Evangelize Or Not To Evangelize?

Ever wonder why our evangelizing seems to have no or weak effects?  I just read an absolutely excellent article called, "Why Evangelicals Should Stop Evangelizing".  Please check it out!

http://floydandsally.com/posts/501-why-evangelicals-should-stop-evangelizing

Do not forget to follow the recommended link at the end of the article and read it as well.

RULES

In the United States we have what we often call “rules of the road” so that when you are driving and you obey the rules everyone on the road can travel safely.  Speed limits, stop signs, right-of-ways, and keeping your vehicle in good operating condition are some of the rules that keep us all safe.  When someone breaks a rule, it not only makes it unsafe for the one breaking it but for all the other travelers on the road.

Most government and non-profit entities use Robert’s Rules of Order for meetings conducting their business.  Without these Rules meetings would be conducted in anarchy and nothing would be accomplished, but with them everyone gets a chance to express their view and vote regarding any proposals.

The gym I attend has rules, like most gyms, to benefit the members and protect the business.  One of the rules for those using the pool is that when you exit the pool you must dry off before entering the building.  The gym has been somewhat relaxed on their rules and has not enforced them for the past two years I have attended, but that recently changed.  I observed a very tall older gentleman leave the pool area and walk directly into, through, and out of the building to his car dripping water everywhere.  I observed this on repeated occasions.  There is carpet through most of the building but near the check-in desk there is just regular flooring.  This man had been warned to dry off before leaving the pool area but repeatedly chose not to follow the rule.  I understand that did not see and slipped on the water he left behind, but fortunately was not seriously injured.  What if that person had broken a bone or injured their back?

Friday I arrived a little early for the 11 AM water aerobics class I attend at the gym.  I barely walked out the door to the pool area when all the members already in the pool started telling me that I had better be on time for every class I plan on taking.  Some of them appeared to be teasing me and some of them actually were frustrated and complaining about having to be on time.  You see, this is also a rule at the gym I attend, that you have to be on time for any scheduled classes and if you are not you cannot attend the class.  I asked the instructor what was going on and she stated the owner of the gym told her that enforce the gym rules, so she was telling each person as they arrived that next time they needed to arrive on time.  The members of the class were frustrated and chafing under what they feel is an unfair rule.  “Why have such stupid rules anyway?”  Well, they continued to grumble throughout the whole hour of water aerobics.  Towards the end of the class one of the members expressed her frustration with all the grumbling and shouted firmly, “It is not something we can change, so the point is mote!”  Fortunately when I went to water aerobics today no one grumbled.  I also noted that everyone arrived in a timely manner.  What a refreshing change!

Following the rules brings order, peace and safety to our lives but there is a part of us that wants to have it our own way.  “I am late for an appointment so it will not hurt if I go over the speed limit just this once.”  “I am not a child, I have lived 70 years and if I want to wear my swimming suit out to my car I should be able to.”  “I do not want to give up the things I like to do so why should I?”  Our old sinful nature wants to have its way.  The “old man” still struggles for control. 

No wonder Paul admonishes us in Ephesians 4:22-23 to “put off…the old man…be renewed in the spirit of your mind…and, that ye put on the new man.”  The Amplified Bible puts it this way, to “put off and discard your old un-renewed self…and be constantly renewed (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude), and put on the new nature…in true righteousness and holiness.”  That word “constantly” tells me this is not a once-and-for-all act, but rather it is a daily process.  Putting off and putting on are actions.  Actions are choices

Friday I was tempted to go over the speed limit because I was late for an appointment, but I yielded my own will and I CHOOSE not to speed because God told me to obey the laws of the land. Today I yielded my own desire to sleep in late and I CHOOSE to arrive at the gym in a timely manner and was admitted to my class with no problems.  In the next meeting I attend I will yield my desire to dominate the conversation and I will CHOOSE to listen to what the other person is saying and wait for my turn to express my views.  In these actions of choice I have put off the old man and put on the new man, enabling God to constantly renew my mind.

Is it worth giving up my own selfish desires and adhering to the rules?  God promises us that if our delight and desire are in His rules (law) then we will be like firmly planted trees with a stream of water flowing by us to refresh us so that we can bear fruit and everything we do will prosper.  (Psalm 1:2-3)  I think it is a more than fair exchange.  I CHOOSE to give up my selfish desires.  How about you?

STAND STRONG!

“LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong…”  Psalm 30:7a AMP

In 1980 I lived in Northern Oregon and worked at Mid Columbia Medical Center (at that time called The Dalles General Hospital) in The Dalles, Oregon.  Throughout the latter part of April and the first part of May of that year we kept hearing reports from the USGS that Mount St. Helens was having earthquakes in increasing frequency.  There was a lot of speculation that Mount St. Helens (part of the Cascade Range which spans through Washington, Oregon, California, and British Columbia and contains 24 inactive and dormant volcanoes) just might erupt.  Many people did not believe it would happen.  Well it did.  On May 18, 1980, at 8:32 AM Pacific Daylight Time, Mount St. Helens erupted in one of the deadliest and most economically destructive events in the history of the United States.  The resulting devastation evidenced itself in the mountain loosing over 1,300 feet in height; in just seconds over 230 square miles of forest and vegetation were flattened, 185 miles of highways were destroyed, 47 bridges were annihilated, 250 homes were lost, and 57 people were killed.  When a patient I was caring for called me to his room and pointed out the news broadcast about the eruption we, along with any ambulatory patients and staff available went to the 4^th floor observation lounge and were able to look to the northwest and see the huge ash plume rise thousands of feet into the air.  It was a scary and sober thing to witness.

The Dalles is only about 20 miles from Mt. Hood (as the crow flies) so there was a lot of speculation amongst staff and patients whether it might erupt or not.  Worry and fear was prevalent for days and weeks after Mount St. Helens erupted.  I remember asking God about it and He led me to Psalm 30:7, “LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong…”  His Word filled me with peace and removed all of my fear.  I knew Mt. Hood would not erupt.  I had His Word on it.

With all the worry and fear in the world today regarding the U.S. economy, the turmoil in the Middle East, and these uncertain times where do we turn?  The mountains (of financial security, house ownership, stocks and bonds) that men have trusted in have blown up in their faces.  Our government tries to fix the problems to no avail.  Where do we look for security and peace? 

In these times of erupting economical and international “mountains”, we should not fear.  Even though it feels as if things are being destroyed around us, we know Who our trust is in.  He will never fail or forsake us (Deut. 31:6-8; Josh. 1:5).  Hard times may come and we may see many around us fall, but we will not be touched (Ps. 91:7).  God has made our mountain (of being rooted and grounded in God’s love since Christ dwells in our hearts by faith – Eph. 3:17) to stand strong. So, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, you have His Word on it, STAND STRONG!

THE LITTLE THINGS

I know of a couple.  The husband used to teach Sunday School.  His teaching came across with humor but was very down-to-earth and doctrinally sound.  He started attending University and as he became immersed in learning he did not have time to teach Sunday School.  He had so much studying that soon it became hard for him to come to church at all.  He told his wife that when he got his degree he would start coming to church again.  Now that he has his degree and is working full-time he attends about once every three months.  His wife has attended continually throughout that time and still does.  He is not doing anything bad; it is just that he no longer puts God first in his life.  First it was school and studies that took first place then they gave way to ball games and other things.  I had a conversation regarding this with my Pastor not too long ago and he mentioned that he has seen this "happen with people who go off to college and get full of all that knowledge".  Another man (one of our Elders) did the same thing.  While he was haphazardly attending church Pastor removed him from the ministry roster.  God got his attention, though, and he returned and is now going strong with the Lord.

Remember what Jesus said to the Church at Ephesus?  "...you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first (you have deserted Me, your First Love.)" (Rev 2:4b AMP)  It is so easy to loose sight of the Lord and let the things of this world take hold.  When we finally notice we are so far away from God we think it happened all-of-a-sudden, but it really happens little by little.  Small compromises lead to large failures.  Little things can lead to great destruction.

“(My heart was touched and I fervently sang to him my desire) Take for us the foxes; the little foxes that spoil the vineyards (of our love), for our vineyards are in blossom.”  Song of Solomon 2:15 (AMP)

I once heard a sermon preached from this passage and the minister explained that foxes like the taste of the bark of grape vines and, being nocturnal, will come into the vineyards at night and nibble around the base of the vines.  Just these little nibbles will kill the whole plant.  Huge portions of vineyards can be destroyed by just a few little foxes.  Just as the woman cries out to her beloved to catch the foxes that would eat away at the vines we should cry out to our Beloved Lord to catch the small things that destroy our walk with Him.  I am asking God to show me all the little things that eat away at my relationship with Him.  I choose to be obedient and yield to Him every little thing that would draw me away from placing Him first in my life.

My challenge to you this week is:  ask God to show you all the little things that eat away at your relationship with Him.  Yield them to Him to catch away.  Do not be drawn away from your First Love.

THE BATTLE CRY

“And he who does not take up his cross and follow me (cleave steadfastly to me, conforming wholly to my example in living and, if need be, in dying also) is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his (lower) life will loose it (the higher life), and whoever looses his (lower) life on my account will find it (the higher life).”  Mat. 10:38-39 AMP

“Gentlemen may cry peace, peace – but there is not peace.  The war is actually begun!  The next gale that sweeps from the North will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!  Our brethren are already in the field!  Why stand we here idle?  What is it that gentlemen wish?  What would they have?  Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of slavery?  Forbid it, Almighty God – I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”  - Patrick Henry

We have heard the last sentence of this speech given my Mr. Henry many times with the pride of patriotism even swelling in our hearts.  Such fire, such passion shows a man who gave his all for our Country, yet do we really hear the FULL speech?

Mr. Henry was speaking to his fellow Virginians in House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775.  The House was undecided on whether to mobilize for military action against the encroaching British military force, and Henry argued in favor of mobilization.  Up to this point all his listeners agreed that there was a problem, yet they were reluctant to be a part of the solution.  Mr. Henry said, “The war has actually begun!’ and “Our brethren are already in the field.”  He said these things a full month before the skirmish at Concord and the sound of what reporters later labeled “The shot heard round the world.”

Why was Mr. Henry so adamant?  He wanted his fellow Virginians to put aside their apathy and fear and get involved.  He knew that if they continued to live submitting to the British oppression many men would loose their property, livelihoods, and lives and loose them in vain.

I believe there is a lesson to be heard and acted upon here.  Update Mr. Henry’s speech to our day.  See the enemy of our souls as the oppressor of apathy and fear.  See the men who preach so as to “tickle men’s’ ears” as the ones crying “Peace, peace!”  See many of our brothers and sisters in the Lord already on the field working to bring sinners to salvation.  With this in mind, hear the speech proclaimed to us as we face our spiritual battle for the Kingdom of God:

“Why stand we here idle?  What is it that believers wish?  What would we have?  Is our lifestyle so dear and so sweet as to be retained at the price of another man never finding release from the slavery of sin?  Forbid it, Almighty God!  I do not know if others will move out of their comfort zone to share the gospel of Christ, but as for me, give me the opportunity to bring a man to Christ, or take me from this world because if I do not fulfill the will of God, I die.”

Charles G. Finney said, “A revival is no more a miracle than a crop of wheat.  In any community revival can be secured from heaven when heroic enter the conflict determined to win or die – or if need be to win and die!  The kingdom of heaven suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”

John Hyde prayed, “O God, give me souls or I die!”

Can we ignore such a cries?  If we can, then we live in apathy and the enemy has already won.  Do you hear the cry?