Letters to the Family of God

Dear Friends,

As promised, we continue to meet the need for evangelism training rooted in the scriptures. Letters are not the only way, but it is one way. Therefore, our prayer remains the same. May God in mercy be pleased to bless this endeavor. People are worth saving.

From our last letter, we learned God’s word says everyone who has or will be born knows that there is a God. His existence is known, for God has made this so. However, all of us have sought to suppress this truth by our wickedness (Romans 1:18-20).

The suppression of God’s truth may come from intellectual arguments, philosophical theories, scientific rationale, spirituality, or morality. No matter, General Revelation (G.R.) is a good and gracious gift from God to all people. Therefore, heart in, all people know enough about God to know they are guilty before Him. However, G.R. is not enough.

Specific Revelation

There is nothing about Christianity that is secret. Christianity rests safely on revelation. Therefore, no one would know the truth about God or be able to relate to Him personally if God had not taken the initiative to make Himself known; and God has.

He has made Himself known in His Son whom He has sent. He has made Himself known by the church He has established. He has made Himself known in the word He has given. And that word is what the theologians have referred to as Specific Revelation.

In Specific Revelation, we discover, from true history, a God who is gracious but firm on holiness. Yet also a God who will extend mercy to humanity and its fallenness; because this God sent His one true Son to die for the wicked.

There is more to be said on Specific Revelation. However, for now, these two main points will encourage and direct us in our desire to be more faithful and better-equipped evangelists.

God Supplies the Words

First, what we have to say to others is something God Himself specifically supplies. The transitional phrases, examples, and introductions in our conversations all belong to us, but the core message is given, from God to us to tell others.

This may seem like a very elementary thing, but I think we have all been in the position of “what do I say?” or “what do I say next?” when evangelizing. Personally, when I have said that, either I forgot something or needed to learn something from God’s word that would have helped.

At this point, I am keen to remember the words of Jesus to Peter and his brother Andrew.  Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). Our day-to-day following of Christ helps us to know Him. The more we know Him, the more we can talk about Him.

Consequently, evangelism is much more than a director saying to the actor, Just say your lines. But it’s not less. Your personality and winsomeness are very much a part of your fishing, but it’s God’s word that is the medicine.

God Supplies the Power

God used the Apostle Paul to spread the gospel and establish His church to almost every part of the Roman Empire in just 20 years. How did this happen? God supplied the power.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8a).

The same Holy Spirit lives in every genuine Christian. This is a beautiful reality for us to enjoy, rely on, rest in, and for the honor of Christ and the sake of our precious fellow human beings—fan into flame.

We have been given a specific message to tell. We have been given His specific power to tell it. Lean hard on these truths, God will never fail you.

This comes to you with all my love in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Joe