“Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord . . . .”
Leviticus 19:18
When moving a family in need takes you to the Master bedroom.
We
work with students at my church. There are some housing projects around the
corner and a student started coming to church from there. He is 13 and the
oldest of 6 children. His mom and dad were both unemployed at the time and being
kicked out of their unit because the city is in the process of taking the
buildings down to create luxury town homes. All the other local housing was
filled already so they had to move about 30 minutes away but had no way to
transport their belongings. Wasn’t sure how I could help but I thought about
seeing if a U-Haul company, given the situation, would lend us a truck so we
could help them move. I called the company and they agreed. When I went to pick
it up they didn’t have any record of the conversation I had with them and
weren’t going to let me have it. I knew the family at this point needed to be
out of the house so I decided to pay for it myself. I arrived to the housing
unit and they were floored. It was about 8p.m. and right there we began packing
that truck with all of their stuff. (not exactly packed, but more like lots of
loose items in bags :-). The neighbors looked at us like there was something
wrong with us being there (2 white guys :) but the dad kept introducing us to
them as their friends. We then took the drive to their new location. Me,
the son and the dad arrived in the truck at the house with the rest of the
family waiting. We then simply unloaded the truck and finished close to
midnight. Then the remarkable thing happened. I found myself sitting on the edge
of the master bed, with both parents and all 6 kids lying, sitting, and running
around us. Nothing but smiles and laughter. They were so thankful but I was
equally thankful that God had led me to this moment. They had let me
“in”.
A bridge had been built, a new relationship formed with an incredible family.
I’ll never forget it.
“Lord,
cause me to stop at your promptings, look, see, listen and then act.
Use me Lord. May your
agenda for me trump my agenda for myself. Amen”
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THE PHILOSOPHY OF CONTEMPORARY EVANGELISM BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteTHE MODERN EVANGELIST'S PHILOSOPHY IS ROOTED IN THE SAYING "PEOPLE DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE."
The apostle Peter preach the first gospel sermon on the Day of Pentecost 33A.D.. Did the three thousand converts shut up their ears until they knew how much Peter cared?
Peter preached Jesus as a miracle worker. (Acts 2:22)
Peter preached Jesus crucified and put to death. (Acts 2:23)
Peter preached Jesus resurrected from the grave. (Acts 2:24)
Peter preached Jesus ascended into heaven. (Acts 2:33-34)
Peter told the three thousand that they had crucified Jesus. (Acts 2:36) Is that when the three thousand understood how much Peter cared and started to believe his preaching?
What was their reaction? (Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles. "Men and brethren, what shall we Do?)(NKJV) Were they cut to the heart because they realized how much Peter cared or were they cut to the heart because the apostle Peter was preaching the gospel truth?
What was Peter's answer? (Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus for there mission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.) (NKJV)
Peter preached the complete gospel on the Day of Pentecost. FAITH John 3:16 CONFESSION Romans 10:9 REPENTANCE AND WATER BAPTISM Acts 2:38.
Simply showing how much you care is not TANMOUNT TO PREACHING THE GOSPEL TRUTH.
Men who preach men are saved if they sincerely believe a lie are showing they care, but they are not preaching a gospel that saves.
Men who preach you can have your sins forgiven without being baptized in water, care, however, that preaching cannot save anyone.
Men who preach salvation apart from believing in Jesus, care, but that preaching cannot save anyone.
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