Quote:
Originally Posted by Praxeas
Signs and Wonders never saved anyone and if they had an influence would be useless if there was nobody around to WITNESS those signs and wonders.
That is why people use "gimmicks" to attract attention
Paul used a gimmick when he used the specter of an idol dedicated to the Unknown god of the Pagans. He got their attention, then preached Christ.
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Ok Prax, have it your way. Keep your gimmicks and your tricks, shows and entertainment. Let me know how many lives are truly changed and transformed using those methods. Sure it gets them in the doors, and they get to hear the gospel message. Yet I wonder how many souls truly become sold out to Jesus, experiencing the death, burial and resurrection message of the gospel coming to them this way.
May I show you a better way?
A life completely transformed, committed, and surrendered to the Lord begins to witness to every person he/she meets, on the street, at the grocery store, in the bank, doctor's office and hospital, begins sharing the love of Jesus, spreading the love and hope of the gospel everywhere they go.
This was the way of the apostles. They spread the gospel everywhere they went, on every street corner, to every soul that would listen, and it got them thrown into jail. It got them beaten. It had some of them hiding in a locked house fearing for their lives. It got them shipwrecked and homeless. It wasn't a popular message they preached. But, their ministry turned the world upside down! They didn't use giveaways, (remember Peter said... silver and gold have I none...)... they just brought Jesus to the people.
I truly believe that each one of us were we to truly begin to minister using the apostle's examples, that the greatest revival would break out in our country, without the need for gimmicks, shows and entertainment. We don't need counterfeit gospels, we need souls who have surrendered and sold out completely to Jesus, and then we WILL see revival, the kind of revival that the NT church had.
My soul hungers, and desires for that Prax. That is the kind of true revival I am seeking, and longing for. And I am spending time on my knees asking the Lord to direct my path everywhere I go, to every person I meet, that HE would minister through me, and that I would be HIS vessel. This is the gospel message I love, and want to see in action!
Recently the Lord began dealing with me about a hobby that is very near and dear to my heart. I have such a collection that it boggles my mind to come into the room and look at it. The Lord recently asked me if I was willing to surrender my all to Him. Of course, I said yes.
Then, He asked me if I was willing to give up my hobby. I hesitated. I have thousands of dollars invested in it. Why in the world would he want me to give this up? Yet, now every time I pray, I know that is exactly what HE is asking me to do. Why? I don't know. I don't even have any interest in that hobby anymore. It is all collecting dust. The one thing that draws me now more than anything is HIM and just spending time with Him, and reading the word, and sharing Jesus with everyone I meet.
Yet, I have begun to obey the Lord in this. My hobby is not a sin, and it has brought many wonderful people into my life. But now, I must get rid of it! That hurts.
But, you see, I am willing Prax. I am willing to give up whatever the Lord asks me for whatever reason He does, because I am trusting Him that He has a greater plan and purpose for it all, than what I can see.
I don't want gimmicks, shows, entertainment, and counterfeit things. I want the gospel, the death, the burial, and the resurrection life. If I want to share in his resurrection power, then I must surrender all that He asks of me. I am willing to do that. The gospel is worth any surrender on my part.
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