God's words are powerful - Hebrews 4 says that His Word is living and active. God's Word provides a light to our path, He illuminates our footsteps. His words are totally reliable and unchanging. Paul writes in 1st Corinthians 4:
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
God is calling is not to be arrogant or boastful, talking about our own accomplishments, but pointing to the accomplishment of Christ through us. The proclamation of the Word of God is powerful, and when His truth is injected into a situation, or into a human heart, there is the possibility of change. His words bring hope, His words can radically transform the life of an individual and alter the direction of a culture. We can never underestimate the power of the Word of God!
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Paul had a keen understanding about the power of the gospel, and he writes in Philippians 1:
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;
14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
He then shifts to discuss the motives for people preaching Christ and concludes...
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
The gospel is true...and powerful.
On this 14th anniversary of the horrific attacks on America on September 11, 2001, it is totally appropriate to remember the thousands who lost their lives that day in New York City, Washington, DC, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The acts of that day reminded us that there is a very real threat to our national security, and as we have seen in the years following, a real threat to our world in the form of radical Islam.
Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda were the principal threats then. Now, the world is observing as the madmen of ISIS are wreaking havoc in various parts of the Middle East and are intent on spreading their brutal philosophy and acts around the world.
Entire countries are being torn apart by those associated with this movement, and we now see another crisis, a huge humanitarian crisis, which has resulted from its spread and the rise of radical Islamic leadership in various areas.
Thousands are fleeing the persecution in parts of the Middle East and are landing in various European countries. And, there is a church in Germany is seeing that this is an opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission. according to the Express website.
The story states:
This story can really help us to think about the power of the gospel. Yes, there may be those who have "availed" themselves of an association with Christianity for the purpose of asylum. But, while you can't see into their hearts, you can admit that there is a chance that God is working in them. His Word is being preached and a response is being elicited. And, as people expose themselves to the presence of God, you can trust that He will do a mighty work in their hearts.
I think of two passages of Scripture - in Luke 9, when the disciples came to Jesus up in arms about people casting out demons in His name, He basically told them to back off, saying, "he who is not against us is on our side." In Philippians 1, Paul discussed those who preached Christ for improper motives - He said that the motive was not as important as the message - Christ was being preached. The preaching and presence of Jesus can change lives!
I also think back on my conversation with Dr. Joe Savage of the University of Mobile the other day about this migration crisis. The face of Europe is changing, and people who practice the Muslim faith are coming to these countries. Joe pointed out that this gives a tremendous ministry opportunity, and the discussion can also cause us to think about people God brings across our paths. The exposure to the gospel brings the potential for change. As the character Hank, played by Sean Astin in the movie, Woodlawn, proclaims, in addressing the spiritual shift on a football team in the midst of racial tumultuous Birmingham in the 1970's, "this is what happens when God shows up." We can be challenged to check out if God is showing up in our lives, if we are yielded to Him so that He can be seen through us.
By the way, speaking of Woodlawn, I want you to go to the website, ThisIsOurTime.com. It features filmmaker Jon Erwin laying out a strategy for using entertainment media to reach the world with the gospel. It's a powerful, compelling presentation, and it can give hope for reaching the world. He speaks of reaching "critical mass," and says that 3 million Christians doing the same thing at the same time can change the world.
With respect to movies, that's what seems to be happening with War Room, tons of Christians went to see it over the last two weeks, and now the group who has not seen it may be drawn in for fear of missing out. I would think that would be a sizable number of non-believers, who are going to see it simply because they see a lot of people are going. Their motives might not be what you would call "pure," but they are being exposed to God's truth, and where His truth is being proclaimed, there is the chance for life change. That's the vision for Woodlawn, as well. It's exciting to see God's work through the cinema.
On this 14th anniversary of the horrific attacks on America on September 11, 2001, it is totally appropriate to remember the thousands who lost their lives that day in New York City, Washington, DC, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The acts of that day reminded us that there is a very real threat to our national security, and as we have seen in the years following, a real threat to our world in the form of radical Islam.
Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda were the principal threats then. Now, the world is observing as the madmen of ISIS are wreaking havoc in various parts of the Middle East and are intent on spreading their brutal philosophy and acts around the world.
Entire countries are being torn apart by those associated with this movement, and we now see another crisis, a huge humanitarian crisis, which has resulted from its spread and the rise of radical Islamic leadership in various areas.
Thousands are fleeing the persecution in parts of the Middle East and are landing in various European countries. And, there is a church in Germany is seeing that this is an opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission. according to the Express website.
The story states:
The migrants - who are predominantly Iranian and Afghani - have swapped their faiths at the Trinity Church in Berlin.
It boosts their chances of being granted asylum in Germany as they can claim they would be persecuted if they were sent back to their countries - where conversion to Christianity by a Muslim could be punished by death.Even though there is criticism that people are coming into the church just for the purpose of seeking asylum, Pastor Gottfried Martens says he is "unfazed." He said that only around 10 per cent of converts do not return to church after their "Christening," as the article puts it. The pastor is quoted as saying, "I know there are - again and again - people coming here because they have some kind of hope regarding their asylum," adding, "I am inviting them to join us because I know that whoever comes here will not be left unchanged." The Christian Post reports the membership of the church has increased from 150 to 600.
This story can really help us to think about the power of the gospel. Yes, there may be those who have "availed" themselves of an association with Christianity for the purpose of asylum. But, while you can't see into their hearts, you can admit that there is a chance that God is working in them. His Word is being preached and a response is being elicited. And, as people expose themselves to the presence of God, you can trust that He will do a mighty work in their hearts.
I think of two passages of Scripture - in Luke 9, when the disciples came to Jesus up in arms about people casting out demons in His name, He basically told them to back off, saying, "he who is not against us is on our side." In Philippians 1, Paul discussed those who preached Christ for improper motives - He said that the motive was not as important as the message - Christ was being preached. The preaching and presence of Jesus can change lives!
I also think back on my conversation with Dr. Joe Savage of the University of Mobile the other day about this migration crisis. The face of Europe is changing, and people who practice the Muslim faith are coming to these countries. Joe pointed out that this gives a tremendous ministry opportunity, and the discussion can also cause us to think about people God brings across our paths. The exposure to the gospel brings the potential for change. As the character Hank, played by Sean Astin in the movie, Woodlawn, proclaims, in addressing the spiritual shift on a football team in the midst of racial tumultuous Birmingham in the 1970's, "this is what happens when God shows up." We can be challenged to check out if God is showing up in our lives, if we are yielded to Him so that He can be seen through us.
By the way, speaking of Woodlawn, I want you to go to the website, ThisIsOurTime.com. It features filmmaker Jon Erwin laying out a strategy for using entertainment media to reach the world with the gospel. It's a powerful, compelling presentation, and it can give hope for reaching the world. He speaks of reaching "critical mass," and says that 3 million Christians doing the same thing at the same time can change the world.
With respect to movies, that's what seems to be happening with War Room, tons of Christians went to see it over the last two weeks, and now the group who has not seen it may be drawn in for fear of missing out. I would think that would be a sizable number of non-believers, who are going to see it simply because they see a lot of people are going. Their motives might not be what you would call "pure," but they are being exposed to God's truth, and where His truth is being proclaimed, there is the chance for life change. That's the vision for Woodlawn, as well. It's exciting to see God's work through the cinema.
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