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Showing posts with the label Evangelism

How To Pray for Revival: Part II by Ray Ortlund

Over the last several weeks we’ve been sharing a list of ways to reach out to our neighbors with the love and hope of Jesus. As we grow in the passion and skill making disciples for the glory of Christ in the Elk River area, I ask you to join me in praying that Jesus will graciously send revival to our area and even beyond. In this hope, last week I shared Part I of a helpful article by Ray Ortlund on how to pray for revival. This week as you read Part II, I pray God will inspire you to add this kind of praying to your daily prayer routine.  “When Jonathan Edwards described the awakening in his church, he had to use words like ‘surprising,’ ‘extraordinary’ and ‘astonishing.’ The Bible says of the early church that ‘awe came upon every soul’ (Acts 2:43). We can’t program that into our worship: 10:45 am – Awe comes upon every soul. Since revival is of God, we should pray for it. But how? The Bible teaches us how to pray; Isaiah 63:15-64:12 is a biblical prayer for revival… ...

Overflowing Love: Why we Long to Share the Good News of Jesus Christ by Pastor Charlie Handren

Jesus Christ came into the world to glorify God the Father by seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10). Then, after the resurrection, he invited his followers to join him in this mission (Matthew 28:18-20). Why did Jesus have such strong desire to give his earthly life to this mission? While there are several important answers to this question, perhaps the most important one is this: Jesus engaged in this mission because he was consumed with love for the Father, even as the Father was consumed with love for him. This love then overflowed in the pursuit of the lost, even as it had in creation (see John 17). The mission of Jesus is the overflow of divine love. Love propelled Jesus out that others might come in. And therefore, when Jesus sent his followers out on this same mission, he was not merely giving them a command. He was not calling on them to fulfill a new duty. He was not instituting an ingenious marketing plan. Rather, he was inviting them into the joy of proclai...

100 Ways to Engage Your Neighborhood, Part 10 by Pastor Charlie Handren

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Several weeks ago I began the process of posting these ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let it inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods. Here’s the tenth part of the list: Extended neighborhood – The Regular Spots in your City (continued) 91. When you can, support local businesses and...

100 Ways to Engage Your Neighborhood, Part 9 by Pastor Charlie Handren

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Several weeks ago I began the process of posting these ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let it inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods. Here’s the ninth part of the list: Extended neighborhood – The Regular Spots in your City (continued) 81. Find your local bank representative and ...

100 Ways to Engage Your Neighborhood, Part 8 by Pastor Charlie Handren

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Several weeks ago I began the process of posting these ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let it inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods. Here’s the eighth part of the list: Extended neighborhood – The Regular Spots in your City  71. Start a Study Group at a local place that need...

100 Ways to Engage Your Neighborhood, Part 7 by Pastor Charlie Handren

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Several weeks ago I began the process of showing these ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let it inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods. Here’s the fifth part of the list: Neighbors – Your Immediate Neighborhood (continued) 61. Invite a neighbor to a local sporting event 62. Start a g...

100 Ways to Engage Your Neighborhood, Part 6 by Pastor Charlie Handren

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Several weeks ago I began the process of posting these ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let it inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods. Here’s the fifth part of the list: Neighbors – Your Immediate Neighborhood (continued) 51. Frequent a local gym or recreation center 52. Find a pa...

100 Ways to Engage Your Neighborhood, Part 5 by Pastor Charlie Handren

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Several weeks ago I began the process of posting these ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let it inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods. Here’s the fifth part of the list: Neighbors – Your Immediate Neighborhood (continued) 41. Start a sewing group 42. Go Christmas caroling in your ne...

Making Disciples for the Glory of Christ by Pastor Charlie Handren

Since our early days, it has been our practice to devote the Sunday after Easter to local or global missions because it was the risen Christ who said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). So, while we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, we can best honor what he accomplished by going into the world and making disciples for the glory of his name. Indeed, obeying Jesus from the heart and by his power is one of the greatest joys of the Christian heart! Earlier this year, the elders decided to insert three- to four-week blocks into the Revelation sermon series so that we can speak into various things throughout the year. Therefore, this Sunday we begin a three-part series on local mission...

100 Ways to Engage Your Neighborhood, Part 4 by Pastor Charlie Handren

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Several weeks ago I began the process of posting these ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let it inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods.  Here’s the fourth part of the list: Neighbors – Your Immediate Neighborhood (continued) 31. Organize and host a ladies craft night 32. Organize...

100 Ways to Engage Your Neighborhood, Part 2 by Pastor Charlie Handren

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Last week I began the process of posting these ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let it inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods. Here’s the second part of the list: Neighbors – Your Immediate Neighborhood (continued) 11. Have a garage sale 12. Organize a tasting tour on your street...

100 Ways to Engage Your Neighborhood, Part 1 By Pastor Charlie Handren

Several years ago, Josh Reeves, Pastor of Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas, developed a resource entitled, “100 Practical Ways to Engage your Neighborhood.” The idea behind this resource is to help Christians add gospel intentionality to everyday life, to help lovers of Christ live as missionaries in their own neighborhoods. Over the next several weeks, I will be posting these 100 ideas 10 at a time. Not every idea will work for everyone, but please pray over each list and ask the Lord to help you identify one thing you can do each week. And if none of the ideas on a given section of the list works for you, then let them inspire you to think of something else. Whatever the case may be, ask Jesus to enable and empower you to join him in the joy-producing, God-exalting quest of seeking and saving the lost in our neighborhoods. Here are the first ten ideas: Neighbors – Your Immediate Neighborhood 1. Stay outside in the front yard longer while watering the yard 2. Walk...