ our example (Mark 10:45), we desire to accomplish the following goals:

Express the love of God through works of kindness and compassion (Matthew 9: 36-38; 25:40; James 1:27; Jude 22)
Share the Gospel of Christ with as many people as possible (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8)
Impact our community as a body of Christ (Matthew 5:16)

In the days and months to come, we will be fulfilling these goals in feeding the poor, serving others in the public schools, public offices, restaurants, and college campuses, going door-to-door, serving through our Sunday School classes, basketball tournament, community clean-up, etc. The response of our people was so very encouraging today!! Thanks for all your suggestions as well!

A great illustration from Scripture as to how love works is found in the account of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). We as a body of believers will do as Jesus said, “Go and do likewise” (10:37). Love works, and it all begins in earnest next Sunday in the community around our church!!

This-n-That: Living in These Last Days

February 26, 2015February 26, 2015 by Dale, posted in Faith, God's Word, Heaven, Hope, Prayer, Sin, The Gospel

Tuesday, I spent the better part of the day in the midst of the Tennessee Legislature. As I met with our state senator and representatives, I left with an encouraged, but burdened heart. These elected officials work in the midst of outright temptation of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). At times, I could sense the oppression just lurking around the corner. Yet, that is the world we live in. How should we live in these days of apostasy, debauchery, and decline? Jude 20-21 gives us a clear remedy:

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Build

Your most holy faith is the body of absolute truth found only in the plenary, inerrant, inspired Word of God. All the enemies of Truth will tempt you to turn away from the Truth, to doubt the Truth and to become cynical of the Truth. Just as tall superstructures are built upon a solid foundation, we as believers must build an edification superstructure of truth that will stand the temptations of Satan, the world, and the flesh. This is a daily construction need until God calls us Home.

Pray

What a great need this is—praying in the Holy Spirit!! Just as building is present tense, so is this verb praying. If we are to accomplish God’s work, God’s way, and in God’s power at home, church, school, government, and work, we must habitually pray according to the Scriptures as the Spirit prompts us (Romans 8:26-27; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18). There, we will find wisdom and direction in the face of this declension.

Love

What does it mean to stay in the love of God when I know God loves me eternally and unconditionally (1 John 4:7-19)? You keep yourself in the love of God by walking in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:9-10). When you walk in His love, you will not be distracted by evil. Love combats the cold onslaught of Satan and apostasy and keeps your heart warm, tender, and zealous for God, His people and the Truth (2 Corinthians 5:14)!

Look

Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life reminds us to keep looking ahead, to keep our attention fixed on the soon return of Christ! Mercy is me not getting what I deserve as a sinner (Romans 3:23), which is hell, because Christ is my substitute on the cross, the payment for my sins (1 John 2:1-2). Therefore, I am not saved by my good works (Ephesians 2:8-9) but by Christ’s perfect work. Therefore, I am secure in Christ and can look to eternity with great assurance (Ephesians 1-2).

So, in the midst of these last days of bad news, corrupt government, lawlessness, fear, pain, sorrow, apostasy and world upheaval, live out Jude 20-21. You will exchange your burdened heart for an encouraged one. Build, pray, love and look!

Additional study: How is eternity in hell a fair punishment for sin?

Better Be Ready!

February 16, 2015February 16, 2015 by Dale, posted in Death, Heaven, Missions, The Gospel

A winter storm is coming! Frigid temps, deep snow and ice are on their way. Quick, get to the store!! Gotta buy milk and bread! (Personally, I’ve never eaten a milk and bread sandwich, but when the snow flies, I guess it might be good.) Nevertheless, I am intrigued at how glued we are to the forecast when we receive a winter storm warning. That announcement has a controlling affect upon businesses, homes, churches, government, schools, highway crews and many others. Look at Facebook! Try to shop in the grocery store.

How many times in your life have you heard, “There’s a winter storm warning in effect for . . . ,” or something similar? And when you do, what is your response to such a predicted event? What kind of planning begins to take place in your life? Do you shrug your shoulders, run to the grocery story, look up in the skies, check your phone updates, begin to think of “Plan B,” and/or complain?

Seriously, there are two events that should grab our attention every day of our lives. We were reminded of these in our “I Love Missions” Conference this past weekend.

1) The promised return of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

2) The greatest tragedy of this life—a lost soul going to hell (Hebrews 9:27)

This most blessed event and the most tragic event could occur today!!! What’s your response? Are you moved more by the prediction of a weather forecast or the promises in God’s Word? Something more eventful than a winter storm is coming. Better be ready!

If you have never received Christ as your personal Savior and Lord; if you are not sure that heaven is your home, please go to the following link: The Exchange Message. Scroll down the page and watch the video entitled, “You Can Have a Relationship with God.”

If you are interested in what Scripture says about death and hell, please check out this brief biblical study found here: What Does the Bible Say About Hell

Friday’s Findings

February 6, 2015February 5, 2015 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Word, Marriage, The Bible, The Gospel

Is Your Marriage a Picture of the Gospel? – Here’s a great read written by my in-law’s former pastor, Dr. Hershel York. Very transparent and insightful.

What’s Really Wrong With Millennials – Thankful here for Joel’s thoughts concerning a subject tackled by many church growth blogs.

Gangman Style vs. Bible Reading – “Bible reading is a privilege, not work! How cool would it be to trade off a couple of TV series for listening / reading through the Bible this next year? Don’t do it as a burden or from guilt. It’s a privilege. Love it!”

Ten Things We Should Get Angry About Before Yoga Pants – And more than what this article is all about, these same people need the Gospel!! The next time you get all fumed about yoga pants or Happy Holidays, ask yourself, “Did I share the Gospel with that person?”

To the People in the Pews

January 26, 2015January 25, 2015 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.

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

Questions for Application:

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?

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?

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.

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.”