I really appreciated this post, “Pastors: Don’t Forget to Evangelize Your Church.” Read it, it’s brief and to the point.
I’m just going to testify to this truth, and to encourage pastors to do just that. I really like this quote of his, “The job of a pastor is to get people who think they are saved to actually be saved.”
Amen to that! I’ve been saved for a long time, but I still need pastors around to remind me to actually “be saved.” The simplicity and beauty of the gospel never gets old and I don’t hear it in church nearly as often as I would like.
Are you a Nyet? I live here in the land of “nones,” those who often mark “none” on surveys about religious affiliation. There’s a great unchurched church here, both inside the church and out. Nyet is simply a pet name for “not yet.” It’s really all just a matter of semantics, but I know a guy who doesn’t even believe in the “unsaved,” he just believes in the Not Yets. The Nyets. Love that optimism.
People in the church can be touchy, prideful, defensive sometimes, but here’s the deal, as we grow in faith the idea of, “Lord, I never knew you,” should actually become one we welcome, one of sheer delight, of excitement, of discovery. Like, yayy, so now we’re going to just take this relationship to a whole new level! There is joy there, adventure, growth. Life and life abundant.
We absolutely need to be evangelizing our churches because often the person who needs the Lord the most, is going to be sitting in the pew right next to you.
See, there's this thing called biology... 
Absolutely my dear friend in Jesus! 👍🎉😇
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Amen! 🙂
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He makes an excellent point with which I agree completely. I can promise that almost anytime I teach, and anytime I am blessed to speak to the congregation, that somewhere the message of the Gospel will appear.
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Awesome,Wally! There was a gal in front of a store a while back passing out the Gospel of John and she just said, “do you know you have Savior?” Soon we were hugging and cheering and carrying on. It was a fun moment, just tired in the midst of errands, and then poof, there was the “good news that brings great joy.”
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That’s a sweet story, IB. Given what you have said about your town it must have been quite a joy, too
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Thank you! 🙂
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You’re very welcome 🌷😎
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The Gospel is the heart of Christianity. Without it there is only condemnation. The law shows us our sins. The Gospel show our Savior, we need both. I totally agree that it all starts at home. Without the truth of God’s love, preached to his people we can’t expect to make it known to others.
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Ha! That’s great. I’ve been trying to get “Bible-believing” evangelicals saved for years. LOL! I think it’s a good heart indicator if we get offended when the Gospel is preached. We might be wanting to think about where we’re at with our life in Christ.
I think the problem is, traditionally, a gospel has been preached that doesn’t go far enough. We’re good at appealing to people’s fear and guilt, so they answer an altar call. They come to church to assuage their guilt and need for punishment, so they sign up for everything and serve everywhere…for awhile. But then, as soon as their sense of guilt is relieved, they settle in to a nominal, boring life in Christ like most everyone else. I have a pastor friend who says you can tell who’s been part of the church for a long time. They don’t do anything. LOL!
But, seriously, a life in Christ is just that…a growing relationship. And, ironically, the deeper we go with Jesus, the more tender and gracious, and the less legalistic and judgmental we get. Because we’re not held by fear and guilt but by love. And this love fuels greater passion, not boredom. That would be another indicator where our heart is.
Btw, I loved this….
“I know a guy who doesn’t even believe in the “unsaved,” he just believes in the Not Yets. The Nyets. Love that optimism.”
Me. too!
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Amen, Mel! We sure can get all dusty and rusty in the church! I had a woman once call me a “benign Christian” and she meant it as a compliment, as a good thing! It was very convicting, my mind went immediately to a benign tumor, a meaningless clump of cells that really serves no purpose and poses no threat. Oh ouch! Kind of funny, that day there were some kids trying to do cartwheels in the sanctuary and people were all offended, but the Lord was like, “Nope, that’s actually the heart you should all have.” Well,maybe not literally because we’d all break a hip, but something in our spirits should be doing cartwheels. 🙂
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The only concern for a Pastor is to proclaim forgiveness to sinners – saints and lost alike. We constantly need to hear this Good News! Jesus died for our sins. I’m forgiven!
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Amen! 🙂
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Well I would *hope* one would hear it proclaimed, often and loudly. The Gospel isn’t for the unsaved, it is for *sinners*
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I’m constantly surprised at my church how many people think they were saved get saved from hearing GOd’s Word. I say Amen to your post!
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So often true. Being saved means having Christ within – being a new creature. A Christian should be taught to judge himself on whether or not he is bearing any fruit of the Spirit, which one can expect if he is attached to the Vine. No change in action or being, doing or desire. Is there a desire to be like Christ, a hunger to know more about Him, a joy to know his sins are forgiven?
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