Pray for me

3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-

4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. - Colossians 4:3-4

The Gospel is a mystery, a thing that does not make sense untill it is proclaimed.  But for the gospel to make sense it must be spoken clearly.

I have the opportunity in the next week or so to try to speak the Gospel clearly to a young couple who woul like to join our church.  The problem I that they are not believers, but they think they are.  

The Bible is clear that the gospel is the power, not just contains the power, to transform lives. A person genuinely re-born through the power of the Gospel, will be irrevocably changed. Those changes produce real and lasting evidence, which Jesus and the Apostles described as fruit.

And this couple has no fruit. Their world is, by their own account not a place of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness or gentleness. They do not love the things of God, but they live the things of the world.

These things are no surprise, the problem is that both of them have been in churches that were not faithfull to proper proclamation of mystery of the Gospel. And the wife was actually baptized at a very young age, by a former pastor of our church. 

And they want to be members. Less than a year ago it was clear they were politely uninterested, but months of prayer and investment have built a relationship, and a friendship. Leading to the conversation we need to have in the next week or so.

And so I ask that you would lift all of us up in prayer, that God would open up the door for that Gospel conversation, and that I would proclaim the mystery of Christ as I ought. 

Good ministry, really bad evangelism!

I had the opportunity to speak with an individual in my community who grew up attending church, as an active member in their youth group, camping events and ministry outreaches.

In Jr-High and High School he was part of a touring vocal ensemble, that sang gospel music in churches.  He knows and loves the old hymns. 

He also played a leading role in Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat. He thought it was special that "it had something to do with the Bible."

He attended a church with a friend and when they asked him if he believed in Jesus he said "yes" and was immediately baptized.

All of that was 15 or 20 years ago, and he put his faith in Christ, last summer for the first time in his life.

When I asked him, if his youth leaders choir directors and pastors ever explained the Gospel to him, he said that he couldn't remember anyone ever sitting down with him and sharing how he could be saved.

Read that again, let it soak in.  

Like he said, there were probably several times when a speaker or preacher shared the gospel, but he was too busy singing it to be able to hear it.

20 years latter life is full of regrets, and only now does he have a personal faith struggling to mature.

Folks, if there is room for "ministry" surely there is time to share the messages of God's grace! Be sure you are sharing the gospel, personally purposefully, and often.