Just got back from what has been a very very blessed Sabbath. (I know i haven't been blogging for some time - I'll explain why in my next post. Anyway...) I just got blogger on my phone so posting will be way easier from now (i'm actually quite excited about it :)
Now to what has been a blessed experience. I was privileged to be a part of the program at Etwatwa SDA church today. The theme was "something better" (though that wasn't mentioned). It was basically about evangelism/mission, the need, the purpose and the call. The time in which we live, the moments right before the second coming of Christ, call for a radical response in view of that day which is soon to take the world by storm.
So as the day proceeded, the messages were all hard hitting calls to enter into Gods service to be used by Him. I spoke on "When to do missions/evangelism". The main point i spoke on was the fact that the time is now, and that as long as sin exists Gods heart breaks by beholding its effects and the persistance of man in sin. The overall point was really carried home throughout the day that every proffessed believer ought to be a light in his/her context to lead others to Christ.
Now just a side note before I continue: it is not enough to verbally preach a message. The practice of the life must bear a consistent record of the words preached. Something the preacher mentioned: "Before people will believe what you say, they must see the gospel in your life." One must practice what you preach.
The reason I mention this is that having had the privilege to exhort the church to the work of evangelism and missions, there rests a higher responsibility then on me to practice what I preached. It would not be proper to encourage others to evangelism, if there is none of it on my personal life.
This point became real to me as we were in the taxi to Jhb from the church with my friend (who also spoke during the day). As we were just discussing some things, a young man came and sat next to us in the taxi. The taxi got full, and got going... Now as we sat chatting in the taxi, me and my friend, an inescapable conviction came on my heart to tell the man that sat next to me about Jesus. I perceived that it was God Himself giving the impression. I must be very honest, at first I really tried to resist the conviction. Many excuses/ rationalizations came to mind. Part of me even wanted to tell my friend the deep impression I was having, with the hope that it would give courage. I ended up not.
Now as I was wrestling internally, the many words spoken throughout the day came to mind: "If he were to die without knowing about Christ, would I have done my part," / "God isn't looking for talent and ability, but for those who He can fill with His Spirit to carry out His will." (these were words shared with the congregation). It was now a challenge to me personally to, there, practice what I had earlier preached (more like taught).
It became clear to me that God wanted this man to hear about Him. I didn't know what I would say to the man, so I just asked God to give me what to say (if indeed it was that He wanted me to witness to the man).
After the short petition, I noticed the bag of tools the man had: so I randomly asked if he was a builder. He then told me he was a carpenter... :).
'Powerful', I thought, remembering that Jesus was a carpenter. So I told him that I know a carpenter, and His name is Jesus. Then a brief moment of silence.. Then God gave some very interesting words:
I asked the man if he would like to know why it was that Jesus was a carpenter. After his consent I went on to relay to him a bit on the condescension of Christ. About how Jesus humbled Himself to become a man that He may demonstrate to us His familiarity with all our trials and temptations, about how the creator of man became a man in order to die for and ultimately save man from all his sins. God really spoke there. The encounter itself was very unique.
After listening with a keen ear the man asks, "do you really mean it that Jesus was a carpenter, or are you just telling a story to relate it to myself?" It may have seemed too good to be true, but I reassured him that what I'm telling him is very Biblical. In seeming disbelief he responds "I'm not that familiar with the Bible." Then I pulled out my Bible and offered to show him. I recalled a text I once read in Mark. That promise that Jesus makes in John 14:26 still rings true, that "the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." He reminded me of some words found in Mark 6:4. Those who were listening to Jesus in the synagogue, after being astoished at His words ask: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him." Though they may not mean much to someone else, the words that Jesus Christ was a carpenter whilst on earth greatly encouraged the man I sat to in the taxi.
"It's nice to hear that Jesus was a carpenter" the man says, to which he followed humorously: "maybe one day I'll also be seen preaching and healing people." We spoke a bit more and he told me about the struggles he faces but that he can trust that all will work out as long as he trusts in God. His name is Thembinkosi ("trust the Lord"), and he says he tries to live by his name.
On our walk after that encounter with my friend, I was really humbled at how God really works. Now I may not ever see Thembinkosi again in this lifetime, but this is what the word of God says of itself: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Pet, 1:23. The Word of God is an incorruptible seed, which, when faithfully sown will bring about a new birth. God's word has converting power and it lives and abides forever. I'm confident that God spoke to him for a reason, that seed sown may work something in his life which I may never get to realize until all things are made plain. What really stands out is how willing God is to save humanity. So much so that He is even willing to use man in his fallen state to reach other's that they may be brought to Christ. The call is really high to accept Gods invitation to be used by Him, but He is ever faithful that He will be with us. With that man in the taxi, I had no idea what to say, no 1 week preparation, no pocket notes, but God by His Spirit gave a word in due season.
Now to what has been a blessed experience. I was privileged to be a part of the program at Etwatwa SDA church today. The theme was "something better" (though that wasn't mentioned). It was basically about evangelism/mission, the need, the purpose and the call. The time in which we live, the moments right before the second coming of Christ, call for a radical response in view of that day which is soon to take the world by storm.
So as the day proceeded, the messages were all hard hitting calls to enter into Gods service to be used by Him. I spoke on "When to do missions/evangelism". The main point i spoke on was the fact that the time is now, and that as long as sin exists Gods heart breaks by beholding its effects and the persistance of man in sin. The overall point was really carried home throughout the day that every proffessed believer ought to be a light in his/her context to lead others to Christ.
Now just a side note before I continue: it is not enough to verbally preach a message. The practice of the life must bear a consistent record of the words preached. Something the preacher mentioned: "Before people will believe what you say, they must see the gospel in your life." One must practice what you preach.
The reason I mention this is that having had the privilege to exhort the church to the work of evangelism and missions, there rests a higher responsibility then on me to practice what I preached. It would not be proper to encourage others to evangelism, if there is none of it on my personal life.
This point became real to me as we were in the taxi to Jhb from the church with my friend (who also spoke during the day). As we were just discussing some things, a young man came and sat next to us in the taxi. The taxi got full, and got going... Now as we sat chatting in the taxi, me and my friend, an inescapable conviction came on my heart to tell the man that sat next to me about Jesus. I perceived that it was God Himself giving the impression. I must be very honest, at first I really tried to resist the conviction. Many excuses/ rationalizations came to mind. Part of me even wanted to tell my friend the deep impression I was having, with the hope that it would give courage. I ended up not.
Now as I was wrestling internally, the many words spoken throughout the day came to mind: "If he were to die without knowing about Christ, would I have done my part," / "God isn't looking for talent and ability, but for those who He can fill with His Spirit to carry out His will." (these were words shared with the congregation). It was now a challenge to me personally to, there, practice what I had earlier preached (more like taught).
It became clear to me that God wanted this man to hear about Him. I didn't know what I would say to the man, so I just asked God to give me what to say (if indeed it was that He wanted me to witness to the man).
After the short petition, I noticed the bag of tools the man had: so I randomly asked if he was a builder. He then told me he was a carpenter... :).
'Powerful', I thought, remembering that Jesus was a carpenter. So I told him that I know a carpenter, and His name is Jesus. Then a brief moment of silence.. Then God gave some very interesting words:
I asked the man if he would like to know why it was that Jesus was a carpenter. After his consent I went on to relay to him a bit on the condescension of Christ. About how Jesus humbled Himself to become a man that He may demonstrate to us His familiarity with all our trials and temptations, about how the creator of man became a man in order to die for and ultimately save man from all his sins. God really spoke there. The encounter itself was very unique.
After listening with a keen ear the man asks, "do you really mean it that Jesus was a carpenter, or are you just telling a story to relate it to myself?" It may have seemed too good to be true, but I reassured him that what I'm telling him is very Biblical. In seeming disbelief he responds "I'm not that familiar with the Bible." Then I pulled out my Bible and offered to show him. I recalled a text I once read in Mark. That promise that Jesus makes in John 14:26 still rings true, that "the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." He reminded me of some words found in Mark 6:4. Those who were listening to Jesus in the synagogue, after being astoished at His words ask: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him." Though they may not mean much to someone else, the words that Jesus Christ was a carpenter whilst on earth greatly encouraged the man I sat to in the taxi.
"It's nice to hear that Jesus was a carpenter" the man says, to which he followed humorously: "maybe one day I'll also be seen preaching and healing people." We spoke a bit more and he told me about the struggles he faces but that he can trust that all will work out as long as he trusts in God. His name is Thembinkosi ("trust the Lord"), and he says he tries to live by his name.
On our walk after that encounter with my friend, I was really humbled at how God really works. Now I may not ever see Thembinkosi again in this lifetime, but this is what the word of God says of itself: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Pet, 1:23. The Word of God is an incorruptible seed, which, when faithfully sown will bring about a new birth. God's word has converting power and it lives and abides forever. I'm confident that God spoke to him for a reason, that seed sown may work something in his life which I may never get to realize until all things are made plain. What really stands out is how willing God is to save humanity. So much so that He is even willing to use man in his fallen state to reach other's that they may be brought to Christ. The call is really high to accept Gods invitation to be used by Him, but He is ever faithful that He will be with us. With that man in the taxi, I had no idea what to say, no 1 week preparation, no pocket notes, but God by His Spirit gave a word in due season.
With each passing day, the Lords day draws close,
In which He shall return with His heavenly host.
In view of the truth that His coming His near
To be wholly His is my most earnest prayer.
