Paul Washer last year, in the following message expositing Matthew 7:13-23, called out to the "Christians" in the United States to beg them to examine their own salvation (2 Cor 13:5), repent and trust in Christ (Luke 13:3), and to do works in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8). This is an hour-long video; if you don't have the time, skip to 9:55 and watch as much as you want starting there.

The law of God, good sense, other people, and our own conscience testify against us that we are in rebellion by nature and by practice, living a life that falls short of God's perfect standard. Given that we have offended him so in thought, word, action, and inaction, the natural reaction is to do better in the future, make up for it by doing works of righteousness, search for sacrifices or religious practices to appease God, or give up and resign ourselves to a life of sin.

All of these approaches end in damnation--eternal punishment from God. Our attempt to do righteous acts in penance is a pathetic attempt by a guilty man to grab on to the thinnest thread of hope, one that doesn't exist (Isa 64:6-7). Our attempt to live a live free of sin is both futile (James 3:2) and insufficient due to our past sins (Rom 3:23). Our religious acts earn us no merit with God (Psa 51:16-17). And to give up and live a life of sin is to run as fast as possible away from God (Rom 1:26-32).

The only option that offers genuine relief is to come to God in repentance! (Psa 15:17, Act 3:19-21, Luke 13:1-5) Run to the cross! Turn from your life of sin, be contrite and humble before God, and turn to him who is willing and mighty to save you! (Zeph 3:17) If you are humble, he will save you, lift you up, give you a new life and new desires, and best of all, you will have the righteousness of Christ earning you favor with God. All the punishment due your sin will be washed away, and you will be with God forever.

I've posted a simple verse list of many verses related to repentance, so please study these verses. At least, please read through them and consider them. Be overwhelmed by the volume of God's words on repentance. After you do, I am confident you will be refreshed by the Spirit to emphasize preaching repentance in all your evangelism efforts. The Lord's repentance moves me to praise, thank, and love God whenever I consider it!

Labels: Bible, motivation, theology

The refesh of our articles keeps rolling along. Now online are the Bible Verses to Know and Use in Evangelism and How To P-R-E-A-C-H the Gospel. These articles are wonderful study tools for learning how to share your faith.

Labels: site

I've reposted a long article that we always used to have online (and now do again): The Essentials of the Christian Faith. I will be on a future episode of the Echo Zoe podcast (find it in iTunes) to discuss this content; it is crucial theology for all areas of study and experience, especially evangelism.

You can find it along with other articles (only two so far!) in the "Articles" menu on the bottom of the left-side menu.

Update: I've also added the Basic Evangelism lesson outline. Enjoy!

Labels: site

Laurance reports this about a recent witnessing effort. Please pray for us as we look for evangelism opportunities during the winter!

Late in October, I went out with Jeremy. I tried to record some stuff but my recorder was acting up. Had a few encounters that seemed to go well but it was pretty quiet downtown last night. We talked to a Muslim guy who moved here from London. He knows about the cross but he just could not understand, or accept the blood atonement of Jesus. I tried to share with him how Christians have assurance of salvation; Jeremy argued with him about the Bible vs the Koran.

We also had a long discussion with a nice, professional looking, young man from South America, who has lived here for quite some time, I imagine. He was raised Catholic but has since departed from going to church due to hypocrisy and inter-denominational bickering and other complaints. We took him through the law and tried to show him that his opinions about organized religion mean nothing; all that matters is the fact that he has broken God’s laws and will have to answer for them on judgment day. We seemed to make a connection but I had a feeling that the conversation ended with him reverting back to his self-righteous position. I wasn’t sure if we should have pushed him harder.

Labels: report, strangers, street