The Gooch Lane church of Christ is a group of people in Madison, Alabama seeking to study the Bible and put God’s teachings into practice. We’d love to have you join us for Bible study and worship.
All in Evangelism
Imagine trying to evangelize your neighbor in Crete. Titus and the other Christians had their work cut out for them, but Paul gave them some good admonitions throughout the short letter.
It is also important to understand what is meant by “the invitation.” Simply put, it is the offer God has made to provide salvation to those who believe in Him and follow through with His commands to receive salvation.
Several years ago, I decided I needed a hobby. I had many interests – basketball, fantasy baseball, music – but I engaged in all of these past times with members of the church where I preached, or with fellow Christians in the area. I needed a hobby that would put me in contact with people from all walks of life. So I looked up the closest chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and over the last 17 years I have made a large and diverse bunch of friends.
As it happens, several of my barbershop singing friends are from Sweden, and – typical of the very secular climate in Sweden – they are not believers. A few of them are quite belligerent about their atheism. Last fall, I fell into a discussion on Facebook with one of them, a discussion I was frankly hesitant to engage in, given the nasty reputation that debates on social media have earned. But in this case, I am glad to say that my fears were misplaced. Over the course of nearly three weeks, several atheists and agnostics in Sweden as well as in the States joined in and presented arguments against Christianity and gave me a very courteous hearing as I responded.
Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City, the attack on the Pentagon in Washington, and the heroic downing of United Airlines Flight 93. I remember getting dressed to go to work that Tuesday morning when the newscast came on the television showing the first tower had been struck by an airliner. While watching the newscast, I saw another airliner crash into the second tower. In shock, I continued getting ready for work as I watched the news coverage. Numbly, I drove to work. When I arrived, I found the two ladies who worked for me at their desks and unaware of the events that had transpired that morning. One of them asked me if I was okay. I could not formulate a response because of the lump in my throat. I simply indicated that they needed turn on the television.
For many years Christians have sung the old hymn, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, which is often prefaced by an explanation of what is meant by lower lights. Details vary, but the inspiration for the song centers around a shipwreck that took place in Cleveland Harbor.
I have a theory. It may not be right, or it may be a bit simplistic, but it’s worth considering anyway. I don’t think anybody will go to heaven by himself: he will go with someone or take someone with him.
