January 22 Lifestyle Evangelism Mark 16:15-16
SNOW, SNOW, SNOW… 3.5 INCHES AT MY HOUSE
ANNOUNCEMENT: Baptist Tabernacle Church will be 100 years old, in 2022. A grand celebration is planned for May 22, 2022, to commemorate the first service as an organized church body! Special information, recognitions, God’s Word, and a catered meal will be a part of the celebration. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the festivities.
***Due to the rise in COVID19 related illnesses, we are strongly encouraging the use of Masks, within the sanctuary, and to continue to observe “Social Distancing.” Together, with a faithful reliance on God, we will overcome this present challenge!!***
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “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.” (Mark 16:15-16)
The idea of evangelism has always been terrifying to me. Going up to someone and interrupting their day to tell them about Jesus, no matter how real and good I know him to be, has never been comfortable for me. But you can’t read Scripture and avoid, God’s command to share the gospel. You can’t read through the New Testament and discount the reality that the disciples gave themselves entirely—to the point of death—that the world might come to know Jesus. In verses like Mark 16:15-16 couldn’t be clearer. Jesus commands us, “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.” Evangelism is meant to be a part of our normal lives. It’s not just for the few. It’s not just for pastors or the deacons or Sunday School teachers or the intensely extroverted and outgoing…It’s for you and me!! When I examine my own heart, I discover that my fears related to evangelism are entirely selfish. In fact, I don’t know if I could do something more selfish than hold back the one hope for the world just to protect my own image. Listen, even as a preacher, I still have the human emotional “Shy Natured” thoughts that conflict with my responsibilities and my calling! Do you understand what Jesus is making crystal clear in Mark 16:16? He has said that those who don’t believe in Him will be condemned. It’s like I know the cure for COVID19 and rather than sacrificing my image to love others by sharing the cure, I just let everyone continue to suffer. In examining my own heart, I realize that the way to engage in evangelism isn’t fixing myself; it’s getting over myself. Is my image really so important that it’s worth condemnation for another? Are the opinions of others, really so important to me, that I would withhold from them eternal, abundant life with a God who loves them relentlessly and perfectly? I am made to share God’s light. I have been commissioned by my King to go out and share his heart. It’s time that we obey God’s command in Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Sure, people might think I’m weird, strange, or twisted. In, reality, folks probably think that already! Sure; it might be a little awkward. But God is after the hearts of his creation, and he’s called me to help. May we be those who set aside our pride, seek humility, and love others whatever the cost. May we be so bold as to set our eyes on heaven and sacrifice this life for the sake of eternity. And may the world change around us as we humbly and courageously proclaim the goodness of our heavenly Father. Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!