THE “KEY” TO EVANGELISM IS GOD’S POWER

Posted on by

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Paul was incredibly well-educated and well-versed in the Scripture of his day. He would have had a doctorate and could have been a seminary professor if he so chose. If anyone could have pulled off being wise and persuasive, it would have been Paul. Yet Paul himself said that his message and teaching did not rely on wise and persuasive words but on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.

A demonstration of the Spirit’s power. That was Paul’s key to evangelism. With no Holy Spirit, there’s no option of demonstrating the Spirit’s power. This leaves us with wise and persuasive words and we know they won’t convert anyone.

How do we begin to demonstrate the Spirit’s power in our life, and how does that lead to effective sharing of the gospel?

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you because our gospel came to you not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26

The fruit of the Spirit must be evident in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, kindness, self-control. This will allow you to show supernatural grace: forgiveness, even to your enemies.

The gifts of the Spirit must flow as the Holy Spirit leads: words of knowledge, words of wisdom, prophecy, faith, healing, miracles, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:12-13

Jesus was speaking to his disciples from the heart, in the knowledge that the cross awaited. Contextually, he is talking about his miracles, urging his disciples to believe in him as the Son of God because of the works he has done in their sight. Caught up in the Spirit, he prophesies that those who believe in him, including believers down through the ages, will perform the same, and even greater miracles. In the power and effectiveness of his children, Father God will be glorified. What a glorious promise!

Torben Sondergaad’s Last Reformation ministry demonstrates the truth of Jesus and Paul’s words. Check it out http://www.lastreformation .com. We must be walking in the power of the Holy Spirit if we are to accomplish anything for God’s Kingdom.

For further excellent articles like this one check out Duncan Edward Pile on the Patheos website.

REMINDER OF JESUS SOON COMING RETURN

Posted on by

In an emotional address before the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council this week, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the U.N. world body was worth less than “a hill of beans” for its inability to act decisively in deterring Russian atrocities in his nation. The U.N. charter commits itself to maintain international peace and security but again has shown utter incapability to preserve world order. Russia sits as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and has since the organization was founded in 1945.

Outside the United Nations Building in New York City stands a famous statue of a man with a hammer beating a sword into a plowshare. The name of the statue is “Let Us Beat Swords Into Plowshares.” It’s a symbol of peace. The concept is taken from the book of Isaiah which speaks of a time to come when Jesus Christ returns to earth to establish the Kingdom of God. Nations shall go to Jerusalem to learn the ways of God. It says,

“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” Isaiah 2:4

This should be a reminder to all world leaders that Jesus Christ is coming back to earth to establish His Millennial Kingdom. Jesus will rule and reign on this earth with resurrected Saints for one thousand years. Satan is bound in the Abyss for that time but at the end of the thousand years, he is released and sadly is still able to deceive a multitude of people.

“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.” Revelation 20:7

The Bible is replete with fulfilled Biblical prophecies both about Jesus first coming to earth and many more about His soon coming return to earth. To my mind, these Biblical prophecies should be enough to convince any reasoning skeptic.

DO YOU GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND QUENCH HIS WORK IN YOUR LIFE?

Posted on by

The Holy Spirit is the least known member of the Trinity. Many Christians know much about God the Father and God the Son but many do not know anything about God the Holy Spirit. Some denominations do not even acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is God.

The three persons of the Trinity

Jesus made it possible for our Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell each believer’s spirit so they can live the Christian life. The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit (9) in believers’ lives: love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, kindness, and self-control. He also provides the gifts of the Spirit (9) to enable ministry, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, prophecy, faith, healings, miracles, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. These are all provided by the Holy Spirit under His direction as needed.

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact, the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.“ Romans 8:9

According to Barna research in 2021: “The study shows, in general, that while a majority of America’s self-identified Christians, including many who identify as evangelicals, believe that God is all-powerful, all-knowing and is the Creator of the universe, more than half reject a number of biblical teachings and principles, including the existence of the Holy Spirit.”

Lack of knowledge of who the Holy Spirit is has led to lots of blasphemy against Him. Even some who believe in Him are not aware of His personality. Some use inanimate pronouns to describe Him because they do not know that He is a person (John 16:7). Many grieve Him because they do not know that He has feelings (Ephesians 4:30). Many quench His work in their lives (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Many things have been said about the Holy Spirit that are sacrilegious, offensive, and profane by those who are supposed to revere and worship Him.

The Holy Spirit is the executive arm of the Trinity. He was involved in the creation of the world as He moved upon the face of the waters in Genesis 1. He was the one who wrote the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16).  He was responsible for the miraculous birth of Jesus (Luke 1:35). All miracles which Jesus did were done by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mathew 12:28). Jesus was able to go to the Cross to be crucified for the salvation of humanity by the leading of the Holy Spirit (Hebrew 9:14). Jesus would have remained in the grave if not for the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). After Jesus commissioned the Apostles and the other disciples, they had no motivation for preaching the Gospel until the Holy Spirit enabled them on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). There is no way we would have come to know Jesus if not for the conviction power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). The Holy Spirit is powerful in more than one way.

Read what Jesus said about speaking against Him.

“I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Mathew 12:31-32 ).

This warning of Christ is frightening and should be carefully and strictly adhered to. Eternal sin is an offense that no one can sweep under the carpet no matter how gracious we think God is.

Jesus made the above statement when He observed that the Jews were saying that He was casting out demons with the power of demons. What this means is that denying the works of the Holy Spirit and attributing them to some other powers is a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. When “Powerful men of God” abuse their office, they are getting dangerously close to blasphemy. Prophecy is one of the vocal gifts of the Holy Spirit, and abusing the gift of prophecy and saying what the Holy Spirit did not say is a blasphemy against Him.

Even back in Jesus’ day, blasphemers would be executed for blasphemy:

“But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again, the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ The high priest tore his clothes. ‘Why do we need any more witnesses?’ he asked. ‘You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’ They all condemned him as worthy of death” (Mark 14:61-64).

It is important that we take heed to the warning of Christ not to say a word against the Holy Spirit because this sin is unforgivable here on earth and in the afterlife. If blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven, what will be the fate of those who are ignorantly engrossed in this sin?

Christians should avoid reckless talks against the Holy Spirit. Those who deny His existence are guilty of the sin of apostasy. Those who fake miracles, prophecies, and testimonies are guilty of blasphemy. We should not be too familiar with God to the extent of taking His words for granted. Hiding this warning of Christ in our hearts and exercising caution is a sure way of escaping this unpardonable sin.

GOD WILL TURN GRIEF INTO JOY

Posted on by

Moffatt translates Romans 8:22, “The entire creation sighs and throbs in pain.” There’s a radical difference between death pangs, which anticipate an ending and look backward, and birth pangs, which anticipate a beginning and look forward. The old, fallen, cursed Earth, convulsing and groaning in the final pains of childbearing, will birth a New Earth.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,” Revelation 21:1

Prior to His return, Jesus tells us we will weep and lament as the world rejoices.

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy… So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” John 16:20

God doesn’t only promise to replace our grief with joy, but to turn it into joy.

During the time of the Antichrist, we will experience great tribulation but Jesus will cut the time short for believers and will rapture His Saints before the wrath of God is poured out on an unrepentant world with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements.

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.“ Matthew 24:21-22

TRULY AN END TIMES SIGN

Posted on by

This metaverse provides “immortality”…

Popular metaverse Somnium Space just made an interesting announcement, called the “live forever” mode. The idea is that Somnium Space will enable users to interact with their loved ones in its metaverse after they pass away.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has advanced to the point where we can train an AI to be a virtual representation of anyone. It’s possible to do this by training an AI with information about an individual from the past.

Pictures, videos, voice recordings, writing samples, and social media posts – we can use all of them to train the AI to “embody” an individual within a metaverse. A digital avatar can be created that looks, talks, and moves just like a real person.

We are creating an Open, Social, Virtual Reality world. A world with its own economy and its own currency. A VR world with its own Marketplace, Games, Social experiences, and Virtual Land ownership

Somnium’s CEO Artur Sychov said the goal here is to produce an AI that’s so lifelike that family members would not discern a difference between the AI and their loved one for at least 10 minutes. This could allow people to regularly interact inside of this metaverse with loved ones who have passed on.

In a fallen world that rejects the offer of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, it is understandable that people would want to act as if their loved ones had not died. This world is all they have and they will seek any and all possible ways to hang on to life.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:13

PRO ABORTION DEMONSTRATORS

Posted on by

Senator James Lankford states the truth about the obvious: “Do you find it odd that in federal law we protect an eagle egg acknowledging that’s an eagle inside that egg, and we protect a turtle egg saying we acknowledge that’s a turtle inside that egg, but we allow the destruction of children?”

Trump’s greatest achievement: the conservative-dominated Supreme Court on Friday overturned the landmark 1973 “Roe v. Wade” decision enshrining a woman’s right to an abortion.

Abortion rights activists in Portland, Oregon protest after the US Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, overturning the right to abortion.

As a result, abortion rights defenders fanned out across America Saturday (local time) for the second day of protest against the Supreme Court’s thunderbolt decision. After protests went late into the night, several hundreds of people thronged the streets outside the fenced-off Supreme Court again Saturday, in hot summer weather, carrying signs that read “War on women, who’s next?” and “No uterus, No opinion,” and “Is it too late to abort Amey Coney Barrett“, What happened yesterday is indescribable and disgusting,” said Mia Stagner, 19, a political science major in college. “Being forced to be a mother is not something any woman should have to do.”

Twin demonstrations were also getting underway in Los Angeles — one headed to city hall and the other to the federal courthouse — with dozens of smaller rallies planned from coast to coast.

President Joe Biden — who has likewise voiced concerns the court might not stop at abortion — spoke out again Saturday against the court’s “shocking decision.”

“I know how painful and devastating the decision is for so many Americans,” said the president, who has urged Congress to restore abortion protections as federal law, and vowed the issue would be on the ballot in November’s midterm elections.

The fact that abortion is an abomination to our Creator is of no consequence to the President and now the majority of Americans. Persecution of Christians who hold to all of God’s values will only increase as a result. The persecution already being leveled against the five Supreme Court judges that voted to overturn Roe v Wade is evidence enough. What is happening is exactly what Jesus told us would happen in the “end times” prior to His return.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER

Posted on by

Learning what it means to be a leader who models the way of Jesus is a life-long process. The main characteristics I see in leaders of integrity are:

* First and foremost, they understand the magnitude of the gift Jesus made possible for our Heavenly Father to send to enable them to live the Christian life. He sent the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, to indwell our spirit to be our counsellor, comforter, and teacher. He produces the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and provides the gifts of the Spirit for ministry. We do not grieve Him or quench His work in our lives. We obey Him and let Him guide our every step.

* They are in the Scriptures daily searching for the many prophecies of Jesus’ second coming so they are prepared for what is coming next. Jesus said, “See I have told you beforehand” Matthew 24:25

* They are building a Kingdom, not an empire so give as the Holy Spirit leads.

*They train up disciples knowing that God has given us all different talents and has different tasks for us to complete. Remember the parable of the talents some got three, some got five but those that are obedient get the same reward.

* They see the talents that each one has and encourage them and develop them wherever possible.

* They share opportunities, stages, and platforms.

* They are quick to know and own their failures. They repent daily.

* They are bold and confident in Christ, the only hero.

* They are expectant for the future.

We live knowing that Jesus is returning soon to rule and reign with us (glorified Saints) on this earth. See http://www.millennialkingdom.net. We need to prepare for His return knowing the “end times” prophecies that tell us of escalating tribulation and apostasy.

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand” Matthew 24:21-22

MAJOR SIGN THAT PRECEDES THE RAPTURE

Posted on by

“Then I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the full moon became blood-red, and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the very important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”” (Revelation 6:12–17)

https://www.alankurschner.com/?powerpress_embed=12854-podcast&powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio
This podcast is on “The Sixth Seal Sign” of Revelation delivered by Ryan Habbena from last year’s Minnesota Bible Prophecy Conference, May 7–8, 2021

Ryan Habbena does a great job of unpacking the “end times” Scriptures showing that the “celestial signs” as revealed at the sixth seal in the Scripture above, by Jesus in the Olivet discourse, by Joel, by Daniel, and by Paul, is the major sign that precedes the rapture of the Saints, first those dead in Christ, and then those that are alive on this earth.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

ARE DENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES FULFILLING GOD’S PURPOSE?

Posted on by

Roger E. Olson is Emeritus Professor of Christian Theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University in Waco, Texas (USA). This is his testimony about a Southern Baptist denomination in the USA.

I recently received the Summer 2021 issue of my current Baptist denomination magazine. This denomination, like many, denies being a denomination and calls itself a fellowship of churches but, sociologically, anyway, it is a denomination. I am still a member of one of its affiliated churches and was a member of another one for many years. I won’t go into the reasons I changed congregations but it had a woman pastor.

The magazine I referred to above (Summer 2021) is about my current Baptist denomination’s impact on the world and contains stories from around the world about its field personnel. (The words missionary and missionaries are notably missing). The magazine contains about ten articles profiling this Baptist denomination’s work in America and many countries. I sat down and read every article, even every word of the magazine. Notably missing, so far as I can tell, is any mention of evangelism, telling people about Jesus and inviting them to accept him as Savior and Lord, or conversion. Everything is about social work, advocacy for the disadvantaged, and offering suffering people hospitality and hope. But nary a word about inviting people to become Christians or even just to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

One article says that the deepest root of our Baptist story is freedom of religion or belief for all. That is an important emphasis of traditional Baptist belief and practice, but is it the deepest root of our Baptist story? I don’t think so. Baptists are Christians (or should be) and the deepest root of our story, together with all true Christians, is Jesus Christ and the gospel. I failed to find the gospel of Jesus Christ explicitly mentioned in this magazine which makes my heart sink. Twenty-two years ago, when I first entered this fellowship, this Baptist denomination, I researched it, met some of its leaders, joined one of its leading congregations, began teaching at a seminary affiliated with it, and knew that it was Jesus-centered and gospel-centered and mission and witness-centered. I am sure they will say they still are all of those things, but this magazine leads me to think otherwise.

Lacking is any conversion story or any story of a partner who leads someone to faith in Jesus Christ. Nothing even remotely approaching that appears in the magazine so far as I can tell.

Put this together with the testimony I heard not long ago at my church and I am convinced, but willing to be unconvinced, that this denomination has lost its way. She is a paid partner of the denomination working with immigrants to the United States. She talked endlessly about transforming initiatives but failed even once to mention witness to Jesus Christ. The transforming initiatives were/are what the magazine calls offering hospitality and hope to people with physical and emotional needs. Not once during her thirty-minute presentation did she say anything about telling people about Jesus.

Sadly, I have come to the conclusion that my denomination is no longer evangelical, even in a broad sense. I am open to correction, but someone from the denomination will have to tell me how and where its partners in America and around the world are actively inviting people to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by faith in him (conversion).

I believe the “end times” church will be like the church described in the Book of Acts and the church in countries where Christians are already under persecution. Check out http://www.HouseChurches.net and http://www.smallgroups.com

GLOBALISTS FALSE CHURCH

Posted on by

There is a true Church and a false church. The evidence would indicate that Rick Warren and the Pope are hoping to lead the false church. Watch this Nelson Walters video to see all the ways these pied pipers of falsehood are enticing churchgoers into a globalist scheme.

The U.N. and World Economic Forum’s proposed Great Reset (One World Government) is atheistic and communist at its core but they are enlisting people like the Pope and Rick Warren to initiate a one-world religion that embraces all religions. Both men have said that Islam is not a false religion and are not opposing the world’s embrace of gay marriage and homosexuality. In this video, Nelson exposes what the Pope and Rick Warren have said about these key issues: “not your business, ignore it. God’s plan is to bring everything to renewal, His desire is for a one-world religion”.

Rick Warren, founder, and pastor of Saddleback Community Church in Orange County California addressed the convention of the Islamic Society of North America. Warren stated that Muslims and Christians must work together to combat stereotypes, promote peace and freedom, and solve global problems. Christians and Muslims – faith mates, soul mates, and now work mates! Chrislam!

The Gospel News Network has brought story after stunning story of how the Roman Catholic Pope Francis actively began to build the One World Religion of Chrislam we see in Revelation. Chrislam combines the counterfeit Christianity of Roman Catholicism, Islam, and apostate Judaism, and it is called by various names.

Also Watch “How the UN will form a Global Government” https://youtu.be/RnqWVVOQu18