Rusty Kuhn's Blog, page 8
August 13, 2014
If we are Evangelicals, Why aren't we Evangelizing?
Most historians record that the evangelical movement started after the reformation and greatly progressed through the 18th and 19th centuries as a result of the great awakenings. I disagree. The evangelical movement started on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit consumed the believers in the upper room empowering them to live in obedience to Jesus by preaching the gospel to all creation. It continued through the first century church with the gospel being spread to the ends of the earth. The gospel spread rapidly in the first century due to the church being faithful in fulfilling the Great Commission.
The word "evangelical" comes from the Greek word euangelion, which means "the good news" or the "gospel." Therefore, those who are evangelical focus on the good news, the gospel of their Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Those who are evangelical live in obedience to the commands of Jesus to proclaim the gospel to all creation. It is one of the key identifying marks of who they are.
Clearly the evangelical movement was revived after the reformation resulting in the term that identified those who shared the gospel as evangelicals. These newly converted evangelicals were Men and women who took seriously the commission of Christ by taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. They immediately started sharing the gospel, resulting in churches that were started all over Europe in houses, barns, fields, or wherever they could assemble together. They shared the gospel despite the heavy handed persecution that often cost their very lives. They were persuaded to live in obedience to God rather than cower down to the fear of man.
The great awakenings of the 18th and 19th centuries was a direct result of these evangelicals of varying denominations who also took the Great Commission seriously and preached the gospel to all creation. As a result of their faithfulness to evangelize, hundreds of thousands of people were saved. Another result was the spiritual landscape of England and the American Colonies, then the United States of America, drastically changed from wildly immoral to zealous for God. In great part this is why America became known as a Christian nation. After these people were saved more churches were started; churches that impacted their communities for generations-some still to this day.
Unfortunately, today most who consider themselves evangelical are not evangelizing. Statistic after statistic and poll after poll shows that very few people who actively attend “evangelical” churches are actually evangelizing. Their faith consists of going to church on Sunday’s, possibly cracking open their bibles throughout the week to read a verse or two, and maybe praying few quick bless me prayers. That is not biblical Christianity. Not even close. These statistics also tell us that an alarmingly high percentage of pastors also admit to not evangelizing on a regular basis or not at all.
As a result of their lack of faithfulness the spiritual landscape has changed. Christianity is almost dead in Europe, America is no longer a Christian nation, and immorality of every form is openly acceptable. At the same time hundreds of churches are permanently closing their doors or strongly considering it. We also see that the majority of churches that remain simply exist as stagnant churches who are not reaching their communities for Christ.
The church I pastor is a church that was planted in 2006. It was started in an old church building from a church that had shut down and donated their building to the local Baptist association. I wasn’t sure why the church shut down. I knew that in the 70’s it was a thriving church. After starting the new church we would go out into the community and tell people that we are in Grace Memorial’s old building. It didn’t take us long to figure out that nobody in the community had any idea where Grace Memorial’s building was. Now we know why they shut down.
What is the solution? The solution is simple. We need to be faithful. I don’t care what people call us. They can call us evangelical if they want. But I prefer to be called faithful; faithful to Christ and His calling to faithfully fulfill the Great Commission. We are in desperate need of another great awakening. We need a great awakening that will drastically change the spiritual landscape of society. However, a great awakening will only come through the people of God who are prayed up, clothed with the power from on high, and boldly proclaiming the gospel.
What then is the solution? Repentance. We need repentance from our faithless congregations to faith filled faithfulness. Their repentance will lead to revival, which will turn into faithfulness, which will lead to obedience, which will turn into the fulfillment of the Great Commission, which will turn the church back to being evangelical. This then will have deep spiritual impacts upon our society. Or, we can continue on our current path, calling ourselves evangelical but not evangelizing, thus handing society over to Satan and watch Christianity simply turn into history-a thing of the past. Rusty Kuhn
The word "evangelical" comes from the Greek word euangelion, which means "the good news" or the "gospel." Therefore, those who are evangelical focus on the good news, the gospel of their Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Those who are evangelical live in obedience to the commands of Jesus to proclaim the gospel to all creation. It is one of the key identifying marks of who they are.
Clearly the evangelical movement was revived after the reformation resulting in the term that identified those who shared the gospel as evangelicals. These newly converted evangelicals were Men and women who took seriously the commission of Christ by taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. They immediately started sharing the gospel, resulting in churches that were started all over Europe in houses, barns, fields, or wherever they could assemble together. They shared the gospel despite the heavy handed persecution that often cost their very lives. They were persuaded to live in obedience to God rather than cower down to the fear of man.
The great awakenings of the 18th and 19th centuries was a direct result of these evangelicals of varying denominations who also took the Great Commission seriously and preached the gospel to all creation. As a result of their faithfulness to evangelize, hundreds of thousands of people were saved. Another result was the spiritual landscape of England and the American Colonies, then the United States of America, drastically changed from wildly immoral to zealous for God. In great part this is why America became known as a Christian nation. After these people were saved more churches were started; churches that impacted their communities for generations-some still to this day.
Unfortunately, today most who consider themselves evangelical are not evangelizing. Statistic after statistic and poll after poll shows that very few people who actively attend “evangelical” churches are actually evangelizing. Their faith consists of going to church on Sunday’s, possibly cracking open their bibles throughout the week to read a verse or two, and maybe praying few quick bless me prayers. That is not biblical Christianity. Not even close. These statistics also tell us that an alarmingly high percentage of pastors also admit to not evangelizing on a regular basis or not at all.
As a result of their lack of faithfulness the spiritual landscape has changed. Christianity is almost dead in Europe, America is no longer a Christian nation, and immorality of every form is openly acceptable. At the same time hundreds of churches are permanently closing their doors or strongly considering it. We also see that the majority of churches that remain simply exist as stagnant churches who are not reaching their communities for Christ.
The church I pastor is a church that was planted in 2006. It was started in an old church building from a church that had shut down and donated their building to the local Baptist association. I wasn’t sure why the church shut down. I knew that in the 70’s it was a thriving church. After starting the new church we would go out into the community and tell people that we are in Grace Memorial’s old building. It didn’t take us long to figure out that nobody in the community had any idea where Grace Memorial’s building was. Now we know why they shut down.
What is the solution? The solution is simple. We need to be faithful. I don’t care what people call us. They can call us evangelical if they want. But I prefer to be called faithful; faithful to Christ and His calling to faithfully fulfill the Great Commission. We are in desperate need of another great awakening. We need a great awakening that will drastically change the spiritual landscape of society. However, a great awakening will only come through the people of God who are prayed up, clothed with the power from on high, and boldly proclaiming the gospel.
What then is the solution? Repentance. We need repentance from our faithless congregations to faith filled faithfulness. Their repentance will lead to revival, which will turn into faithfulness, which will lead to obedience, which will turn into the fulfillment of the Great Commission, which will turn the church back to being evangelical. This then will have deep spiritual impacts upon our society. Or, we can continue on our current path, calling ourselves evangelical but not evangelizing, thus handing society over to Satan and watch Christianity simply turn into history-a thing of the past. Rusty Kuhn
August 8, 2014
Service Required
As a pastor I don’t do drive by weddings. Now you’re thinking, “What is a drive by wedding?” A drive by wedding is when someone calls you up and says something like, “Hey pastor, I want to marry my girlfriend and was wondering if you were busy next Saturday?” Marriage is a major commitment and should be treated as such. I have a firm conviction that it is a commitment of until death do us part. Since I have such firm convictions when it comes to marriage I will only marry a couple when they agree to sit down with me and undergo several weeks of premarital counseling, regardless of who they are, how old or young they may be, or how long I’ve been their friend, family member, or pastor. If they expect me to do their wedding, they will undergo this premarital counseling, or they will have to find someone else to perform their wedding.
In the same way I believe that church membership is a major commitment. Marriage and family is certainly a higher calling and a greater commitment. Unlike marriage, people may have to move away or God may call them to different churches. Therefore, church membership doesn’t have the, until death do us part, commitment. However, it is a commitment that should be taken very seriously and valued with high regard. When people move or are called away their membership and commitment should be given to the new local church they become involved with.
In the same way that I do not do drive by weddings, I do not allow drive by church membership. In other words, I do not allow someone to simply walk down an aisle and say, “I want to become a member.” At the church I pastor we require everyone to go through a church membership class. If they go through the class they can decide not to become a member but if they don’t go through the class they cannot become a member. Every single member of our church has gone through our membership class.
In our churches membership class we first let them know who we are as a church. We are an evangelistic, mission minded church that is actively involved in missions, locally and globally, and that we are actively involved in evangelism and outreach in our own community. We are an Acts 1:8 church. We let them know that our heart as a church is to see people saved and the saved grow to be servants of the Most High God.
We then let them know what they should expect from us as a church. They should expect us to be there for them, to minister to them, train them, equip them, walk with them, and hold them accountable. We let them know that they are not in their Christian walk alone, that they are fully accepted as an equal and that they are more than just members, they are family.
After we let them know who we are and what they should expect from us as a church we let them know that we have very clear expectations from our members. We have many high expectations of which I will not take the time to get into. However, one of those expectations is service. We fully expect our church members, all of them, to serve the Lord within the realm of their gifting and calling. We also fully expect every member of our church to be actively involved in our church sponsored missions and outreach. Along with them being actively involved with their personal calling and our church sponsored missions and outreach we fully expect every single one of our members to be an active witness for the Lord. We obviously know that everyone is at a different stage in their walk with the Lord. However, we make it clear that if they are not fulfilling these biblically based requirements they are not in right standing with God and are therefore not in right standing with the church.
Nowhere in the bible do we see God calling Sunday morning saints or mediocre members. God has called all His children into fully dedicated service. Just as marriage and family is not easy, church membership should not be easy. However, just as in marriage and family the rewards for the labor far outweigh the hard work that is required. The fact is our easy do nothing church membership is killing our churches. As a result of our family chapels and our community clubhouses with a sign outside that says church we have allowed the lost to go to hell and the church become irrelevant.
When we assert these biblical requirements on the church, we will make those who are not active feel uncomfortable. Some will then leave Church. Although some who aren’t contributing to the church may leave, when the church starts being the church the kingdom of God will grow. The question we must answer is do we want to appease men or honor God? I choose to stand for what God stands for and honor God. After all, it’s His church, not ours. Since the church is God’s house we must play by His rules. Rusty Kuhn
In the same way I believe that church membership is a major commitment. Marriage and family is certainly a higher calling and a greater commitment. Unlike marriage, people may have to move away or God may call them to different churches. Therefore, church membership doesn’t have the, until death do us part, commitment. However, it is a commitment that should be taken very seriously and valued with high regard. When people move or are called away their membership and commitment should be given to the new local church they become involved with.
In the same way that I do not do drive by weddings, I do not allow drive by church membership. In other words, I do not allow someone to simply walk down an aisle and say, “I want to become a member.” At the church I pastor we require everyone to go through a church membership class. If they go through the class they can decide not to become a member but if they don’t go through the class they cannot become a member. Every single member of our church has gone through our membership class.
In our churches membership class we first let them know who we are as a church. We are an evangelistic, mission minded church that is actively involved in missions, locally and globally, and that we are actively involved in evangelism and outreach in our own community. We are an Acts 1:8 church. We let them know that our heart as a church is to see people saved and the saved grow to be servants of the Most High God.
We then let them know what they should expect from us as a church. They should expect us to be there for them, to minister to them, train them, equip them, walk with them, and hold them accountable. We let them know that they are not in their Christian walk alone, that they are fully accepted as an equal and that they are more than just members, they are family.
After we let them know who we are and what they should expect from us as a church we let them know that we have very clear expectations from our members. We have many high expectations of which I will not take the time to get into. However, one of those expectations is service. We fully expect our church members, all of them, to serve the Lord within the realm of their gifting and calling. We also fully expect every member of our church to be actively involved in our church sponsored missions and outreach. Along with them being actively involved with their personal calling and our church sponsored missions and outreach we fully expect every single one of our members to be an active witness for the Lord. We obviously know that everyone is at a different stage in their walk with the Lord. However, we make it clear that if they are not fulfilling these biblically based requirements they are not in right standing with God and are therefore not in right standing with the church.
Nowhere in the bible do we see God calling Sunday morning saints or mediocre members. God has called all His children into fully dedicated service. Just as marriage and family is not easy, church membership should not be easy. However, just as in marriage and family the rewards for the labor far outweigh the hard work that is required. The fact is our easy do nothing church membership is killing our churches. As a result of our family chapels and our community clubhouses with a sign outside that says church we have allowed the lost to go to hell and the church become irrelevant.
When we assert these biblical requirements on the church, we will make those who are not active feel uncomfortable. Some will then leave Church. Although some who aren’t contributing to the church may leave, when the church starts being the church the kingdom of God will grow. The question we must answer is do we want to appease men or honor God? I choose to stand for what God stands for and honor God. After all, it’s His church, not ours. Since the church is God’s house we must play by His rules. Rusty Kuhn
August 4, 2014
Encouraging Growth
The bible refers to those who have recently accepted Christ as a babe in Christ. Just as we fully expect and anticipate a new born babe of the flesh to grow we should also full expect and anticipate a new born babe in Christ to grow. Each time the baby of the flesh is taken to the doctor it is measured and weighed. Its measurements and weight are then recorded to see how the baby is growing. If a baby never grows the doctor would quickly realize that there is something wrong with the baby. In the same way, if the babe in Christ never grows there is a problem, for growth is natural.
The natural baby needs several things to grow. First it needs proper nutrition. If it does not have the proper nutrition its body requires it will not grow and will be very sickly. It also needs to breathe; if the baby cannot breathe properly its body will quickly become sick and weak. The baby also needs nurturing. Naturally, a baby cannot take care of itself. Someone needs to help take care of it giving it the nurture it so desperately needs. In the same way, the babe in Christ need to eat, breathe, and have proper nurture for it to grow.
How then does a babe in Christ eat? Their food isn’t physical, it is spiritual. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, referring to Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” I Peter 2:2 says, “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” According to this verse newborn babes in Christ will long for the Word of God and grow as a result of the Word of God. For this reason we must strongly encourage those who have recently accepted Christ to study God’s word on their own, put themselves under the anointed teaching and preaching of the Word of God, and get actively plugged into bible studies. Just as the babe of the flesh needs to eat physical food daily to survive and grow the babe in Christ needs to eat its spiritual food, the Word of God, daily to survive and grow. As they grow they will transition from the milk and start chewing on the meat of God’s word.
Just as the babe of the flesh needs to breathe in the natural air the babe in Christ must breathe in the spiritual air. Prayer is the life’s breath of a Christian. We will not and cannot grow apart from it. We must teach new converts that every Christian is called to pray. As a matter of fact, I Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to, “Pray without ceasing.” We must teach them that prayer is simply having a conversation with God, and that they are to pray when they have abundance and they are to pray when they are in need, that they are to pray when they are happy and they are to pray when they are sad. We need to teach them to pray for their selves and pray for the needs of others. Prayer needs to be as natural to the Christian as the breath that flows through their lungs. As they pray, they will grow. They will not grow apart from prayer.
In the same way that the babe of flesh needs nurturing because it is totally helpless on its own the babe in Christ needs nurturing. Their nurturing comes from fellowship with other Christians. For this reason they must be encouraged to get plugged into a church. They should be encouraged not to simply attend church but invest their lives in the church and allow the church to invest itself in them. If the church is unwilling to invest itself in them they need to find another church. However, a healthy church should be ecstatic to have a new believer in their midst. They should then fully invest themselves in the believer to walk with them, lead them, disciple them, and help them in every way grow into the mighty man or woman of God that God has called them to be.
God has not called hermit Christians. God clearly desires all Christians to be plugged into the church. We often hear Hebrews 10:25 partially quoted where it tells us to “Not forsake the assembling of one another.” In other words, go to church. However, the full verse says, “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Why do we go to church? We go to be encouraged. Encouraged to do what? Encouraged to grow. A babe in Christ will not, and cannot grow apart from the proper nourishment that only a church can provide.
As we are faithful to be witnesses for Christ we must understand that sharing our faith is not the end, it is only the beginning. Jesus didn’t only tell us to preach the gospel to all creation and baptize them. He also told us to make disciples. A disciple is one who is committed to following the master in his every way. How do we make disciples? It starts with conversion. Once they have accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord and have been converted as a result of our obedience to witness, we must continue in obedience to Jesus by, “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20). If we do not encourage growth and teach them to walk as men and not babes they will remain stagnant, the church will remain stagnant, and the world will remain lost. We must encourage growth. Rusty Kuhn
The natural baby needs several things to grow. First it needs proper nutrition. If it does not have the proper nutrition its body requires it will not grow and will be very sickly. It also needs to breathe; if the baby cannot breathe properly its body will quickly become sick and weak. The baby also needs nurturing. Naturally, a baby cannot take care of itself. Someone needs to help take care of it giving it the nurture it so desperately needs. In the same way, the babe in Christ need to eat, breathe, and have proper nurture for it to grow.
How then does a babe in Christ eat? Their food isn’t physical, it is spiritual. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, referring to Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” I Peter 2:2 says, “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” According to this verse newborn babes in Christ will long for the Word of God and grow as a result of the Word of God. For this reason we must strongly encourage those who have recently accepted Christ to study God’s word on their own, put themselves under the anointed teaching and preaching of the Word of God, and get actively plugged into bible studies. Just as the babe of the flesh needs to eat physical food daily to survive and grow the babe in Christ needs to eat its spiritual food, the Word of God, daily to survive and grow. As they grow they will transition from the milk and start chewing on the meat of God’s word.
Just as the babe of the flesh needs to breathe in the natural air the babe in Christ must breathe in the spiritual air. Prayer is the life’s breath of a Christian. We will not and cannot grow apart from it. We must teach new converts that every Christian is called to pray. As a matter of fact, I Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to, “Pray without ceasing.” We must teach them that prayer is simply having a conversation with God, and that they are to pray when they have abundance and they are to pray when they are in need, that they are to pray when they are happy and they are to pray when they are sad. We need to teach them to pray for their selves and pray for the needs of others. Prayer needs to be as natural to the Christian as the breath that flows through their lungs. As they pray, they will grow. They will not grow apart from prayer.
In the same way that the babe of flesh needs nurturing because it is totally helpless on its own the babe in Christ needs nurturing. Their nurturing comes from fellowship with other Christians. For this reason they must be encouraged to get plugged into a church. They should be encouraged not to simply attend church but invest their lives in the church and allow the church to invest itself in them. If the church is unwilling to invest itself in them they need to find another church. However, a healthy church should be ecstatic to have a new believer in their midst. They should then fully invest themselves in the believer to walk with them, lead them, disciple them, and help them in every way grow into the mighty man or woman of God that God has called them to be.
God has not called hermit Christians. God clearly desires all Christians to be plugged into the church. We often hear Hebrews 10:25 partially quoted where it tells us to “Not forsake the assembling of one another.” In other words, go to church. However, the full verse says, “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Why do we go to church? We go to be encouraged. Encouraged to do what? Encouraged to grow. A babe in Christ will not, and cannot grow apart from the proper nourishment that only a church can provide.
As we are faithful to be witnesses for Christ we must understand that sharing our faith is not the end, it is only the beginning. Jesus didn’t only tell us to preach the gospel to all creation and baptize them. He also told us to make disciples. A disciple is one who is committed to following the master in his every way. How do we make disciples? It starts with conversion. Once they have accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord and have been converted as a result of our obedience to witness, we must continue in obedience to Jesus by, “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20). If we do not encourage growth and teach them to walk as men and not babes they will remain stagnant, the church will remain stagnant, and the world will remain lost. We must encourage growth. Rusty Kuhn
July 31, 2014
Ice Breakers
When sharing the gospel the most difficult step can often be initiating the conversation or transitioning a casual conversation to presenting the gospel. Some make this look extraordinarily easy. They make it look simple because they are gifted in this way and most likely have had many years of practice. Others, however, find this to be very intimidating and extraordinarily difficult.
I call this step breaking the ice. Breaking the ice is a tool, strategy, or catch phrase that can transition or initiate a conversation into the proclamation of the gospel. Finding the ice breaker that works for you can help alleviate some of the intimidation and make your effort much easier. There are a variety of tools, strategy, or catch phrases that can be used in this process of transitioning a conversation to an open door for a witness. The key is finding out what works for you and your hearer. We also need to understand that our ice breakers will differ depending on who, what, and where any given situation or audience we are presented with.
There are a whole host of tools in our modern world that help open doors and initiate gospel conversations. There are plenty of witness training programs that equip the potential evangelist with the tools necessary for breaking the ice. We have available to us pre-marked bibles and gospel tracks with ice breaker questions to initiate conversations. When doing door to door evangelism I have often found that surveys are a great tool. You knock on the door, tell them that you are from the church up the road, let them know you are there doing a survey, and ask them if they have a few moments. The surveys start out with questions of likes and dislikes then lead to spiritual questions which lead to the gospel. If they give you permission to do the survey the ice is broken and the door is open. Again, these are just a few of the host of tools we have at our disposal.
There are a variety of strategies that help break the ice in sharing the gospel. One of my favorite is servant evangelism. Servant evangelism is small acts of kindness done for the purpose of gaining people’s attention so the gospel can be shared. It is not about the acts of kindness in and of itself. If only the act of kindness is done apart for the sharing of the gospel it is not evangelism. Remember, the purpose is to break the ice so we can share the gospel.
The church I pastor is known in our community as the “Ice Cream Church.” For years we have loaded up a trailer with an ice cream freezer then drive up and down the streets of our community giving out ice cream. They then come to us. While they are waiting on their ice cream cone we share the gospel. I have led hard core gang members to the Lord by giving them an ice cream cone.
This works well for us. However, this isn’t the only type of servant evangelism that we do; but, we have found it to be one of the most effective for the young and old alike. Again, find out what works well for you-experiment. Just as there is a verity of tools, there are a variety of strategies, and there are hundreds of ways to do servant evangelism. “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42).
Catch phrases are another great way to break the ice. Asking someone, “Has anyone told you today that they love you,” or, “Do you know what the greatest free gift in this world is,” or “What is eternal life?” I often ask people, “Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” If they say, “No I don’t mind.” I will then ask, “Do you know for certain that you have eternal life and that you will go to heaven when you die?” Just as there are a variety of tools and strategies, there is a large variety of catch phrases.
Remember though, we are not salesmen giving a sales pitch. We are evangelists fighting a spiritual battle. That being said, we are not left at this task on our own. Nor, are we to go about this task on our own. The greatest tools, strategies, and catch phrases are nothing apart from the empowering a guidance of the Lord. Psalms 127:1 says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it.” Therefore, let God lead you and empower you as you share His story with this lost world. Rusty Kuhn
I call this step breaking the ice. Breaking the ice is a tool, strategy, or catch phrase that can transition or initiate a conversation into the proclamation of the gospel. Finding the ice breaker that works for you can help alleviate some of the intimidation and make your effort much easier. There are a variety of tools, strategy, or catch phrases that can be used in this process of transitioning a conversation to an open door for a witness. The key is finding out what works for you and your hearer. We also need to understand that our ice breakers will differ depending on who, what, and where any given situation or audience we are presented with.
There are a whole host of tools in our modern world that help open doors and initiate gospel conversations. There are plenty of witness training programs that equip the potential evangelist with the tools necessary for breaking the ice. We have available to us pre-marked bibles and gospel tracks with ice breaker questions to initiate conversations. When doing door to door evangelism I have often found that surveys are a great tool. You knock on the door, tell them that you are from the church up the road, let them know you are there doing a survey, and ask them if they have a few moments. The surveys start out with questions of likes and dislikes then lead to spiritual questions which lead to the gospel. If they give you permission to do the survey the ice is broken and the door is open. Again, these are just a few of the host of tools we have at our disposal.
There are a variety of strategies that help break the ice in sharing the gospel. One of my favorite is servant evangelism. Servant evangelism is small acts of kindness done for the purpose of gaining people’s attention so the gospel can be shared. It is not about the acts of kindness in and of itself. If only the act of kindness is done apart for the sharing of the gospel it is not evangelism. Remember, the purpose is to break the ice so we can share the gospel.
The church I pastor is known in our community as the “Ice Cream Church.” For years we have loaded up a trailer with an ice cream freezer then drive up and down the streets of our community giving out ice cream. They then come to us. While they are waiting on their ice cream cone we share the gospel. I have led hard core gang members to the Lord by giving them an ice cream cone.
This works well for us. However, this isn’t the only type of servant evangelism that we do; but, we have found it to be one of the most effective for the young and old alike. Again, find out what works well for you-experiment. Just as there is a verity of tools, there are a variety of strategies, and there are hundreds of ways to do servant evangelism. “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42).
Catch phrases are another great way to break the ice. Asking someone, “Has anyone told you today that they love you,” or, “Do you know what the greatest free gift in this world is,” or “What is eternal life?” I often ask people, “Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” If they say, “No I don’t mind.” I will then ask, “Do you know for certain that you have eternal life and that you will go to heaven when you die?” Just as there are a variety of tools and strategies, there is a large variety of catch phrases.
Remember though, we are not salesmen giving a sales pitch. We are evangelists fighting a spiritual battle. That being said, we are not left at this task on our own. Nor, are we to go about this task on our own. The greatest tools, strategies, and catch phrases are nothing apart from the empowering a guidance of the Lord. Psalms 127:1 says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it.” Therefore, let God lead you and empower you as you share His story with this lost world. Rusty Kuhn
July 30, 2014
Listen
Often time’s people make the mistake of thinking that speaking and communicating is the greatest skill in sharing the gospel. Naturally one needs to speak and communicate to share the gospel. However, I firmly believe speaking is not the greatest skill we need. Again, we need to speak to share the gospel. Unfortunately, our speaking can often be more detrimental and harmful to the effort of communicating the gospel than beneficial and helpful.
We might be in danger of coming across to the hearer as arrogant and boastful. We may present ourselves as uncaring and unloving. They might assume that we can care less of who they truly are and where they have been. We may present ourselves to them as boastfully believing that our argument is all that matters and what they have to say is unimportant and insignificant. They will then think that we simply want them to sit down, shut up, and listen.
The fact is our side, the side of the gospel, is the only side that matters. It is the only side that can save and transform. The fact also is that the gospel does, unashamedly, need to be spoken and communicated. But, often times, if not most times, we need to be silent for just a little while and listen. The bible tells us in James 1:19, “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak”
We don’t need to listen with the wheels in our head turning thinking of what we are going to say next-but truly listening. We need to be quick to hear, and slow to speak, even if the speaking is in our mind. How often have you heard an argument along this line? One arguer will say, “I think the wall needs to be painted pink and polka dotted.” Then the other arguer will say, “You are a fool. I think we should paint the wall with polka dots and pink.” Did they not just say the exact same thing? Of course they did. What then is the problem? They weren’t listening. Instead they were thinking of how they were going to counteract in their argument.
If people are going to listen to us, I mean truly listen to us, they are going to have to trust us. They will only trust us when they know that we care about them. If they don’t think we care, they’re not going to listen. We demonstrate that we truly care when we lend them an ear. When we listen, truly listen, to their hurts, heartaches, and hang-ups, we gain their trust. Now they know we care. What would you think of your doctor if he came into the room writing prescriptions and ordering tests before you ever told him why you were there? I would find another doctor.
Another advantage in listening is that you find out who people are. When you listen you find out where they have been. You can also discover people’s mindsets and beliefs when you listen. We gain a wealth of information when we listen. Now that we have listened we now know what to prescribe them. Of course we prescribe the gospel. But, we are now better equipped to prescribe the gospel on a personal level. To those without fathers we can introduce the Father to the fatherless, to those who feel unloved we introduce the God of love, to those who are ashamed, we introduce the long suffering God of grace and mercy.
If they have been lied to and believe the lies of false doctrines we are better equipped to counter act the lies with the truth. And, we know the truth will set them free. Now, we also have leverage. We can say, “Now that I have attentively listened to you, give me your ear and let me share my side.” Once we have the opportunity to share our side our ears have now better equipped our mouths to share the very truth that can and will overcome the lies. Now that we have been quick to hear, and slow to speak, we are better equipped to speak.
Listening is a skill. It takes practice. We need to not only listen to their words but what’s behind the words. Don’t put words in their mouth but try to understand why they are saying the things that they are saying. What’s motivating their message that they are sharing. As we practice this skill we need to also to pray that God will give us ears to hear; spiritual ears that listen to the spirit leading from within. When we listen with spiritual ears we will then speak spiritual truths that penetrate the hardest of hearts. Rusty Kuhn
We might be in danger of coming across to the hearer as arrogant and boastful. We may present ourselves as uncaring and unloving. They might assume that we can care less of who they truly are and where they have been. We may present ourselves to them as boastfully believing that our argument is all that matters and what they have to say is unimportant and insignificant. They will then think that we simply want them to sit down, shut up, and listen.
The fact is our side, the side of the gospel, is the only side that matters. It is the only side that can save and transform. The fact also is that the gospel does, unashamedly, need to be spoken and communicated. But, often times, if not most times, we need to be silent for just a little while and listen. The bible tells us in James 1:19, “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak”
We don’t need to listen with the wheels in our head turning thinking of what we are going to say next-but truly listening. We need to be quick to hear, and slow to speak, even if the speaking is in our mind. How often have you heard an argument along this line? One arguer will say, “I think the wall needs to be painted pink and polka dotted.” Then the other arguer will say, “You are a fool. I think we should paint the wall with polka dots and pink.” Did they not just say the exact same thing? Of course they did. What then is the problem? They weren’t listening. Instead they were thinking of how they were going to counteract in their argument.
If people are going to listen to us, I mean truly listen to us, they are going to have to trust us. They will only trust us when they know that we care about them. If they don’t think we care, they’re not going to listen. We demonstrate that we truly care when we lend them an ear. When we listen, truly listen, to their hurts, heartaches, and hang-ups, we gain their trust. Now they know we care. What would you think of your doctor if he came into the room writing prescriptions and ordering tests before you ever told him why you were there? I would find another doctor.
Another advantage in listening is that you find out who people are. When you listen you find out where they have been. You can also discover people’s mindsets and beliefs when you listen. We gain a wealth of information when we listen. Now that we have listened we now know what to prescribe them. Of course we prescribe the gospel. But, we are now better equipped to prescribe the gospel on a personal level. To those without fathers we can introduce the Father to the fatherless, to those who feel unloved we introduce the God of love, to those who are ashamed, we introduce the long suffering God of grace and mercy.
If they have been lied to and believe the lies of false doctrines we are better equipped to counter act the lies with the truth. And, we know the truth will set them free. Now, we also have leverage. We can say, “Now that I have attentively listened to you, give me your ear and let me share my side.” Once we have the opportunity to share our side our ears have now better equipped our mouths to share the very truth that can and will overcome the lies. Now that we have been quick to hear, and slow to speak, we are better equipped to speak.
Listening is a skill. It takes practice. We need to not only listen to their words but what’s behind the words. Don’t put words in their mouth but try to understand why they are saying the things that they are saying. What’s motivating their message that they are sharing. As we practice this skill we need to also to pray that God will give us ears to hear; spiritual ears that listen to the spirit leading from within. When we listen with spiritual ears we will then speak spiritual truths that penetrate the hardest of hearts. Rusty Kuhn
July 29, 2014
Be Ready
In reality we don’t have to worry about finding opportunities to witness to people. Unless we are stuck in our houses lost people are all around us. They are our classmates, our coworkers, and our neighbors. We shop with them, go to the park with them, and sit beside them in the restaurant. They are our waitresses, our cashiers, or even our mechanics. They may be our bosses, or teachers, or our employees or students. Their children play with our children and they work beside us in the PTA or other community events. They are in our neighborhood watches, our volunteer fire departments, and are our community leaders. They may even be our golf, tennis, softball, or bowling buddies. In reality, we are surrounded by lost people on a daily basis.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Jesus said again in Matthew 9:37, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” The conclusion to these two sayings of Jesus is that there are a lot more lost people who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus in this world then those who do have a personal relationship with Jesus. Therefore, finding lost people to witness to is not a hard task. They are all around us and in abundance.
As we go about our tasks of daily life we simply need to be ready to proclaim the gospel when opportunities arise. Just as we are continually confronted with lost people we are continually confronted with opportunities to witness to those same lost people. As the waitress come to take your order tell her that you are going to pray giving thanks to God for your food and that you would like to pray for any needs she may have. You can then remind her that we can trust in Jesus because He loves us. We then can leave a gospel track with the tip reinforcing that witness.
You may be confronted with people who say they are having a hard time or are going through trials and difficulties. We can then remind them that, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). Or that Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). Or, we can remind them of one of my favorite scriptures where Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
We can turn any conversation around, regardless of whether we initiate it or not, to a witnessing opportunity. Again, we simply need to be ready. Paul said to Timothy in II Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.” In other words, be ready. I Peter 3:15 tells us, “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” Again, be ready. We need to always be ready for not if but when the opportunities that are abundantly before us on a daily basis arise to be a witness for Christ.
As we stand prepared in our state of readiness we need to also pray that God will open the doors of opportunity for us to walk through. This too should be a daily prayer if we are genuinely sincere in being a witness for Christ. Paul specifically requested prayer for doors of opportunity to be opened. He said in Colossians 4:3, “Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ.” Be warned though, if we are sincere in our heart in this prayer for open doors we better be ready because God will be faithful in answering this prayer by opening doors. Therefore, we need to be faithful to walk through them.
Trusting in God to open doors of opportunity does not at all mean that we sit idly by waiting for them to be dropped in our lap. Remember, Jesus told us to go. For that reason we should actively be on the hunt for these opportunities trusting that God will lead us to them and open the door for us to walk in. Every moment of every day we should intentionally seek for these opportunities. Once we find them, and we will, we need to be ready.
The lost are in abundance. The opportunities are endless. God will open the doors. When we look for them, we will find them. Therefore, we must be ready to be the witness God has called us to be. If we are not, the lost will remain lost and condemned to hell. If you’re not ready, why aren’t you? Get off the bench and get in the game. It’s your time for action. Rusty Kuhn
Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Jesus said again in Matthew 9:37, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” The conclusion to these two sayings of Jesus is that there are a lot more lost people who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus in this world then those who do have a personal relationship with Jesus. Therefore, finding lost people to witness to is not a hard task. They are all around us and in abundance.
As we go about our tasks of daily life we simply need to be ready to proclaim the gospel when opportunities arise. Just as we are continually confronted with lost people we are continually confronted with opportunities to witness to those same lost people. As the waitress come to take your order tell her that you are going to pray giving thanks to God for your food and that you would like to pray for any needs she may have. You can then remind her that we can trust in Jesus because He loves us. We then can leave a gospel track with the tip reinforcing that witness.
You may be confronted with people who say they are having a hard time or are going through trials and difficulties. We can then remind them that, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). Or that Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). Or, we can remind them of one of my favorite scriptures where Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
We can turn any conversation around, regardless of whether we initiate it or not, to a witnessing opportunity. Again, we simply need to be ready. Paul said to Timothy in II Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.” In other words, be ready. I Peter 3:15 tells us, “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” Again, be ready. We need to always be ready for not if but when the opportunities that are abundantly before us on a daily basis arise to be a witness for Christ.
As we stand prepared in our state of readiness we need to also pray that God will open the doors of opportunity for us to walk through. This too should be a daily prayer if we are genuinely sincere in being a witness for Christ. Paul specifically requested prayer for doors of opportunity to be opened. He said in Colossians 4:3, “Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ.” Be warned though, if we are sincere in our heart in this prayer for open doors we better be ready because God will be faithful in answering this prayer by opening doors. Therefore, we need to be faithful to walk through them.
Trusting in God to open doors of opportunity does not at all mean that we sit idly by waiting for them to be dropped in our lap. Remember, Jesus told us to go. For that reason we should actively be on the hunt for these opportunities trusting that God will lead us to them and open the door for us to walk in. Every moment of every day we should intentionally seek for these opportunities. Once we find them, and we will, we need to be ready.
The lost are in abundance. The opportunities are endless. God will open the doors. When we look for them, we will find them. Therefore, we must be ready to be the witness God has called us to be. If we are not, the lost will remain lost and condemned to hell. If you’re not ready, why aren’t you? Get off the bench and get in the game. It’s your time for action. Rusty Kuhn
July 28, 2014
Keep it Simple
Paul said in I Corinthians 2:4, “my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” Although Paul was an extraordinarily intelligent man and a well educated man, he did not come with a superiority of speech. He came with a simple message empowered by an almighty God. He said, “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (I Corinthians 2:2).
My uncle, who has gone on to be with the Lord, was a very intelligent man and knew his bible well. He was an active member of his church in south east Louisiana for many years. After his pastor of thirty plus years retired they called a young man fresh out of seminary as their pastor. After the pastor was there a few months I asked my uncle what he thought about his new pastor. My uncle’s response was, “I love him! I’m getting in great physical shape because of him.” I then asked, “How are you getting into physical shape?” he said, “Because I have to carry all my books to church now.” My only response was, “Huh?” He said, “Yes, I now have to bring my dictionary, thesaurus, and sometimes my encyclopedias just so I can understand what he is saying.” He was being facetious of course. However, if my uncle who has been a faithful church member all of his life and was one who knew his bible well was unable to understand all the deep theological language how can we except the unchurched and unregenerate to understand?
This was a lesson I had to learn the hard way as a church planter dealing with people who are totally unchurched. I honestly had no idea that I had a churchy language that was totally foreign to the unchurched world. For instance, terms as simple as “books of the bible” are foreign. They view the bible as one book. Another word is “invitation.” I once had an individual who accepted Christ into his heart and came to church for the first time to make his profession of faith public. I told him that he needed to come forward for the invitation. I thought I was very clear on the matter. However, he walked forward during the offering. It didn’t take me long to figure out that he had no idea what the invitation was.
When dealing with a lost and unchurched culture we need to be mindful of our language. Is it churchy? Is the message resonating? Do they understand the lingo? We don’t need to think of them or speak to them as though they are ignorant; they’re not. They just don’t know the church language just as we may not know other languages or sayings from other cultures.
We need to keep the message simple. If we are speaking words that are foreign to them we are of no value. In our former century one can hardly argue that Billy Graham has probably had more influence and impact on reaching the lost for Christ than any other individual. People also regularly say of Billy Graham that his messages were always simple enough where the smallest child could understand. To me, that is a great complement.
The gospel in and of itself is powerful. We don’t need to butter it up or sugar coat it. We need simply to share it in its simplicity. It is only our job to share. The power of the Holy Spirit will convict and draw the lost. When we try to share with our superiority of speech and our persuasive words of wisdom we only bring attention to ourselves. However, when we share the gospel in its simplicity with the focus on Christ and Him crucified we bring attention to the one who can save the most wretched of souls. Therefore, as we share the gospel with this lost world, let us determine to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. For, He is all that matters. Rusty Kuhn
My uncle, who has gone on to be with the Lord, was a very intelligent man and knew his bible well. He was an active member of his church in south east Louisiana for many years. After his pastor of thirty plus years retired they called a young man fresh out of seminary as their pastor. After the pastor was there a few months I asked my uncle what he thought about his new pastor. My uncle’s response was, “I love him! I’m getting in great physical shape because of him.” I then asked, “How are you getting into physical shape?” he said, “Because I have to carry all my books to church now.” My only response was, “Huh?” He said, “Yes, I now have to bring my dictionary, thesaurus, and sometimes my encyclopedias just so I can understand what he is saying.” He was being facetious of course. However, if my uncle who has been a faithful church member all of his life and was one who knew his bible well was unable to understand all the deep theological language how can we except the unchurched and unregenerate to understand?
This was a lesson I had to learn the hard way as a church planter dealing with people who are totally unchurched. I honestly had no idea that I had a churchy language that was totally foreign to the unchurched world. For instance, terms as simple as “books of the bible” are foreign. They view the bible as one book. Another word is “invitation.” I once had an individual who accepted Christ into his heart and came to church for the first time to make his profession of faith public. I told him that he needed to come forward for the invitation. I thought I was very clear on the matter. However, he walked forward during the offering. It didn’t take me long to figure out that he had no idea what the invitation was.
When dealing with a lost and unchurched culture we need to be mindful of our language. Is it churchy? Is the message resonating? Do they understand the lingo? We don’t need to think of them or speak to them as though they are ignorant; they’re not. They just don’t know the church language just as we may not know other languages or sayings from other cultures.
We need to keep the message simple. If we are speaking words that are foreign to them we are of no value. In our former century one can hardly argue that Billy Graham has probably had more influence and impact on reaching the lost for Christ than any other individual. People also regularly say of Billy Graham that his messages were always simple enough where the smallest child could understand. To me, that is a great complement.
The gospel in and of itself is powerful. We don’t need to butter it up or sugar coat it. We need simply to share it in its simplicity. It is only our job to share. The power of the Holy Spirit will convict and draw the lost. When we try to share with our superiority of speech and our persuasive words of wisdom we only bring attention to ourselves. However, when we share the gospel in its simplicity with the focus on Christ and Him crucified we bring attention to the one who can save the most wretched of souls. Therefore, as we share the gospel with this lost world, let us determine to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. For, He is all that matters. Rusty Kuhn
July 25, 2014
Be a Doer Not a Fusser
Clearly our current world is in utter chaos. Everywhere we look things are out of order. Almost every form of immorality is readily accepted in our world today while those who stand up for truth and righteousness are lambasted and ridiculed. This fear of being lambasted and ridiculed then leads many to cower down in silence or even switch sides joining the majority. Those who refuse to cower down and are willing to stand firm at all costs are often left at a loss as to what they are to do. Unfortunately, in our midst, I see a lot more fussers than doers.
I can often add myself to this list of fussers. After all, fussing is an easy task. We frustratedly watch the news and fuss. We get on social media and our blogs and fuss. We find time to fellowship with friends and family eating our meals or sipping our coffee and fuss. We assemble in town hall meetings or rallies and fuss. We even go to our churches to fussing. What has all this fussing accomplished? Other than making us angrier, more discouraged, and more frustrated, it hasn’t accomplished anything, nor is it going to accomplish anything.
We need to understand two simple principles. First, we are in a spiritual battle, not a political battle, a social battle, or even a moral battle, it is a spiritual battle. Second, since those who are in the majority are spiritually blinded fighting a political, social, or even a moral battle is an utter waste of time. We need to fight this spiritual battle with spiritual weapons.
Fussing is not a spiritual gift or a spiritual weapon. God hasn’t called us to be fussers; He has called us to be doers. James 1:22 says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” God has called every Christian into actions. As a Christian none action is none optional. If you are not being a doer of the word as a Christian in action you are deluding yourself and are a major part of the problem.
There is only one thing that has the power to transform darkness into light, wickedness into righteousness, and chaos into order. That one thing is not only a spiritual weapon but the greatest and most powerful spiritual weapon we have at our disposal. It has the power to transform lives, communities, societies, cultures, governments, and nations. This is a biblical and historical fact. This limitlessly powerful spiritual weapon is the gospel message of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Repetitively the bible calls Christians into action. Clearly the bible calls all Christians to share their faith. The only way this world will be transformed is through the gospel. Again, this is not only a biblical fact but a historical fact. Another fact is that the reason the world is in such chaos is due to the fact that so few Christians are standing firm and sharing the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ.
Imagine for a moment, every Christian in the world standing up and boldly sharing the gospel message of Jesus. Yes, there will be a major push back from the wicked. This is another biblical and historical fact. But, at the same time there will be a great spiritual awakening with the gospel penetrating the hearts of the hearers resulting in a mighty harvest of souls reaped for the kingdom.
You might be asking yourself, “I am an individual, what can I do?” You can have an impact on your church, and your community, your community and your church can then have an impact on your city, your city can have an impact on your county, your county can have an impact on your state, your state can have an impact on your nation, and your nation can have an impact upon the world.
That’s exactly what happened with the 120 that were in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. That small group eventually had an impact on the whole world. They had an impact because they were doers of the word. They obeyed the call Jesus gave them in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Again, this isn’t just a biblical fact, which is sufficient in and of itself, but this is a historical fact found in the historical record throughout church history of Christians being doers of the word.
Or you can continue in your state of fussing. The only problem with that is you will eventually have less and less people who will listen to you because there will be more and more cowering down or switching sides. And, the world will continue to get worse and worse because nothing is being done-except for fussing. Rusty Kuhn
I can often add myself to this list of fussers. After all, fussing is an easy task. We frustratedly watch the news and fuss. We get on social media and our blogs and fuss. We find time to fellowship with friends and family eating our meals or sipping our coffee and fuss. We assemble in town hall meetings or rallies and fuss. We even go to our churches to fussing. What has all this fussing accomplished? Other than making us angrier, more discouraged, and more frustrated, it hasn’t accomplished anything, nor is it going to accomplish anything.
We need to understand two simple principles. First, we are in a spiritual battle, not a political battle, a social battle, or even a moral battle, it is a spiritual battle. Second, since those who are in the majority are spiritually blinded fighting a political, social, or even a moral battle is an utter waste of time. We need to fight this spiritual battle with spiritual weapons.
Fussing is not a spiritual gift or a spiritual weapon. God hasn’t called us to be fussers; He has called us to be doers. James 1:22 says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” God has called every Christian into actions. As a Christian none action is none optional. If you are not being a doer of the word as a Christian in action you are deluding yourself and are a major part of the problem.
There is only one thing that has the power to transform darkness into light, wickedness into righteousness, and chaos into order. That one thing is not only a spiritual weapon but the greatest and most powerful spiritual weapon we have at our disposal. It has the power to transform lives, communities, societies, cultures, governments, and nations. This is a biblical and historical fact. This limitlessly powerful spiritual weapon is the gospel message of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Repetitively the bible calls Christians into action. Clearly the bible calls all Christians to share their faith. The only way this world will be transformed is through the gospel. Again, this is not only a biblical fact but a historical fact. Another fact is that the reason the world is in such chaos is due to the fact that so few Christians are standing firm and sharing the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ.
Imagine for a moment, every Christian in the world standing up and boldly sharing the gospel message of Jesus. Yes, there will be a major push back from the wicked. This is another biblical and historical fact. But, at the same time there will be a great spiritual awakening with the gospel penetrating the hearts of the hearers resulting in a mighty harvest of souls reaped for the kingdom.
You might be asking yourself, “I am an individual, what can I do?” You can have an impact on your church, and your community, your community and your church can then have an impact on your city, your city can have an impact on your county, your county can have an impact on your state, your state can have an impact on your nation, and your nation can have an impact upon the world.
That’s exactly what happened with the 120 that were in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. That small group eventually had an impact on the whole world. They had an impact because they were doers of the word. They obeyed the call Jesus gave them in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Again, this isn’t just a biblical fact, which is sufficient in and of itself, but this is a historical fact found in the historical record throughout church history of Christians being doers of the word.
Or you can continue in your state of fussing. The only problem with that is you will eventually have less and less people who will listen to you because there will be more and more cowering down or switching sides. And, the world will continue to get worse and worse because nothing is being done-except for fussing. Rusty Kuhn
July 24, 2014
A New Nature
As clearly as the bible teaches that the unregenerate person has a nature of wrath and is led by, lied to, and blinded by Satan, the bible teaches that once one repents and receives Christ he is a new creature in Christ; he has died to the old nature and come alive to Christ and is given a new nature. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Once the sinner has repented and given his life over to Christ he is transformed from a nature of wrath to a nature of God. His nature is transformed because his position has been changed from being a man of the world to a man of God. Formerly, according to Ephesians 2:2, he walked, “according to the course of this world.” But now that his position has been changed he is seated with Jesus in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6).
Due to our change of position a transformation has taken place in our spirit where we have received the Spirit of God within ourselves and our spirit has been lifted up into heaven residing with Christ. For this reason we are in Him and He is in us. I John 4:13 says, “By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” Since his position has changed he is never alone. The Holy Spirit is now at work in his life teaching him, leading him, and transforming him from glory to glory.
Ephesians 2:2 also tells us that he formerly walked in accordance to the, “prince of the power of the air.” Now he is in the hands of God as “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” He is no longer being influenced by Satan. He now is being led by God. Just as his position has changed, his allegiance has changed. Jesus is now his Lord. His allegiance is now to walk in the good works of God for the glory of God.
Just as he once was by nature a child of wrath, he is now a child of God. Since his nature has changed he is no longer a sinner. Romans 6:6-7 says, “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” This does not at all mean that the Christian cannot sin. As we see clearly in Romans 7 there is a constant battle between the flesh and the Spirit. What this means is that he is now freed from the hold and bondage sin had on his life. Sin no longer has power over him. God has power over him. He is now free. Therefore, he is to consider himself dead to sin and alive to Christ. (Romans 6:11).
Since he no longer has a nature of sin he has been declared as righteous. II Corinthians 5:21 says, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” This righteousness is not of his own accord but from his new position, his new allegiance, and his new nature that comes through his faith connection with Christ. Jesus made this possible on the cross through the shedding of His blood. He allows God to apply it to his life by his faith in Christ.
A child with a nature of wrath will live in that nature of wrath living in the lusts of his flesh and mind, therefore, living in sin. His nature has changed. Therefore, for him to live in sin is unnatural. The one who is a child of wrath will walk in accordance to the prince of the power of the air. His allegiance has changed. He now walks in accordance to God as Lord of his life. Anything else would be unnatural. His focus is no longer on the course of this world, for, he is now setting his mind on the things above. For him to be concerned with the affairs of the world would be unnatural. Rusty Kuhn
Once the sinner has repented and given his life over to Christ he is transformed from a nature of wrath to a nature of God. His nature is transformed because his position has been changed from being a man of the world to a man of God. Formerly, according to Ephesians 2:2, he walked, “according to the course of this world.” But now that his position has been changed he is seated with Jesus in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6).
Due to our change of position a transformation has taken place in our spirit where we have received the Spirit of God within ourselves and our spirit has been lifted up into heaven residing with Christ. For this reason we are in Him and He is in us. I John 4:13 says, “By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” Since his position has changed he is never alone. The Holy Spirit is now at work in his life teaching him, leading him, and transforming him from glory to glory.
Ephesians 2:2 also tells us that he formerly walked in accordance to the, “prince of the power of the air.” Now he is in the hands of God as “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” He is no longer being influenced by Satan. He now is being led by God. Just as his position has changed, his allegiance has changed. Jesus is now his Lord. His allegiance is now to walk in the good works of God for the glory of God.
Just as he once was by nature a child of wrath, he is now a child of God. Since his nature has changed he is no longer a sinner. Romans 6:6-7 says, “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” This does not at all mean that the Christian cannot sin. As we see clearly in Romans 7 there is a constant battle between the flesh and the Spirit. What this means is that he is now freed from the hold and bondage sin had on his life. Sin no longer has power over him. God has power over him. He is now free. Therefore, he is to consider himself dead to sin and alive to Christ. (Romans 6:11).
Since he no longer has a nature of sin he has been declared as righteous. II Corinthians 5:21 says, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” This righteousness is not of his own accord but from his new position, his new allegiance, and his new nature that comes through his faith connection with Christ. Jesus made this possible on the cross through the shedding of His blood. He allows God to apply it to his life by his faith in Christ.
A child with a nature of wrath will live in that nature of wrath living in the lusts of his flesh and mind, therefore, living in sin. His nature has changed. Therefore, for him to live in sin is unnatural. The one who is a child of wrath will walk in accordance to the prince of the power of the air. His allegiance has changed. He now walks in accordance to God as Lord of his life. Anything else would be unnatural. His focus is no longer on the course of this world, for, he is now setting his mind on the things above. For him to be concerned with the affairs of the world would be unnatural. Rusty Kuhn
July 23, 2014
The Right to Reject
As we take a look at the clear and consistent record of the preaching of the gospel we find in God’s word that some reject the gospels call to repent. They rejected Jesus. (John 1:11). There were obviously more than three thousand present on the day of Pentecost, therefore, many rejected Peter’s preaching. We also see multiple accounts of Paul’s preaching of the gospel rejected. Anyone who has spent any amount of time evangelizing will let you know that not everyone receives the gospel message.
This leads us to the question why. Why do they reject the gospel? There are four conclusions. First, God doesn’t intend for everyone to be saved. We have already debunked that foolish conclusion. (II Peter 3:9). Second, the Holy Spirit is not brining conviction. Third, we are not being persuasive in our preaching. Fourth, they have a free will and therefore have the freedom reject the gospel.
We should not assume that every time the gospel is preached that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction. If we are not prayerfully prepared and are not in right relationship with God His anointing will not bless our preaching. However, if we are prayerfully and spiritually prepared we should absolutely expect the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to even the hardest of hearts every time the gospel is proclaimed.
However, the sinner is fully capable of rejecting the Holy Spirit. Stephen, while preaching to the leaders who falsely accused him said, “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.” (Acts 7:51). Stephen just gave a very clear presentation of the gospel and they rejected it. He then closed his message by letting them know that they weren’t just rejecting his message but God’s and that they were rejecting the Holy Spirit Himself.
As far as our persuasion goes, I have heard gospel presentations that were so jumbled and confusing I didn’t have a clue what the speaker was trying to get across so how would a biblically illiterate person with a hardened heart and death ear understand. I have also seen, and experienced, times where God blessed the effort despite our hodgepodge of confusion that was presented. That being said, we should always present the gospel in a way that is clear, thorough, and methodical.
However, we shouldn’t assume that a clear, thorough, and methodical effort of persuading one to come to Christ will always motivate the sinner to repent. Acts 28:23-24 says, “When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.” Paul spent all night going through the scriptures trying to persuade the Jewish leaders concerning Jesus. Paul was an expert in the Old Testament. If anyone could give a clear, thorough, and methodical presentation, it was Paul. However, the bible records, “Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.” Some were saved, while others rejected.
What we find here is that a clear presentation of the gospel can be give that is anointed by the Holy Spirit while the Holy Spirit is convicting the heart of the hearer and they can still reject Jesus. Jesus, who was in perfect harmony with the Spirit, and a master teacher, directly called the rich young ruler to follow Him. Jesus said, “Come, follow Me.” (Mark 10:21). Unfortunately, the rich young ruler rejected Jesus. If they can reject Jesus, the certainly can reject us.
This then leads us to one conclusion; the sinner has a free will to choose or reject the grace of God. Even if there is a clear and persuasive presentation of the gospel that is working in direct unison of the Holy Spirit, both anointing the message and convicting the sinner, the sinner has the freedom to still say no and turn away from the grace that is offered. Although it is clearly God’s will for all to come to repentance, it is in direct contrast to the character of God to assume that He will force His grace upon anyone. The grace is for the whosoever will, but God wants them to come in their own will by their own choice. He will not force them or manipulate them. Neither should we.
That being said we should never proclaim the gospel doubting its power to save or the influence of the work of the Spirit. We should never doubt God’s ability to pierce the hardest of hearts. More than likely we will never preach to a crowd more hostile than Peter preached to on the day of Pentecost. We should proclaim the gospel with full expectation that every hearer will accept the message presented and be surprised if they do not. We are not responsible for who receives the message and who doesn’t; they are. We are only responsible as to whether or not we are going to proclaim the gospel message, prayerfully prepared, and in faith that the Spirit of God is working in the heart of the hearer. God has given us the message, now we are responsible to share it. Rusty Kuhn
This leads us to the question why. Why do they reject the gospel? There are four conclusions. First, God doesn’t intend for everyone to be saved. We have already debunked that foolish conclusion. (II Peter 3:9). Second, the Holy Spirit is not brining conviction. Third, we are not being persuasive in our preaching. Fourth, they have a free will and therefore have the freedom reject the gospel.
We should not assume that every time the gospel is preached that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction. If we are not prayerfully prepared and are not in right relationship with God His anointing will not bless our preaching. However, if we are prayerfully and spiritually prepared we should absolutely expect the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to even the hardest of hearts every time the gospel is proclaimed.
However, the sinner is fully capable of rejecting the Holy Spirit. Stephen, while preaching to the leaders who falsely accused him said, “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.” (Acts 7:51). Stephen just gave a very clear presentation of the gospel and they rejected it. He then closed his message by letting them know that they weren’t just rejecting his message but God’s and that they were rejecting the Holy Spirit Himself.
As far as our persuasion goes, I have heard gospel presentations that were so jumbled and confusing I didn’t have a clue what the speaker was trying to get across so how would a biblically illiterate person with a hardened heart and death ear understand. I have also seen, and experienced, times where God blessed the effort despite our hodgepodge of confusion that was presented. That being said, we should always present the gospel in a way that is clear, thorough, and methodical.
However, we shouldn’t assume that a clear, thorough, and methodical effort of persuading one to come to Christ will always motivate the sinner to repent. Acts 28:23-24 says, “When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.” Paul spent all night going through the scriptures trying to persuade the Jewish leaders concerning Jesus. Paul was an expert in the Old Testament. If anyone could give a clear, thorough, and methodical presentation, it was Paul. However, the bible records, “Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.” Some were saved, while others rejected.
What we find here is that a clear presentation of the gospel can be give that is anointed by the Holy Spirit while the Holy Spirit is convicting the heart of the hearer and they can still reject Jesus. Jesus, who was in perfect harmony with the Spirit, and a master teacher, directly called the rich young ruler to follow Him. Jesus said, “Come, follow Me.” (Mark 10:21). Unfortunately, the rich young ruler rejected Jesus. If they can reject Jesus, the certainly can reject us.
This then leads us to one conclusion; the sinner has a free will to choose or reject the grace of God. Even if there is a clear and persuasive presentation of the gospel that is working in direct unison of the Holy Spirit, both anointing the message and convicting the sinner, the sinner has the freedom to still say no and turn away from the grace that is offered. Although it is clearly God’s will for all to come to repentance, it is in direct contrast to the character of God to assume that He will force His grace upon anyone. The grace is for the whosoever will, but God wants them to come in their own will by their own choice. He will not force them or manipulate them. Neither should we.
That being said we should never proclaim the gospel doubting its power to save or the influence of the work of the Spirit. We should never doubt God’s ability to pierce the hardest of hearts. More than likely we will never preach to a crowd more hostile than Peter preached to on the day of Pentecost. We should proclaim the gospel with full expectation that every hearer will accept the message presented and be surprised if they do not. We are not responsible for who receives the message and who doesn’t; they are. We are only responsible as to whether or not we are going to proclaim the gospel message, prayerfully prepared, and in faith that the Spirit of God is working in the heart of the hearer. God has given us the message, now we are responsible to share it. Rusty Kuhn
