March Beacon

“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”        II Timothy 4:5

“The Apostle Paul warned Timothy about a time.  It may not have arrived, but according to Paul it was coming.  There would be a time when ’sound doctrine’ would not be acceptable to people.  Instead of truth, Paul predicted that people would surround themselves with speakers who would say what they wanted to hear.

Paul wanted Timothy to stick to the truth in his preaching.  He charged him to be prepared and take this responsibility seriously.  Paul did not ’sugercoat’ the task, but called his disciple to ’step up’ to fulfill it!

I believe Paul knew that his work was winding down.  His words in II Timothy 4:6-7 sound like they come from his last lap.  He said, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

While encouraging Timothy to carry on the work by holding forth the truth, he also nudged him in what may have been an uncomfortable area.  Paul included this phrase in II Timothy 4:4 - “…do the work of an evangelist…”

Paul did not call Timothy to be an evangelist.  But he did challenge him, in those ‘worldly times’ to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who needed it.  Paul’s words were for Timothy in the first century.  Are they for you today?  Are you living with a God-given burden for lost souls?

I challenge you to take this question seriously over the next several months.  I will provide details in the coming days about a plan for you to do so.  The basic idea is very simple.  It goes like this:

March - Identify friends, family members, and aquaintances that you believe need to come to Christ.  Pray for them to commit their lives to Jesus Christ.

April - Write out your testimony.  Attend evangelistic training sessions provided by our church.  (Watch for details.) 

May - Share your testimony / Invite someone to church.   An event will be planned to help facilitate this.  (Watch for details.)

Although sharing your testimony is not ‘rocket science,’ it is important and should be done well.  It is a spiritual matter that demands your best.  Prayer is an important part of the process that needs to begin now.

Even though you may not be…are you willing to :…do the work of an evangelist!”

                                                                                                                             Pastor Lerud

February Beacon

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Years ago a thankful attitude became contagious. In honoring the memory of their son who was killed in World War II, the parents gave a sizable check to their church. When [...]

January Beacon

‘He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Revelation 21:5
We have an old Kirby vacuum cleaner that we bought used, about twenty-five years ago. It still works - although part of it’s plastic piping is held together [...]

November Beacon

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18
I did not see this, but I can picture it! It was close to thirty years ago that the event took place. The first church [...]

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