The message "The Importance of the True Gospel" was delivered at COR 27 held at Bethesda Baptist Church in St. Charles, MO on June 5, 2010. We are Ambassadors of God's Gospel. We are to proclaim the truth, not adjust it. Often times the assumption behind diluting or changing the Gospel message is "the world has changed", therefore, what used to be true is no longer true, so the Gospel must be modified in order to reach the lost in this day and age. You must ask yourself this... the Gospel of Jesus Christ is God's Gospel... it is His Word! What authority on heaven and earth do you have to change His message? None! You cannot revise the Gospel!
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
It is our prayer that the LORD would use this message to move professing Christians to examine their lives to see if the are truly a slave to Christ, or still yet an unrepentant slave to sin? If you believe you are the latter of the two, repent and believe the Gospel while there's still time. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)
Accursed is to be "set aside for destruction". Think twice before taking it upon yourself to modify the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
The Importance of the Gospel (part 1)
The Importance of the Gospel (part 2)
The Importance of the Gospel (part 3)
Showing posts with label justification. Show all posts
Showing posts with label justification. Show all posts
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Rhea Ford Baptism @ First Baptist Church of Lake St. Louis
After having heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Rhea saw her state before a holy God. She recognized for the first time in her life that she was a wretched sinner and in desperate need of a Savior. She fell on her knees and cried out to God for mercy and He granted her repentance and faith!
On January 24, 2010, Rhea Ford was Baptized by her brother Kevin. Listen to her testimony as she explains in her own words the work that God has done in her!
Soli Deo Gloria,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
On January 24, 2010, Rhea Ford was Baptized by her brother Kevin. Listen to her testimony as she explains in her own words the work that God has done in her!
Soli Deo Gloria,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Friday, January 8, 2010
COR 27 - Who's Slave Are You?
The message "Who's Slave Are You?" was delivered at the first COR 27 event of 2010 at Bethesda Baptist Church in St. Charles, MO on January 2, 2010. You are either a slave to sin, or a slave to Christ. Which one are you? If you are a Christian, you are a no longer a slave to sin, you have been set from from the bondage of sin and death and are now a slave to Christ!
It is our prayer that the LORD would use this message to move professing Christians to examine their lives to see if the are truly a slave to Christ, or still yet an unrepentant slave to sin? If you believe you are the latter of the two, repent and believe the Gospel while there's still time.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Who's Slave Are You? (Part 1)
Who's Slave Are You? (Part 2)
Who's Slave Are You? (Part 3)
It is our prayer that the LORD would use this message to move professing Christians to examine their lives to see if the are truly a slave to Christ, or still yet an unrepentant slave to sin? If you believe you are the latter of the two, repent and believe the Gospel while there's still time.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Who's Slave Are You? (Part 1)
Who's Slave Are You? (Part 2)
Who's Slave Are You? (Part 3)
Monday, December 7, 2009
COR 27 - The Watchman
"Christian" - You are the Watchman!
Whether you are a Christian, a Professing Christian, or a Know Non-Christian, I implore you to watch this video. The content is for you.
Do you love your family and friends? Think about it. Think about all the people in your life that you hold dear (family, friends, coworkers, neighbor’s etc.). Think of all of them in your head. Picture their faces. Ingrain them in your brain. Now “Christian” here’s the question, how many of these people do you know beyond a reasonable doubt, scripturally, that are going to spend an eternity in hell. Here is a real letter written by a real atheist to Ray Comfort, a street evangelist:
Ray,
You are really convinced that you've got all the answers. You've really got yourself tricked into believing that you're 100% right. Well, let me tell you just one thing. Do you consider yourself to be compassionate of other humans? If you're right, as you say you are, and believe that, then how can you sleep at night? When you speak with me you are speaking with someone who you believe is walking directly into eternal damnation into an endless onslaught of horrendous pain which your 'loving' god created, yet you stand by and do nothing.
If you believe one bit that thousands every day were falling into an eternal and unreachable fate, you should be running the streets mad with rage at their blindness. That's equivalent to standing on a street corner and watching every person that passes you walk blindly directly into the path of a bus and die, yet you stand idly by and do nothing. You're just twiddling your thumbs, happy in the knowledge that one day that 'walk' signal will shine your way across the road.
Think about it. Imagine the horrors Hell must have in store if the bible is true. You're just going to allow that to happen and not care about saving anyone but yourself? If you're right then you're an uncaring, unemotional and purely selfish (expletive) that has no right to talk about subjects such as love and caring.
James Franz
An atheist even knows you are supposed to, and expects you to share your faith with them if you truly believe what the Bible says and truly love them. If you truly believed that God is Holy, Righteous, Just, and must punish sin for an eternity in hell, the Bible says in Ezekiel 33 that if your friends and family die in their sin, not having heard the gospel from you, they will “die in their iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Mark Cahill put it right when he said any Christian that does not spread the gospel to their loved ones, really doesn’t love them at all. They really hate them. How much hatred do you have to have in your heart to be indifferent about your loved one’s salvation? How much blood do you have on your hands? What are you going to do about it?
To Him alone be the Glory,
Josh Anderson
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
The Watchman (Part 1)
The Watchman (Part 2)
The Watchman (Part 3)
The Watchman (Part 4)
The Watchman (Part 5)
The Watchman (Part 6)
December 5, 2009 marked the second COR 27 event held at Bethesda Baptist church in St. Charles, MO. COR 27 is a new outreach ministry of Bethesda Baptist. Services will be held the first Saturday of the month at 6:00 PM. Please visit http://bethesdabc.org for more information.
Josh Anderson
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
The Watchman (Part 1)
The Watchman (Part 2)
The Watchman (Part 3)
The Watchman (Part 4)
The Watchman (Part 5)
The Watchman (Part 6)
December 5, 2009 marked the second COR 27 event held at Bethesda Baptist church in St. Charles, MO. COR 27 is a new outreach ministry of Bethesda Baptist. Services will be held the first Saturday of the month at 6:00 PM. Please visit http://bethesdabc.org for more information.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Lordship Salvation
Here is a video, I put together on the subject of Lordship Salvation. Lordship Salvation is simply the new believer, not only coming to Christ in humble repentance over His sin, turning from his sin, and trusting in Him as Lord of his life. Once this takes place, the believer will begin the process of Sanctification, which is a "setting apart" by God. A growing in Holiness, to conform to the image of Christ. Many people think, all you have to do is believe a few facts about Jesus, and you are eternally saved. But its more than just head
knowledge. True faith, will be a living, breathing, active faith. One that will desire the things of God. It will hate the things God hates. Not that the new believer will never sin, but he will hate the thought of sin, and love righteousness, for what God has saved him from. As John Piper stated: "Obedience is not something artificially added to saving faith later after a second discovery in the Christian walk. It is what faith does because faith is the soul’s cleaving to Jesus for the forgiveness and guidance and hope it needs to be happy. If you don’t do what the doctor says, you don’t trust him. So lordship salvation is not—emphatically not —anything other than salvation by faith (true faith) in the Lord Jesus Christ". In this video, I just addressed a few verses that were on my heart at the time. I was "debating" a few guys on the subject, who believe you
can live in rebellion against God, and not even love God, and still be saved. As you will see in the video, scripture refutes those ideas.
To Him alone be the Glory,
Kevin Hauk
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Lordship Salvation
knowledge. True faith, will be a living, breathing, active faith. One that will desire the things of God. It will hate the things God hates. Not that the new believer will never sin, but he will hate the thought of sin, and love righteousness, for what God has saved him from. As John Piper stated: "Obedience is not something artificially added to saving faith later after a second discovery in the Christian walk. It is what faith does because faith is the soul’s cleaving to Jesus for the forgiveness and guidance and hope it needs to be happy. If you don’t do what the doctor says, you don’t trust him. So lordship salvation is not—emphatically not —anything other than salvation by faith (true faith) in the Lord Jesus Christ". In this video, I just addressed a few verses that were on my heart at the time. I was "debating" a few guys on the subject, who believe you
can live in rebellion against God, and not even love God, and still be saved. As you will see in the video, scripture refutes those ideas.
To Him alone be the Glory,
Kevin Hauk
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Lordship Salvation
Sunday, November 22, 2009
COR 27 - Security and Assurance of the Believer
November 7, 2009 marked the first COR 27 event held at Bethesda Baptist church in St. Charles, MO. COR 27 is a new outreach ministry of Bethesda Baptist. Services will be held the first Saturday of the month at 6:00 PM. Please visit http://bethesdabc.org for more information.
Are you a Christian? Do you profess to follow Jesus Christ? Do you have assurance of your salvation? You say you "believe", but how do you "know" you believe? Has that thought ever crossed your mind? A Christian can have assurance of sins forgiven and that assurance will come from Scripture and from the witness of the indwelling Holy Spirit. (Rom 8:16)
In this message we look at 1 John and examine ourselves in light of Scripture. It is our prayer that the LORD would use this message to encourage the Believer and bring the false convert to true repentance and faith in Christ.
To Him alone be the Glory,
Travis Foley
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Security and Assurance - Part 1
Security and Assurance - Part 2
Security and Assurance - Part 3
Security and Assurance - Part 4
Are you a Christian? Do you profess to follow Jesus Christ? Do you have assurance of your salvation? You say you "believe", but how do you "know" you believe? Has that thought ever crossed your mind? A Christian can have assurance of sins forgiven and that assurance will come from Scripture and from the witness of the indwelling Holy Spirit. (Rom 8:16)
In this message we look at 1 John and examine ourselves in light of Scripture. It is our prayer that the LORD would use this message to encourage the Believer and bring the false convert to true repentance and faith in Christ.
To Him alone be the Glory,
Travis Foley
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Security and Assurance - Part 1
Security and Assurance - Part 2
Security and Assurance - Part 3
Security and Assurance - Part 4
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Travis Shares the Gospel at a Scrapbook Ministry Event
Yet another door was opened to share the Gospel to a room full of Scrapbookers at our church. The first time we were able to do this we were concerned that everyone continued to work while we were sharing the Gospel. There seemed to be little to no concern about eternity or about the things of God in general. We have since learned that although they may seem like they are not interested, there have been multiple reports of the LORD using us to reach some of the those in attendance. It's a humble and even fearful thing at times to know the LORD is using you to bring people to salvation.
Below are parts 1 and 2 of the Gospel message delivered by Travis. Please pray for all who were present that evening and all who may hear over the internet... that if they are not saved that God would change their hearts and open their eyes that they may see their great need to be forgiven, repent of their sin and turn to Christ for salvation.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
Below are parts 1 and 2 of the Gospel message delivered by Travis. Please pray for all who were present that evening and all who may hear over the internet... that if they are not saved that God would change their hearts and open their eyes that they may see their great need to be forgiven, repent of their sin and turn to Christ for salvation.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Valley of the Flowers - Part 2
Here is part 2 of the video we were able to salvage from the Valley of the Flowers festival earlier this month.
One thing that is consistent in these witness encounters is that people have a wrong understanding of what the Bible says concerning God and man. People are content with their own personal views and are not that concerned with whether or not those personal views line up with Scripture. It is
our duty as Christians to proclaim the holiness of God by opening up His law. We need to show people how they have broken it, not once or twice, but every moment of their lives! If you think that's too harsh, just name one moment of your own life that you have loved God perfectly as Scripture says you ought to. We are to show them that the just penalty for their crimes against God is to be cast into the lake of fire, not separated from God, but rather crushed under His wrath for an eternity.
They MUST see their true condition before a holy God...
To Him alone be the glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
One thing that is consistent in these witness encounters is that people have a wrong understanding of what the Bible says concerning God and man. People are content with their own personal views and are not that concerned with whether or not those personal views line up with Scripture. It is
our duty as Christians to proclaim the holiness of God by opening up His law. We need to show people how they have broken it, not once or twice, but every moment of their lives! If you think that's too harsh, just name one moment of your own life that you have loved God perfectly as Scripture says you ought to. We are to show them that the just penalty for their crimes against God is to be cast into the lake of fire, not separated from God, but rather crushed under His wrath for an eternity.They MUST see their true condition before a holy God...
- before they'll see their need of a Savior
- before they'll see they desperately need God's forgiveness
- before they'll even come close to understanding that Christ suffered under God's wrath in their place
- before they'll see the Cross as anything more than foolishness
To Him alone be the glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Valley of the Flowers - Part 1
On May 2nd we went to the Valley of the Flowers Spring Festival in Florissant, MO to spread the Gospel. It had been raining all week long, but the LORD cleared the weather for the day we had been keeping in prayer and set before us dozens of divine appointments!We were able to get some video, but it was a battle with the loud music in the background. Regardless of the quality of the video, God's Word went forth and it is our prayer that through our labor that many would repent and flee to the Savior... for there is 
salvation in no other name given among men whereby you must be saved! (Acts 4:12)
salvation in no other name given among men whereby you must be saved! (Acts 4:12)Please keep in prayer all who heard the Gospel that day.
To Him alone be the glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Ken's Baptism - False Convert Awakened!
The Final Baptism
I was baptized as an infant based on my parent's choice, as they thought that was going to save me. Later in my life I was baptized as an adult thinking that my choice saved me. This final baptism was all God's choice. As Jonah 2:9 says, "salvation is of the LORD" and I was saved because of His grace.
May we all examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Let us all see sin as God sees it and boast in nothing but the finished work of Christ and what He has done for us and in us!
In Christ,
Ken
I was baptized as an infant based on my parent's choice, as they thought that was going to save me. Later in my life I was baptized as an adult thinking that my choice saved me. This final baptism was all God's choice. As Jonah 2:9 says, "salvation is of the LORD" and I was saved because of His grace.
May we all examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Let us all see sin as God sees it and boast in nothing but the finished work of Christ and what He has done for us and in us!
In Christ,
Ken
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Josh shares the Gospel at a Scrapbook Ministry Meeting
Last month Josh had the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ at a gathering of Scrapbookers in our church's Scrapbook Ministry. We praise God for men like Josh who are not afraid to stand up and preach the truth, warning them to flee the wrath that is to come, and fly to Christ, for it is in Him and Him alone that salvation is found.
As you listen to Josh's message, examine yourself, see that you are in the faith. Could it be that you yourself have entered in through the wide gate? Better to find out now than on the day of Judgment.
May the LORD bless you as you listen to this message.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
As you listen to Josh's message, examine yourself, see that you are in the faith. Could it be that you yourself have entered in through the wide gate? Better to find out now than on the day of Judgment.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14
May the LORD bless you as you listen to this message.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Last day of Upwards
I'm sad to report that today was the last day of the Upwards 2008/2009 season. Hundreds gathered once again to watch the kids play basketball, cheer... and of course, to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We want to thank Prentice Robertson, Josh Anderson and everyone else involved in the Upwards ministry for allowing us the privileged opportunity to stand up and preach at these events. We are humbled to be used by God in this capacity and are encouraged that our labor was not in vain as His Word will not return void.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11 - 10 )
Below are the messages from today. We hope and pray they bring glory to God, are a blessing to all who hear whether that be by encouragement or conviction.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Ken Bradford
Travis Foley
We want to thank Prentice Robertson, Josh Anderson and everyone else involved in the Upwards ministry for allowing us the privileged opportunity to stand up and preach at these events. We are humbled to be used by God in this capacity and are encouraged that our labor was not in vain as His Word will not return void.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11 - 10 )
Below are the messages from today. We hope and pray they bring glory to God, are a blessing to all who hear whether that be by encouragement or conviction.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Ken Bradford
Travis Foley
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Gospel at an Upwards Ministry Event
This past Saturday we had yet another opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with hundreds of people at an Updwards event.
Of all the people who were present, even of all of those who consider themselves to be followers of Christ, we know a great many of them have never had a true encounter with God. In a crowd of that size there will be those who flat out reject the Gospel, those who believe they are saved, but have a false understanding of God and therefore have a false conversion and those who have truly been regenerated by the power of God and live their lives dead to self and slaves to Jesus Christ.
Below are the Gospel messages that were delivered that day. Please pray for the salvation of all who heard.
Romans 10:16-17 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Josh Anderson
Kevin Ford
Kevin Hauk
Ken Bradford
Travis Foley
Ginger Sharp
Of all the people who were present, even of all of those who consider themselves to be followers of Christ, we know a great many of them have never had a true encounter with God. In a crowd of that size there will be those who flat out reject the Gospel, those who believe they are saved, but have a false understanding of God and therefore have a false conversion and those who have truly been regenerated by the power of God and live their lives dead to self and slaves to Jesus Christ.
Below are the Gospel messages that were delivered that day. Please pray for the salvation of all who heard.
Romans 10:16-17 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Josh Anderson
Kevin Ford
Kevin Hauk
Ken Bradford
Travis Foley
Ginger Sharp
Monday, February 2, 2009
Hope Closet - Jan 2008
This past weekend went we were able to get a couple of witnessing encounters on video.
Please forgive us for the audio (I know, that excuse is getting old!), it's not the greatest. We are however, working hard on correcting our process.
In this first video, Kevin is speaking with a lady named Marsha. He starts off by asking her a few questions to get an idea how she views God and eventually reveals that she's trusting in her own goodness to save her. Kevin uses God's moral law to bring the knowledge of sin (Rom 7:7) and shows her that she is in desperate need of His forgiveness. Please keep Marsha in prayer.
In this second video, Travis is witnessing to Ron and his family. He starts off by asking questions to reveal their beliefs about God, which is a very good indicator of the person's beliefs on sin and salvation. It's important when witnessing to not only ask questions, but let the person answer without challenging them every single time. Take a few moments to understand what they believe and why they believe it, regardless if they profess to be a Christian or not. I would venture to say the majority of those you meet on the street, who name the name of Christ, who call themselves Christians, could not tell you "why God should allow them into Heaven" or "what they have been saved from"? Asking probing questions could expose a false convert and help bring them to repentance and faith. Please keep Ron and his family in prayer.
To Him alone be the glory!
St. Louis Evangelism Team
Please forgive us for the audio (I know, that excuse is getting old!), it's not the greatest. We are however, working hard on correcting our process.
In this first video, Kevin is speaking with a lady named Marsha. He starts off by asking her a few questions to get an idea how she views God and eventually reveals that she's trusting in her own goodness to save her. Kevin uses God's moral law to bring the knowledge of sin (Rom 7:7) and shows her that she is in desperate need of His forgiveness. Please keep Marsha in prayer.
In this second video, Travis is witnessing to Ron and his family. He starts off by asking questions to reveal their beliefs about God, which is a very good indicator of the person's beliefs on sin and salvation. It's important when witnessing to not only ask questions, but let the person answer without challenging them every single time. Take a few moments to understand what they believe and why they believe it, regardless if they profess to be a Christian or not. I would venture to say the majority of those you meet on the street, who name the name of Christ, who call themselves Christians, could not tell you "why God should allow them into Heaven" or "what they have been saved from"? Asking probing questions could expose a false convert and help bring them to repentance and faith. Please keep Ron and his family in prayer.
To Him alone be the glory!
St. Louis Evangelism Team
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Gospel at an Upwards Ministry Event
Today we had the unspeakable privilege to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ at an Upwards Ministry game day. There were hundreds of people there throughout the course of the day and we were proclaiming the Gospel every hour, one right after another!
We did not work together on our messages, but preached what the LORD led us to preach. Even still, there was a common thread in our messages:
- false conversion
- sin
- law
- holiness
- judgment
- hell
- the Gospel
- repentance
- faith
Check out the clips below and remember to pray for all of those who heard the Gospel. There are so many people out there who name the name of Christ, but would split hell wide open if they were to die today. Why? Just ask them... they're trusting in their own good works to get them into heaven. They're trusting in a prayer they repeated, they're trusting in a baptism, they're trusting in a church membership, they're trusting in their own good works, and so on. They need to be awaken by God, so they'll see their desperate need to turn from sin and turn to Christ and Christ ALONE for their salvation.
To Him alone be the Glory,
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Josh Anderson
Kevin Ford
Travis Foley
Ken Bradford
Kevin Hauk
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Hope Closet - Nov 2008
Hope Closet is a ministry at our church that provides food, clothing and furniture to those in our community who are in need. We have the opportunity to be witnesses for Christ regularly through this ministry. In November 2008, a room full of people gathered for Thanksgiving dinner and to hear a message about the love of God in the cross of Christ. It is always a humbling experience to be used by God in any capacity and we pray that some, if not many, were added to the Kingdom.
To Him alone be the Glory!
St. Louis Evangelism Team
To Him alone be the Glory!
St. Louis Evangelism Team
Monday, January 19, 2009
Metrolink - Jan 2008
This past weekend we went down to the North Hanley Metrolink Station to share the Gospel. We were able to get one of the witness encounters on tape, but the audio is a little weak. We'll be working on that with future outings.
Please pray for the salvation of all who heard...
To God alone be the glory!
St. Louis Evangelism Team
Please pray for the salvation of all who heard...
To God alone be the glory!
St. Louis Evangelism Team
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Shack - A Book Review with New Friends
Friday, January 10th, a few of us had the opportunity to attend a book club meeting at a friends church where they were gathering to review their latest read, The Shack, by author William P. Young. We had no idea what to expect. We did not know if the book club was gathering to discuss this book with Biblical discernment, or if they were gathering to praise the author for his contribution to Christian literature. The meeting took place in a classroom, chairs in a circle and our thoughts on the book was open for discussion. The facilitator made it clear that she did not want any bashful people afraid to say how the book made them feel, good or bad and encouraged participation from all. We were pleased to know she encouraged participation, because that is why we were there. Of all the people crowded in the room, we stuck out like a soar thumb. Why? Because we were the only ones who brought their Bibles! Myself, Kevin, Josh and Ken were lined up, swords drawn. We were there to speak the truth in love, and expose the heresy of The Shack.
As the discussion is about to begin, the facilitator opens us up in prayer, but not before she blasphemes the name of the Living God! It slipped? She didn't mean to? She didn't mean anything by it? What ever the excuse, it just shows that the name of God means so little to some people, even some professing Christians, that it can just roll off their fallen lips as if it were nothing. Once the class began, the floor was opened up to the questions, "Why did you come tonight? What do you expect to get out of this discussion?" Kevin wasted no time diving in. He explained that he heard some good things about the book and some not so good things about it, so he read it for himself to find out instead of relying on other people's stories. He went on to explain that the conclusion he came to was the book paints a false portrait of God! He told her he saw this discussion posted and wanted to come and invite friends with him who have also researched the book to defend the Word of God. As Kevin continued to emphasize the fact that The Shack does not portray the God of the Bible, the facilitator attempted to take the floor from him. I don't believe this is what she had in mind for the evening and from the looks on the faces of the other 50 + people in the room, neither did they. Kevin forged ahead pointing out the reason for the popularity of The Shack being that people have a false view of God. At this point the facilitator cut Kevin off and said that we'll cover the negative aspects of the review towards the end and to remember that the book is getting good and bad reviews.
The next lady to speak told the story of how The Shack has helped her deal with the loss of a baby. Every heart in the room was crushed to hear of her loss. At the same time it grieves me that professing Christians are finding comfort in a false god found only in the pages of a work of heresy.
This is followed by a another lady who explains that The Shack has helped her gain a better understanding of the attributes of God. What she really meant was the attributes of "god". Kevin rightly points out that the only way to understand the attributes of God is to read the Word of God, not a work of fiction! He said that the reason he's there is to point to the inerrant Word of God! The facilitator cuts him off again asking, "Can I say something back to you?". She points out that she is a Bible Teacher and an author, so she does know Scripture and has put some of the arguments from Scripture towards the end of the discussion. She also said she noticed that we look like we came equipped. Remember, we're the only one's there with our Bibles. She said she does realize this book is a work of fiction, so she raised the question, "Does a Christian work of fiction have to follow Scripture totally?"
Ken pointed out that for a work of fiction to truly be fiction, it could not involve a real person, or Persons, such as the Trinity. Not only did the book involve the Trinity, but in a heretical, blasphemous way and it violated the rules of fiction writing. Ken also explained that this book paints a very low view of God and that is what is so appealing to people. God has been created in man's image, he's more like them. This is much more appealing to the world than a God who commands perfection in thought, word and deed. A God who commands us to turn from our sins in complete surrender to Jesus Christ. To further emphasize the holiness of God, Ken referred to Book of Isaiah, chapter 6.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for. (Isaiah 6:6-7)
This was clearly not the same God that William P. Young had in mind when writing The Shack. The god in The Shack is very flippant toward sin, saying he doesn't punish sin, that sin itself is punishment enough. Why don't you try telling that to the rich man in Luke 16:24!
Over and over again, people would talk about how this book has helped them get closer to God, have a better understanding of God's character and His attributes, all the while completely admitting that it is a book of fiction. Do you see a problem there? You cannot draw closer to God by reading a book about a god who does not exist! This is insanity! Something else that I noticed as the discussion progressed is there was a greater outrage at the way The Shack portrayed the black woman than there was over how it portrayed the Godhead! This again shows you there is no fear of God like Scripture commands! (Prov 9:10) How can there be fear of God, when there is no understanding of His true nature and character. There can't be.
As the evening continued to down the "God is love" road and how He is our "Daddy" and we can snuggle up in His lap, Kevin steps up with Psalm 5:5, which says - "The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.". At this point I thought we were going to be stoned to death. This room full of professing Christians did not like hearing that God hates anyone! How could Kevin say such a mean thing as that? Kevin kept on telling them to read it for themselves, that's what the Word of God says. One lady yells out, "God hates sin, but loves the sinner!". She was quickly asked to show us where that is in the Bible? No where does it say that in the Bible. This is something that was made up so cowardly Christians won't offend wicked men and women. The fact is, God loved Jacob and hated Esau. (Rom 9:13) God hates sin and God hates the wicked (Prov 6:16-19). He hates the wicked so much that they will spend an eternity of eternities under the torment of His wrath! (Rom 2:5, Rev 21:8) So, is God love? Absolutely! (John 3:16) He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked and calls all men to repentance. (Ezek 33:11) At the same time, God is Holy and Just and must punish sin where ever it is found. (Rom 6:23, Ezek 18:20)
There were 4 women that stood out in the crowd as being exceptionally irritated with our presence. 2 of them in the back kept whispering back and forth and pointing in our direction with expressions of anger each time one of us would speak. The other 2 women, who too were visibly upset at our defense of Scripture, had heard enough and finally got up and walked out of the classroom. While we were not happy they left, we know the Holy Spirit was present that evening and their irritation was evidence that He was on the move. A much better response than apathy. We must keep these ladies in prayer that the LORD will use the truth and authority of Scripture heard that evening to reveal Himself to them and bring them to repentance and the knowledge of truth.
Shortly afterwards, a lady to my right spoke up and said that she like The Shack because it was about relationships and Jesus Christ came to have a relationship with us. I explained that Jesus Christ came to save His people from their sins (Matt 1:21), not to have a relationship with us! Again, there is a lack of understanding of Scripture, of the Gospel, of the nature and will of God.
Throughout the evening we were the only people who were defending the Word of God, the rest of the class were quick to defend The Shack and all of the "so called" truth within it. We have no idea of how God moved that night, but we do know He was glorified, His name was proclaimed in Truth and to Him alone be the glory! As the class ended we were thanked for coming, we talked with many people and took the liberty to share the Gospel with a few of them... from law to grace!
People are relying more and more on the Christian Best Sellers list of books for their so-called theology and life instruction, instead of Scripture itself. There is little or no Christian discernment exercised by the professing Christian reader and it mostly stems from their lack of study of Scripture. Such a lack that they do not know the Word of God well enough to know false teaching when they see it. The Shack, as well as others like it in today's so-called Christian books stores, are evidence that 2 Timothy 4:3-4 is being fulfilled.
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Tim 4:3-4)
Our call as Christians is to follow Christ (John 12:26), not some fictional god in a blasphemous storybook.
To God alone be the glory!
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
As the discussion is about to begin, the facilitator opens us up in prayer, but not before she blasphemes the name of the Living God! It slipped? She didn't mean to? She didn't mean anything by it? What ever the excuse, it just shows that the name of God means so little to some people, even some professing Christians, that it can just roll off their fallen lips as if it were nothing. Once the class began, the floor was opened up to the questions, "Why did you come tonight? What do you expect to get out of this discussion?" Kevin wasted no time diving in. He explained that he heard some good things about the book and some not so good things about it, so he read it for himself to find out instead of relying on other people's stories. He went on to explain that the conclusion he came to was the book paints a false portrait of God! He told her he saw this discussion posted and wanted to come and invite friends with him who have also researched the book to defend the Word of God. As Kevin continued to emphasize the fact that The Shack does not portray the God of the Bible, the facilitator attempted to take the floor from him. I don't believe this is what she had in mind for the evening and from the looks on the faces of the other 50 + people in the room, neither did they. Kevin forged ahead pointing out the reason for the popularity of The Shack being that people have a false view of God. At this point the facilitator cut Kevin off and said that we'll cover the negative aspects of the review towards the end and to remember that the book is getting good and bad reviews.
The next lady to speak told the story of how The Shack has helped her deal with the loss of a baby. Every heart in the room was crushed to hear of her loss. At the same time it grieves me that professing Christians are finding comfort in a false god found only in the pages of a work of heresy.
This is followed by a another lady who explains that The Shack has helped her gain a better understanding of the attributes of God. What she really meant was the attributes of "god". Kevin rightly points out that the only way to understand the attributes of God is to read the Word of God, not a work of fiction! He said that the reason he's there is to point to the inerrant Word of God! The facilitator cuts him off again asking, "Can I say something back to you?". She points out that she is a Bible Teacher and an author, so she does know Scripture and has put some of the arguments from Scripture towards the end of the discussion. She also said she noticed that we look like we came equipped. Remember, we're the only one's there with our Bibles. She said she does realize this book is a work of fiction, so she raised the question, "Does a Christian work of fiction have to follow Scripture totally?"
Ken pointed out that for a work of fiction to truly be fiction, it could not involve a real person, or Persons, such as the Trinity. Not only did the book involve the Trinity, but in a heretical, blasphemous way and it violated the rules of fiction writing. Ken also explained that this book paints a very low view of God and that is what is so appealing to people. God has been created in man's image, he's more like them. This is much more appealing to the world than a God who commands perfection in thought, word and deed. A God who commands us to turn from our sins in complete surrender to Jesus Christ. To further emphasize the holiness of God, Ken referred to Book of Isaiah, chapter 6.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for. (Isaiah 6:6-7)
This was clearly not the same God that William P. Young had in mind when writing The Shack. The god in The Shack is very flippant toward sin, saying he doesn't punish sin, that sin itself is punishment enough. Why don't you try telling that to the rich man in Luke 16:24!
Over and over again, people would talk about how this book has helped them get closer to God, have a better understanding of God's character and His attributes, all the while completely admitting that it is a book of fiction. Do you see a problem there? You cannot draw closer to God by reading a book about a god who does not exist! This is insanity! Something else that I noticed as the discussion progressed is there was a greater outrage at the way The Shack portrayed the black woman than there was over how it portrayed the Godhead! This again shows you there is no fear of God like Scripture commands! (Prov 9:10) How can there be fear of God, when there is no understanding of His true nature and character. There can't be.
As the evening continued to down the "God is love" road and how He is our "Daddy" and we can snuggle up in His lap, Kevin steps up with Psalm 5:5, which says - "The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.". At this point I thought we were going to be stoned to death. This room full of professing Christians did not like hearing that God hates anyone! How could Kevin say such a mean thing as that? Kevin kept on telling them to read it for themselves, that's what the Word of God says. One lady yells out, "God hates sin, but loves the sinner!". She was quickly asked to show us where that is in the Bible? No where does it say that in the Bible. This is something that was made up so cowardly Christians won't offend wicked men and women. The fact is, God loved Jacob and hated Esau. (Rom 9:13) God hates sin and God hates the wicked (Prov 6:16-19). He hates the wicked so much that they will spend an eternity of eternities under the torment of His wrath! (Rom 2:5, Rev 21:8) So, is God love? Absolutely! (John 3:16) He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked and calls all men to repentance. (Ezek 33:11) At the same time, God is Holy and Just and must punish sin where ever it is found. (Rom 6:23, Ezek 18:20)
There were 4 women that stood out in the crowd as being exceptionally irritated with our presence. 2 of them in the back kept whispering back and forth and pointing in our direction with expressions of anger each time one of us would speak. The other 2 women, who too were visibly upset at our defense of Scripture, had heard enough and finally got up and walked out of the classroom. While we were not happy they left, we know the Holy Spirit was present that evening and their irritation was evidence that He was on the move. A much better response than apathy. We must keep these ladies in prayer that the LORD will use the truth and authority of Scripture heard that evening to reveal Himself to them and bring them to repentance and the knowledge of truth.
Shortly afterwards, a lady to my right spoke up and said that she like The Shack because it was about relationships and Jesus Christ came to have a relationship with us. I explained that Jesus Christ came to save His people from their sins (Matt 1:21), not to have a relationship with us! Again, there is a lack of understanding of Scripture, of the Gospel, of the nature and will of God.
Throughout the evening we were the only people who were defending the Word of God, the rest of the class were quick to defend The Shack and all of the "so called" truth within it. We have no idea of how God moved that night, but we do know He was glorified, His name was proclaimed in Truth and to Him alone be the glory! As the class ended we were thanked for coming, we talked with many people and took the liberty to share the Gospel with a few of them... from law to grace!
People are relying more and more on the Christian Best Sellers list of books for their so-called theology and life instruction, instead of Scripture itself. There is little or no Christian discernment exercised by the professing Christian reader and it mostly stems from their lack of study of Scripture. Such a lack that they do not know the Word of God well enough to know false teaching when they see it. The Shack, as well as others like it in today's so-called Christian books stores, are evidence that 2 Timothy 4:3-4 is being fulfilled.
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Tim 4:3-4)
Our call as Christians is to follow Christ (John 12:26), not some fictional god in a blasphemous storybook.
To God alone be the glory!
St. Louis Evangelism Team
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)
Friday, December 19, 2008
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