Sorry for the delay in getting a post up for those of you who wanted to study ahead.

This week we wrap up our study of the doctrines of Christianity. Each week we have just touched on a few things of what could be said about each doctrine. We also have not been able to cover all the doctrines that we might want to. But hopefully this study has been helpful. I encourage you to use the posts as a resource and a reference for further study as issues and questions arise in the future.

Our final doctrine in the series is about spiritual gifts. This is probably the doctrine where there is the most disagreement by good Christians on each of the many sides of the issues. We’ll spend the first part of the class just laying our what the spiritual gifts are and what they are for. We’ll spend the last part of the class discussing some of the more debated miraculous gifts.

The bulk of our time will be in 1 Corinthians 12 – 14. My notes have other Scripture references and links to some books, sermons, and articles that you may find helpful for further study.

Although it’s known as the Lord’s supper, the Eucharist, or communion, no matter what you like to call it, there’s some very serious theology behind this Christian practice.  Just as baptism was a sign of a much deeper reality, so also is communion.  Jesus’ words in Luke 22:19-20 point to and reveal the meaning:  “This is my body, which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me…This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Jesus said a number of things with these words.  He referenced the new covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34.  The first communion, the Last Supper, also coincided with the celebration of the Passover.  This feast celebrated the Lord’s passing over of His people in the land of Egypt by virtue of the blood of the sacrificial lamb covering their doorposts.  It was not mere happenstance that this event so closely paralleled Jesus’ own sacrifice for His people (I Cor. 5:7).  Finally, we see in I Cor. 11 that partaking of the Lord’s supper is a declaration that Jesus did in fact die for sinners and that He is coming back.  What a glorious message to declare!

In order to prepare for Sunday, it would be a great idea to read the account of the institution of the Lord’s supper (Luke 22:14-23) and Paul’s main writing concerning it (I Cor. 11:17-34).  Extra credit for looking at some of the old testament passages behind the supper (Ex. 12:1-32, Jer. 31:31-34).

My notes can be seen here.

As we jump back into our doctrine series, this week we’ll be discussing the doctrine of baptism.  This post is going to be rather short since typing one-handed gets pretty time-intensive.

When you think about baptism, does it ever seem strange?  Why do Christians insist on this practice?  The Bible gives some very clear answers to this question.  In preparation for our time together, I encourage you to do a word search for “baptize” and “baptism” and read the passages that deal with this practice.  The meaning behind baptism is amazing and points us always to the Cross and the empty tomb of our Savior.  Click here to see the verses pertaining to baptism.

My notes are available here.

Here is the link to the booklet:  Two Ways to Live

On Sunday, May 10 we completed our five week consideration of evangelism, a topic of great importance for every

Understanding the Nature of the Gospel will assist us in how it is to be presented:

1. The Gospel is like a seed (1 Peter 1:23)…it must be planted.
2. The Gospel is an accomplished reality, there is no need to improve upon it or manipulate it.
3. The Gospel is like a light shining in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19)
4. The Gospel is like a treasure to be acquired.

Several possibilities to avoid:

1. It is possible to give the impression that you are communicating the Gospel for your own purposes.
2. It is possible to come across as an arrogant know-it-all when communicating the Gospel.
3. It is possible to “dump information” on someone and walk away feeling like you have communicated the Gospel to them, when, in fact, they are still quite confused.
4. It is possible to be sincere and well-intentioned, and still lead someone in the wrong direction.

The method of communication of the Gospel:

1. Is based on our view of God.
2. Is based on the nature of the Gospel
3. Is based on the understanding of it that the one telling it has.
4. Is based on the work that the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished in my life.
5. must take into consideration the needs of the person with whom you are dialoging.
   1. Rational (Lydia) Acts 16:11-15
   2. Shock (slave girl)  Acts 16:16-24
   3. Changed life (Philippian jailer) Acts 16:25-34

Biblically (1 Thessalonians 2:3-9)

1. The Gospel message is to be presented truthfully (we must know the facts and how they fit together!)
2. The Gospel message is to be presented with pure motives (for the glory of God, the good of the hearer and the blessing of the believer).
3. The Gospel message is to be presented with integrity (not trying to trick anyone).
4. The Gospel message is to be presented without flattery.
5. The Gospel message is to be presented without selfish-ambition.
6. The Gospel message is to be presented gently (like a mother caring for her little children).
7. The Gospel message is to be presented lovingly.

Practically

1. Industriously live your life with integrity.
2. Identify people in your life who need to hear the story of Jesus
3. Intervene for these dear people in prayer
4. Initiate contact (don’t give up if the first “touch” doesn’t go well)  a) Be patient; b) Keep your objective in mind; c) Don’t be project oriented.
5. Intentionally interact with the people the Lord brings into your life
6. Investigate interest
7. Issue the message of the gospel graciously
8. Irrigate (as the opportunity arises) regularly
9. Invite a response appropriately

Thanks you for the privilege of coming to speak with you over these past weeks about evangelism.  I want to encourage you to:

• Continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.              (2 Peter 3:18)
• Continue to pray for one another as you seek to speak to others about Jesus.
• Continue to encourage one another as you humbly tell about the doors of opportunity to “…proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  (1 Peter 2:9)

by His grace and for His glory!

Bayly, Joseph.  The Gospel Blimp.  Elgin, IL:  David C. Cook Publishing, 1983.

Blanchard, John.  Ultimate Questions.  Faverdale North, Darlington:  Evangelical Press, 1987.

Boyd, Charles F.  What God Has Always Wanted.  Little Rock:  FamilyLife Publishing, 2006.

Brain, Matthew, Matthew A. Malcom, Matthew R. Malcom and Greg Clarke.  The Bible Overview.  Matthias Media, 2001.

Carson, D.A.  The Gagging of God.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan, 1996.

Dever, Mark.  The Gospel & Personal Evangelism.  Wheaton:  Crossway, 2007. For other helpful materials, you may access the website of the organization of which Mark Dever is executive director:  www.9marks.org.

Elliff, Jim.  Pursuing God.  Parkville, MO:  Christian Communicators Worldwide, 2003.  Also available read by the author on CD.  www.CCWToday.org.

Elliff, Jim.  The Eaglet.  Parkville, MO:  Christian Communicators Worldwide, 2006.

Experiencing God’s Grace.  Louisville:  The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2004.  A small relatively inexpensive booklet and can be easily kept available for distribution.  E-mail:  bgschool@sbts.edu.

Jeffery, Peter.  Seeking God.  Vestavia Hills, AL:  Solid Ground Christian Books, 1980.

Jensen, Phillip D. & Tony Payne.  Two Ways To Live.   Kingsford, Austrailia:  Matthias Media, 2003.  Materials may be obtained from Matthias Media here in the United States by accessing their website:        www.matthiasmedia.com.au/usa/

Keller, Timothy.  The Reason For God.  New York:  Dutton, 2008.

Little,Paul E.  How To Give Away Your Faith.  Downers Grove:   IVP, 1966.

Little, Paul E.  Know Why You Believe.  Wheaton:  Victor, 1967.

McGrath, Alister.  Explaining Your Faith.  Grand Rapids:  Baker, 1995.

Metzger, Will.  Tell the Truth.  Downers Grove:  IVP, 2002.

Newman, Randy.  Corner Conversations.  Grand Rapids:  Kregel, 2007.

Newman, Randy.  Questioning Evangelism.  Grand Rapids:  Kregel, 2004.

Packer, J.I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.  Downers Grove:  IVP, 1961.

Peterson, Jim.  Evangelsim as a Lifestyle.  Colorado Springs:  NAVPress, 1980.

Peterson, Jim.  Evangelism for Our Generation:  A Practical Way to Make Evangelism Your Lifestyle.  Colorado Springs:  NAVPress, 1985.

Piper, John.  God is the Gospel.  Wheaton, Crossway, 2005.

Sproul, R.C.  Ultimate Issues.  Grand Rapids:  Baker, 1996.

Spurgeon, Charles H. The Soul Winner.  Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire, Scotland:  Christian Focus, 1992.

Stiles, J. Mack.  Speaking of Jesus.  Downers Grove:  IVP, 1995.

Tice, Rico & Barry Cooper.  Christianity Explored.  Waynesboro, GA:  Authentic Lifestyle, 2002.          Many other resources related to this ten week course are available on the Christianity Explored website:  www.christianityexplored.org.

On Sunday, May 3rd we looked at Colossians 1, particularly at verses 6-7 examining the Characteristics of the Gospel.

• The Gospel bears fruit
• The Gospel grows
• The Gospel is heard
• The Gospel is understood
• The Gospel is learned

We also looked at verses 27-28 of Colossians 1 looking at what the Gospel requires.

• Proclamation…I love to tell the story!
• Admonishing (Warning)…showing people where they have gone wrong
• Teaching (with all wisdom)….showing people God’s way (student from Korea:  God’s way is the one and only way!)

This coming Sunday, Lord willing , we be talking about “How the Gospel is to be presented?” For preparation, I would suggest reading 1 Thessalonians chapter 2.

By way of review….

So far we have sought to explore the question

Why Don’t We Evangelize? and the corollary solution And How Can We Get Better At It!

We closed our last session (on Resurrection Sunday) with these two basic ideas about evangelism:

1. Evangelism isn’t a method
2. Evangelism is a way of life based upon God’s work in my life (theological/doctrinal)

“The way to tell whether in fact you are evangelizing is not to ask whether conversions are known to have resulted from your witness. It is to ask whether you are faithfully making known the gospel message.” J.I. Packer, Evangelism & The Sovereignty Of God, p. 41

What the Gospel is…

1. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)
2. The Gospel is a message of mercy from the Holy God to people who have violated (and are violating) His commands (Romans 5:8-10)
3. The Gospel is a message of hope to people without hope and without God in this world (Ephesians 2:12)
4. The Gospel is a message of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19) to people separated from God by sin;
5. The Gospel is a message of grace toward people who deserve the righteous anger of the Holy God.
6. The Gospel is a message of the cross (1 Cor. 1:18) which is central to the Gospel.
7. The Gospel is a message which believers have been given the privilege of proclaiming.
8. The Gospel is the good news of how God reconciles His rebellious image bearers to himself by the death and resurrection of His Son. (D.A. Carson, The Gagging Of God, p. 434)
9. The Gospel is telling people the wonderful message about God, the wonderful message about Jesus. (Mark Dever, The Gospel & Personal Evangelism, p. 82)

Some General Statements about the Gospel

1. The Gospel is a message about which all Christians need to be CLEAR.
2. The Gospel is a message about which all Christians need to be COURAGEOUS.
3. The Gospel is a message about which all Christians need to be CONFIDENT

Gospel Synopsis

• God
  • Creator/Owner
  • Holy
  • Just
  • Love
  • Gracious and Merciful

• Sin … What is it?!
  • Tim Keller:  “Ministering the Gospel requires we identify and confront the idols of our day.”

• Christ
  • Came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10
  • Came to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)
  • Came to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)

• Faith and Repentance
  • In whom?  Jesus Christ
  • From What?  Sin

J.I. Packer, Evangelism & The Sovereignty of God, pp. 57-73

To prepare for Sunday,   May 3rd, please read Colossians 1.  Also, as in weeks past, we will give opportunity for you to encourage the class by sharing about the doors of opportunity the Lord hass opened to you this past week to proclaim the wonders of His name to others.

On Resurrection Sunday (April 12) we continued the study we had begun the previous week concerning the privilege and responsibility of every believer to speak about our risen Lord Jesus to those who do not yet believe in Him. For some, this is admittedly a difficult task. For others, this comes a bit more naturally. Whatever our situation, as believers, it is something in which we must continue to exercise ourselves. We must do this for the glory of God and for the compassion we should have for the lost because of the mercy and grace of which has been showered upon us in Christ Jesus.

We reviewed several points we had made concerning why we have such a difficult time talking to others about Jesus. The previous week we had presented solutions to a couple of the points, and on April 12 we concluded those before looking at the question “What Evangelism Is …and What it Isn’t”. Our text of Scripture was:        1 Thessalonians 1:1 – 2:16.

Some of the Reasons:

1. Lack of awe

2. Lack of prayer

3. Lack of knowledge

4. Lack of planning

5. Lack of confidence

a) In God

b) In the power of the Gospel

Solutions to Lack of Knowledge

1. Seriousness

2. Sacrifice

3. Seminars

4. Study

a. God’s Word

b. Good Books

5. Self-Critique

Solutions to Lack of Planning

1. Be praying

2. Be alert

3. Be intentional

4. Be prepared to listen

5. Be prepared to give an answer

Solutions to Lack of Confidence

1. Trust in the almighty power of God

a. To open doors of opportunity to you

b. To use a weak vessel like yourself to accomplish His purposes

2. Trust in the power of the Gospel

3. Trust in the purpose of God for your salvation

What Evangelism Isn’t …And What It Is?

READ: 1 Thessalonians 1:1- 2:16….so what characterized the evangelism of the Thessalonian believers?

• A work of faith
• A labor of love
• A steadfastness in hope….ALL of which should characterize our evangelism, as well! Let’s see how.

A work of faith:

• In the living God
• In the powerful message of the Gospel;
• In the work of the Spirit of God…who will use a weak vessel, like me, to deliver the message of the Gospel to do a work in the life of another fallen human being!

A labor of love

• For our Creator/Owner
• For the lost

A steadfastness in hope

• In the risen Lord Jesus Christ we proclaim!
• In the work of God (and NOT ourselves) in the salvation of His people;
• In the effectiveness of the Gospel;

Please notice…

1. The Thessalonians were….Imitators

i. Of the apostle Paul

ii. Of the Lord

2. The Thessalonians were…Examples

i. To all the believers

ii. “…word sounded forth from you…”

iii. “…your faith in God has gone everywhere…”

Two Basic Ideas

1. Evangelism isn’t a method

2. Evangelism is a way of life based upon God’s work in my life (theological/doctrinal)

As we look ahead to this coming Sunday, feel free to read Ephesians 2:1-12 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 as we anticipate the discussion of the question:  “What is the Gospel?” Also, be prepared to encourage the class with your story of how the Lord has opened a door of opportunity to you to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those He has placed around you.

This past week we looked at the question “Why Don’t We Evangelize?” in the hopes of getting better at it.  We didn’t get through all the material I had hoped to present, but we’ll look to finish it off this coming Sunday.  Here are my notes from what was presented last Sunday.

Why Don’t We Evangelize? (And How Can We Get Better At It!)

Some of the Reasons

1. Lack of awe
2. Lack of prayer
3. Lack of knowledge
4. Lack of planning
5. Lack of confidence

• In God
• In the power of the Gospel

Solutions to Lack of Awe

1. Gospel Understanding

“The acid test of biblical God-centeredness—and faithfulness to the gospel—is this: Do you feel more loved because God makes much of you, or because, at the cost of his Son, he enables you to enjoy making much of him forever? Does your happiness hang on seeing the cross of Christ as a witness to your worth, or as a way to enjoy God’s worth forever? Is God’s glory in Christ the foundation of your gladness?

John Piper, God is the Gospel, pp. 11-12

“In order for the Christian gospel to be good news it must provide an all-satisfying and eternal gift that undeserving sinners can receive and enjoy. For that to be true, the gift must be three things. First, the gift must be purchased by the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Our sins must be covered, and the wrath of God against us must be removed, and Christ’s righteousness must be imputed to us. Second, the gift must be free and not earned. There would be no good news if we had to merit the gift of the gospel. Third, the gift must be God himself, above all his other gifts.”

John Piper, God is the Gospel, pp. 14

Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians (Eph. 3:14-21)

• Through the Father we have become God’s children

• Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith

• To grasp (understand) how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (V. 18)

• To know this love that surpasses knowledge

• To bring glory to God in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever!

1. Gospel Understanding
2. Gospel Belief
3. Gospel self-preaching
4. Gospel practice

· Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27)

· Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3)

· As you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)

· Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure

(Philippians 2:14)

· …as you hold out the word of life (the gospel) (Philippians 2:16)

Solutions to Lack of Prayer

1. Active prayer list for unbelieving family, friends and co-workers;
2. Aggressive prayer for open doors to proclaim the Gospel (Col 4:2);
3. Aggressive prayer for self and others in church that God will fill us with the knowledge of His will;
4. Aggressive prayer for eyes to see the open doors to proclaim the Gospel
5. Aggressive prayer for courage to walk through the open doors
6. Aggressive prayer that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored (2 Thess. 3:1)
7. Aggressive prayer that obstacles to the Gospel will be removed (2 Thess. 3:2)
8. Alert praying for words to speak when the door opens (Holy Spirit will give you the words to speak) -Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11

Looking forward to this coming Sunday…Lord willing, we will finish the material we began last week…looking specifically at Solutions to a Lack of Knowledge, Solutions to a Lack of Planning and Solutions to a Lack of Confidence.

Also, to prepare for Sunday, you can read 1 Thessalonians 1:1 – 2:16 looking specifically for what characterized the evangelism of the Thessalonian believers.