Monthly Archives: April 2010

Pray For…Egypt

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Pray For…Egypt

Stats
•Population – 78,866,635
•Percentage of Evangelicals – 2.5%
•Total Number of People Groups – 28
•Number of Unreached People Groups – 28
•Language Spoken – Arabic (official), English and French
•Major Religion – Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%
•Human Development Rank – 123
•Persecution Index – 20

Egyptian civilization has existed for thousands of years. This land is home to wonders like the pyramids, the Sphinx, and hidden tombs of pharaohs past. After the time of Christ, Egypt was predominantly Christian until the mid-seventh century when the Muslims converted most of the people to Islam. One group, Coptic Christians, resisted conversion. In 1952 Egypt became an autonomous country. Egypt has the largest population in the Arab world and continues growing at a rapid pace. With a growing population and limited resources, there are many Egyptians that live in poverty. Almost 14 million live on less than US$1/day. In addition, Christians are under the threat of persecution daily. The country’s constitution gives preference to Muslims, and Christians are treated as second-class citizens being denied political representation and discriminated against in employment. Converting to Christianity is not illegal in Egypt, but some Muslims convert and trust in Christ are imprisoned for ‘despising Islam’ or ‘inciting intercommunal strife’. (sources: CIA World Factbook, IMB Global Research, Voice of the Martyrs, Operation World, and UN World Food Programme)

•Pray for God to sustain believers in Egypt as they face varying degrees of persecution.
•Ask God to provide for the millions in need for His name’s sake.
•Pray for the church in Egypt to be strengthened in God’s Word.
•Pray the gospel to be spread to all the 28 peoples in Egypt, all of which are considered unreached.

Making Commitments Public

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I’ve been thinking a lot about public commitments. Ecclesiastes tells us it is better to not make a vow than to make it and not keep it. Commitments should be serious but does this mean we shouldn’t make them?

I don’t think so. Baptism is a public commitment to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Marriage vows are a commitment to be faithful to your spouse. “I press on towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” was one commitment that the Apostle Paul made.

Players are asked to make a commitment to be a part of a team. Employees are asked to make a commitment to their companies. Sometimes they sign non-competing clauses that commit themselves to not go to work for a competitor.

In March I asked our church body to make the following commitment:

I/we by God’s grace commit to make a matter of regular prayer (at least for the remainder of this calendar year) that God would bring laborers to join us in the ministry of Springs of Grace and that God would, in His mercy and sovereign wisdom, use me/us to bring at least one other family/individual over the next 9 months in whatever way the Lord might choose; and that I will, by the grace of God, seek to demonstrate the distinctly Christian mercy of God through acts of love and risks of faith in hope that the people of this city might come to treasure Jesus Christ above all.

Here is the link to the message preached on that day –



I have been praying daily for the twenty or so people that publicly made that commitment. I am encouraged to see what God will do through the faithful prayers and commitments of a few.

I hope many in our church body made that commitment without sharing that with me. I know some of you did because I hear you praying and I see you demonstrating distinctly Christian mercy for the glory of God!

Is it essential that a commitment like this be made public? No. A public commitment can lead itself to pretense and externalism – the very things the Lord abhors and we speak against from His Word so often. God is most interested in our hearts.

Perhaps the reason you didn’t make your commitment public is to avoid a public display of holiness that finds its reward in being seen by men only. Jesus warns against praying, fasting or giving to be seen by men in the Sermon on the Mount.

To make a commitment publicly may promote spiritual pride rather than the humility the Lord gives grace to.

These are valid concerns. So why did Jesus get baptized publicly and why are we commanded to do so? Why are marriage vows generally made publicly and not just in our own hearts before the Lord? Why do Peter and John say publicly “we must obey God rather than men.”?

I don’t know all of the reasons. I’m still pondering! :) but let me mention a couple of valid benefits to public commitments.

1) Christianity is intended to be leaved out in a community of believers. The Bible is replete with references to “one another”. Our commitments or failure to make commitments will effect those around us in the church. We are a body and we don’t function in isolation.

2) There is an added seriousness to a commitment that I make publicly. It acknowledges to the Lord and those around me that I have given value to this decision, counted the cost and said, “It’s right before the Lord to do this.”

3) Pride is rooted in self-centeredness and a low view of God. If the reason I don’t make a commitment publicly is about me then that may promote more pride in my heart. If the reason you make a commitment publicly is to encourage the faithfulness of your brothers and sisters in the Lord or is an acknowledgment of your need for God’s help in keeping this commitment then that may well reflect honest humility that values God above all else.

4) There is a value in others praying with you and for you – even in commitments to pray. I am so thankful that the Lord is praying for me to keep my commitments to Him.

Seven Characteristics of Highly Evangelistic Christians.

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Seven Characteristics of Highly Evangelistic Christians.
Posted By: Thom Rainer

For over twenty years I have been researching and studying churches, primarily those in North America. I had the joy of serving as senior pastor in four churches where God blessed with evangelistic growth. I have written over twenty books about the church in America.

I am not giving you my credentials to impress you, but simply to share that my life’s passion has been leading and learning about evangelistic churches. At this point in my life and ministry, however, I realize that I have not given sufficient attention to one of the primary characteristics of evangelistic churches.

The Great Omission

It is so obvious. Indeed it is so clear that I am surprised at my neglect of this factor. Stated simply, the evangelistic churches that I have researched for the past twenty years have one or more highly evangelistic Christians.

I know. The previous statement is no great revelation. It is almost stating the obvious. But, if it is reality, why are we not hearing more about these Christians who seem to have a passion for evangelism? Why are we not doing a better job of telling their stories?

In this short article I hope to address this great omission.

Seven Characteristics

It is inevitable that, when we do research on evangelistic churches, we learn about one or more members in the church who, to use the book title by Charles H. Spurgeon, embody the traits of “The Soul Winner.” Oftentimes one of those members is the pastor. But we have also seen many laypersons who are themselves soul winners.

In our interviews with these people, or with those who tell us about the soul winners, we began to discern some clear patterns. We called those patterns “the seven characteristics of highly evangelistic Christians.”

1. They are people of prayer. They realize that only God can convict and convert, and they are totally dependent upon Him in prayer. Most of the highly evangelistic Christians spend at least an hour in prayer each day.

2. They have a theology that compels them to evangelize. They believe in the urgency of the gospel message. They believe that Christ is the only way of salvation. They believe that anyone without Christ is doomed for a literal hell.

3. They are people who spend time in the Word. The more time they spend in the Bible, the more likely they are to see the lostness of humanity and the love of God in Christ to save those who are lost.

4. They are compassionate people. Their hearts break for those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They have learned to love the world by becoming more like Christ who has the greatest love for the world.

5. They love the communities where God has placed them. They are immersed in the culture because they desire for the light of Christ to shine through them in their communities.

6. They are intentional about evangelism. They pray for opportunities to share the gospel. They look for those opportunities. And they see many so-called casual encounters as appointments set by God.

7. They are accountable to someone for their evangelistic activities. They know that many good activities can replace Great Commission activities if they are not careful. Good can replace the best. So they make certain that someone holds them accountable each week, either formally or informally, for their evangelistic efforts.

The “Secret” of Evangelistic Churches

The secret is really no secret at all. Ultimately, evangelistic churches see more persons become Christians through the passionate efforts of highly evangelistic Christians. More than any programs. More than any church events. More than anything else, we are the instruments God has chosen to use.

Sometimes we ask the question “What is my church doing to become more evangelistic?” But the better question is “What am I doing to become more evangelistic?”

Charles H. Spurgeon was right. We need more soul winners.

We need more highly evangelistic Christians.

Greatest Barrier to our children becoming worshippers of Jesus

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The greatest stumbling block for children in worship is that their parents do not cherish the hour. Children can feel the difference between duty and delight. Therefore, the first and most important job of a parent is to fall in love with the worship of God. You can’t impart what you don’t possess.

Want to Glorify God? Dig for as Much Treasure as You Can

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Thomas Watson, Body of Divinity, pp. 13-14:

We glorify God by working out our own salvation. God has twisted together His glory and our good. We glorify him by promoting our own salvation. It is a glory to God to have multitudes of converts; now, his design of free grace takes, and God has the glory of his mercy; so that, while we are endeavoring our salvation, we are honoring God.

What an encouragement is this to the service of God, to think while I am hearing and praying, I am glorifying God; while I am furthering my own glory in heaven, I am increasing God’s glory.
Would it not be an encouragement to a subject, to hear his prince say to him, you will honor and please me very much, if you will go to yonder mine of gold, and dig as much gold for yourself as you can carry away?

So, for God to say, Go to the ordinances, get as much grace as you can, dig out as much salvation as you can; and the more happiness you have, the more I shall count myself glorified.

Pray For…The Lobi of Cote d’Ivoire

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The Lobi of Cote d’Ivoire

Stats
•Population of the Lobi – 218,158
•Percentage of Evangelicals – 0.35%
•Language Spoken – Lobi
•Major Religion – Ethnic Religions
•Human Development Rank of Cote d’Ivoire – 163
•Persecution Index – N/A

Cote d’Ivoire gained its independence from France in 1960 and thrived becoming one of the most prosperous countries of the West African states. But near the end of the twentieth century, Cote d’Ivoire experienced a military coup that has resulted in a continual state of government instability. This instability has led to Cote d’Ivoire being one of the poorest countries in the world. The Lobi people are one of 84 people groups in Cote d’Ivoire. The Lobi people stretch over three countries, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana with over 200 thousand residing in Cote d’Ivoire. Lobis mainly are animistic in their beliefs centering their worship on deceased ancestors and objects of nature. There are very few Lobis who have heard the gospel and even fewer who have trusted in Christ. There are currently portions of the Bible translated in the Lobi language, but the full translation of both Testaments has not been completed. Physical poverty and limited exposure to the gospel combine for a great need for prayer.

•Cote d’Ivoire is one of the 20 poorest countries in the world. Pray for God to provide in a mighty way for the people of Cote d’Ivoire.
•Pray that the gospel is heard and seen by the more than 218 thousand Lobis.
•Pray for the translation of the whole Bible into a language that the Lobis can read and understand.
•Ask God to build up His church among the Lobi in Cote d’Ivoire to be a beacon of the gospel for His name’s sake.

Pray for Columbia

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Columbia

Stats
•Population – 43,677,372
•Percentage of Evangelicals – 4.7%
•Total Number of People Groups – 105
•Number of Unreached People Groups – 86
•Language Spoken – Spanish
•Major Religion – Roman Catholic (90%)
•Human Development Rank – 80
•Persecution Index – N/A

In 1830, Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador being the other two. Colombia enjoys an abundance of natural resources along with good soil and climate that benefit agriculture. Colombia produces half the world’s emeralds and the world’s second largest producer of coffee. However, Colombia is also home to a huge illegal drug trade. This drug trade fosters violence and addiction. Rebel groups have also plagued Colombia the past few decades but have been on the decline in recent years. Poverty is widespread with almost 50% of the population under the poverty line. In all of this, God has been working in the hearts of Colombians. Roman Catholicism is the major religion and has been since the Spanish colonized the area. But many people are coming to faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and the evangelical church is growing. There is, however, many people in Colombia who do not know the gospel of Christ. Approximately 86 out of the 105 people groups are considered unreached with 69 of those people groups having no known gospel witness among them. There is great reason to praise God for His work in Colombia, and there is still great need for His hand. (Source: CIA World Factbook, Operation World, Window on the World, IMB Global Research Department, UN Human Development Index)

•Pray for Christian government leaders to lead with grace and wisdom while honoring Christ in their positions.
•Pray for God to bring peace to those affected by violence and other results that come from these actions.
•Ask God to strengthen them in His Word for the sake of His glory in Colombia and the world.
•Pray for the almost 620,000 people who live in unreached people groups that they would hear the gospel and trust in Christ.

Important truths as we hear Jesus’ call to wholehearted devotion

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We must not compare ourselves with one another… Comparison is the basis of pride. We must reject legalism and externals as the measure of our Christianity. Jesus’ life is our standard. Jesus said, “You follow Me!”

We must not despair or grow discouraged as we hear the Lord’s high call to radical commitment and devotion…Jesus’ presence through the Holy Spirit is our hope. Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans.”

We must not be indifferent to what Jesus says… As a follower of Christ – indifference to His words are not an option. Jesus’ words are our authority. Jesus said, “Take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

We must avoid laziness in applying what Jesus says… (to think I don’t want to deal with these things – lots of churches aren’t and I don’t have to either – I can find easier paths to live out my Christian life, or I will deal with this later – this is too hard and too much and too often – reflects a laziness we must avoid) – This battle for radical devotion – this fight against materialism and this passion for social justice and care for the children and the needy and the poor and a faith that impacts the way we live is worth fighting for and wrestling for and running after. Jesus’ glory is worth it. We want to experience His glory and we want the poor and the needy and those who don’t know Jesus to experience His glory. Jesus said, “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. “