Myth, 120

 ~ Evangelism Requires Special Training ~

 

Myths  ~  This is really a combination of myths.  The underlying misconception which is usually present is that all Christians are to be evangelists.  The Scripture does not teach that.  In the New Testament only uses the word evangelist (or a derivative) a total of three times – each of which is referring to the specific spiritual gifts.  However, all Christians are to be witnesses for Christ.  A witness is only responsible to tell what he or she knows first-hand. 

 

Example  ~  “And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, ‘What do You seek?’ or, ‘Why are You talking with her?’  The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ‘Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did.  Could this be the Christ?’ Then they went out of the city and came to Him” (John 4:27-30).

 

The second key myth is the need for a specific type of training.  Throughout Christian history many of the most effective evangelists were taught primarily the Spirit of God with little or no formal training. 

 

Comment  ~  Does this imply that evangelists should avoid specific training?  Absolutely not!  But God has and still can use individuals effectively to evangelize without specialized training. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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7 Life Essentials, 4

 ~ Basic Need: Light ~ 

Introduction  ~  In this series we will look at the four most basic physical needs for a human to survive, and how Jesus Christ satisfies the parallel spiritual needs.  Then we will look at three additional critical factors related to both our physical and spiritual needs.

 

Physical Needs  ~  According to basic physiological understanding mankind needs four basic elements in order to survive physically: water, air, food, and light.

 

Jesus satisfies the parallel spiritual needs.  Jesus is the Living Water (John 4:10-11, 7:38).  Jesus provides the Breath of Life (Genesis 2:7, Colossians 1:16-17).  Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48).  Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5).  

 

Key Scriptures  ~  “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life’” (John 8:12).  

 

Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:3). 

 

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). 

 

Comment  ~  Light is essential for ALL life on earth.  If you would like to learn more about the role of light for life on earth, I would suggest the eBook “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” which reveals some fascinating parallels between the light from the sun and spiritual light from the Son of God.  (https://books2read.com/GodsNature) 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Give Thanks

 ~ Are You Part of the 90%? ~ 

 

Historical Account  ~  Ten men received divine miracles.  Each was given a great opportunity for extreme gratitude but sadly only one of the ten gave public thanks. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.  Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.  And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’

 

“So when He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’  And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks.  And he was a Samaritan.

 

“So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed?  But where are the nine?  Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’  And He said to him, ‘Arise, go your way.  Your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:11-19).

 

Questions  ~  Are you quick to ask for God’s help and equally quick to forget His blessings to you when He answers your prayers?  How Often Do You Thank God?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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