The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 42
Oct. 25, 2009
What's so great about...
Personal Evangelism?
Today we begin a series of lessons with Jerry Tallman concerning personal evangelism. They will continue tonight and each evening through Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. My hope is that each one of us will make every effort to be here. By your presence you will not only have the opportunity to learn how to better share the good news of Jesus, but you will encourage others who also want to learn. In keeping with our question, “What’s so great?” let’s ask: “What’s so great about personal evangelism?”
Evangelism is great...because of its scope. It is great, not because it is a mere program, nor because it is a pet project, but rather because it is all about people—and eternity! It is a vision that encompasses the salvation of the eternal souls of people throughout the whole world! (Matt. 28:19)
It is great...because of its scheme. Evangelism is sharing—either to multitudes or, even more often, person-to-person. It is sharing the wonderful story of love and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. It should be something that just spreads naturally. I like the description someone used of “one beggar telling another where to find bread.”
It is great...because of its source. Evangelism was commanded by Jesus, the source of “all power in heaven and on earth.” (Matt. 28:18-20)
-Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
We welcome all who have chosen to visit with us today! You are our special guests. If you have a question, just note it on your visitor’s card and we will be happy to get with you at your convenience. God bless, and come again!
Welcome to Bryan and Chandra Runions who placed their membership with us last Sunday. The Runions have a son Houston. Also, David and Darlene Bounds, along with Darlene’s mother, June Gettings, have decided to serve with us! We welcome these new additions to the Champions family!
Today’s the day we have been looking forward to! Jerry Tallman begins our evangelism seminar. This evening, after our services, we will have time for food, fellowship and an opportunity to get to know Jerry. Please bring finger foods and drinks.
Saturday evening there will be hotdogs and our “Trunk or Treat” from 5-7 p.m. Questions? Contact the Killough’s.
Next Sunday, Encore will be with us. This choral group from Brentwood Christian in Austin, directed by Missy Weaver, will sing following our potluck lunch. Please bring extra food to share with our guests.
Parting Thought: The way out of trouble is never as easy as the way in!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Jeremy's Junction
Psalm 119:105
(New International Version)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
I love the song. It is beautiful. I love this message that is simple. Some of you may have noticed when you walked into my office that I have a lot of lighthouses. I love lighthouses. I don't really know how this got started but I have always like lighthouses. If you are like me then you probably can appreciate how neat they are. If you are someone on a boat who is lost at sea, then you will understand the relieving feeling you would get if you saw the beacon from a lighthouse. You were lost. You were going to die. Yet now, you are found. You see the light, and you follow it safely to shore.
It is a fairly simple illustration. God's word is our lighthouse. We live in a dark world where sin abounds. It is easy to loose our way. However, if we cling to God's word, we will see that it like a "lamp unto our feet" and a "light unto our path." God's word is our lighthouse. Never stop following it.
A “Youth Section” bookcase has been set up in the church library. Donations of good books would be greatly appreciated. Please see me if you have questions or book donations.
—Jeremy Geurin
John's Jogs
Why Do We Have Such Difficulty Taking Jesus To Others?
Most of us know the “Great Commission” and can quote it by heart. “Go into all the world and make disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have told you.” Most of us realize that this command is just as applicable to us as it was to the early Christians.
Anyone who has been in the church for any length of time has heard the plan of salvation (believe Jesus is God’s Son (Acts 8:12), repent (Lk. 13:3), confess Jesus (Acts 8:37), be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
Perhaps there is less knowledge about Acts 8:4. “As they were scattered, they went everywhere preaching the gospel.” The gist of this is that as the early Christians were scattered by persecution, wherever they went they went preaching the gospel. Cannot that same principle fall on us that as we go – wherever we go should we not take the gospel (The Good News of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection) with us and tell it to others.
Now to some degree all of us who have been Christians for any length of time are familiar with the above information. So why do we have such difficulty in carrying out the Commission? I believe it’s the fact that when we leave the church building and other Christians that we have difficulty in talking about Jesus, even saying the word, Jesus, to outsiders. I remember my own struggle with this as a young man. It took a couple years of diligent effort to overcome this problem. We can talk about the weather, baseball, football, the economy, etc. with almost everyone. But to start a conversation about Jesus is just plain out of our comfort zone.
I'm convinced that if we can overcome this reluctance to talk conversationally about Jesus, more of us will be able to easily move on to teaching others about what it takes to accept and live for Him. You are encouraged to take a good look at your timidity about talking about Jesus and determine that you are going to overcome this problem.
Jerry Tallman is an outstanding successful soul winner. Again you are encouraged to attend each of his six sessions with anticipated listening and a commitment to improve your own ability to win souls for Jesus. Then with complete dedication read his book “GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN” to apply those lessons in reaching out to others. God’s Biblical Plan is for each of us to our respective ability to reach out and touch the lives of those with whom we encounter with the message of Jesus the Christ. As We go – Go telling others about Jesus!
—John Qualls