THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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When we attempt to do too many things at once, we often get rattled and accomplish even less.
Charles darwin was out in the woods hunting beetles to prove his theory of evolution. He held one recently captured beetle in his right hand, and one in his left hand. But then he saw another - even more rare - beetle. What to do? In a flash, he put one beetle in his mouth and reached for the more rare beetle.
Just about that time, the mouth-imprisoned beetle squirted acid down young Darwin's throat. In a coughing, spurting fit, he lost ALL THREE beetles!
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2 Cor 6:1-2
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
KJV
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Being an evangelist, I want to impress upon the membership of the church the critical importance of personal lifestyle evangelism.
-America is the 3rd largest unchurched nation in the world. Only China and India have higher numbers of unchurched people.
-In 2001, about 7,500 SBC churches (about 20% of our churches) reported 0 baptisms. Another 3,000 only reported 1 baptism.
-On average in the SBC, we baptize one person for every 44 church members.
NOW is the accepted time! NOW is the day of salvation offered to the world.
One of the largest reasons why churches are so ineffective in reaching the lost today is because the membership is far more involved in the world than in being what Christ called us to be. "...ye shall be witnesses unto me." (Acts 1:8)
Are we too busy chasing "beetles?"
Christian, this may be your LAST day on earth! "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Ps 118:24) Yes, we should be GLAD for this day that the Lord has given. We ought to live each day as though He will come back today. And if we really believe that Jesus could return any time, then we should be living to reach others for salvation!
Pastors and staff cannot effectively reach the lost. Their duty and calling is to "EQUIP" the church for that ministry! They are given "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" (Eph 4:12)
The Bible teaches us that EACH of us should use time wisely. "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." (Col 4:5) Pray, and ask Christ to give you a picture of all those you know that are lost! Then, ask God to give you an opportunity to reach them. Plan your life so that you have time for visiting the lost each week!
If we truly believe NOW is all the time we have, what a difference that will make in our lives!
Be involved in personal lifestyle evangelism!
Love ya,
Bruce