What is it that charged the early church with passion and vision to be about the business of preaching the gospel? How, in the midst of all the suffering and persecution, did they stay so focused? And, not only focused but joyfully so?


I believe there is one answer to that question. I believe the following verse will make it clear:

Phil 3:20-4:1 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. 4 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Their eyes were on eternity, and their hope was the reward that lay ahead of them in Heaven! Pure and simple.

I once read of an old preacher who said, by necessity, he withdrew from the world for an hour a day JUST TO MEDITATE ON HEAVEN!  Wow!  Why did he do that?  Because he believer three things.  First, that Heaven was really his home.  Secondly, that the flesh, the devil, and the world, pulled his focus away from this reality in a strong way.  Thirdly, that God really meant it when He said, "Set your minds on things above."

How can I do that?  Just a few suggestions...Read PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, the book of Revelation, Randy Alcorn's HEAVEN, FOX'S BOOK OF MARTYRS.  Meditate on Scriptures like those above, often.  Finally, pray Jonathan Edward's prayer often:  "Lord, stamp eternity on my eyes!"

Here is a wonderful testimony from one of the friends of Making the Gospel Known Ministries, Joe.  Joe has been to a number of our training sessions and has participated in a few witnessing adventures with us.  Our goal is to train and equip believers, like you, to carry the gospel into every-day life.  God is at work in many souls.  He is preparing them for an encounter with the gospel, just like this gentleman on the airplane. 

Could I ask you to consider something?  Is it possible that the guy you sit beside on the plane, or the cashier at Walmart or the neighbor you chat with about the game or...(you fill in the blank)...is it possible that this person has a loved one praying for someone to preach the gospel to them?  Could you be that person?  Just the thought of it should thrill our hearts and give us motivation to plunge through the fear!

One more thought before you read the story.  Notice the mention of the "good person test."  What an effective way to share your faith!  If you'd like to learn more, give us a call, and we can set up a training session for you and your Christian friends.     Now, here's the story...

I was on an airplane this week and had opportunity to witness to a young guy who is in the airforce. He said that his wife has been "getting after him to go to church"...gave him the 'good person test' and then gave him the book that you gave to each of us the other night as I had just finished it. On the next connecting flight we sat together again. He had called his wife between connecting flights and told her about our conversation etc and she was pretty excited...also had opportunity to let three office cohorts hear that, contrary to popular belief, the Bible doesn't teach that 'good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell'.

Hi everyone,


Do you sense the privilege we have been given? Not only did Jesus save us, but He also made us to be co-heirs and partners with Him in His great passion--TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST.

Oh, that the Holy Spirit would work in our hearts in such a way that we would see the call to go into the harvest fields, not as an obligation, but rather as a high, high privilege. Truly, we get to do this. Think about it. Most people are absorbed in their own worlds, not even considering great things like Heaven, Hell, eternity, souls, the Savior. But, He has been so kind to us--to open our eyes and to bring us out of darkness and into the light. Thank You, Jesus, for your great love to us and for the great privilege to serve you by obeying your call for us to go into the world and to preach the gospel.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, let's go on Friday night! Where? Why, where Paul went: to reason in the market place with whoever happens to be there (Acts 17:17). And, what better market place than the Annapolis Mall!

We'll meet there at 7:00 pm at the Subway restaurant in the food court. We'll have a time of prayer and preparation. Then, we will trust our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, to empower us through His Spirit to open our mouths and make known the glorious gospel!

See you then,
Chris

This was the weekly invite to our evangelism team for January 22, 2009. And we did GO--24 strong!  And the Holy Spirit did empower us!  What a great joy to hear the reports of the whole, uncompromised gospel being proclaimed to those who so desperately needed to hear.  Thank You, our Father for your call, Your strength to go, and Your granting us boldness!