Sorry, no pictures right now. Our lives have been so super busy that even a camera can't catch us in action! Among the many projects that have our attention is a program called FAITH. FAITH is a Sunday school evangelism program that CR and I have participated in for the last two semesters. We talked about sitting out this semester since it is planting time and live always gets hectic during this season. Last Spring when we were partners in FAITH we were late or had to miss many of the times. However, my heart was settled with not doing FAITH this go round. I decided to sign up with the youth who meet on Sunday afternoons instead of Tuesday evenings. CR did not want to have any part of the youth. Another month passed and his heart was heavy; he decided that the Lord was pursuing him to put himself into the uncomfortable position of doing FAITH with the youth group. Sunday was our first night to go visit. Let's just say that our hearts were filled to our content.
FAITH, like I said, is an outreach connected with Sunday school. Teams of 3 go out and visit individuals whose names have come up on prayer lists, are new in town, have visited the church, or were recommended by a member of the church. Each semester, about 90 people end up committing their lives to Christ and making a profession of faith. The following is a glimpse at the outline we use when we visit someone who informs us that they are not Christians, don't go to church, or have never heard about God:
First we ask them a simple, non-threatening question: In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes a person to go to Heaven and have eternal life? We let them answer. Many times we get "Do good things, be a nice person" or "I really don't know". Then we ask if we can share with them what the Bible says.
The Bible uses the word FAITH to explain how a person can have eternal life. FAITH.
F is for forgiveness. Everyone has sinned and needs God's forgiveness. In Romans 3:23 it says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." God's forgiveness is in Jesus only. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7.
A is for available. God's forgiveness is available for everyone. "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 God's forgiveness is available, but it is not automatic. "Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter into the kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 7:21
I is for impossible. It is impossible for us to get to Heaven on our own. "It is by grace you have been saved, through Faith; it is a gift from God, not by works, so that no man can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
T is for turn. Repent is the word that the Bible uses for turn. When you change direction, you turn. You must turn away from your own sin and self and turn to God. "Unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:3. You turn to God. "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." And the greatest news of all is that you can be saved. "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For with a mouth one confesses resulting in righteousness and with the heart one believes resulting in salvation." Romans 10:9-10
H is for heaven. Heaven is a place that Christians will live with God forever. "If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will return and receive you to myself." John 14:3
Eternal life begins now with Jesus. "I have come so that you may have life and have it in abundance." That means He wants us to have a little bit of Heaven here on Earth.
H can also stand for how. How can a person receive Heaven and eternal life? By accepting Jesus as their saviour and Lord.
Understanding what we have discussed and seen in the Bible, is there any reason you would not want to pray with me and receive Christ right now?
It is a scary thing. At first I did not like it, but remembered that we are called to be fishers of men. This is our duty as Christians. Not really a choice. However, I choose to obey and fish. It is extremely rewarding. And now that I am doing it with the youth, I see many of my students from school participating and some on our visits. This holds all of us accountable of what we do and say at church compared to school. Thank you Lord for Calallen and the relationships I am building through your grace and appointments.
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