A Model for Sharing Your Faith

 Acts17:1-4



1 "When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women."  (NIV)

In Acts Chapter 17 verses 1-4 we discover a model for sharing our faith. Paul is at the city of Thessalonica. When he arrived he went straightaway to a synagouge to teach. This was always his custom upon entering a new city. At the synagouge we discover that Pauls strategy for sharing the Gospel had four elements. First he sat with all those present and 'reasoned' with them. In other words, he engaged in freindly conversation. Second, during these discussions, he explained his view of the Messianic scriptures. Third, he gave evidence supporting his contention that Jesus was the Messiah and finally, he declared that Jesus was, in fact, the Messiah.

I think that Pauls approach to those in the Temple was one given him by God. The scripture tells us that he was so effective that some in the synagouge, including many devout Greeks and many women were persuaded of the truth he presented them.

I believe that if we are to sway others, we must have a well reasoned discussion concerning the things of God. Contentious debate rarely convinces anyone of anything. If fact, it may further harden the positions others have always taken. We must learn, in our outreach efforts, to approach people in a kindly and temperate way always being the voice of reason.

We must also recognise that our authority is the scripture, not our personal opinion or viewpoint. Those may be helpful, but only God's word can be used to effectively make our case for the Gospel message.

We must present clearly who Jesus is, why He came into this world, why it was necessary for Him to die on the Cross and what He accomplished by defeating death on the cross. He is the Messiah and we must not only present arguments in support of this contention but we must declare to all with whom we speak that Jesus IS the Son of God, Savior of the world.

One other point that might be useful. This narrative indicates that Paul continued to teach in the synagouge for a period of three weeks. in other words, he was persistent. He was a man on a mission who had a very clear objective. That objective was to save as many as he could.

How effective are your efforts to save the lost. Let me encourage you to immerse yourself in the methodologies found in scripture. Todays lesson shows us one. There are many others.

May God Bless you!

Discouraged in Ministry?

All to often we expect immediate or even intermediate results from our ministry. Often, we do not see much results from our efforts. Don't give up on what God has called you to do! If God has called you to do it, He will equip you. He will direct you. He will give the victory!

I am no stranger to discouragement. I understand the feelings one gets when their ministry efforts, whatever they may be, seem to fall on deaf ears. It can be very discouraging. However, we are called to persevere in what God has called us to do. Your ministry may be in the pulpit. It may be in your neighborhood. Perhaps it is among friends and acquaintances. Whatever God has called you to do, don't give up! When we are obedient and faithful, He always brings the victory!

Sometimes it seems that even fellow Christians fail to support you. I remember when I started this blog, there were some that suggested that, since I was no longer in the full time ministry, it was inappropriate to start an 'unofficial' ministry effort. Others have suggested that my efforts are to 'modest' to make a real difference. I was tempted to just throw my hands up in disgust, sit back, and enjoy retirement. Well, discouragement notwithstanding, I made a conscious decision to forge ahead and write as God inspires me to write and place the rest in God's hands. After one year there have been over 2200 individuals in 15 countries who have read the articles I have posted. PTL! Never give up! Whatever God has called you to do, rely on Him and He will bring the victory!

If you are a pulpiteer, preach harder than ever. If you are a counselor, continue reaching out and provide Godly counsel. If you are a Sunday School teacher, study, study, study, and then deliver your lesson with confidence. Whatever your ministry, never, never, never, give up!

Guard Your Faith!

How wonderful it is to have a faith whose truth is born out in Scripture. The Bible is the only source of authority we have and it is important that we guard, carefully, the truth that is God's Word! Unfortunately, we live in a world that would have us change what we believe to suit the popular winds that blow all around us.

While it is true that we do not have a full understanding of all that is contained in Scripture, it is also true that there is much that we do understand and know to be true. That truth must be must be proclaimed unfailingly! It is the truth by which we live! It is the truth that empowers us! It is the truth that saves all who would embrace it! Truth does not change simply because there are those who may find it uncomfortable!

We must always resist the temptation to alter the truth with a view toward making it more acceptable. We Evangelicals believe that there is only one way to experience forgiveness of sin, and that is through Jesus the Christ. Only one way to heaven! If we are to be accused of being narrowminded, then so be it! We plead guilty!

There are other truths that we proclaim. Marriage is established between one man and one woman! Sexual perversions are sin! Adultery, Coveteousness, Stealing, Murder, and more are procliamed in Scripture as being contrary to God's will! These and other truths are set out in the words of the Bible which we believe to be the divinely inspired Word of God Himself!

The greatest truth proclaimed in its pages, is that God sent His Son to provide an atonement for the whole world so that we can be delivered from those behaviors we know to be damning. We must never waiver from proclaiming this message! We must always, however, share it with a spirit of love toward those who need to hear it!

No, the world has no authority to change the truth of Scripture and we must never, never, never, give in to the 'winds that would destroy that truth'!

Gary Laws

Salvation Army Trivia

While with The Salvation Army, we were stationed in Carthage, Missouri from 1996-2000. Carthage is the headquarters for Precious Moments. While we were there, Sam Butcher hosted our Christmas kickoff at the Precious Moments Cafeteria and announced that he would be producing the Precious Moments Salvation Army figurine. He then asked my wife, Susan, if she would photo model the uniform, Christmas Kettle and all. We set up on the front lawn of the Corps and Sam sent his photographer and Sue modeled for the figurine. Many may not know that the original prototype of the figurine features the Salvation Army Bell Ringer in an Envoy's uniform. We were Envoys at the time. NHQ had him change it to an officers uniform. Also, if you look on the lapel you will see a little round bump. That was originally the depiction of my wife's Home League button. NHQ said 'no pins' on the uniform so the gold was 'blued over'.

Incidently, Mrs. Commissioner Harold Hinson and Lt. Colonel Arlis Spicer have the only photographs of the original 'Envoy' figurine. I presented it to them, framed, at an Officers Councils prior to the release of the figurine to the market. Just a little Salvation Army trivia.

Holy Living Emphasized at The Salvation Army Meeting in Syracuse

Meaningful service this morning at The Salvation Army Syracuse Citadel, New York. Special guest was Commissioner Israel Gaither who preached on the importance of holiness being strived for by every Christian.. Commissioner Gaither is the retired Salvation Army Chief of Staff, second in command of the world wide Salvation Army. It was a special pleasure to have my daughter Cheryl (pictured) with me during the morning worship service. Cheryl worships at The Salvation Army Onondaga Tabernacle Corps in Liverpool, New York.

The meeting was led by Major George Polarek with Majors John and Anita Stewart participating. The members of the Onondaga Tabernacle Coprs brought the Call to Worship.

The Commissioner spoke eloquently about the need for all Christians to be seeking the holiness experience as described in Scripture. Special emphasis was given to the purity of the mind and heart. The meetings were also supported by Major and Mrs. Donald Hostetler, Divisional Leaders.

It was also a real pleasure to meet up with my daughter, Cheryl (pictured below) and two of my grandchlildern for worship.

Special music was provided by The Citadel Choir and Major Cheydlur.

Road Well Travelled (Repost)

Ever been on a 66 year 'road trip'? I have and it has only recently come to an end. It was a 'round trip'. Back to the environs of my youth. Now, how best to use the rest of time is the challenge. Problem is....the balance of time cannot be quantified, only wished for. I have chased many rainbows on this trip. Had a few flat tires. Run out of gas occasionally. Experienced the joy of success and reached a few dead ends. I have ascended many mountains only to discover, when reaching the summit, the only way forward was downward, advancing toward the depths of the unwelcome valley ahead.

During my journey I have found respite along the way. Some days in palaces, other days in humble haciendas...even humiliating haunts, if not horrific. Along the way, like many travelers, I gathered some souvenirs, all of which have been cast off, most forgotten. Nothing is forever, you see. I have learned a little and, at times, used what I have learned productively, but not always.

... Ah, yes! The environs of my youth once again, but youth has escaped me as have many other faculties. Those once known are no longer present in this place. Now, my lot is to struggle with the things I once took for granted. My health, my understanding, my secure notions. I am tired from my journey. I seek a measure of rest and contentment. No more mountains to climb or valleys to descend into. No more dead ends. No more rainbows, palaces or performances. No time for such foolishness. Now I can rest! Reflect. Rejoice. Recall. Respond. Renew. I am now in a familiar place. I am also in a new place. The place that I have been given... for today. It has been an interesting road trip, this road well travelled. Ever changing scenery. It, I hope, has been a productive one.

As I look back over the many miles travelled, I realize that I have not been alone through any of it. Most important to me have been my travelling companions. They are the ones that I have trusted and trust today. My wife, my children, my friends. Did I mention that Jesus was there along the way? Oh, yes, a powerful presence in all this. He is here today!

How best to use the balance of unquantifiable time? I think I shall simply live in the moment and leave the rest to the One I trust most. I think I will limit my planning to today and enjoy the present. Making sure I am ready for that one last road trip. That's right, one more! The journey which will lead me into the presence of the One I so humbly have attempted to serve.

When that day comes I think I shall have my children go to my face book page, my internet blog and my Twitter account and make one last post on my behalf. It will say simply, "My Dad has finished his last Road Trip and arrived at his intended destination."

Gary Laws

Traveller ExtraordinaireSee More

Leadership?

True leaders are those who inspire their subordinates to greatness by their example. It is true that many seek to bring subordinates into compliance with their wishes by compelling certain behavior. They do this by virtue of their authority. This, however, is not leadership...it is autocratic rule and rarely is met with large success. Those who lead by example not only achieve their objectives, but they gain the respect of those they seek to influence!

The Jericho Principle-Obedience then Victory (six minute devotional)

Visiting the Birthplace of Methodism and The Salvation Army

Rescue the Perishing

Are you a denominational leader with charges who are having a rough time of it? Find a way, beyond words, to come to the rescue! You may save a ministry that, in future years, will touch the lives of hundreds if not thousands. Think about what you can do. When I sing the words, "Rescue the Perishing", I think not only of the laity, but those in full time service as well. God will bless you beyond measure.

Meekness and Humility

The Jericho Principle (Excerpted)

AN EXCERPT FROM "THE JERICHO PRINCIPLE" (Section One)

As we prepare ourselves for being used by God, we must learn to be obedient to God and we must persevere in whatever mission God gives us. In the biblical account of Joshua, concerning the fall of Jericho, there is something to be learned about what I have come to refer to as "The Jericho Principle‟®. We learn that there was a plan. The plan was given by God. It was to be followed to the letter and it was to be carried out by the foot soldiers. With the plans successful completion, God would provide victory. When I first arrived at a new church appointment, I was given the responsibility of raising funds for a new church building. The cost would be one million dollars.

At first I was terrified. I had never been called upon to conduct a capital campaign and I had no idea how to go about it. Leadership reassured me, however, they had decades of experience doing this in many other cities and, over the years, they had developed a plan that, if followed, would assure success. They spent much time explaining the plan to me and then said it would be my responsibility to follow it through to a successful conclusion. With much trepidation, I began. First I assembled a committee of influential leaders who would make up a Capital Campaign Committee. Second, I retained fund raising counsel to give advice. And then, following their advice, I went about implementing the steps of the plan. The result was that, after just eleven months, our goal was met. In fact we exceeded it by four percent! I learned the importance of fol-lowing my leaders instruction and implementing the plan they had given me to the letter. God’s Plan for General Joshua In Joshua 6:1-20 we read the account of Joshua being given a plan to conquer Jericho. This plan was given to him by God.

The plan was a very specific one. Joshua would instruct his army to march once around the city on each of six days. On the seventh day they would march around the city seven times with the priests blowing rams horns. When his soldiers heard a long blast on the horns they would give out a great shout. The walls of Jericho would fall and God would deliver the city to them.

It is important to note that this plan was not one devised by Joshua. He certainly was a military leader who could have developed a strategy, had God chosen to leave him to his own resources and experience. However, God chose to provide the plan and required that His plan be followed. It was equally important for Joshua to give these instructions to his army who would carry them out. It has not escaped me that it was the foot soldiers who carried out the plan. Here we should realize that it would be God who provided the victory. The walls did not fall as a result of the marching or the great shout. They fell because God's instructions were carried out faithfully. Then, God willed the walls to fall.

Victorious Service Realized

 There are countless numbers of hymns written on the subject of victory. They are inspiring musical offerings which lift us up and encourage us in our service to God. One chorus, in particular, was one that my mother taught me when I was a small child. I remember that she would sing it over and over again. It was: "Ever is the war cry, victory, victory. Ever is the war cry, victory. Waft it on your banners; get it on your knees. Victory, Victory, Victory!" (William Howard Doane)

More than anything else, we desire victory in our Christian walk and we need victory in our Christian service. Joshua gained the victory because he was obedient to God. When God‟s people are victorious in their Christian service to the Almighty, people stand up and take notice. All around us are people whose lives are uneventful, or so it would seem to them. They are crying out for some meaning in their life. They experience the void that we all know exists in the sinners heart and those outside the faith are attracted to Christians, and fellowships, which are actively doing God's work and experiencing God‟s blessing.

The Plan Was Given By God

 When we discuss the nature of God‟s plan for our life we should understand that there is the general plan that God has given to all Christians through the Great Commission and there is the specific plan that He has for you. The general plan will bring new converts into the faith. The specific plan will incorporate a form of service that God will uniquely equip you for. In each case, victory will come through obedience.

The Great Commission

 The Great Commission is found in Mark 16:15. It commands us to go into the entire world and preach the gospel. This is quite a challenge! We should realize that it is in „our world‟, the immediate world around us, that our mission begins. It begins with our family and friends and then extends into our neighborhood and com-munity. The Great Commission is a plan for Christian outreach. It is a plan to bring into the fellowship of believers, those who are outside of the faith. You can be used of God to bring new Chris-tians into the fellowship if you are obedient. You will grow spiritually as this is realized in your life. Your church will benefit also as many of these new Christians will be drawn to your house of worship. Your efforts to preach the Gospel will help to grow your church community.

This is continued in my book, "That God May Use Me"

Pulpit Supply

Gary Laws is available Sundays as a Pulpit Supply at your church. Laws' preaching series on 'The Jericho Principle" has been well recieved. The series focuses on the responsibilty of the laity to accept responsibilty for the outreach of the Church. For more information...315 560-4913. New York state only.