Atheist’s Case for Christian Evangelism

Mark 16:14-16 (ESV) Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

How Should We Then Work by Jonathan Dobson

I have always preached that we should all do an excellent job in order to honor our employers, the very leaders that God has placed in charged over us, in order to show Him all the glory and be a witness to how good Jesus Christ really is.

I know that many people (including myself) have been called into full time ministry.  At the moment, however, God is still preparing, enabling and teaching us.  Many of us are not in seminaries and bible college but working as salt in the earth (Matthew 5:13) in different jobs.

I know that some of us have a really tough time keeping our “eyes on the prize” (so to speak) and our work in some way is suffering.

If you are transitioning from secular to full time ministry, my plead to you is to finish strong!

I know Paul mentions the following verses as far as finishing in ministry.  I think it does apply to our situation:

2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV) As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Keep a clear mind. (1 Peter 1:13)

Endure suffering. (Hebrews 10:36)

Do the work of an evangelist. (Mark 16:15)

Fulfill the ministry that God has given you at this very moment.

Then you can say:

2 Timothy 4:6-7 (ESV) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

How Should We Then Work by Jonathan Dobson © 2008 TheResurgence.com

Get Better at Contextualization

Seriously, I had to look this sucker up on the Internet.

con⋅tex⋅tu⋅al⋅ize [kuhn-teks-choo-uh-lahyz] –verb (used with object)

to put (a linguistic element, an action, etc.) in a context, esp. one that is characteristic or appropriate, as for purposes of study.

Okay. That is awesome (not really).  That tells me a little bit.

But this is the quote from the article that hits it home for me:

“Many Christian leaders and Christians would frown on using a Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall for a church building because their conception of church is so narrowly conceived. Since my first day in Austin, I began praying that God would give us the abandoned male strip joint called La Bare for our church.” - Jonathan Dodson

I used to have a real problem with having a wedding in a Catholic church.  (Seriously, do you guys even read the Epistle to the Romans… ever heard of Habakkuk 2:4… but I digress.)  I can’t get over their history and all of the things they have done in the name of my God.

But if the following is true:

Romans 3:23 (ESV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

then are we Evangelicals any better?  Better question, am I any better?  Certainly not.  I venture to say far, far worse.

It would matter where we held worship at?  Mormon ward?  Catholic cathedral? Abandoned slaughterhouse? Old warehouse which is used as a dance club on the weekends? (Cue club music and glow sticks.)

No.  So long as Jesus Christ is glorified, the gospel is preached, we worship the holy name of the Lord Almighty and the presence of God is there, then that is all that matters.

Ezekiel 48:17 (ESV) … And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.

ht: Get Better at Contextualization by Jonathan Dodson © Mars Hill Church Website: TheResurgence