The Cost of Conversion

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Yeshua the Messiah whom You have sent.” John 17:3 (with corrections) Know – “For just another $29,000, we anticipate 100,000 decisions for Christ,”  the voice on the phone enthusiastically proclaimed.  Let’s see.  If I do the math quickly, that’s about…

A Family Affair

Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven. Acts 2:5 Devout – Peter addressed the crowd and 3000 were added to the messianic community that day.  Who were these people?  The popular version suggests that these were non-believers, but that isn’t what Luke tells us, nor is it what…

Back to Basics

and my word and my preaching was not in moving words of human wisdom, but in proof of the Spirit and of power.  1 Corinthians 2:4 Proof – “That was a great sermon, preacher.  It moved me.”  Yes, that’s what we want when we go to church.  We want moving oratory.  We want inspired eloquence…

Effective Inefficiency

to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling 1 Corinthians 1:2 Saints – When it comes to mass marketing, God doesn’t seem to know much about getting the message out.  If the fate of the human race really depends on knowing the…

Selling the Gospel

17 Going, then, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  Matthew 28:19 Disciple – So, we clarified a few things.  First, evangelism happens.  It is the by-product of walking the life with God, of “going” down the road.  Secondly, Jesus calls us to disciple…

Choosing An Apprentice

Going, then, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  Matthew 28:19 Disciple – What’s the difference between making a disciple and teaching?  Not much, if you subscribe to the usual patterns of religion these days.  We tend to think that making disciples is just…

Osmosis Evangelism

Going, then, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  Matthew 28:19 Going – The Evangelical world has enshrined this verse as Jesus’ Great Commission.  Over and over, we hear these words as a command to spread the good news.  So, we mount our campaigns,…