Embracing an Outreaching Lifestyle
  • Serve Sacrificially for God's Kingdom Purposes
  • Resources
  • Blog

Relate and Keep it Simple in Evangelism

4/14/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
I asked a church intern to go prayer knocking with me in a low-income area of Lincoln. At our third residence, my partner and I looked up and saw a guy smoking. Frank stared at us from the top floor of an apartment complex. We asked, “Would you like to hear good news?” He said yes.

After walking up the stairs and following him to his apartment, he invited us to come inside. We met his wife and infant son. After small talk, he said his story was complicated. It would take hours to explain. He handed me a movie on DVD and told me to watch it. Frank said the movie depicted his life.

We will look at three examples of Jesus using common terms from creation in sharing truth in evangelism.

Rock
Jesus gave Simon a new identity and destiny. Because Simon was an unstable and emotional person, Jesus used “rock” to express his new name as Peter. It anticipated his future leadership role in the church (John 1:42). Everyone saw a “rock” in the countryside. Christ used “rock” to express Peter’s later revelation of Jesus as Son of the living God. Christ would build His church and the gates of Hades would not overcome it (Matthew 16:18).

Wind
Nicodemus, a self-righteous and well-connected religious leader, came to Jesus at night. When he misunderstood “born again,” Jesus used “wind” to illustrate that one can’t know where the Spirit comes or where it goes (John 3:1-21). The area had strong winds causing sandstorms. Nicodemus, used to being in control, later allowed the Spirit to guide Him by standing up for Jesus and caring for His body after the crucifixion (John 7:50-51; 19:38-40).  
   
Water
Jesus met an immoral Samaritan woman at a well. As the opposite of Nicodemus, Jesus used the term, water, to connect with her. He and the woman were both thirsty. It was noon. The weather was hot. Jesus began the conversation, “Give me a drink.” She was also spiritually thirsty. Five husbands and living with someone hadn’t quenched her spiritual thirst. Many Samaritans believed in Christ because of her testimony
(John 4:1-42).   

Get to Know
We won’t know what term to use in evangelism until we understand someone’s story. Skeptical Nathanael asked if anything good could come out of Nazareth. Jesus said he was a true Israelite with integrity. He said later that Nathanael believed because of Jesus telling that He saw him under the fig tree (John 1:45-51).

How did Jesus get the woman at the well’s attention? John says the woman left her water jar, went to the town, and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:28-29).  

In summary, get to know the person and you will develop credibility and trust. Ask the Spirit for the simple, understandable words as a vehicle to express spiritual truth in evangelism. Then watch God at work!

By the way, I’m in the process of getting to know Frank! I’m praying for the right terms to use. 

Submit
0 Comments

How to Manage Work Life Balance (Insights in Psalms)

12/20/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
"Try to give your agenda to God. Keep saying, 'Your will be done, not mine.' Give every part of your heart and your time to God and let God tell you what to do, where to go, when and how to respond. God does not want you to destroy yourself. Exhaustion, burnout, and depression are not signs that you are doing God's will. God is gentle and loving. God desires to give you a deep sense of safety in God's love. Once you have allowed yourself to experience that love fully, you will be better able to discern who you are being sent to in God's name" (Henri J. M. Nouwen).

Our culture celebrates workaholics. Excessive study and work become wearisome and worthless. Even pleasure and achievements have no ultimate meaning. Instead, find satisfaction in God so you can enjoy your beautiful and enduring work as you embrace partnerships, listen to God and live in the present without knowing the future. 

Know the Meaninglessness of Excessive Study
Solomon said everything was meaningless and wearisome because man gains nothing with his labor. Nothing was new under the sun. Men were forgotten in future generations. God laid on Solomon, the teacher, and others this heavy burden of studying and exploring wisdom of everything on earth. What was twisted cannot be straightened and what was lacking cannot be counted. Solomon grew and increased in wisdom and knowledge more than past rulers in Jerusalem. Much wisdom and knowledge leads to madness, folly, sorrow and grief (Eccles. 1:1-18). Know the meaninglessness of excessive study to increase your wisdom and knowledge.


Find Satisfaction in God Instead of Pleasure and Accomplishments
Pleasure and great projects became meaningless and worthless. The only reward for pursuing what he desired was delight in his work. All achievements were meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Wisdom was madness and folly even though it was better than the latter. The fool and the wise have the same fate but both would be forgotten. Solomon hated life because work was grievous and meaningless. Nothing could be taken with him after he died. A fool might control the work he poured effort, knowledge and skill. Work was meaningless since it had pain, restlessness and grief. Only God could reward him with satisfaction. No one found enjoyment apart from God since He gave wisdom, knowledge and happiness to those who pleased Him. God gave the sinner the task of gathering wealth to the one who pleased Him (Eccles. 2:1-26). Find satisfaction in God realizing the worthlessness of pleasure and acomplishments. 

Enjoy Your Beautiful and Enduring Work
There was a time for every activity. A time for birth and death, plant and uproot, kill and heal, tear down and build, weep and laugh, mourn and dance, scatter stones and gather them, embrace and refrain, search and give up, keep and throw away, tear and mend, silent and speak, love and hate, and war and peace. God made everything beautiful in its time. He set eternity in the hearts of men yet they cannot figure what God did from beginning to end. Nothing was better than to find satisfaction and doing good in his work as a gift from God. Everything He did endured forever since God did not add or take away anything. Man revered God for His works since He judged the righteous and the wicked who return to dust. Nothing was better than enjoying one's work (Eccles. 3:1-22). Enjoy your kingdom work since God made everything beautiful in its time to endure forever.

Embrace Partnerships in Life and Work
Solomon looked at the oppressed without comforters since oppressors had power on their side. Labor and all achievements sprang from man's envy of his neighbor. A fool ruined himself with too much work. Better to maintain a margin of tranquility than being a workaholic depriving oneself of enjoyment. Two were better than one because they have a good return for their work. If one fell down or overpowered, his friend could help or defend him. A cord of three strands was not quickly broken. Better a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who ignored warnings. It was impossible to please everyone (Eccles. 4:1-16). Embrace partnerships in life and work for protection and balance. 

Listen to God for Contentment
One should guard his steps and listen before interceding when he or she approached God. Use few words and fulfill vows before Him to prevent sin and work from being destroyed. Stand in awe before God instead of many dreams and words. Do not be surprised when the poor's rights were denied since the profit motive caused oppression and injustice. Those who love money were never satisfied with their income. Increased resources caused increased consumption. The laborer slept restfully while the rich stayed awake. One cannot take money with them after they die. It was God's gift for men to enjoy their labor, wealth, possessions and lot in life being occupied with gladness of heart (Eccles. 5:1-20). Listen to God for contentment in your work and lot in life. 

Live in the Present
It was also meaningless if a stranger enjoyed his wealth and high position instead of himself. It was meaningless if a fool's or wise person's appetite was unsatisfied. No one could contend with one stronger than himself. More words resulted in less meaning and profit. Who knew what was good for a man during his short life since no one could predict the future after he died (Eccles. 6:1-12). Live in the present being concise and not overreaching since you cannot predict the future.

Consider how you are managing your work life balance by rating yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being the lowest and 10 the highest in the following areas: 
1. I know the meaningless of excessive study to increase my wisdom and knowledge
2. I find satisfaction in God instead of pleasure and achievements
3. I enjoy my beautiful and enduring work in building up God's kingdom
4. I embrace partnerships in life and work for protection and balance
5. I listen to God for contentment in my work and lot in life
6. I live in the present being concise and not overreaching since the future cannot be predicted

Ask God to work in those one or two areas where you scored the lowest. 







0 Comments
    Picture
    Mark Pomeroy

    RSS Feed


    My goal is to ignite the hearts of people by explaining God's word in the Law, Prophets, Psalms and New Testament consecutively, much like the experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32,44). I have been a missionary in Lincoln, NE, for 13 years with Christ For the City Int. and Sync with God.
     

    Sync with God is a highly versatile web app that hosts on-demand, virtual small groups. Sync is designed to connect young seekers in the faith and scripturally-trained mentors, even globally. It offers a safe, engaging interface for Millennials/Gen. Z and is readily adaptable to technical advances well into the future.

    ​Overview
    ​Sync pilot lesson 1
    Sync YouTube

    ​
    ​

    Follow syncwithgod on Twitter
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010

    Categories

    All
    1 Chronicles
    1 Corinthians
    1 John
    1 Kings
    1 Peter
    1 Samuel
    1 Thessalonians
    1 Timothy
    2 Chronicles
    2 Corinthians
    2 John
    2 Kings
    2 Peter
    2 Samuel
    2 Thessalonians
    2 Timothy
    3 John
    Abide
    Abortion
    Abundance
    Abundant Life
    Acceptance
    Accomplishment
    Accountability
    Accuracy
    Accusations
    Acts
    Addiction
    Adultery
    Adventure
    Affiction
    Affirmation
    Affliction
    Alcoholism
    Alive
    Ambassador
    Amos
    Antichrist
    Anxiety
    Apathy
    Apostasy
    Apostolic Gifts
    Appearance
    Application
    Armor Of God
    Artistic
    Asleep Spiritually
    Assignment
    Assurance
    Attacks
    Authentic
    Authorities
    Authority
    Awesome
    Balance
    Bargain
    Beauty
    Believe
    Benefits
    Betrayal
    Bible
    Biblical Illiteracy
    Biblical Worldview
    Blameless
    Bless
    Blessing
    Blessings
    Blind
    Blood
    Blood Of The Lamb
    Boast
    Bold
    Bondage
    Broken And Contrite Spirit
    Broken Heart
    Burdens
    Business
    Business Plan
    Busyness
    Calling
    Careers
    Cares
    Change
    Change Agent
    Character
    Children
    Choice
    Choices
    Chosen Instrument
    Christ
    Church
    Church Growth Strategies
    City Ministry
    City Transformation
    Clarity
    Clear Conscience
    Coach
    Colossians
    Comfort
    Comfort Zone
    Command
    Communication
    Communities
    Community
    Community Ministry
    Compassion
    Compensation
    Competence
    Complacency
    Complexity
    Complications
    Compromise
    Condemnation
    Confess
    Confession
    Confess Sin
    Confidence
    Confident
    Conflicts
    Conformity
    Confront Sins
    Confusion
    Connect
    Consequences
    Conspiracy
    Consumerism
    Contend Earnestly For Faith
    Contentment
    Control
    Convergence
    Convict
    Convictions
    Corrupted
    Cost
    Counsel
    Courageous
    Covenant
    Covet
    Craftsmanship
    Creative Media
    Creator
    Credentials
    Crime
    Crisis
    Critical Speech
    Cross
    Cross Denominational Lines
    Crown Of Glory
    Cultivating Spiritual Life
    Cultural Christianity
    Cultural Insiders
    Culturally Sensitive
    Culture
    Curses
    Cursing
    Daniel
    Deacons
    Deadness
    Death
    Debt
    Deceit
    Deception
    Decision
    Decisions
    Defraud
    Delegation
    Deliverance
    Deliverer
    Dependence
    Depression
    Descendants
    Desire
    Desolation
    Destiny
    Deuteronomy
    Development
    Dialogue
    Diligence
    Discernment
    Disciple
    Disciplemaking
    Disciples
    Discipleship
    Discipline
    Discussion
    Disease
    Disenfranchised
    Disgrace
    Disobedience
    Dissension
    Distractions
    Divisions
    Divorce
    Double-minded
    Doubt
    Dread
    Drift
    Drudgery
    Dry
    Ecclesiastes
    Economic Depression
    Edify
    Effectiveness
    Elders
    Emotions
    Empower
    Emptiness
    Encourage
    Endurance
    Enemy
    Entanglement
    Entrap
    Environment
    Ephesians
    Equip
    Esther
    Eternal Impact
    Eternal Life
    Eternal Punishment
    Eternal Reward
    Evangelism
    Evangelism And Discipleship Team
    Evangelismi
    Evil
    Exalt
    Exaltation
    Excessive Profits
    Excessive Study
    Exodus
    External
    Ezekiel
    Ezra
    Faith
    Faithful
    Faithfulness
    False Gods
    False Security
    False Self
    False Teachers
    False Teaching
    False Way
    Families
    Family Relationships
    Famine
    Fasting
    Fathers
    Father's Blessing
    Favor
    Fear
    Fear Of God
    Feedback
    Feel-good Religion
    Fellowship
    Finances
    First Love
    Fisherman
    Flesh
    Flourish
    Fool
    Forgiveness
    Foundation
    Freedom
    Free Gift
    Fresh Relationship
    Friends
    Friendship
    Fruit
    Fruitfulness
    Galatians
    Generational Sin
    Generosity
    Generous Giving
    Genesis
    Giving
    Glory
    Goal
    God-confidence
    Godliness
    Godly Foundations
    Godly Offspring
    Godly Sorrow
    God Rules
    God's Agenda
    God's Leadership
    God's Rule
    Good Friends
    Good Life
    Goodness
    Good News
    Good Works
    Gospel
    Gospel Of The Kingdom
    Gospel Workers
    Grace
    Gracious
    Gratefulness
    Gratitude
    Greater Works
    Greatness
    Great Society
    Grief
    Grieve
    Growth
    Grumble
    Guidance
    Guide
    Guilt
    Habakkuk
    Haggai
    Happiness
    Hardships
    Harmony
    Hate
    Hate Sin
    Healing
    Health
    Health-giving Service
    Heart
    Heart Test
    Hebrews
    Heir
    Hell
    High Priest
    His Design
    Holiness
    Holistic
    Holy Spirit
    Holy Spirit Power
    Homosexuality
    Honor
    Hope
    Hopeless Situation
    Hosea
    Hospitality
    House
    Human Resources
    Humble
    Humility
    Hunger
    Hurt
    Husband
    Hygiene
    Hypocrisy
    Identification
    Identity
    Identity In Christ
    Idol
    Idolatry
    Idols
    Image
    Immigration
    Immorality
    Implosion
    Impossible Situation
    Independence
    Individualistic
    Influence
    Infrastructure
    Initiative
    Injustice
    Insight
    Inspire
    Instruction
    Insubordination
    Insults
    Integrity
    Integrity Tests
    Intellectual Faith
    Intercession
    Internal
    Interpersonal
    Intimacy
    Intimidation
    Invest
    Isaiah
    Isolation
    James
    Jealousy
    Jeremiah
    Jesus
    Job
    Joel
    John
    Jonah
    Joshua
    Joy
    Jude
    Judges
    Judgment
    Judgment Seat Of Christ
    Judicial System
    Justice
    Kindness
    King
    Kingdom
    Kingdom Dominion
    Kingdom Impact
    Kingdom Ministry
    Kingdom Mission
    Kingdom Of God
    Kingdom Opportunities
    Kingdom Strategies
    Kingdom Work
    Kingship
    Knowledge
    Know Your Heart
    Lack Of Love
    Lamentations
    Law
    Leadership
    Leadership Crisis
    Least Of These
    Legacy
    Legalism
    Leviticus
    Lies
    Life
    Lifestyle
    Listen
    Living Faith
    Living Water
    Longterm Impact
    Longterm Success
    Lord's Table
    Lose Life
    Loss
    Lost
    Love
    Loved
    Love Of Money
    Lovingkindness
    Luke
    Lukewarm
    Lust
    Majestic
    Make Disciples
    Making Decisions
    Malachi
    Margin
    Mark
    Marketplace
    Marriage
    Martyr
    Mask
    Materialism
    Matthew
    Meaninglessness
    Meditate
    Men Of Peace
    Mental Capacity
    Mentoring
    Mentors
    Mercy
    Micah
    Micromanage
    Mighty Deeds
    Mindset
    Ministry
    Ministry Plan
    Miracles
    Mission
    Mistreatment
    Mocking
    Model Cities
    Money
    Moral Purity
    Moral Relativism
    Motives
    Mourning
    Multiply Disciples
    Music
    Nahum
    Name
    Need
    Neediness
    Nehemiah
    Neighbor
    Neighborhood Ministry
    Network
    New Covenant
    New Hands
    New Heart
    New Heaven And New Earth
    New Mind
    New Testament
    New Wine
    Nt
    Numbers
    Nurture
    Obadiah
    Obedience
    Obey
    Object Lesson
    Obstacles
    Offend
    Offense
    Ogd
    Older Men And Women
    Opportunities
    Oppressed
    Organize
    Othercenteredness
    Outcomes
    Overcomer
    Over-confidence
    Pain
    Parenting
    Parents
    Participate
    Partner
    Partnership
    Passion
    Pathway
    Patience
    Peace
    Peacemaker
    Perceptiveness
    Performance
    Persecution
    Perseverance
    Persevere
    Persistent
    Personal Identity
    Perspective
    Persuasiveness
    Petition
    Phiippians
    Philemon
    Physical Needs
    Plagues
    Plans
    Pleasure
    Political Tyranny
    Poor
    Pornography
    Possessions
    Possess Territory
    Post
    Power
    Powerlessness
    Practice
    Pragmatism
    Praise
    Prayer
    Prayer Partners
    Prayer Walking
    Preach Gospel
    Preparation
    Presence
    Presence Of God
    Pressure
    Pride
    Priest
    Priorities
    Proclaim
    Prodigal
    Productivity
    Professionalism
    Profit
    Profiteering
    Promise
    Promise Land
    Promotion
    Prophecy
    Prophesy
    Prophets
    Prosperity
    Protection
    Proverbs
    Provision
    Psalm
    Psalms
    Purity
    Purpose
    Quarrel
    Questions
    Rationalism
    Rationalization
    Reality
    Real Living
    Rebellion
    Rebuild
    Reconcile
    Reconciliation
    Redemption
    Refresh Others
    Refuge
    Reign
    Rejection
    Rejoice
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Relief
    Religious System
    Repent
    Repentance
    Rescue
    Research
    Resources
    Responsibility
    Responsible
    Rest
    Restitution
    Restoration
    Restore
    Restoring Relationships
    Resurrection
    Revelation
    Revenge
    Revenue Stream
    Revival
    Revive
    Reward
    Riches
    Right
    Righteous
    Righteousness
    Right Living
    Ritual
    Romans
    Rule
    Ruth
    Sabbath
    Sacred Assembly
    Sacrificial
    Sacrificial Death
    Safety
    Salvation
    Sanctify
    Satan
    Satisfaction
    Satisfied
    Scroll Of Remembrance
    Second Coming
    Secular
    Security
    Self Confidence
    Selfishness
    Self-made Religion
    Self-righteousness
    Self Sufficient
    Self-sufficient
    Sent
    Servant Attitude
    Serve
    Service
    Sex
    Sexual Sin
    Shame
    Share Gospel
    Shepherd
    Significance
    Signs
    Simplicity
    Sin
    Sinfulness
    Single Minded
    Single-minded
    Skillful
    Skillful Workman
    Social Justice
    Song Of Solomon
    Sound Doctrine
    Sovereignty
    Sow
    Sowing
    Sowing The Word
    Speak Tenderly
    Speak Truth
    Speech
    Sphere Of Influence
    Spiritual
    Spiritual Battle
    Spiritual Defenses
    Spiritual Discipline
    Spiritual Dryness
    Spiritual Enemies
    Spiritual Fruit
    Spiritual Gifts
    Spiritual Growth
    Spiritual Harvest
    Spiritual Influence
    Spiritual Intimacy
    Spiritual Leadership
    Spiritual Leadership
    Spiritual Nourishment
    Spiritual Warfare
    Spiritual Warriors
    Spiritual Weapons
    Stability
    Stand In The Gap
    Status Quo
    Steal
    Stewardship
    Straightjacket
    Strategic Partnerships
    Strength
    Stress
    Strong
    Strongholds
    Structural Connections
    Struggles
    Study
    Submission
    Submit
    Success
    Suffering
    Supernatural
    Supernatural Transformation
    Supervision
    Surrender
    Sweet Spot
    Take Up Cross
    Talents
    Teach
    Teachable
    Teaching
    Team
    Teamwork
    Technology
    Temptation
    Temptations
    Testimony
    Test Spirits
    Thanksgiving
    Theology
    Thinking
    Thirst
    Thirsty
    Throne
    Timing
    Titus
    Tongue
    Training
    Transform
    Transition
    Transparency
    Tree Of Life
    Trial
    Trials
    Tribulation
    True Justice
    True Self
    Trust
    Truth
    Unashamed
    Unbelief
    Unconditional Relationship
    Underdog
    Unforgiveness
    United Prayer
    Unity
    Vanity
    Victory
    Vindicator
    Vocation
    Volunteer Recruitment
    Volunteers
    Vows
    Wait
    Wait Patiently
    Walk
    Warfare
    Warning
    Wasted Life
    Water Of Life
    Weakness
    Wealth
    Well Being
    Well-being
    Wife
    Wisdom
    Witness
    Wonderful Counselor
    Word Of God
    Word Of Testimony
    Work
    Workaholic
    Work Environment
    Work Life Balance
    Workmen Of The Word
    Works
    World-changing Ministry
    Worldliness
    Worldly Advice
    Worldly Thinking
    World's Scorn
    Worship
    Worthless
    Wounds
    Wrath
    Young People
    Zeal
    Zechariah
    Zephaniah

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from blumenbiene, Kirt Edblom, f2 photografia