Saved people, deeply troubled but finding relief

They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.

Psalm 94:21,22

Scripture plainly taught

Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14:15-25

There can be no assent to prayers that are not understood. A truly Christian minister will seek much more to do spiritual good to men’s souls, than to get the greatest applause to himself. This is proving himself the servant of Christ. Children are apt to be struck with novelty; but do not act like them. Christians should be like children, void of guile and malice; yet they should not be unskilful as to the word of righteousness, but only as to the arts of mischief. It is a proof that a people are forsaken of God, when he gives them up to the rule of those who teach them to worship in another language. They can never be benefitted by such teaching. Yet thus the preachers did who delivered their instructions in an unknown tongue. Would it not make Christianity ridiculous to a heathen, to hear the ministers pray or preach in a language which neither he nor the assembly understood? But if those who minister, plainly interpret Scripture, or preach the great truths and rules of the gospel, a heathen or unlearned person might become a convert to Christianity. His conscience might be touched, the secrets of his heart might be revealed to him, and so he might be brought to confess his guilt, and to own that God was present in the assembly. Scripture truth, plainly and duly taught, has a wonderful power to awaken the conscience and touch the heart.

A cry for help in telling the gospel

“Fill me oh lord with your Holy Spirit. May I be a gospel saturated soul. Grant me maximum impact as your love and grace compels me toward others.”

Evangelism in and through hospitality

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”

Isaiah 58: 6,7 ESV

Hospitality builds friendship like nothing else. Friendship is the basis from which all Christians can share the gospel. All this is nothing, of course, without God working in people’s lives. Through Christ there is pardon for sinners and freedom from slavery to sin. From our part then, in and before all this must be fervent prayer.

“Satan will work on weak spots and push …

“Satan will work on weak spots and push people at these points. You have to address it. Not only kick the demon out, but also work on illnessand character.

Aware that there is a roaring lion,
Christians are not to be afraid of demons as we have authority over evil spirits.

Be aware of your own evil desires (James 1:14)

There can be direct attack from satan also: particularly when involves in mission in deeply satanic regions.”

God’s family; God’s purpose

“At the heart of God’s plan of salvation are a family and a nation. God’s purposes are not focused on many unrelated individuals, but upon his people. Christ died for the elect, his bride, the church.”

Tim Chester, Total Church p85

Tips on being a good aussie mate

Loyalty
Commitment
Down to earthness
Listening

The Supremacy of Christ and the Gospel in a Postmodern World :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

We are doing a series of group studies at church on Evangelising to the Post Modern world.

We watched this lecture by Tim Keller last night and Josh and I found it very helpful and challenging – Enjoy.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/1832/Video/

Make your own Church?

So if you have told someone the gospel, and they’ve responded by becoming Christian, you may already have accidentally planted a ‘church’. After all, it only takes two or three to constitute a church, and when it meets, Jesus is there in the midst (Matt 18:20). Now, having planted a church is not a cause for panic. Rather, praise God and keep at it! Keep meeting with your church and teaching him or her the Bible, as this is the only way God uses to ensure that it will endure to judgement day.

If this sounds simple, it is. The only equipment required for church planting is the gospel (supplied by God) and a mouth to speak it with. If you care to compare it with terrorism, it is considerably easier and cheaper to achieve, and it has more powerful results and longer lasting (i.e. eternal) consequences.

Extract from Firing up for evangelism

“God’s ultimate purpose in redemptive hi…

“God’s ultimate purpose in redemptive history is to create a people to dwell in his presence, glorifying him through numerous varied activities and enjoying him forever. The story begins with God in eternal glory, and it ends with God and his people in eternal glory. At the center stands the cross, where God revealed his glory through his Son.”

The “Bookends” of Biblical Theology, ESV Study Bible