PROCLAIM

Real Church

At Covenant Fellowship Church, we are currently in a series on 1 Thessalonians entitled: "Real Church." In many ways the church in Thessalonica was an exemplary church.  Our pastor Jared Mellinger preached two messages recently about how this church was an example in their "witness" and "gospel ministry." Both messages are packed with biblical motivation in evangelism! I posted the messages in their entirety under the "Listen" header to the right. If you'd like to view short clip of the second messages, I've posted a link below...

• Watch Excerpt From: Authentic Gospel Ministry

Fishing for Men while Fishing

I wanted to encourage your faith regarding an encounter I had with a man fishing soon after a class at church I took on “sloth.” My pastor had been contrasting the temperaments between those who fish speechless for hours contently with those who’d rather speak than fish.

There I was, one weary work week after taking in this class on sloth; Perched aloft the waterfalls edge for an end of the day earful and eyeful of the waters on the lushly banked reservoir. About fifty yards away was a lone fisherman, no doubt enjoying the tranquil of the setting as I was. “How they biting?” I yelled out. “Not” he replied shaking his head. “That’s ok, that’s not why we’re here” I replied. “Yes” he replied nodding his head.

At that point I reflected on my pastor’s contrast between those who fish contently for hours without a word and those who can’t imagine not speaking in that setting. Although I believe the Lord prompted me to share the gospel with this man, I was determined to enjoy the rest of my ten minutes speechless. I said to the Lord silently, “since I am resolved to enjoy the silence, you will have to provide a way for me to share with him.”

A few brief minutes after saying that, the man bridged the fifty yards which separated us and walked within 10 feet of me to cast his line near the falls edge. Sticking with my conviction to enjoy the setting in silence, I avoided my natural inclination to strike up a conversation and remained silent. After enjoying ten minutes of tranquil, I turned to leave and handed him a church invitation while saying, “Hey man, have a good weekend.” Then I answered his “what’s this?” question with; “It’s a church invitation.”

His name was Daryl and he began to share with lament how; “he’s blown it,” “found and lost his religion several times,” “God has likely given up on me.” After listening, I shared the gospel with him through Romans 3:23 & 6:23. I assured him that I fail in some way every day. However, because of what Christ has done on the cross and continues to do every day with new mercies, the power of Christ in me confirms that I will never be given up on by God.

He seemed affected and I asked if I could pray with him. I thanked God for drawing two men, strangers to each other, to enjoy both the tranquil setting of His creation and ponder the extraordinary wonder of His mercy. I asked God to reveal him self to Daryl and continue to work in his life.

I must say. As I become more attentive to Christ in me, fishing for the souls of men, It’s as if God places a sign that says; “Be Aware, Spirit Speaking” (B.A.S.S.) Be blessed!
- Bob

"Questioning Evangelism" Applied!

Tim Kerr, a pastor in Canda sent this in. He had a great conversation with a college student named Ray. Here are a few bits and pieces of that conversation:

Ray: "Whats wrong with being homosexual?"

Tim: "Good question Ray. How would you define "marriage"?

Ray: "Two people who love each other and are committed to each other"

Tim: "Why just two? Why not 3 or 4 or 6?"..."I mean if we can change the genders why not change the numbers too?"

Ray: "I'm going to have to think about that...."

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Ray: "Every religion thinks they are right! The way I see it they are all just seeing parts of the whole. No one can claim to know the whole picture"

Tim: "Like the blind men explaining a elephant...one thinks its like a tail, another like a trunk, another like an big flappy ear"

Ray: "Yeah...like that"

Tim: "What wrong with that illustration Ray?"

Ray: "I'm not following you...what do you mean?"

Tim: "Well isn't the person describing this elephant story doing exactly what he is accusing the blind men of doing?"

Ray: "What do you mean?"

Tim: "Well the person describing this is assuming they see the whole elephant...and are therefore able to ascertain that others are only seeing part. We in essence are saying...you only see in part because I see the whole & you are wrong. Thus we think our view is correct. We "see" that the others are blind and only see part. Is not the agnostic or atheist doing the very thing he is accusing the religious people of doing by declaring what is true' ?

Ray: "You're absolutely right!" (at this point Ray seemed to be intrigued by my outlook and started asking good question rather than pure red herrings)

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Ray: "What's this presdestination thing?" Do you Christians really believe God makes it so some can never believe & must go to hell? Why does he even bother making them then?!"

Tim: "Ray imagine 100 people that all owe the bank a million dollars and can't pay. A kind billionare decides to pay for 3 of them and does so but it seems to be arbitrary. Now...when the 97 debtors appear before the Bank Loan Officer, can they complain that its unfair that they have to pay their debt, because 3 of them didn't have to?"

Ray:"But why not pay for everyones debt?...why only three?"

Tim: "Why rather pay for anyone's debt at all if its not yours?...neither you nor I are inclined to pay other peoples debts. The question for me Ray is "Why did God pay anyones debt at all?!!"

Tim: "Ray...do you know what the word "gospel" means?"

Ray: "Not really"

(From there I explained the gospel in simple language to Ray...I had time to do this. Soon he had to go to class.)

 His last words to me were: "I'm going to read those two books you sent me...and then maybe we can talk again.." (Mere Christianity & The Reason For God)

Pray for Ray! One lost soul. Only one among so many. But one that has been willing to talk twice to me...with the possibility of more in the future.