Category: Evangelism

How Should Christians Live in the In-Between?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Discipleship, Evangelism, PracticalLeave a comment

City

A perfect future kingdom awaits those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. A kingdom with no sickness, death, disease, injustice, war, oppression, etc – a perfect kingdom. Now, however, we live in the already/not yet. The period where we can taste victory, but we can’t fully enjoy it because Jesus’ hasn’t yet returned.

One author captures the tension well when he says,

“The kingdom of God is both the foundation of the church and the goal of the world. Therefore, we have and we hope; we give thanks and we sigh for more.” – Kelly Kapic

So we live in the in-between. As we live in the already/not yet, how should we live our daily lives? Should we pull back to the fringes? Divorce ourselves from society? Or should we do something else?

How Should Christians Live in the In-Between?

We should do what Israel was told to do in Jeremiah 29: Work for the good of the city, for as the city flourishes we flourish (Jer. 29:5-7). As Christians we should lay down roots, conduct business, get married, have children pray for our leaders, and work to make the city a better place.

We can do that in at least three ways.

(1) Politics and Laws

Here is what one theologian says,

“True justice exists only in the society of God, and this will be truly fulfilled only after the Judgment. Nevertheless, while no society on earth can fully express this justice, the one that is more influenced by Christians and Christian teaching will more perfectly reflect a just society. For this reason, Christians have a duty toward government.” – Webber

Sure, politics aren’t going to solve all our problems, but politics and laws have a huge influence on our society.

“Laws express moral beliefs and judgments…They tells citizens what our society ought to value and condemn, what is worthy of our respect and what we should disapprove of.” – Gerson & Wehner

Think about the state of Colorado: Marijuana is now legal. That is a big deal. Not only because people now have access to drugs, but because it is going to influence people’s moral views on Marijuana.

Right now, some citizens may see it as morally wrong, but think about how people will see it in fifty years. As a generation comes and goes the view that it is wrong to use marijuana is going to fade into the background. And that is going to take place because a law was passed. So we can’t neglect the importance of politics and laws. They shape and influence our moral lives.

So when there is an election, we should be aware of the issues and educate our families and friends. We should vote and encourage others to do the same. Some of us should even get into politics.

(2) Truly Living as Disciples of Jesus

I was sitting with a friend at Starbucks the other day talking about how we as Christians can bring about change and work for the good of the city. And he asked this question,

“What if the world saw disciples actually living out their calling?”

I thought that was good a question. Think about it: What if we really lived as true disciples? What kind of impact do you think that would have on our community, city, country? Think about the witness we would be, the change we could bring, the difference we could make by truly living as Jesus did.

Now, you might be thinking, we have already tried that. This nation was founded by Christian men on Christian principles. While that is true, I would argue we haven’t always lived out our calling. Sure some Christians do, but a lot of people who claim to be Christians don’t live as Jesus did.

But what if we all did? I believe if we did, our society would be radically changed.

(3) Preaching the Gospel

I left this one for last because I believe it’s the most important. I believe that because the gospel changes hearts, which is important because our heart isn’t just the organ that pumps our blood, it’s our inner self.

In Psalm 51:10, when David prayed saying,

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Ps 51:10)

He wasn’t asking God for a literal heart transplant, instead he was asking God to change his will, desires, affections. He was asking God to transform him, so he lived and acted differently. That is what the gospel does. It transforms people, so that they live differently. So if we want to work for the good of our city and see true change in this country, we have to preach the gospel.

Question for Reflection

  1. What else should Christians do in the in-between?

Resources

Post adapted from the sermon: Hope is Not Lost

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Everyday Evangelism

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Discipleship, Evangelism, Pastoral, PracticalLeave a comment

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Every other year I try to go to a conference hosted by Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY — Together for the Gospel. Not only is a great time to hear the Word preached and fellowship with folks I haven’t seen in years, but it is a great opportunity to pick up a lot of books. Every year I go, I come back with at least 40-50 books. Most of those are handpicked by those putting on the conference and are free.

One of the free books I got at the last conference was Evangelism: How the whole church speaks of Jesus by Mack Stiles.

Outreach Misconception and Correction

In the book, Stiles tells of a time when he went to speak on Evangelism at another church. They had a question and answer session after his talk. One lady noticed that a lot of Vietnamese were moving into the neighborhood. She wanted to know how the church was going to reach out to them.

Here is what Stiles told her:

“It is really not the best thing for ‘the church’ to set up programs for Vietnamese outreach, but rather for you to think how you can reach out. I would recommend you learn something about the Vietnamese culture, maybe by learning some greetings in Vietnamese, trying their food, and learning about their struggles they face living in the majority culture. Reach out and invite the friends you make to come with you to your homes, a small group Bible study, or church. Then, perhaps, some of you should even think of moving into the Vietnamese community with the purpose of [spreading] the gospel among that community.” — Stiles, Evangelism, 66.

Probably not the answer the lady was thinking she would get, but that is what Stiles recommended — that we not wait for the church to setup a program to reach a specific people, but that those in the church take it upon themselves to go and reach those people.

Everyday Evangelism as Community Missionaries

I think Stiles is right. If we want to impact our community and city, we can’t wait for the church to setup an outreach to a specific people. Instead, we have to reach out on our own. We have to see ourselves as missionaries to our community and city.

As missionaries we must seek to build relationships with folks everyday with the purpose of speaking the gospel into their lives.

Everyday evangelism happens when everyone in a church sees it as their responsibility to daily reach out to those in the community with the purpose of building relationships and spreading the gospel.

Question for Reflection

  1. How do you reach out to your community?

Resources

Mack Stiles, Evangelism: How the whole church speaks of Jesus, 66.

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What are the Barriers to Making Disciples?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Discipleship, Evangelism, Pastoral5 Comments

Disciples

Even though we are commanded to make disciples and Jesus gives us a simple three step method to follow, we have trouble following His command. We have trouble because we encounter barriers. The list of barriers we encounter can be a mile long. There are a lot of things that hinder us from making disciples. I can’t cover all of them, nor do I know all of them, so let me offer you five.

Barriers to Making Disciples

(1) Busyness

Let’s be honest, we all have a lot going on – work, church, kids and grandkids sporting events, school, friends, family – are just a few things that compete for our time on a weekly basis. With all these things going on, we might think we don’t have the time to make disciples.

But here is the problem with that line of thinking, Jesus commands us to make disciples. In Matthew 28 Jesus says,

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28)

So Jesus commands us to make making disciples a priority in our lives, which means we have to do it.

Reading those words, you are probably thinking: “Great, one more thing to had to my schedule.” But what if I told you making disciples doesn’t have to be another thing you add to you schedule. Remember Jesus’ idea of “go” is “as you are going” you are to be making disciples. If we do that, if we focus on making disciples as we are going, it won’t be something extra to add to our schedule because it would be apart of the natural rhythm of our lives. So while you are at the football game or the school play, or whatever else it is that you are doing, you can be making disciples. You can be meeting others with the intention of building a relationship and speaking the truth of God’s Word into their lives.

Personally, that is why I spend a lot of time at Starbucks. I am going to prepare sermons every week, so why not do that in place where I can meet people, build relationships with them, and either encourage them in their Christian walk, or share the gospel with them. I have to tell you, I have had a lot of conversations with people through the years at Starbucks.

So while busyness can be a barrier to making disciples, it does not have to be, if we incorporate making disciples into the natural rhythm of our lives.

(2) Fear

One fear you might have is that you won’t know what to say. While that is a real fear, we don’t have to let it keep us from making disciples. You see, Jesus hasn’t left us alone. At the end of verse 20 in Matthew 28, He says,

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Mt 28:20b)

So as we are going about our day, Jesus is with us and He will give us what we need to make disciples.

Another fear you might have is that someone will respond negatively to your message. While that is a real fear, a fear I personally have, research tells us that only about 5% of people in the States will be hostile to the message of the gospel.

You know, I think that is true. Even though I am afraid of how people will react, personally I have never had anyone outright attack me because I talked with them about the gospel and only a few people have been rude. For the most part, everyone I have ever engaged in a gospel conversation has been respectful.

So while fear can be a real barrier to us making disciples, it doesn’t have to be because Jesus promises He will be with us and most people we engage will be receptive and polite.

(3) A loss of your first love

What I mean by that is that something else has captured your attention. Something has become more important to you, more exciting. You see, we talk about that which we are excited. That which we love. Think about your favorite restaurant or vacation spot. You share those things with people because they excite you.

But if you think about it, what is more exciting than the gospel? What is more exciting than knowing Jesus has willingly died in your place so that you might have life? If we are truly a believer, nothing should be more exciting than that.

So if you have lost your first love, if something has become more exciting than the gospel to you, then you need to meditate on the gospel. You need to preach the gospel to yourself until that excitement returns and you want to share that with other people.

(4) I need to get my life right first

But here is the thing, if we wait to get our life right before we make disciples, we are never going to make disciples because our life is never going to be completely right. Becoming a fully mature disciple of Christ is a process; a process that takes a lifetime.

Plus, Jesus never said we need to get our life right first before we can make disciples. Remember, His idea of “go” is “as you are going” As you are going through life. As you are growing in your Christian walk, you should be making disciples. You should be bringing others along on the journey with you to be more like Christ.

(5) I am just a sinner saved by grace, what right do I have to speak into another person’s life. 

That is true — you are a sinner saved by grace. But you have been given a commandment by Jesus to make disciples. And as Jesus’ disciple you are an ambassador of Jesus.

You know what Ambassadors do? They speak on behalf of another. Nations have Ambassadors. The United States has ambassadors. When they go to another country, they have the right to speak on behalf of our country. That is the same for us. As Christians we are Ambassadors of Jesus and we have the right to speak on behalf of Him.

Now when we speak to others we don’t do it harshly. We are sinners saved by grace so we need to exercise grace and mercy when we speak to others.

But the point is we have the right to speak to others. We have the right to make disciples and we have been given that right by Jesus.

So those are some of the barriers to making disciples. Admittedly, those can be difficult for us to overcome. They can take a lot of work for us to overcome. So why?

Why should we fight to Overcome These Barriers?

Fighting to overcome these barriers and making disciples is the only way our country is going to turn around. As well as if we don’t do it — if we don’t make disciples — no one else will. You see, we are God’s plan. God uses disciples to make disciples. So if we don’t do it, no one else is going to do it.

Question for Reflection

  1. What barriers have you faced in making disciples? How did you overcome them?

Resources

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Post adapted from the sermon: Disciples Make Disciples

Get in the Game

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Church Life, Discipleship, Evangelism, PastoralLeave a comment

Football Huddle

All too often Christians are found retreating into a holy huddle, to their own corner of the world that doesn’t include non-believers. But instead of gathering together in a holy huddle, I believe we are supposed to interact with and engage non-believers. If we don’t, then we can’t accomplish the Great Commission — to make disciples because we don’t know any non-believers.

If we want to win non-believers to Christ, we have to know non-believers.

It’s Easy to Do

The reason I bring this up is because I know it is easy for us as Christians to gather together in our holy huddle. For a time, that is fine, but at some point we have to break the huddle and engage those around us with the gospel, especially knowing that Jesus could return at any point.

A Silly Example that Rings True

Imagine throwing down a couple of hundred dollars for a ticket to a Cowboys game, fighting traffic all the way down to Arlington, and spending even more time finding a parking spot and even more money at the concession stand, only to see the Cowboys never break the huddle after fielding the first kickoff. No amazing play for a touchdown. No last minute “hail mary” to win the game. No, none of that happens, instead they turn the ball over to the other team because of delay of game penalties. Imagine seeing that.

We are no different than the Cowboys, if we remain in our holy huddle. Sure it is safe in there, but if we never engage anyone with the gospel, all we are doing is turning things over to the other team. That’s not good because the other team isn’t just going to score a touchdown. No, instead they are going to score someone’s soul.

Who Do You Know?

So instead of remaining in a holy huddle we need to engage those around us with the gospel. In order to engage non-believers with the gospel, we have to know non-believers.

A good question to ask yourself to see if you are stuck in a holy huddle or if you have broke and you are playing the game is simple: How many people do you know that is a non-believer?

When I say know, I don’t mean know of. Instead I mean how many do you know? How many people do you personally engage with on a weekly basis that is a non-believer?

We have to know non-believers in order to accomplish the Great Commission.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Are you stuck in a holy huddle or are you playing the game?
  2. Would you share some ways you get to know non-believers?

Resources

Post adapted from my sermon: Are you ready for the return of Jesus?

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Spread the Gospel Indiscriminately

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Evangelism, Pastoral, PracticalLeave a comment

Prison

God calls all people’s to come and follow Him. I believe we are the instruments God uses to extend that call. As we call others to follow Jesus, we shouldn’t discriminate. It shouldn’t matter if we think someone is good or bad, or if we believe they deserve salvation or not. Our job is to spread the gospel.

The Gospel Changes People

I once knew a guy who was selfish. He only did things that pleased himself. He disrespected authority, rebelling against the system. He hated others and did things to make people’s lives miserable. He was a racist, a liar, and cheater. He was someone who objectified woman.

But you know what? Someone shared the gospel with him. Through that person’s witness, Jesus saved him and changed his heart, so that he now follows Jesus. He now desires to live according to God’s Word and spread His gospel.

You know who that person is? That person is me. I am that horrible, terrible person God saved.

You Are No Different

My story is no different than yours. Each of us were at one time horrible, terrible people who only lived for ourselves. So we shouldn’t think God only saves those who are good because if that were the case, none of us would have experienced salvation.

You see, none of us are good. None of us are savable. But thankfully God doesn’t save those society deems good or savable. God saves all kinds and each of us are a testament to that.

We Shouldn’t Discriminate

So we shouldn’t discriminate as to who we share the gospel with. We should share the gospel with all people’s.

As we spread the gospel, people will respond. Many will enter the kingdom through our witness. Many will follow Jesus. The key though is that we are to spread the gospel indiscriminately, calling anyone and everyone to follow Jesus.

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you think some are too far gone to be save? If so, why?

Resource

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5 Motivations to Call Others to Repent

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Evangelism, Pastoral, Practical1 Comment

Unashamed

I spent last week in Louisville, Kentucky visiting friends and attending Together for the Gospel. The time with friends and the conference was a blessing.

This years conference was subtitled Unashamed. It’s focus was evangelism. While it is a common tactic to make evangelicals feel guilty for not evangelizing the lost, I appreciated that that was not their tactic. Instead of focusing on guilt, they focused on the power of the gospel to make men alive in Christ.

Some motivations that stuck out to me where the ones Thabiti Anyabwile gave. He specifically provided five of which I have highlighted below.

5 Motivations to Call Others to Repent

(1) Repentance is for the joy of heaven, the church and Christ.

(2) Repentance is calling someone to see worth in God’s sight.

(3) Repentance is a call to gain heaven’s greatest pleasures.

(4) Repentance isn’t emphasis on do’s and don’t’s, but on seeing God as He really is.

(5) Repentance is a call to what God calls beautiful.

Question for Reflection

  1. What other gospel-centered motivations would you add to the list above?

Resource

If you would like to hear Thabiti flesh these points out, you can watch his message here.