Evangelism

"We cannot finally judge the correctness of what we do in evangelism by the immediate response that we see. It is important to understand this truth, because a failure to understand it can distract well-meaning churches into pragmatic, results-oriented endeavors and it can transform pastors into neurotic people-manipulators...As Christians we should know that, even if we are faithful in telling the Gospel, people still may not respond. Their lack of acceptance of the Gospel does not necessarily mean that we have been wrong in how we have presented the Gospel." This is a quote from Mark Dever's book Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. How many of our churches are healthy enough to have this attitude?

The parable of the sower in the gospel does not say that the sower did anything different as he went about planting seed. His methods were not the difference, but rather the soils. It is not up to us as Christians to change the hearts of the hearers of the Word. It is our job to spread the good news. God supplies the soil. He is the one who determines whether or not we are a "fragrant aroma or the stench of death". All of our really cool, culturally relevant efforts at drawing society into the church are for nothing if God has not chosen those people as His own. It is time, money and effort wasted.

Let's put our efforts into knowing who our God is. Spend time with Him and get to know Him. As you begin to know how truly amazing, loving, wonderful, glorious, and holy the Lord is, you will be unable to keep that to yourself. Once you begin to realize who we as depraved sinners really are and what the Creator of the Universe has done in living a perfect life here on Earth, dying on the cross, and rising again, you will not be able to help yourself. Sharing God will be a part of your life.

It is exciting to see churches that focus themselves on the God of the Bible and not on the culture around them. It really doesn't matter if we plant seeds using the latest and greatest in farm equipment or by walking the rows with a burlap bag. It makes no difference what we wear as we plant. What matters is that the seed is being spread on the soil. Let God take care of the rest. At least, that is what I've been thinking.