This is a video showing how one life lived for Jesus affects many people.
Category Archives: Evangelism
The following is taken from the first chapter of “Words to Winners of Souls” by Horatius Bonar.
Our One Object: to Win Souls
We take for granted that the object of the Christian ministry is to convert sinners and toedify the body of Christ. No faithful minister can possibly rest short of this. Applause, fame, popularity, honor, wealth-all these are vain. If souls are not won, if saints are not matured, our ministry itself is vain.
The question, therefore, which each of us has to answer to his own conscience is, “Has it been the end of my ministry, has it been the desire of my heart to save the lost and guide the saved? Is this my aim in every sermon I preach, in every visit I pay? Is it under the influence of this feeling that I continually live and walk and speak? Is it for this I pray and toil and fast and weep? Is it for this I spend and am spent, counting it, next to the salvation of my own soul, my chiefest joy to be the instrument of saving others? Is it for this that I exist? To accomplish this would I gladly die? Have I seen the pleasure of the Lord prospering in my hand? Have I seen souls converted under my ministry? Have God’s people found refreshment from my lips, and gone upon their way rejoicing, or have I seen no fruit of my labors, and yet content to remain unblest? Am I satisfied to preach, and yet not know of one saving impression made, one sinner awakened ?”
Nothing short of positive success can satisfy a true minister of Christ. His plans may proceed smoothly and his external machinery may work steadily, but without actual fruit in the saving of souls he counts all these as nothing. His feeling is: ”My little children, ofwhom I travail in birth again until Christ beformed in you” (Galatians 4:19). And it is this feeling whichmakes him successful.
“Ministers,” said Owen, “are seldom honored with success unless they are continually aiming at the conversion of sinners.” The resolution that in the strength and with the blessing of God he will never rest without success, will insure it. It is the man who has made up his mind to confront every difficulty, who has counted the cost and, fixing his eye upon the prize, has determined to fight his way to it — it is such a man that conquers.
The dull apathy of other days is gone. Satan has taken the field actively, and it is best to meet him front to front. Besides, men’s consciences are really on edge. God seems extensively striving with them, as before the flood. A breath of the Divine Spirit has passed over the earth, and hence the momentous character of the time, as well as the necessity for improving it so long as it lasts.
The one true goal or resting-place where doubt and weariness, the stings of a pricking conscience, and the longings of an unsatisfied soul would all be quieted, is Christ himself.
Not the church, but Christ. Not doctrine, but Christ. Not forms, but Christ. Not ceremonies, but Christ; Christ the God-man, giving His life for ours; sealing the everlasting covenant, and making peace for us through the blood of His cross; Christ the divine storehouse of all light and truth, ”In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3); Christ the infinite vessel, filled with the Holy Spirit, the Enlightener, the Teacher, the Quickener, the Comforter, so that ~’of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1: 16). This, this alone is the vexed soul’s refuge, its rock to build on, its home to. abide in till the great tempter be hound and every conflict ended in victory.
This is an encouraging email I received from a pastor in Indiana. I don’t know this brother, but I know his father.
In the Highways and Hedges of Indy – July 12, 2011
God just got in it today! While door-knocking you find yourself talking to a sixty year old man who is obviously depending upon an empty profession from many years ago. After giving your testimony and the scripture, you see the lights of understanding, concern and conviction begin to dawn as he starts to question and realize his lost condition.
Returning to a neighborhood, several from different households you’ve previously door-knocked gather around you for friendly street-side conversation, questions and new promises to come and visit the church. Into this sidewalk gathering comes a stranger, a very troubled young woman. She confesses that she’s been away from God for a long time and that her life is filled with several different kinds of pain. Before her neighbors, Christy then tearfully asks me to pray for her right then and there. How I’m touched and how real and solemn it gets real quick! After prayer I’m able to give her some preliminary counsel about the next steps. A lady seated in a chair on the sidewalk in the middle of all this then says, “God sent you to this neighborhood” and it seems that the folks gathered around agree and inwardly I agree also.
Also in this group is an air-conditioning repair man. I’ve had friendly conversations with him before and he claims to be saved but is out of church. I told him of a broken air-conditioner in a very hot home containing a disabled grandmother and her three young grandchildren, one of which is suffering more from asthma in Indy’s hot humid weather – a situation that I had just run across a couple of hours ago while door-knocking. He agrees to fix the unit tomorrow and will give the church a discounted bill for the job. Before going to the traditional Laundromat stop, Sue and I swing by this woman’s house and tell her of our arrangements. Cindy is a sort of hard-bitten wary woman but seems to be genuinely amazed and touched that we would help.
I was able to hand out several tracts and have a few short conversations with folks at the Laundromat. Being a very hot night, a group of four teen guys was outside on the sidewalk in front. I gave them all tracts and had a good conversation with them. Even though they all looked fairly punkish, I believe the Lord got in it and they were very friendly, respectful and seemed to be quite open to what I was saying. Hopefully the seeds sown will eventually bear fruit in all the folks at the Laundromat.
Please pray for Christy, Cindy, the neighborhood folk and the Laundromat people.
Bob Williams
Bible Baptist Church
Indianapolis, IN
This is from Ron Maggard’s blog, and it is worth reading.
Gospel Profit
By Ron Maggard
In a day when the economy is literally reeling, many have justified concerns about profit margins. In a good year some industry may hit 50% profits or higher, a good restaurant may profit that much as well. Grocers normally do not see more than 25% in profits. On a whole if a business sees only 5% profit it is considered not good, 10-20% is OK and 20-40% is good. But, of course there are always risks too.
Those looking for great profit margins should consider the Gospel.
Really? Is there any profit from the Gospel? The truth may be surprising. Even in Jesus’ day many were wary of becoming involved with the Gospel and wondering if, in the end, there would not be more loss than gain.
One day Peter expressed in the presence of the other disciples to Jesus how that they had put up everything they had for Jesus and the Gospel’s sake. He put it like this: “Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.” It seems he was at that moment wondering if that had been a good investment, was it going to be profitable doing what they were doing for Jesus and the Gospel.
Jesus calms their worry and assures them, and us along with them, that there is indeed Gospel profit. He says, ” There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
One hundred percent profit!
Wow! One hundred percent profit! (100%) NOW! What? Yes, no waiting for the maturity of your investment in some future finish date, but whatever you have invested in the Gospel has a one hundred fold return now. But there is even better news. (Oh no! I’m scaring myself. I almost sound like Billy Mays.) But, true, yes there is much, much more.
“In the world to come everlasting life.”
It really does not get any better than that. Even Exxon, Shell, Chevron, Microsoft and all the other top profiteers cannot offer you ANYTHING better than or even close to Gospel profit. Even if things seem rough, even amid persecutions, those who give their lives for Jesus and the Gospel’s sake will never lose out. There is amazing Gospel profit!
