Presenting the Gospel- A Biblical Perspective!

When it comes to presenting Christ there are different words used in the Bible. Let me highlight some words for better understanding. For example, preaching, proclaiming, to bring good tidings, teaching, witnessing, persuading, and appealing. It is a systematic process where it requires a believer to present Christ in the accurate way and later invest significant time through regular follow up by helping the person to know the Savior, decide to repent from his/her sins and follow Christ. The methodology may differ but the process should inspire and lead a person to know Christ better.

Too often when giving people answers to their questions or solutions to their problems, there are also times where Christians give them something other than Jesus. If they have financial struggles, we given them budgeting plans. If they are working through relational discord, we teach them communication techniques. If they are struggling with doubt, we challenge them to believe. But we fail if we don’t give them Jesus in the right manner.

In some cases, we encourage them to read their Bibles or pray. However, if we don’t teach them to meet and know Jesus through their Bible reading and prayer, we are dangerously close to leading them away from Jesus through these very good things. This is the heart of idolatry- taking a good thing and making it a “god thing.”

Today in Christendom, commitment to Christ is translated with every gesture however meaningless it may be. Mob energy in a Christian worship program or mass gestures are captured and interpreted as having made decisions for Christ. In other cases, during a sermon in a public meeting or in a Church people raising hands to respond to the preacher is recorded as commitment to follow Christ, and then most commonly when people are asked to make a sinner’s prayer the same is considered as first time decisions. Though all of these can be considered as commitment to Christ, it is not completely true. The New Testament refers to the parable of the Sower as a long continuous process for a 100% yield. The Sower’s work is intense. Though all the immediate or short time methods do provide the opportunity to present Christ, repentance is a process that needs a proper follow up. You need somebody to plant/sow, an Apollos to water as stated in 1 Corinthians 3:6.  Today, everything is amplified and inflated to build one’s celebrity status. 

Now let me point out the commitment to Christ as recorded in the New Testament. We find it through repenting and turning away from sin, being baptized, following Christ, witnessing Jesus, proclaiming about Christ and with several other gestures too.

Repentance, often is associated with John the Baptist's ministry, involved a turning away from sin and a recognition of one's need for God's grace. Baptism, a symbolic washing in water, was seen as a public declaration of faith and a commitment to follow Jesus, often signifying a new life in Christ. Proclaiming the gospel, whether through direct preaching or through the witness of one's life, was a way to share the message of Jesus and invite others to believe.

1. Repentance:

John the Baptist:

John's ministry in the wilderness emphasized the need for repentance as a preparation for the coming Messiah. He baptized people, and they confessed their sins, demonstrating their willingness to turn away from their former ways.

Matthew 3:5-6: This passage records how "Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about the Jordan, went out to him, and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins,"illustrating a widespread response to John's call for repentance. 

2. Baptism: Acts of the Apostles:

The Book of Acts provides numerous examples of baptisms following conversion and the preaching of the gospel. 

Acts 2:38: This verse commands, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," linking baptism to repentance and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 10:48: This passage describes how Cornelius and his household, having received the Holy Spirit, were baptized "in the name of the Lord Jesus," demonstrating how baptism followed the receiving of the Spirit. 

Symbolic Significance:

Baptism is understood as a symbolic act, representing the believer's identification with Christ's death, resurrection and a public declaration of faith. 

3. Proclaiming the Gospel:

Witness and Testimony: Early Christians, like those described in Acts, shared their experiences of encountering Jesus and the power of the gospel through their words and actions.

Peter's Sermon on Pentecost (Acts 2): Peter's powerful sermon, which resulted in the baptism of 3,000 people, demonstrates how proclaiming the gospel, calling for repentance and baptism can lead to widespread commitment.

Philippians Jailer (Acts 16): The Philippian jailer's conversion and subsequent baptism after hearing Paul and Silas share the gospel, highlights the power of the gospel to transform lives and lead people to commit to Jesus.

Lydia and her household (Acts 16): Lydia's conversion and baptism demonstrate how the gospel could reach individuals and their households, resulting in widespread commitment to Jesus.

Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8): The conversion and baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch, after he had been taught about Jesus by Philip, show how the gospel can travel and impact individuals from different backgrounds.

It is high time we help the believers understand how he/she can present Jesus effectively and convincingly. Fortunately, it is not a singular act, we have the holy spirit who works in the heart of man. Every believer is still struggling to be a witness and present Christ in his/her area of influence. Christian celebrities are defining the results in the way they want by constantly presenting exorbitant, unrealistic numbers. Great Commission is a collaborative and a responsible act. Let us do it carefully.  I want to remind you of the GO Movement vision which says, “Everyone can reach someone, together we can reach the world.”

 

You may read the last blog  HERE

You can follow on Twitter

They even gave it a name: Nehushtan!

Worshiping the Lord is a reverential gesture of commitment, surrender and renewal but today the purpose seems to have changed. Even things that has a good purpose can become an idol. The bronze serpent lifted by Moses is a great example. It symbolized God's grace and mercy. Hundreds of years later Hezekiah had to destroy it because it was now being worshipped! They even gave it a name: Nehushtan! “He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made, for until then the Israelites were burning incense to it. It was called Nehushtan.” 2 Kings 18:4 CSB.

“Worship” these days is often more pagan than Christian. People relate to the worship bands and worship leader than God – the very object of worship. It is no longer about reverent obedience to the Sovereign God of Scripture, but about the pagan practice of conjuring up intense feelings for some man-made god or deity. An expectation is created that the more we surrender to the intense, manipulated emotions generated by some band, song, or trendy “worship leader,” the more God will be present. It has become the new idolatry, by equating manipulated feelings with God Himself. It is an addictive distraction from who God is, and how He wants to dwell among us and in us as the Sovereign Lord over all creation. The definition of true worship as stated in Romans 12:1 has become just inspirational thought than true surrender. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God”.

Worship has become big business, with mega churches striking mega recording deals … Unfortunately, it will continue to thrive. Jim Right states, “because just like the pagans, people still want a God who appeals to their carnality and is easy to manipulate.”.  If the worship is not transforming your heart creating a change from within, then you are disconnected. Churches and worship bands today try to invoke intense emotions then call it a true encounter with God. No doubt, true encounter with God will invoke intense emotions but if it is not associated with a clean and pure heart then it is a fleshy manipulation posing as “worship.”

When “church” and “worship” are about stirring up carnal feelings, God is not there. That thing you feel is not about God but more about you. Today, the Church buildings are monumental and expensive, pews upon pews of spectators seated, watching staged weekly performances are all worship band centric, showcasing their "gifting" and "ministry."  When Abraham took his son to worship, he meant sacrifice as worship “….the boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” Genesis 22:5. The first time the word worship is used in the Bible. Worship requires a sacrifice, giving up those tucked up desires or acknowledging those unintentional sins. Can we surrender to God and commit ourselves to use our discretion to stay away from anything that is so close, yet only a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5).

 

 

You may read the last blog  HERE 

You can follow on Twitter

Disclaimer -This is not me!

How often we are tempted to jump into a scene or into a situation to clarify and turn things towards our favor. Especially if it has to do with credit or benefits when it's meant for us but is given to someone else. With all means, directly or indirectly, we would want to intervene and ensure we get what we deserve. But let me flip the coin to the other side. What if the credit and glory belongs to someone else especially whom we know well and it isn't reaching that person? would we then take the same effort to ensure that person is not left out? Can we be honest here? If our answer is yes, then our attitude is definitely spiritual and commendable. 

There are times when we refuse to wholeheartedly accept others success, On the contrary we leave a careless or sometime deliberate tainted impression about the person who is worthy of honor in order just to feed our ego at the cost of devaluing their image. Sometimes we see it is done loudly but most of the time it's done subtly. The Bible says in Romans 12:7 "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep". It is often easy to sympathize and weep with those who weep but honestly it is not easy to rejoice with someone's success unless our hearts are filled with Christ love and we are conscious about it. In the same book, Romans 13:7 it says "Render to all what is due... honor to whom honor".

In the passage I have quoted we notice Peter heals a man lame from his mother's womb which creates a great sense of amazement and wonder in the people around there. Peter and others were perceived like God.  Peter immediately jumps in to clarify that it is not by him or his team but it was through the Lord Jesus. Acts 3:12 When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Fellow Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness"? 

This is unusual in the present world. People who have gift of healing and perform miracles are made celebrities of and rob the credit that belongs to God. They strive to create a better people bank and measure it by the fan club in the social media. Even in the day to day life we see this happening. Somewhere in the paraphernalia it's about us and about our accomplishment. Isaiah 42:8 God says "I am the Lord that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images". You cannot rob the glory of God. He says I am the Lord your God and there is none beside me (Isaiah 45:5). God keeps reiterating this consistently.

You don't have to exaggerate the facts to bring glory to God. He is definitely not interested in that. Exaggerated reporting in quality and quantity is a trend in Christendom. We have the lesson in the Bible for that too. When Mathew records the feeding of the five thousand he says, "Now those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. " Matthew 14:21 CSB . How do you think it would have been recorded today? The people of the present age would have taken a big guess and bring the number close to twenty thousand. Another incident where John records the large number of fish he caught with exact number. It says in John 21:11 "So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish — 153 of them...". If it has to happen in the present time, the number would be completely different probably with several zeros added. Let's be careful in how we earn glory for God and to us. Strive to give glory to God alone and allow God to rule. God is sovereign and when He isn’t allowed to rule - He overrules.

 

You may read the last blog  HERE

You can follow on Twitter

The Twisted Fact!

 

Signs and wonders are always fascinating and desirable. We introduce Jesus to the world by talking of the signs, wonders and miracles He performed. Sadly, we totally miss the point of why Jesus came into the world – for our salvation. We find it easier to convince people about Jesus explaining His miracle working power rather than the forgiveness of sins and salvation. We have not gone very far from what happened in the gospels. In the book of Matthew 14:35-36 it records, “After Jesus and his disciples arrived at Gennesaret, the people of the region recognized Jesus and brought their sick to him. They begged Jesus to let them touch the edge of his coat, and everyone who touched it was healed.”. People crowded around Jesus to touch the hem of His garment so they can get physiological healing.

In John 6:2 it is recorded, “A huge crowd was following him because they saw the signs that he was performing by healing the sick.” Quickly people were attracted and drawn closer to Jesus for physical healing and to witness miracles. In John 6:30 people ask, “what sign, then are you going to do so that we may believe you?” they asked what are you going to perform?”. They soon understood miracles and signs as performance and criterion for endorsing Jesus as God.  Signs and wonders were never meant to believe in Jesus as God and a way to salvation. They kept asking for more as healing was exciting and entertaining. Now why do I say entertaining? If you notice during Jesus’ trial, Herod was longing to see Jesus so that he may perform a sign. Luke 23:8 "When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him"

The signs Moses performed in the presence of Pharoah weren’t enough to convince him about Yahweh.  This is because the magicians were equally performing signs and wonders. Is it not the case even today? There are many non-Christians are performing magic, driving out demons and healing the sick. Hence, if you showcase miracles, signs and wonders, you are not doing anything extraordinary. When people’s need are met, they are gone.  The failure on our part is when we fail to talk about life transformation and the gift of salvation. People with the gift of healing, signs and wonders are celebrities abandoning the gospel.

Matthew 11:20 records, “Then he (Jesus) proceeded to denounce the towns where most of his miracles were done, because they did not repent.”. The key here is that many got healed and received benefits, but few transformed. Jesus denounced these towns where there was no repentance. The dire need of the Church today is to equip its believers to be a witness and share the gospel effectively. We hardly talk about repentance and forsaking of sins. Today’s church is about Jesus promising that all our problems will be solved so we can lead a comfortable and luxurious life. There are generations in churches who have not once shared the gospel. Church is all about fellowships, age-appropriate meetings, big offerings but never the sharing of the gospel. The only result is that Christian leaders become celebrities, but Jesus is nowhere to be found. 

Rightly in Jeremiah 8:20 Prophet laments these words, “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.”. If we are truly saved, then we cannot contain ourselves. We will be like Peter and John even while threatened they said, “for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20. We keep twisting the process, it is the other way around. It is first salvation and then follows signs and miracles. Mark 16:15-17 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe...”. Jesus asked us to preach the gospel, make disciples and baptize them to be saved. 

You may read the last blog  HERE

You can follow on Twitter

Ground Zero-Nameless Heroes!

 

The world is about recognition and acknowledgement and its sadly normal in Christendom. Profile management, designations and high levels of leadership positions are craved for or held onto dearly. This just doesn’t end here. With social media under our control, we ensure that our greatness is always projected, and our importance is never forgotten. We have twisted the sacred symbols of serving others and feet washing to broadcast our great acts of humility for everyone to see. We are depraved enough to merchandise our love and care.

We are more concerned of convincing people “look, I am one of the good ones… I care… I am doing my part.”.  It’s a psychological cushion and symbol of compliance. The tangible difference barely matters. Social acceptance and praise take precedence. If everything we do is for limelight and praise, then we have clearly forgotten the essence of the act in the first place. Jesus had to emphasize this so clearly by stating this, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”. Unfortunately, our desire is more for praise and appreciation here on earth than for a reward from our Father in heaven. People yearn to be celebrated as demigods and technology helps feed this urge to our own destruction. God have mercy!

If we read the Bible closely, it records many heroes who are nameless and let me bring them to your attention. Luke 9:49, “Master we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.”.  Jesus’ disciple John says this. This incident just mentions “We saw someone”. This nameless person received the teachings of Christ exercised his faith and gifting. Today among the chatter of praises of men, we will not dare to go unnoticed. I understand when you are working in an organization there are expectations that needs to be met, and hence accomplishments need to be documented and reported, but do we exaggerate? During the last supper Jesus talks about His betrayal, trial and death, for a moment an argument broke out as to who should be considered the greatest (Luke 22:34) and Jesus clarifies it in (22:27).

Let me also remind you of the man who offered his room for the last supper. Jesus said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” Matthew 26:18. Mark the word “a certain man”.Jesus did not flaunt about His connections. People did at His bidding and gave everything for Him. Like the person who gave the colt for Jesus’ triumphant entry Luke 19:33-34. Sometimes such incidents are misinterpreted to motivate people to keep giving but losing the essence of the bigger picture. 

Jesus qualifiers for greatness was servant leadership and humility. Matthew 25:21 says, “Well done, good and faithful servant! With Jesus our Master your only accolade will be as a servant, irrespective of your accolades you receive here on earth, and that’s the greatest accolade you can receive by far.

In Christian mission world today, you will notice many people in the mission field take risks to forward the gospel, some probably never recognized. These are the nameless heroes in ground zero who God is recognizing, not the ones who use people for convenience and take all the credit for what is happening. Let us understand that our identity is in Christ Jesus. The authenticity, transparency and faithfulness are the qualities that impress God. Proverbs 20:6, aptly states, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? 

 

You may read the last blog  HERE

You can follow on Twitter

Learnings from Warnings!

The initial few months of the new year are uplifting with Bible promises, prophesies for abundance, profits and wealth. What we try to keep in wraps are the warnings and cautions Jesus gave on some very critical issues. Jesus modeled that love and discipline go hand in hand, which was evident in His relationship with the disciples. They were showered with grace at the same time chastised to protect their souls and purpose of their mission on Earth. Some of the people groups were outrightly warned by Jesus. In Matthews chapter 23 He condemned the elite group of people who were filled with religiosity without God. His words were ‘woe to you’.

Today, Churches and leaders who teach and equip the believers don’t often pick these subjects to admonish and edify the congregation or flock. I am picking few of them for our edification and learnings. 

Matthew 23:23, ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law -justice, mercy, and faithfulness…’ The two categories of people whom Jesus warned - the Scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites. However, the warnings apply to all. Let me clarify my point in simple words.

Scribes are the ones who had knowledge of the law and could draft legal documents like contract for marriage, divorce, loans, inheritance, mortgages, sale of the land etc.

Pharisees were leaders of Jewish social movements and a school of thought in the Levant during the time of second temple Judaism. They are experts in Law.

Biblical explanation can be given based on these two contexts. The first context according to Paul’s letter to 2 Timothy 3:5 ‘holding to the form of godliness but denying its power…’. They do everything to show they are godly and spiritually elite, probably in many cases they don’t realise they have become one. Christians with righteous pretense are particular about tithing but outrightly neglect the matter of justice, mercy and faithfulness. They don’t have a problem giving offerings of all kinds and commit to the regular church activities but hardly exemplify justice, mercy and faithfulness. The cry of David in Psalms 12:1 is a reality. ‘Help Lord, for no faithful one remains; the loyal have disappeared from the human race.’. 

The second context of such people are the ones who continually pretend to be someone who they are not, like the ones described in Luke 20:20, ‘they watched closely and sent spies who pretended to be righteous…’. Impersonating who they are not, they wanted to impress others of their spiritual belief system to be seen as superior. Jesus condemns these people who are very legalistic and religious in all their approaches but full of greed and self-indulgence. ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.’  Matthew 23:25

Greed of all forms are generated in the human heart, and it is usually about self and what they want. Greed for money, wealth, possessions and self-pleasure in any form are common spectacles today. We have got used to living with the ‘Christian’ brand without true transformation in life. Repentance is completely missing. People have learned to justify, smother their guilt and are remorseless. 

The third context, ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of the bones of the dead and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.’. Matthew 23:27-28. Do you see the pattern of human wretchedness in this chapter? Righteous outside, dead and stinking inside like the tombs. People are busy maintaining a godly stature outside but live in filth and lawlessness within. A church visit, being part of Christian programs are more of duty and obligation. Institutions continue to thrive at the cost of people’s soul without a true sense of remorse and repentance. 

I have the privilege of engaging with believers and leaders from around the globe and I am surprised to see a pattern that looks so Christian but miserable in their lifestyle in several cases. No wonder Jesus exclaimed ‘nevertheless when the son of man comes will he find the faith on earth’ Luke 18:8. True repentance is accompanied with godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) and intentionally willing to change their ways. It is all about relationship with the Savior and making Him to be the Lord of our lives. Can we be conscious to live our life with purity and clarity this new year.

 

You may read the last blog  HERE

You can follow on Twitter

What are you accountable for?

Let’s take time to retrospect some questions which are crucial for you and me to answer. They are as given below:

For Pastors & Church Leadership team:

• What are you accountable for? Define what that means to you?
•  What keeps you in check to be accountable?
•  What are your Church members accountable for? 
•  What are the areas you are holding them accountable as a pastor? (A serious question)

For Church Members:

·      What excites you about Church?

·      How would you like to define your Christian experience?

·      What do you think you are accountable for? 

·      How have you responded to Christ’s Mission call?

·      How many people you have led to Christ in your entire lifetime?

Answering the above questions will give you a perspective of the purpose for your existence.

For many, Christian life is a feel-good factor of going to Church regularly, having fellowship with believers and participate in random activities. If this is the Christian life we are used to, then we are to be pitied. Our understanding has totally ruined our existence as a child of God and believer of God. We are mere “Christians” in religious connotation as misled since Constantine’s period until now. Most of the believers meet week after week as walking spiritual zombies with no life and accountability.

The Gospels emphasize three broad areas we need to be accountable as Christians. They are as given below:

1.        Proving to His disciples that He had indeed risen from the dead — the foundation of the new faith. 

2.        Helping His disciples understand the “big picture” — the kingdom, and

3.        Entrusting to His disciples the Great Commission — the “mission of the church.”

 

The definition of Christians in Acts 11:25, “… the disciples were first called Christians”, tells us that it was the disciple makers who were called as Christians. Today, we have disconnected the disciple makers and Christians into separate entities. However, the Bible emphasizes the priority of these two by mentioning the word ‘disciple’ for 260 times and word ‘Christian’ for only three times in the New Testament.

John the Baptist who was the voice in the wilderness preparing the way for Jesus, himself had the struggle to comprehend if Jesus was the Messiah. John’s misunderstanding had an impact on his disciples.  Mark 2:18 - 'Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees, were fasting. People came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the Pharisees’ disciples fast, but your disciples do not fast?”. They fasted when the Messiah was already among them. With all of John’s knowledge and experience with Jesus, he still made an error in discipling. 

We too are like John’s disciples, “I fast twice in a week, and pay tithes regularly.” Luke 18:12. The schedules take precedence to having a relationship with Jesus. Jesus Himself gives a view on this, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast. But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.” Mark 2:19-20. It was these very rituals which blinded the people to see the Messiah right before them, to the point that the synagogue wanted Jesus to be a passive member.

The word of God holds us accountable right form Genesis. Let’s analyze some questions raised by God:

First Question - Where are you? Gen 3:9

When man was not in the right place, God’s voice looked for him and held him accountable. You are not that independent that you can live devoid of God. 

Second Question - Where is your brother?  Gen 4:9

Posed to Cain when his brother Abel was missing. God held him accountable for his brother. Similarly, each of us are accountable for our brothers, referring to our blood relationship. Remember when the demon possessed from Gerasenes was restored, God commanded him to go the family and to his own people and report what the Lord has done for him, Mark 5:19. The mission starts from your home. 

Third Question - Where are the nine? Luke 17:17

The example of 10 lepers. When only one out of the nine returned to thank Jesus, He did not just express His surprise but held him accountable for the nine who did not return with him.

Dear pastors this is for you. The Bible holds you accountable for the flocks entrusted to you.

Fourth Question - Where is the flock entrusted to you?  Jeremiah 13:20

You are not responsible to fence your flock so much so that they don’t yield nothing except that your church treasury is taken care. Don’t fence so much that they lose Christ’s mission forever. Here is what William Mcknight former CEO of 3M stated concerning the people. “If you put fences around people, you get sheep.”.

We all are accountable to carry out the purpose of Christ coming to this earth. Luke 18:10 “For the son of man has come to seek and to save the lost.”. Are you doing the same or are you yet to align your accountability to God? It’s time to retrospect.

You may read the last blog  HERE

You can follow on Twitter