It has been my privilege to engage in street evangelism since the 1970s and, over that time, I've been asked numerous questions by literally 100s of people. As I pondered the issue of what to write as my next article, it occurred to me that you may find it helpful to read a series on the FAQs asked by the unsaved, and what answers should we give.
This week's FAQ is "What about those who've never heard of Jesus?"
When we share the Gospel with people on a regular basis it is not long before this is asked. After all, we claim to believe in the truth of John 14 v 6 and, that if there was any other way for people to be saved, other than through the cross-work of Christ, then He died for nothing. Therefore, at least by implication, we are saying that those who don't trust in Christ are lost. "Surely", we are asked, "that isn't fair, what if they've never had a chance to hear the Gospel?".
It is a pertinent question and I tend to answer it in 3 ways (it is unlikely the enquirer will give you time to mention all 3, so you may have to make a choice of what answer to give!).
Firstly, the Bible teaches that the Judge of all the earth will do right - Genesis 18 v 25. Consequently, we can be sure that He will do right by them. Follow this up with your own question viz. "You have heard, don't you think that means you are without excuse?".
Secondly, we are told in Scripture that those who truly seek for God will find Him - Jeremiah 29 v 13 and, the Saviour's words, in Matthew 7 v 7. If someone is sincerely seeking for God then He will bring the Gospel to them. Cases in point being the Ethiopian in Acts 8, and Cornelius in Acts 10.
Thirdly, we are told, in John 6 v 37 that every person given to Jesus by the Father will come to Him. The God who ordains the end, also ordains the means whereby that end is carried out. We can be absolutely confident that every one of God's elect will hear, or at least read, the Gospel, and that God will grant them the gift of faith to enable them to believe (see John 6 v 65).
Bearing all this in mind, we do not need to be fumbling about looking for an "acceptable" answer when put on the spot with this question. God IS sovereign, and He will ensure that His purposes are carried out, His church is built and His name is glorified in the salvation of souls.
Thursday, 31 August 2017
Tuesday, 22 August 2017
A lesson from Watchman Nee.
Watchman Nee was a Chinese preacher who lived from 1903 to 1972, spending the last 20 years of his life in a communist prison.
During his highly fruitful ministry many souls were saved, and trained in evangelism and discipleship. Even now, some 45 years after his homecall, his writings and his example are being eagerly devoured by Christian believers. What example did he set to us, who follow on from him?
Well, I've had the privilege of reading two separate biographies of his life (several times over) and one thing about him struck me quite forcibly, and has been a great help to me in my own Christian life, and service; it is as follows:
Along with all faithful preachers and evangelists, brother Nee faced a huge amount of slander and vilification No doubt if the Internet had been in operation then his detractors would be taking to social media to do what they did on paper all those years ago.
An example of this persecution occurred just after he was married. His wife's aunt took exception to her brilliant niece marrying a poor preacher with no prospects, and hired a page in the newspaper to vent her spleen against him.
Another example occurred when he was single,and his mother visited him for a brief stay - malicious gossips were putting it about that he was living in sin with an older woman!
No doubt these, and other episodes of slander and gossip would have been deeply hurtful to him, but what was his response? Simply this, not to dignify these allegations with a response, but to carry on doing the Lord's work with the statement "My friends know me and, therefore, no explanation is necessary; my enemies despise me and, therefore, no explanation will satisfy them". He then committed himself to the Lord (in accordance with 1st Peter 2 v 21-23) and got on with the job of spreading the Gospel.
In taking this line he simply reflected the grace of his Saviour. Jesus warned us that we would be vilified and persecuted and that, when such happens, we are to rejoice because our reward is great in Heaven - Matthew 5 v 10-12.
As a street evangelist, well known in the East Kent area, I have often faced slander and cyber abuse but, as I think upon the example of our dear bother Nee, I am encouraged, like him, to simply spread the Gospel, knowing that nothing, and nobody can stop people from being saved and God's wonderful grace manifested, for all to see.
Finally, an encouragement from Isaiah 54 v 17 - "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper...."
During his highly fruitful ministry many souls were saved, and trained in evangelism and discipleship. Even now, some 45 years after his homecall, his writings and his example are being eagerly devoured by Christian believers. What example did he set to us, who follow on from him?
Well, I've had the privilege of reading two separate biographies of his life (several times over) and one thing about him struck me quite forcibly, and has been a great help to me in my own Christian life, and service; it is as follows:
Along with all faithful preachers and evangelists, brother Nee faced a huge amount of slander and vilification No doubt if the Internet had been in operation then his detractors would be taking to social media to do what they did on paper all those years ago.
An example of this persecution occurred just after he was married. His wife's aunt took exception to her brilliant niece marrying a poor preacher with no prospects, and hired a page in the newspaper to vent her spleen against him.
Another example occurred when he was single,and his mother visited him for a brief stay - malicious gossips were putting it about that he was living in sin with an older woman!
No doubt these, and other episodes of slander and gossip would have been deeply hurtful to him, but what was his response? Simply this, not to dignify these allegations with a response, but to carry on doing the Lord's work with the statement "My friends know me and, therefore, no explanation is necessary; my enemies despise me and, therefore, no explanation will satisfy them". He then committed himself to the Lord (in accordance with 1st Peter 2 v 21-23) and got on with the job of spreading the Gospel.
In taking this line he simply reflected the grace of his Saviour. Jesus warned us that we would be vilified and persecuted and that, when such happens, we are to rejoice because our reward is great in Heaven - Matthew 5 v 10-12.
As a street evangelist, well known in the East Kent area, I have often faced slander and cyber abuse but, as I think upon the example of our dear bother Nee, I am encouraged, like him, to simply spread the Gospel, knowing that nothing, and nobody can stop people from being saved and God's wonderful grace manifested, for all to see.
Finally, an encouragement from Isaiah 54 v 17 - "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper...."
Tuesday, 15 August 2017
They can burn papers, but they can't burn truth!
In Jeremiah 36 we read of how King Jehoiakim, having heard of Jeremiah's prophecy, took the scroll and threw it into the fire. He thought that by doing so he could silence God's word.
When the USSR was in place, it was common for the authorities to confiscate Bibles and make bonfires of them. Again, by doing so they thought they could silence the truth.
Occasionally, I come across Gospel tracts that have been defaced, or even burned through with a cigarette end, by people irritated at the message.
However, in all these cases they were, and are, deluded. No matter how many times opponents of Scripture push aside God's word it will always stand the test of time because, as Psalm 100 states, "God's truth at all times, surely stood". (quoted from the The Psalter).
I was reminded of these facts as I read the following, very sad, story:
There is a man, I don't know his name, or what part of the country he now resides in, who was once very much involved in Gospel work with the Christian Brethren. He was once so zealous for Christ, and desired to please Him in all things. His comrades in the assembly were pleased to work alongside him, and it was a joy to them to see how he was progressing in the faith.
However, as time went on he rebelled against God's word, threw aside his profession of faith, and embraced a particularly perverse lifestyle. Many, many times dear Christian people have lovingly, and gently, urged him to return to the fold, citing the times of joy when they worshipped Christ and served Him together.
Sad to say, he has not only rejected all such loving entreaties but, according to a boastful comment I read the other day - even burned letters from sincere Christians seeking to help him.
No doubt, this poor creature, thinks he can silence the voice of conscience by such actions and, to an extent, that may be so; BUT he cannot, and never will, silence the truth of God's inspired, infallible and inerrant word - the Bible.
I feel so desperately sorry for people who behave in this way. One can only hope that God, in His mercy, will yet grant repentance to them and draw them to Himself.
In the meantime, what lessons can we learn from this? Well, as I've already intimated, God's truth will always stand no matter how strongly it is opposed; but another lesson is simply this - if the Bible is just a collection of stories, akin to Aesop's fables, why do people get so irritated and angry about it? Why do they feel the need to show such contempt even to the point of throwing Scripture into the fire? The answer, surely, is simple - they behave like this because, deep down, they know it is true.
Such a fact (that they know it is true) should be an encouragement to us to continue to spread the truths of the Gospel. It may yet be, that the strongest opponents of God's word become the most zealous evangelists - like the Apostle Paul!
When the USSR was in place, it was common for the authorities to confiscate Bibles and make bonfires of them. Again, by doing so they thought they could silence the truth.
Occasionally, I come across Gospel tracts that have been defaced, or even burned through with a cigarette end, by people irritated at the message.
However, in all these cases they were, and are, deluded. No matter how many times opponents of Scripture push aside God's word it will always stand the test of time because, as Psalm 100 states, "God's truth at all times, surely stood". (quoted from the The Psalter).
I was reminded of these facts as I read the following, very sad, story:
There is a man, I don't know his name, or what part of the country he now resides in, who was once very much involved in Gospel work with the Christian Brethren. He was once so zealous for Christ, and desired to please Him in all things. His comrades in the assembly were pleased to work alongside him, and it was a joy to them to see how he was progressing in the faith.
However, as time went on he rebelled against God's word, threw aside his profession of faith, and embraced a particularly perverse lifestyle. Many, many times dear Christian people have lovingly, and gently, urged him to return to the fold, citing the times of joy when they worshipped Christ and served Him together.
Sad to say, he has not only rejected all such loving entreaties but, according to a boastful comment I read the other day - even burned letters from sincere Christians seeking to help him.
No doubt, this poor creature, thinks he can silence the voice of conscience by such actions and, to an extent, that may be so; BUT he cannot, and never will, silence the truth of God's inspired, infallible and inerrant word - the Bible.
I feel so desperately sorry for people who behave in this way. One can only hope that God, in His mercy, will yet grant repentance to them and draw them to Himself.
In the meantime, what lessons can we learn from this? Well, as I've already intimated, God's truth will always stand no matter how strongly it is opposed; but another lesson is simply this - if the Bible is just a collection of stories, akin to Aesop's fables, why do people get so irritated and angry about it? Why do they feel the need to show such contempt even to the point of throwing Scripture into the fire? The answer, surely, is simple - they behave like this because, deep down, they know it is true.
Such a fact (that they know it is true) should be an encouragement to us to continue to spread the truths of the Gospel. It may yet be, that the strongest opponents of God's word become the most zealous evangelists - like the Apostle Paul!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)