This week was LHIM’s annual family camp, though I was unable to attend, the event itself brings wonderful memories to mind. The camp takes places in Silver Bay, NY on Lake George (which in my personal opinion is one of most beautiful places on earth).
While you are at Family Camp (or its youth version, Teen Camp as well as other similar events and retreats) you will experience something very special. Lives are changed at events like this. People become committed to the LORD at events like this. People develop habits of daily Bible reading and prayer. For those who have been, I bet they would tell you it is the highlight of their year and perhaps even their life.
Evangelism is such an important part of Christianity, yet it is probably the most neglected and avoided aspect of following Christ. Here are some amazing quotes on the subject:
“Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that.” - Charles Spurgeon
“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.” - Charles Spurgeon
“God save us from living in comfort while sinners are sinking into hell!” - Charles Spurgeon
Without a doubt, the main message of Jesus’ preaching of the gospel was the Kingdom of God. Had we been in 1st century Palestine, we could have asked Jesus just what his purpose was. I believe this was his answer:
Luke 4:43 - But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.”
But what about the apostle Paul? Many churches today look only or first at Paul and then look at Jesus’ words to know what should be preached as the gospel. Many will use I Corinthians 15:1-3 to define what Paul’s message was:
Matthew 6:25-34 - “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I received an email last week from someone who logged on to my website. I was very thankful that he took the time to write. Many people may log on, but to get an email from someone is always exciting. Here is what they wrote:
The kindgom of God has already been established. At the last supper, Jesus said that we would not drink of the cup again until he drank it anew with his disciples in the kingdom.
I imagine that the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2 has been talked about amongst Christians since the historical event took place. What an amazing event! So much emotion was involved in that day for so many people involved I’m sure. Imagine, the disciples are still stunned that their teacher had died and been raised again to life. Jesus, after his resurrection spent 40 days speaking with his disciples about the Kingdom. To have an intensive study, discussion or fellowship for one day on the Kingdom is nice - imagine 40, being taught by the King of the Kingdom himself!
If asked to describe the coming Kingdom of God, how would you describe it? Perhaps you would talk about the end of wars and violence. Peace on earth extending even to the animal kingdom as arch rivals - wolf and lamb playing and resting together. The capitol city of Jerusalem will be exalted over the other mountains and the other mountains will be lowers while the valleys are raised. The righteous will be given a new body of perfection and they will live forever. There will be no more sickness or death and sorrow and all tears will be a thing of the past. God and Christ will rule and dwell on the earth with the saints.
Yes, you read that correctly - it says “Life is short. Get a divorce” and then provides the phone number for a law office. Divorce is common in our culture. I remember having a conversation this week with a woman whose father has been married 5 times - including twice with the same woman. In situations like that it seems like people now consider marriage like they once thought of dating. Come and go as you please and break up when things get tough or something better comes along.
In our fellowships this week we have been talking about what true religion looks like. I am a strong believer in the unity of God and that Jesus of Nazereth is the Messiah. I am confident that the Kingdom of God will be established upon the earth and that along with the message of the cross, this Kingdom is also the theme of the gospel message itself. I know that the Bible teaches that when one dies they will rest in peace and await a resurrection. Holiness, righteousness and faith are essential to the life of those following Christ. I’m sure we could add more to this list of essentials and key beliefs but I wanted to turn our attention to some specific words of Christ.
“It is very observable, that there is not one command in all the Gospel for public worship; and perhaps it is a duty that is least insisted upon in Scripture of any other. The frequent attendance at it is never so much as mentioned in all the New Testament. Whereas that religion or devotion which is to govern the ordinary actions of our life is to be found in almost every verse of Scripture. Our blessed Saviour and His Apostles are wholly taken up in doctrines that relate to common life. They call us to renounce the world, and differ in every temper and way of life, from the spirit and the way of the world: to renounce all its goods, to fear none of its evils, to reject its joys, and have no value for its happiness: to be as new-born babes, that are born into a new state of things: to live as pilgrims in spiritual watching, in holy fear, and heavenly aspiring after another life: to take up our daily cross, to deny ourselves, to profess the blessedness of mourning, to seek the blessedness of poverty of spirit: to forsake the pride and vanity of riches, to take no thought for the morrow, to live in the profoundest state of humility, to rejoice in worldly sufferings: to reject the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life: to bear injuries, to forgive and bless our enemies, and to love mankind as God loveth them: to give up our whole hearts and affections to God, and strive to enter through the strait gate into a life of eternal glory.