Know Your Belovedness

                       KNOW YOUR BELOVEDNESS 

            In his book Searching for God Knows What, Donald Miller shares a story of how he helped a friend whose alcoholism was destroying his life: “Last year, I pulled a friend out of his closet. His marriage was falling apart because of his inability to stop drinking. This man is a kind and brilliant human being, touched with many gifts from God but addicted to alcohol and being taken down in the fight. He was suicidal, we thought, and the kids had been sent away.

            We sat together on his back deck and talked for hours, deep into the night. I didn’t think he was going to make it. I worried about him as I boarded my flight back to Portland, and he checked himself into rehab. Two months later, he picked me up from the same airport, having gone several weeks without a drink. As he told me the story of the beginnings of his painful recovery process, he said a single incident was giving him the strength to continue.

            His Father had flown in to attend a recovery meeting with him, and in the meeting, my friend had to confess all his issues and weaknesses. When he finished, his Father stood up to address the group. He looked at his son and said, “I have never loved my son as much as I do at this moment. I love him. I want all of you to know I love him.” My friend said that at that moment, for the first time in his life, he could believe that God loved him, too. If  God, his Father, and his wife all loved him, he believed that he could fight the addiction, and he might make it through.”[1] A father’s unconditional love changed an alcoholic son for good. 

            If an earthly father could love his alcoholic son that much, how much more could our heavenly Father love us? No matter what you are going through today, God is here to tell you He loves you so much and delights in you as his dearly beloved son or daughter. Do you Know Your Belovedness? That was what the Apostle Paul was writing in Ephesians 4:32-5:1-2

            The Apostle Paul affirms our new identity and purpose in Ephesians 5:1-2, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

              “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (NASB). If we were to imitate God as his beloved children, we need to know who our God is and what our Belovedness is. Let’s explore these aspects of father-son/ daughter relationships.

I. God is Love.

            What is your view of God? How do you approach Him? Your view of God and how you approach Him deeply affects your relationship with Him. Some approach God as the ruler, master, and judge of the world. Someone who is up there waiting to punish our wrongdoings and reward our good works. If that is how we approach God, our relationship with Him is no different from that with a police officer who writes a ticket, a teacher who grades our papers, or a judge who rules a verdict. In the world, many approach God with fear.

            The scriptures show us a different God than we have imagined or told. The Apostle John, also known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” gives one of the most profound and all-encompassing definitions of who God is. I John 4:15-16, “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

 

The essence of God is love. For our study, we refer to the Greek word Agape to describe God’s love, which is selfless love. All the attributes of God are summed up in this one word: Love. All that God is Love and all that He does is motivated out of love, including his justice and punishment of sinners. God is not full of love, but He Himself is Love.

We do not know what true love is without knowing God. This is how God shows his love for his people. God loves his people with an everlasting love. Exodus 20:6, “But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.” In Jeremiah 31:3, “Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.”

            God Loves his people unconditionally. You don’t have to be a good person. By the way, none of us deserve God’s love, yet He loves us unconditionally. God’s expression of His unconditional love is found throughout the Bible. No matter how bad we have become, God never stops loving us. While we were yet sinners, God loved us unconditionally.

            Romans 5:6-8, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person, someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

            When Jesus came into the world, the Jews rejected Him. John 1:12, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” That was what the Apostle Paul called the Ephesian believers, “beloved children.”

II. Know Your Belovedness.

            Unlike many other religions, Christianity believes in a God who created the universe and made humanity in His own image so that He could love and have a relationship with them. The biblical authors affectionately describe that relationship as a “father, son/daughter” relationship. Approximately 18.3 million children across America live without a father in the home, comprising about 1 in 4 children. Many do not know that God loves them.

          If you grew up in such a home, it would be hard to understand when I say God is your loving Father and you are his beloved son and daughter. Or perhaps you may have grown up in a two-parent home yet may have difficulty knowing you are dearly loved by God.

            Here are a few scriptures that help you understand how much God loves and delights in you. I John 3:1-3, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! Relish in the fact that we are God’s beloved children.

             Here is how God tenderly expresses his fatherly love and care to the fledgling nation of Israel. Hosea 11:1-4 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them, I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.” As a loving father, God is intimately involved with us.

            When God looks at His obedient and faithful children, He is delighted. Psalm 147:11, “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” This was how the Psalmist affirmed his Belovedness, Psalm 18:16-19, “He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” God knows and sees everything you are going through.

            One thing I want you to leave with today is that you know your Belovedness. God loves you passionately. He rejoices over you with singing. Your heavenly Father knows what you need, and He cares for you. Trust in His unfailing love, providing hand, healing and comforting touch, and protecting power from enemies. Your Father and Mother may forsake you, but God promised never to leave or forsake you because you are his beloved daughter and son.

 

 

 

 

           

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[1]  Donald Miller, "Searching for God Knows What" (Thomas Nelson, 2004), p. 130-131

 

The Promised Holy Spirit

                                                             THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT

            For those unaccustomed to liturgical traditions, Pentecost Sunday (May 19, 2024) is not something we typically recognize or celebrate. It occurs 50 days after Easter, commemorating the Spirit’s descent upon the Apostles and Pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago.

            Through the Spirit’s empowerment, the Apostle Peter reminds the masses of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The crowds heard the message in their languages. Peter invites them to repent and to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). The worldwide Church of Jesus was born.

            Jack Deere, formerly an associate professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, wrote and published the groundbreaking book, “Surprised by the Power of the Spirit in 1993; the Baptist world was rocked. Since then, many Southern Baptists have been challenged to reconsider the traditional “cessationist” doctrine a view that does not believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including prophecy and tongues, are operational in the Church today.[1]

            Not only Baptists but other Christian denominations also need help understanding the Holy Spirit. Was the Holy Spirit’s outpouring on the Day of Pentecost a coincidence or a fulfillment of God’s promise? On this Pentecost Sunday, I hope that God might surprise you with a downpour of His Holy Spirit on us. Is the promised Holy Spirit for all people or only for a few? What is the Holy Spirit’s role in a believer’s life? (John 14:15-31)

 

I. The Promised Holy Spirit

            In the 9^th Century B.C, God spoke through his prophet Joel saying, “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” Joel 2:28-32.That would mark the era of the Holy Spirit.

            In the first century A.D., Jesus made this promise to his grieving disciples in line with Joel’s prophecy. John 14 16-17, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” Joel’s Prophecy and Jesus’ Promise were fulfilled in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.

            About 120 disciples, according to the instructions of Jesus, kept meeting in a house, praying and waiting to receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost,  fifty days after Christ’s resurrection, the promised Holy Spirit descended upon the believers in an upper room, and all the Jews from around the world gathered in Jerusalem.

            Those filled with the Holy Spirit began to speak a language other than their native Galilean, proclaiming the beautiful things that God has done. After hearing the wonderful things the disciples said, the devout Jews in Jerusalem and visitors from over fifteen countries were amazed and perplexed. They asked one another, “What does this mean? 

            The Apostle Peter reminded them about Joel’s prophecy. Those who heard were cut to the heart and asked Peter what they should do. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39. Did you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when you believed? John 14:15-31 gives two reasons why all believers need the Holy Spirit.

 

II. The Holy Spirit as a Teacher

            Before ascending to heaven, Jesus commanded his eleven disciples to “make disciples of all nations (people), baptizing them  in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matt 28:19-20.

            Jesus never, then, and now will ever force His followers to obey Him. Our obedience to Jesus’ commands is based on our love for Him. This is what Jesus would say to all his followers. “If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:11). Listen carefully. It is not if you fear me, but if you love me. He would say, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” Knowing and keeping His commandments is the proof of our love for Him.

            To help his followers love Him, he asked the Father to give us another advocate to help and be with us forever—the Spirit of Truth.” He further assured us that when the promised Holy Spirit comes, He will teach and remind us of everything that Jesus initially taught His disciples.

            The Holy Spirit, also known as the Spirit of Truth, is our teacher. He doesn’t teach us anything new, but only what is already communicated through Jesus’ early disciples, also known as the Apostles. Those teachings are recorded for us in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. Asserting the scriptures’ anointing, the Apostle Paul wrote this to his disciple Timothy. II Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

            To love Jesus, we need to know and keep His commandments. We read them in the 66 six books of the Bible. You open the Bible and begin to read it. Ask the Holy Spirit, the great teacher, to guide your reading just as He guided the writing of the Bible. He will illuminate His Word so that we will know the Truth, the person Jesus, and He will set us free from our sins.

 

III. The Holy Spirit as a Comforter.

            The disciples were heartbroken with the thought that Jesus was going away and they may never see Him again. To comfort His grieving disciples, Jesus made this promise to them. My Father will send you another advocate (Comforter) to help you. He will be with you and in you.

            If you believe in Jesus, the promised Holy Spirit, also known as the Comforter, lives with you and lives in you. When we are hurt physically, we take medicine to relieve the hurt and pain. How about when we are emotionally and mentally hurt? Who or what can truly comfort and console our internal hurt? When you are afraid, discouraged, depressed, and anxious about the unknown future, who do you turn to? That is, then, we cry out for the help of the Comforter.

            The Holy Spirit that lives in us would lead us to God’s timely, healing, and encouraging words for every trouble we might go through in life. Listen to King David, who was misunderstood, ridiculed, and roamed in the wilderness because Saul threatened to kill him.           During such troubling moments, David penned these comforting words of the Shepherd. Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 What are you afraid of today?

            Tim S. Laniak has a whole chapter on the Shepherd’s staff in his book, “While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks.” Laniak observes, “The most subtle use of the staff is to “be in touch,” with someone who may just need a word of encouragement.” Are you in need of comfort today?

            Are you going through the darkest valley? Fear Not! The Shepherd’s Staff will comfort you. The Holy Spirit, our Comforter, will come alongside to encourage you, saying, “Do not be afraid! I am with you.” Then, we might say, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”(Ps 119:50). “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Ps 94:19).

Apostle Paul asked believers in Ephesus if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed. They said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19. You may have been a believer in Christ for a long time. But did you receive the Holy Spirit? On this Pentecost Sunday, you can also receive the Promised gift of the Holy Spirit. By Faith, you ask the Father to pour the Holy Spirit over you. Come Holy Spirit! Fill our hearts!

   

 

 

           

 

 

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[1] https://www2.cbn.com/article/not-selected/southern-baptists-struggle-holy-spirit 5-14-2024

THE NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN

                                                          THE NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN

            Those of us who live in New England await the Spring season eagerly and cherish it as long as it lasts. Spring is a beautiful season of new beginnings and transformations. We see beautiful blossoms, fresh green leaves, and green lawns. The barren landscape transforms into a lush green surrounding. The trees must let go of the old leaves to have new, fresh green leaves.

            Spring also symbolizes starting fresh and moving over. After months of cold temperatures that often result in many of us feeling the winter blues, spring reawakens us and our surrounding environment, bringing everything back to life. It is time for us to reconnect and do life together.    Nature’s law is that new growth cannot occur without shedding the old. Similarly, there are spiritual laws for “The New Life Christian” that Paul describes in Ephesians 4:17-32. We will examine who a new-life Christian is and how we can live that life effectively.

I. God has promised New Life to all who believe in Jesus.

            Picture an ugly caterpillar that crawls around, eating leaves and perhaps hated by many. There will come a time it goes through a process called metamorphosis. After a while, it enters a cocoon stage, sheds the cocoon, and emerges as a beautiful butterfly that brings joy to many. When people look at this colorful butterfly, they no longer see its past ugliness.

            This analogy of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly symbolizes Jesus’s transforming work in the life of everyone who believes in Him. A new beginning of transformation awaits anyone who is willing to make Jesus Christ the Lord of their life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! As per the metamorphosis analogy, those in Christ don’t have to crawl into sin like a caterpillar but, like a butterfly, rise to new heights, enjoying the newfound freedom in Christ. New Life in Christ is effectively lived only when we let go of the old and embrace the new. In Ephesians 4:17-32, the Apostle Paul explains to believers what to let go of and what to embrace.

II. Do we swim against the cultural current or go with the flow?

            You may have heard this quote, “Remember, a dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a live one to swim upstream,” by W. C. Fields. A dead fish has no resistance against the current, but a live fish swims against the current. Unfortunately, many Christians these days lack resistance to the currents of our culture. They float downstream. Paul called such Christians “immature like children.” They are tossed by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and the cunning and craftiness of people.

            The Apostle Paul warned the Ephesian believers against such a lifeless existence and encouraged them to live differently from their surrounding Gentile culture. Vs.17, “I insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do in the futility of their thinking.”

            The Gentiles of Paul’s time were confused, and their minds were full of darkness. They moved far away from God, who is the giver of life. They hardened their hearts by giving themselves to sensuality, indulged in all forms of impurity, and full of greed. Paul was writing to the believers who now were the new creation because of their faith in Christ by His grace. He insisted they live differently from the Gentiles and the rest of the world. 

            How does this apply to Hope Church members and the followers of Christ worldwide? Every follower of Christ must live differently from the rest of their culture. In “Christians in the Age of Outrage, “Ed Stetzer states three types of Christians live in the USA: 1. Cultural Christians. They self-identify as Christian because they were born in a historically Christian country. They are Christians in their minds because that is part of their heritage.

            2. Congregational Christians: They are people at church on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday and maybe there for the occasional wedding or funeral. They may not have a vibrant faith, but retain some connection and affinity to a local congregation.

            3. Convictional Christians:  People who identify as Christians and are decidedly more religious. They are more likely to attend church regularly, live values that align with Christianity, and choose their spouses based on their faith. Despite this country’s cultural shifts, this group has remained relatively studied over the last few decades.

            About 25 percent of Americans identify themselves as “non-Christians,” either because they are secular (atheists, agnostics, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, etc).[1] If you claim yourself a Christian, which one of the Christian types are you? How is your life reflected if you identify as a Convictional Christian like myself? Are you full of Christ’s nature or still being led by the old sinful nature? If the Apostle Paul were to visit our churches today, what old ways would he let us let go of so that our New Life in Christ would shine brightly?

III. Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.

            The culture in Ephesus during Paul’s time is somewhat similar to our culture in the USA. Ephesus was the capital city of a Roman province in Asia and a significant trade center. It is known for its arts, entertainment, and sports. There was idolatry, greed, and sexual immorality. In the Ephesians Church, Jewish and Gentile converts brought their cultural practices.

            Into that racially and culturally divergent context, Paul urged Christ’s followers to let go of their old sinful nature with all its corrupted and deceitful desires. Here is a list of our old attitudes and actions that we must put off: lying, anger, sensuality, all forms of impurity, stealing, laziness, greed, filthy speech, bitterness, rage, brawling, slander, and every form of malice.

            What are some of these old ways do you see in your life? What do you need to let go of? You can not claim to be a follower of Christ and yet let your sinful nature dominate you. The Holy Spirit is convicting you of your sins. It is time you repent and put off your sinful nature.

IV. Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

            Ephesians chapter four begins with the discussion of the Christian walk or live a life worthy of the calling we have received. To do that, Paul uses two action verbs, “Put off and Put on.” Or, as it says in NASB, “Lay aside and Put on.” It shows the idea of doing away with something, taking it off and putting it down. A proper image may be when one changes clothes in the morning. One puts off or lays aside the old clothes and puts on the new clothes.

            Once we have laid aside our old selves through repentance and receiving the forgiveness of Jesus, we are now called to put on the new selves that are created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Paul commands the church in Rome, saying, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:1-2.

             Our walk as new creation Christians starts with the renewal of our minds. By doing so, we keep ourselves from conforming to the patterns or ways of this world. In other words, the New Way of Living is counter-cultural and can upset those whose lives are not transformed. This is how a Christian who puts on a new self walks or behaves in this world.

            A new creation Christian does not remain angry beyond sunset. By doing so, he doesn’t give a foothold to the devil. He is diligent and works with his hands so that they may have something to share with those in need. He controls his speech and speaks what is helpful for building others according to their needs. He remembers that he is sealed for redemption, so he lives not to grieve the Holy Spirit. He forgives as Christ forgave his sins. He is compassionate and kind to others. These are some of the visible marks of a New Creation Christian.

            How are we living our lives as New Life Christians in this crooked generation? When people look at us, do they say we are a bunch of hypocrites, Or by looking at our good works that are empowered by the Holy Spirit and give glory to God, our heavenly Father? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] ED Stetzer, “Christians In The Age of Outrage,” Pages 8,9.

The Evangelists: Messengers of the Good News

                                                                  THE EVANGELISTS

Messengers of The Good News

            Ask yourself a question. Where would you spend your eternity if you were to die today? Where would your loved ones spend their eternity if they were to die today? I vividly remember that night in October 1984 when an Evangelist asked this question at our Church’s youth retreat.   Where would I spend my eternity if I were to die that night? I thought I would go to Heaven because I was a good Christian and attended Church regularly. But the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sins, and indeed, I was heading in the wrong direction to Hell if I had not repented and accepted Jesus, the one who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6).

            That night, with tears in my eyes, I went forward at that meeting, confessed my sins, and accepted Jesus as my savior and Lord. Infact, Jesus accepted me as his son, forgiving all my sins. That night changed my life completely, gave me a new purpose and focus to live, and altered my eternal destiny. Since then, and even now, I can say with certainty if I were to die today, I would be with Jesus in Heaven forever. I don’t have the same confidence about the destiny of some of my loved ones and friends. That saddens my heart and concerns me a lot.  

            As I speak, millions are heading in the wrong direction, which the Bible calls the Broad Way, which leads to Hell. They choose to be merry and enjoy life by satisfying their fleshly desires. They think all there is to life is here and now and nothing beyond. Who would tell them they are heading toward eternal destruction if they don’t change direction?

            Who would show them the way to eternal life and a fulfilled life with joy and purpose here on Earth? If you lived long in the USA, you may have heard the words Evangelical or Evangelical Christians. There is so much baggage surrounding these words. Let’s break down the two words. The Word Christian essentially means “follower of Christ.”

            That was how the early followers of Christ were identified (Acts 11:26). In the Greek Word, Evangelical  means “good news.” An evangelical Christian is a person dedicated to promoting the good news about Jesus Christ. He holds to the inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture, the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and salvation by grace through faith alone.

            However, In Western culture today, there is a misunderstanding of Evangelical Christians. For some, the term evangelical Christian is equivalent to “right-wing, fundamentalist, and hate-filled.” G. Campbell Morgan noted, “To call a man evangelical who is not evangelistic is an utter contradiction.” This begs us a question: Who are we? Are we Evangelicals or Evangelistic?

            In reality, according to the scriptures, all Christians are Evangelists. Our loyalty is not to a leader or political party but to Christ our Lord. Our Ministry Gifts of Grace series will examine how Jesus gifted the Evangelists to the Church today. Who is an Evangelist? Is everyone an Evangelist? What is the work of an Evangelist, and how can it be done effectively? Acts 8:1-8.

I. The Evangelists: (Messengers of the Good News).

            In Phil 4:10-1 “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the Church: The apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.” Jesus gave these five ministry gifts of grace to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the Church, the body of Christ.”

            The Church of Christ is built on the foundations of the teachings of the Apostles and Prophets. Let us see how it multiplied and spread around the globe. The early Church comfortably assembled in the Temple in Jerusalem. They were devoted to the apostles’ teachings, worship, and prayer. They shared meals in each other homes with gladness. They enjoyed the favor of all the people. In one sense, they were having a good time.

            They became complacent and had forgotten their primary mission of taking the Good News to the ends of the Earth until a wave of persecution swept over the Church in Jerusalem. When a wave of persecution broke out except the apostles, all the believers (both men and women) were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Acts 8:4-5 reads, “Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. The Gospel began to spread beyond Jerusalem.

            The early Church grew and multiplied through the apostles, prophets, and ordinary believers who proclaimed the Messiah wherever they went. One such ordinary believer was Phi. There were two Philips in the Bible; one was an apostle chosen by Christ himself (Mk 3:18), and another was appointed by the Apostles (Acts 6:6). For our study, we are talking about Philip, whom the Apostles appointed. What was the purpose of Philip’s appointment?

            The Apostles selected and set apart Philip and seven others to distribute food to the widows. They were the first Deacons to look after the felt needs of the early Church. They all had one thing in common: they were known to be full of the Spirit and Wisdom. Philip went out and preached the Word, and God confirmed the Word through signs and wonders. As a result, they all paid close attention to what Philip said.

            One beautiful characteristic of Philip was “obedience.” He was obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We read from Acts 8:26-40 about Philip’s meeting and leading the Ethiopian eunuch to believe in Jesus, which was traditionally the start of the Ethiopian Church. Vs. 40, “Philip traveled about preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.” In later years, Philip lived in Caesarea with his four daughters, who prophesied, where he was visited by Paul the Apostle (Acts 21:8–9). An Evangelist is the Messenger of the Good News.

            We are given the good news in a world with so much sad and bad news. The Good News is that God gave His only son because of His love for the world. Anyone who believes in Jesus will live forever in Heaven. Jesus offers eternal hope and restores peace and joy to all people.

II. Becoming Effective Messengers of the Good News.

            When we think of Evangelists and Evangelism, we envision people like Billy Graham, large events in Stadiums, flashing lights, music bands, etc. We shrink back from sharing God’s love with people all together. A few principles might help us become effective Evangelists.

            1. Continue to pray for the lost souls. Jesus prayed for the unsaved people John 17:20. Timothy encourages us to pray for all people because God wants all people to be saved. I Tim 2. Write down the names of seven unsaved family and friends and pray for them regularly.

            2. Invite unsaved family and friends to church celebrations. Who knows, God might touch their hearts during such events. Matthew, the tax collector, hosted a dinner for Jesus, for which he invited many tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:9-11).

            3. Be kind and loving to people who are hurting. Jesus was kind and loving to people who were on the fringes of society and were rejected by people (Samaritans, prostitutes, lepers, tax collectors). He had a reputation for being a friend of sinners (Matthew 11:19).

            4. Be caring to people. Four friends brought their paralytic friend to Jesus, who healed and saved him from his sins. (Mk 2:2-12). The early Christians shared their possessions with others in need and took up collections during a famine in Jerusalem. (Acts 11:28-29)

            5. Be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will prove the world wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment. (John 16:8). Our convincing arguments will not save people, but the conviction of the Holy Spirit will save them.

            6. Be obedient to your calling to preach. You may lead an entire city to repentance as Jonah did through your obedience. (Jonah 4:11). 7. Put on the Gospel shoes and be ready to be a messenger of the Good News of the Gospel. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Romans 10:15). We sow the gospel seeds, and the Lord will give the growth.