HeavyDrinkerz.net - Comments

Noel: NO PREACHING ALLOWED

nospam@example.com (Noel) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:28:36 -0500

A very interesting "new" way to look at corporate worship and the home church. I think I remember reading or hearing Craig say he thought the future of the church will ultimately be in home churches . . .

Zane: Holy Roller or Holy Spirit

nospam@example.com (Zane) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:18:41 -0500

Beautiful! Mike - honestly, everything you said is right on and thank you so much for your comments (which just isn't powerful enough word here!)... I really didn't want to hash it out and rob others of doing so (and maybe I shouldn't be saying anything yet) - I intentionally left out a lot of what I wanted to say, primarily the conversation that I in fact had with the two men, but you covered everything perfectly! And thank you so much for caring about those who may read this blog - your contribution is in fact more important than mine!!!
Thanks again Mike and I look forward to meeting you someday in your new church and hopefully we'll have a chance to love on some peeps crosstown!

Mike: Holy Roller or Holy Spirit

nospam@example.com (Mike) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:28:20 -0500

Hi Zane!

Interesting topic! Here’s the challenge you’d run into in this situation: How do you react to said cuss-bomb droppers in such a way that honors God, loves them, yet doesn’t leave them with the impression that you approve of their behavior?

You mentioned that they’re rebelling against something. If we look at scripture, we know that they are—in fact—rebelling against God. We are created in the image of God, yet spiritually dead because of the sin of Adam and because of our choice to do nothing but kick against Him.

The cure? The gospel of Jesus Christ—that God in His love sent Himself to earth as a man to take the wrath of God against sinners upon Himself. This is the message that God promises has the power to regenerate a sinner’s heart and save His soul! This is the message that Jesus calls us to proclaim to the lost (Mark 16:15). We must explain to them their need to be saved, and beg them to repent and trust in Christ.

I agree with you—we cannot change people. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17). I cannot, however, think of a better way to love the lost than to clearly share this amazing truth with them. I

The challenge comes in realizing that this is a message that unfortunately most of the world will reject and despise, since it calls for them to come to grips with their desperate condition before God. I also think it’s important to continue to show kindness and humility even if they hate the message of the gospel and/or hate you in return.

So, are we ready to accept whatever scorn or persecution that sharing the gospel may involve? Personally speaking, reaching out in love to the lost with this message is a very frightening yet extremely rewarding thing I can do as a Christian. We won’t get to do it in heaven either.

--Mike

(p.s. – just to clarify: I am not attempting to instruct you here, per se. I am hashing out this stuff for the benefit of other unknown readers of your blog)

Hope: Does faith mean you always trust and never question or can you never trust you have faith until you question?

nospam@example.com (Hope) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:48:10 -0500

I don't know if it is possible to have faith without questions. Jesus told us to have faith like a child, and kids ask questions about EVERYTHING! I know the my faith didn't become "mine" until I tested it and questioned it.