It's Time To Get Off The Fence

This past Sunday evening, March 21, 2010, the House voted 219 to 212 to approve the federal health care bill. (219 Democrats voted “Yes” while 178 Republicans and 34 Democrats voted “no.”) This was done in light of the fact that, according to a CNN poll, 59% of Americans oppose President Obama’s plan. My desire is not to debate the legislation but simply to use this as a means to make an appeal.

Christians have got to get off the fence and get involved in the political arena.
We must educate ourselves on what is taking place in our government.
We must refresh ourselves in how our government works.
If you have not done so, read the U.S. Constitution.
Write letters to members of Congress.
Use your social networking websites to let your friends know what you are
learning and what you are doing.
Run for office

What? Run for office? Yes- you! Why not you? Godly men and women of integrity, honor and love for this great land are urgently needed now. Do not give ear to those who say that politics is dirty business. Jesus did not pray for His disciples to be taken out from the world but that they be kept from the evil on. (John 17:15)

Do not let lack of experience be a reason to keep you from trying. I am currently reading 1776 by David McCullough. This is a fascinating book about those that marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence. This book has reminded me again of the enormous sacrifices paid by common people for the birth of this nation. By the way, as far as lack of experience goes- George Washington had never led an army in battle! Suppose he had retreated because he had never “done that before?”

Think about it.
Pastor Chuck

A Book Worth Reading

I recently finished reading Mark Dever’s book The Gospel and Personal Evangelism. This is an excellent resource for kindling the flame of evangelism in your life. Dever answers seven crucial questions in this book that challenges and motivates Christians to do the work of an evangelist. The book helped me to clarify how the doctrine of election and the call to evangelize can fit together. In fact, a confidence in God’s work of election guarantees success in evangelism!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone serious about following the command of Christ to make disciples. You will not find a bag of tricks and gimmicks; rather, you will find a thoroughly Biblical presentation of evangelism along with encouragements to share the gospel. You will come away with a sense that evangelism is not the work of the salesman that knows how to “close the deal.” Instead, you will see that converting someone is a human impossibility. It is not up to us to get a person to make a decision.

Our calling is to simply but regularly proclaim the gospel and call those to whom we speak to repentance. The book is short- just under 120 pages. It is well worth your time to read this book.

Pastor Chuck