Post by Job19 on Apr 19, 2018 7:02:36 GMT -6
I am writing this post on the back of a previous thread on "The state of the world at the time of the rapture". The thread evolved into a discussion about how we, as Christians in these last days, are debating the timing of the rapture, the identity of the anti-Christ and all sorts of end times issues but, as important and these issues are, are we prioritising things correctly such as the power of prayer. I would now like to throw Evangelism into the mix and suggest how vital that is in these last days. It is vital to those who are unsaved in that they need to be told how to escape Gods wrath to come, whether temporal or eternal, and for us as Christians since we will receive great rewards at the Bema seat judgement.
I go out evangelising by myself two days a week in various towns in the South West of England. I don't preach out loud but rather hand out gospel tracts and engage people in conversation when I can. A couple of weeks ago I got talking to a man who was actually a Born again Christian and was very encouraging to me as many have been over the years. Many Christians, from various countries, have stopped to pray for me there and then and I really appreciate it. Anyway this particular Christian man revealed to me that he had thought about evangelising but he said that he was a little bit fearful or overwhelmed with the notion. I then confessed to him that 10 years ago that's exactly where I was. I saw Christians evangelising in town centres and I would think to myself : "well God bless them for that..but it's not really for me". How wrong I was !.
About 9 years ago I decided, or more accurately, the Holy Spirit prompted me to go along the beach area where I was living at the time and hand out a fistful of gospel tracts. I had no intention at that time of engaging people in conversation but to stay underneath the parapet. After a while people would say "oh what's this" and I would say "it's just a little leaflet about the bible". I now often follow that up with "and I'm not a Jehovah Witness either" which most often than not gets a laugh. Anyway before I knew it I was talking to people about the Bible and sharing the gospel with them. It was as if God set me on a path, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, by stealth. (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13). Since then the Lord has used me to lead many people to Him and I can honestly say that it is one of the greatest joys of my life. What breaks my heart is that in most evangelical churches there are probably a handful (maybe only a couple) who have been given the gift of evangelism (Eph 4:11) but it is not being tapped into, encouraged or cultivated by the pastors & elders. We do not need to go on special training courses or conferences to be evangelists, we have the word of God in our hearts and in our mouths. The gospel is Child-like simple but having a good working knowledge of end-times bibles prophecy is a bonus which is why I am posting this here. The Mods are probably already thinking of moving this thread, but I hope they will bear with me. Over the last 2 to 3 years especially I have noticed a marked increase in the level of fear out there amongst people and they are genuinely afraid at the changes and violence in their own neighbourhoods, local cities, countries and in the world at large. What we as Christians need to do is change that fear to a Godly fear and that Godly fear into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I am constantly amazed and still challenged and somewhat convicted by how peoples appearances can mislead us. I have witnessed to really tough looking men reduced to tears over the gospel message and then I walk a few yards up the street and speak to a little 80 year old lady who seems to have such a hardened heart. How sad.
I wont go into details of how I go about engaging people in conversation because this probably isn't the forum to do that but I thought that it would be appropriate to share with my Brothers & Sisters here what a great benefit the study of bible prophecy has been to me in talking with people. I can tell them of specific bible passages which are so in line with todays newspaper headlines. Many people are fascinated and its a great platform to launch into the gospel and a conviction of their own sin before a Holy God. I am often quoting 1 Tim 6..."He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen". I am resistant to entering into long drawn out debates with people about evolution and creation. I can debate this subject but people sometimes are just looking for an argument or wasting time, instead I think its important to lift up the overwhelming proof and authenticity of God's word and provide an opening for the gospel to be communicated. Ecc 3:11 says that "God has set eternity in their hearts" so with this together with Romans 1-2 teaches us that mankind already knows that there is a God and that they are eternal beings and that's why so many people have said to me things like "I get a sense that when I die that's not an end of me, I believe that there is something beyond but I don't know what".
Can I let my fellow Brothers & Sisters here know that we all have the authority, power and the commanding to tell them what that "what" is and my earnest prayer is that God will add the desire and calling also. Having a knowledge of End times bible prophecy is a great advantage in this.
Many blessings
David
