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TARGET EVANGELISM

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ENCOURAGEMENT TO HIT YOUR TARGET

Bulls eyeBy Ken Blue

Target evangelism means that the church decides on whom they will target; then they structure buildings and ministries accordingly to reach that objective. Target evangelism does not mean you ignore or refuse to win others; it mean you select a certain location, ethnic group, or age group your church will continue to focus on.

Scripture teaches it. Scripture records that Jesus trained the Twelve and commanded them to target certain people. “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 10:5-6.

Jesus practiced it. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11. I am aware that Jesus came to die for the sins of the world, but He only came to and ministered to a select people. Another example will show the same truth. “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24. As we said before, this doesn’t mean that Jesus did not minister to others, but Israel was His target.

Paul practiced it. Paul practiced target evangelism throughout his ministry. Note what he says in Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16. We see this strategy throughout Paul’s ministry. The first place Paul preached after his conversion was in a Jewish synagogue. “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” Acts 9:20. We see this same pattern wherever he goes. Those who reject target evangelism must answer the question why Jesus, the disciples, and Paul practiced it.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.[/perfectpullquote]

The Holy Ghost practiced it. It mattered to the Holy Ghost to whom Paul and his companions went. “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” Acts 16:6-7. One should ask why God would not allow Paul to go into Asia or Bithynia. Weren’t these souls just as valuable and precious as others? Of course they were, but God wanted Paul in Macedonia. Again, we ask why, if target evangelism in not a valid approach?

The reason the Holy Ghost sent Paul to Corinth was because He knew the people in that city would be more receptive to the gospel message. “For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.” Acts 18:10. In fact, Paul stayed eighteen months winning the lost and teaching them the Word of God. The Spirit had a target people and divine wisdom sent Paul to them.

Missionaries practice it. If missionaries are truly led by the Spirit to certain people and places, then God is targeting these people through His servants.

It is logical. Although the Spirit may not direct us as He did Paul, these examples and common sense dictates that every church should purposely practice target evangelism. Churches must have children and youth programs, but unless young families are brought into the church, most of the children will disappear. Every church should have, as its purpose, to bring families from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity. McDonald’s is wiser, in their planning, than most churches!

The wise pastor will target young families for several reasons. They need salvation. They are easier to indoctrinate, and you don’t have to reeducate them. It is easier to mold young people than it is to mend older ones. They have young children to grow up in the church. They have energy and are eager to serve. They are the ones who go to Bible College and the mission fields. They add new blood and excitement to the ministry.

The reason many pastors do not aim at a specific target is their fear of missing? Aim at nothing, and you will hit it every time. Win everyone you can, but follow the example of Jesus, Paul, and the Holy Spirit. Do you have a definitive target yet?

SHOULD CHRISTIANS SAVE MONEY

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WISDOM REGARDING MONEY

moneyBy Ken Blue

The Bible may have more to say about money than any other subject. The reason could be because of man’s love for it, and the wickedness perpetrated by many to possess it. The love of money is the root of all evil. We observe this mostly in big business and big government. Wealth and riches should never be the goal of life. Scripture states that many of God’s people have erred from the faith, and brought nothing but sorrow and grief to themselves and those they come in contact with because of their aspiration for money.

On the other hand, God has some positive things to say about the wisdom, the necessity, the value of saving money and how we use it. A good steward will not be greedy for money, nor will he squander it. The believer is a steward of all God gives him and must conduct himself accordingly to be obedient.

I have heard pastors preach against saving money. They tell themselves and their congregation that saving money is a lack of faith and that they should be putting their money in heaven. This teaching and attitude is not scriptural nor is it an act of faith. In fact, it is just the opposite. That teaching is unscriptural and foolish.

Listed below are several proverbs written by Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived:

  • “In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. Proverbs 15:6.
  • A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Proverbs 13:22.
  • Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19.
  • There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. Proverbs 21:20.
  • Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11.
  • He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. Proverbs 10:5. 24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; 28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces. Proverbs 30:24-28.”

It would take volumes to completely deal with the subject of money, but the wise pastor will prepare financially for his church and for his family. He will also help his church members to do the same. It is not a sin to make all the money you can; if you do it honestly. However, you must also be willing to give away all you can for the cause of Christ and save all you can for the future. There is no conflict between these three.

THE INNER SANCTUM

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GETTING THE INNER SANCTUM CLEAN

Inner Sanctum

By Ken Blue

“Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.” Ezekiel 8:12.

Because of their wickedness, the nation of Israel had been taken captive to Babylon. Ezekiel was among those deported. While in captivity, God spoke to him and transported him, in spirit, back to Jerusalem to show him the extent of Israel’s corruption and idolatry. Much of the wickedness was observable and practiced by the members of the nation, but the greater sins were unseen and hidden from view; they were in the inner sanctum.

Within the inner chambers of the temple were drawings on the walls which portrayed every kind of evil imaginable. These images were symbols of the false, perverse gods which Israel had incorporated into their temple worship. Some are too vile to mention, others are described by the Apostle Paul. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” Romans 1:21-23. Do you know any religions that practice these things?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Americans are more concerned with their appearance than they are their character.[/pullquote]

Not only had they descended into the worship of creation and the creatures, they embraced a philosophy that there were no absolute standards of morality. “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” Romans 1:26-28.

Although the temple appeared respectable, and men marveled at its magnificent construction; when God was through with it not a stone was left standing. God does not judge according to outward appearance. Many Americans are more concerned with their appearance than they are their character. They have confused being nice or loving animals with spirituality.

Jesus makes it clear that it is not that which is without that corrupts the man; it is that which proceeds from within the chambers of imagery that defiles and destroys. Let us make sure that we get the inner sanctum clean; the rest will take care of itself.

HOW THE IMPORTANT ESCAPES US

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THE IMPORTANT OR THE URGENT

importantBy Ken Blue

“And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be….” 1 Kings 20:40.

Former President, Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The important is seldom urgent and the urgent is seldom important.” Most of us never figure out what was really important until it has escaped us; then it is too late.

Instead of smiting wicked Benhadad, Ahab made a covenant with him and let him go. The prophet, in the parable, said the above words to King Ahab. Unbeknownst to the king, his response was his own death sentence. Because Ahab had his mind on everything else, except the will of God, he lost that which God had delivered into his hands, and his own life.

How sad, that most of us have lost opportunities and relationships because we were too busy here and too busy there. The Lord tells us what is most important. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37. The following explains how we are to do this: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Men and women have lost what is most valuable by making a covenant with the world, the flesh and the devil.[/pullquote]

No one can tell you what the will of God is for your vocation or individual choices. But, when the love of God and the will of God become first in our lives, we will not be busy about secondary issues.  Many men and women have lost that which was most valuable while making a covenant with the world, the flesh and the devil. Every marriage is destroyed because one or both parties were not paying attention to that which God had given them and they lost it. Prisons are filled with young men and women because the most important was ignored.

Being busy is not a virtue. There is no music without a rest and there is no spiritual renewal without a pause. I insert the following for your meditation. “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.

The message is simple and clear; God has delivered into your hands that with which you can do–His will. Don’t be negligent or foolish. I know many who are busy here and there, but God is not in their plans or thoughts at all. Therefore, do not be surprised when you discover the most important things in life have escaped you.

Contemporary Christianity

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Contemporary Christianity
Richard Sandlin

(Disclaimer: I cannot vouch for the salvation, sanctification or sound doctrine of this writer, but the article seem appropriate for the time)

“Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee”

Generally, we speak of Christianity in collective terms, but actually, it is distinctively individual. From our salvation at the beginning, till the Judgment Seat of Christ at the end, God deals with us one on one. And this is true of all that goes on in between.

Most certainly, our Heavenly Father has some basic rules that all the family is to adhere to, but these are for their well-being. Like any wise father, God does not dictate to his children’s preferences in tastes and likes. He allows them to be their own men or women in these.

One mark of a cult is seen in its strict regimentation. As one of my daughters used to say as a child, “They’re same-a-likes.” There is no elbow room in such collectivization for individualism. If you’re different in any way from the other robots, the Gestapo will report you to the Fuhrer.

Another characteristic of a cultic Christianity is that dedication is gauged by the things you give up. It matters little what kind of person you are, subtraction of things is the criteria for acceptance. These morbid members cannot give up a thing, without wanting everyone else to give it up.

There is a little tract entitled, “Others Can; You Can’t.” It leads one to believe spirituality is based on asceticism. But how about, “You Can; Others Can’t”? What a servant can or cannot do is between him and his Master, not another slave (Ro.14:4).

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