March 2009 – Page 3 – ToBeLikeJesus

Leaders: Do the Math

Living and Discipling Among the Lost – A Word to Spiritual Leaders

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (Ephesians 4:11-12)The commander was covered with oil. He had been helping the mechanics fix a truck in the motorpool. But make no mistake; he realized that his greatest contribution that day was inspiration and team building, not his mechanical skills. Just like this young military commander, the spiritual overseer must have a firm grasp of his essential role as a leader. Certainly spiritual leaders practice the art of personal evangelism, but that is not their primary role. Their role is to equip those around them in the convictions and skills of leading men and women to Christ. It’s a matter of multiplication rather than addition.

The art of equipping and delegating is one of the hardest leadership principles to practice. We tend to value the work so much that we lose sight of the need for guidance and vision. We get busy doing the daily tasks and fail lead the troops into battle. Everyone has their place and the Kingdom advances when we practice our gifting and position as God intends.

Jesus understood this when He would not stoop to being an earthly king at the expense of being Lord and Savior of all (Jn 6.15). The Apostles understood this when they chose to prepare themselves to serve the people spiritual food rather than waiting tables (Ac 6.1-2). The Apostle Paul reminds Timothy not to allow the insecurities of youthfulness to interfere with his duties as a spiritual leader (1 Tim 4.12).

For those who oversee ministries, we need to remember that our leadership is our greatest contribution. Yes, we will model witnessing, the basic things of the faith, and never use our responsibilities as a cover for laziness or sin. But, we dare not forget that the Lord Jesus has not only entrusted us with the flock but there is a lost world to reach. The task is so daunting that we cannot afford to only practice personal spirituality. We must lead the people of God. It is God’s design. To do otherwise squanders the gifting of the Holy Spirit and short changes the Kingdom. Jesus didn’t just pray for fishers of men, He equipped them (Mt 4.19; 17.4,18). Responsible spiritual leaders will do the same.

It’s been 16 years since I wrote this. I Still agree with most of it both Biblically and experientially. But stay tuned for some small tweaks!

Here’s an interesting up to day take on evangelism in the a Western Context in 2025

A Love Hate Relationship with Evangelism
LOST – They are not on an Island!
Evangelism: Methods or Majesty
Reaching the Far Lost, How would Jesus do it?
The Near Lost – Low Hanging Fruit
A Strategy for the Near Lost
Inside Out Witnessing
The Shocking Reality – Cold Contacts
Do Not Feed the Lost?
Leaders: Do the Math
A Summary of the Living and Discipling Among the Lost

Testimony 19: Out of the Nest

Chapter 19

“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
(John 17:18)

In 1983 it was time to leave the safety of my spiritual nest at Ft. Campbell and the Lord sent me to Korea. Now there are a lot of reasons why soldiers don’t want to go to Korea but I only had one: sin. I had heard all the stories of returning GIs and I was terrified that I would undo all the work the Lord had done in the last three years. So, I made a covenant with God. I promised Him that I’d never be in the village after sunset (I imagined times of darkness would be the most perilous to my walk with Christ). This was tested the first night I was in country. My fellow Pathfinders heard I’d just arrived and were ready to take me out on the town. I had gone to bed early and when I woke to the pounding and yelling outside my room, it was pitch-dark. It was so dark and I had such bad jet lag I couldn’t find the door. Feeling my way around the walls, I apologized and told them I would just meet them in the morning. There was only one other time where I had the potential of breaking my covenant. I was out shopping and lost track of time. As I walked out of the store, I realized the sun was going down. I went into a full sprint, zigging and zagging through the crowd and spurted through the gate like a watermelon seed pinched between fingers. Whew, I made it! I kept my covenant with God and my time in Korea was one of the most fruitful times of my life.

Testimony 1: In the Beginning
Testimony 2: Jesus is Watching You
Testimony 3: Paratrooper Religion
Testimony 4: Afraid of being Left Behind
Testimony 5: The Geographical Solution
Testimony 6: The Geographical Solution Fails
Testimony 7: The Seed is Planted
Testimony 8: Spiritual Melee
Testimony 9: Seeing the Light
Testimony 10: Receiving God’s Plan for My Life
Testimony 11: A New Creature
Testimony 12: What about You?
Testimony 13: A Little Miracle
Testimony 14: An Apostle to the Soldier
Testimony 15: First Steps toward Growth
Testimony 16: Being Discipled
Testimony 17: Life Time Mentor
Testimony 18: Key Lessons from Cecil
Testimony 19: Out of the Nest
Testimony 20: Prayers for Korea

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Shout Out to the Nations

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Do Not Feed the Lost?

Living and Discipling Among the Lost – What are they hungry for?

Contemporary Christianity has made a huge mistake of not feeding the lost. We try to entertain them, trick them, and coax them into the Kingdom and when we mention the Lordship of Jesus Christ, they are “outta there.” One of the most prominent churches in America made the bold admission that their tactics were not working to help people truly experience spiritual transformation. Reason: they weren’t feeding them what they needed or they weren’t really spiritually hungry. In other words, you get what you pay for.

In our ministries, we are not looking for people who want to satisfy their spiritual appetite. Of course we lose some in the process, but it’s not because they feel like they were tricked. The wheat are separated from the chaff better when it is clear what you are inviting them to eat. If you advertise steak and serve up brussel sprouts, they have a right to be upset.

How did Jesus invite people into the Kingdom? Sure, He healed and fed people, but His message was always upfront and clear, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Mt 4.17) The people knew that following Jesus meant life changes. They understood there were expectations of obedience and lordship. The parables may have been mysterious, but there was no mistaking His call for radical life changes. And yes, He was very gracious at the same time. But you cannot deny the message of submitting oneself to the will of the Father. I think spiritual hungry people expect this message from us. The Holy Spirit has already bid them to repent and follow. Why would we remain silent and deprive them of the spiritual nutrients that will change their eternity? Why wouldn’t we get knee deep in the Bible and tell them everything about Jesus?

Ignore the signs! DO feed the Lost!

The Shocking Reality – Cold Contacts

And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
(Matthew 4:19)Living and Discipling Among the Lost – Obedience to the Great Commission

Now, after making much to do about the insider, I must admit that most people we see coming to Christ in our ministries are not from long term insider relationships. They are people we have just met ‘off the street’ and invited to Bible study. They are first time visitors in chapel we invite to lunch. That is the reality of our evangelistic efforts. Keep in mind too, that we are not talking about one or two converts a year. We’re talking dozens in a year.

This statement of reality is not to pit one technique of evangelism against another. But, if you are is serious about leading men and women to Christ, this ought to jolt you into paying careful attention. Remember the goal of evangelism is not to hang out with lost people. It is to find those who will embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior (Mt 11.27, Jn 6.44). So, since I’m interested people coming to Christ and eventually laboring in the Kingdom, I zealously practice both.

There are several ways to approach a cold contact and I’ve found some more effective than others. I can walk up to someone and convince them that they are a sinner (I really think they already know that) or I could convince them that “God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their life.” I could ask, “Why should God let you into heaven?” or I can simply test the waters by inviting them to chapel. The bottom line question is: “Am I extending myself to lost people?” Some Christians are bold and can walk up and start an argument and out maneuver the ‘would be convert’ mentally. Others are timid and do well to hand out a business card with the church service time on it. Whether you use a line or a net, Just Do It!

Keep in mind the spiritual principle of sowing. You can expect the yield to be in proportion to your efforts (2 Cor 9.6-7, Gal 6.7-8).

Inside Out Witnessing

Living and Discipling among the Lost

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). (John 1:40-41)

Things were different in the beginning. The first Bible study at Ft Benning consisted of only 4 attendees: Me, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What you hear me describing 6 year later is the result of God’s blessing and a lot of work. But, one of the great impacts on the small beginnings in ministry was that fact that I was an insider. As a chaplain, I had free access and developed a lot of key relationships with believers and non-believers alike. The role of the insider is crucial.
Although Jesus recruited some of the men to Himself, we see many people invited to join Him by others. These are people with natural networks of family, friends, and co-workers. They are exposed to Jesus through others and immediately begin to enlist more people in their networks to follow Him too.

John the Baptist introduced John and Andrew to Jesus (Jn 1.35-36). Andrew immediately finds his brother Peter and invites him to come and see as well (Jn 1.40-41). Philip is recruited directly by Jesus and in turn finds Nathaniel (Jn 1.43-45). Later, Jesus invites John and his brother James to follow Him (Mt 4.21-22). No doubt John had a major influence on James’ decision to be Jesus’ disciple. This demonstrates the insider’s natural network in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

It is essential to help people discover their natural networks. Many come to Christ by influence of a family member or a friend. This happens because an insider has already established natural bonds in their circle of relationships. Those closest people witness the changes in lifestyle and seek an explanation. Another key factor is the vast amount of time the insider spends in these natural circles. They have the opportunity to provide clear explanation and, more importantly, model the effects of the Gospel in their lifestyle.

Testimony 18: Key Lessons from Cecil

Chapter 18

For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
(1 Corinthians 2:2)

Although I learned many things from Cecil, I count two as most important. The first is a vision for personal ministry that is effective and enduring. His emphasis was to so deeply impact one person for Christ that it would reach the fourth generation. This vision is implemented one on one through a Christ-like love for others who are willing to love in the same manner. It is also accompanied by repetitive teaching of the basics of the Christian life, majoring on the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). There are many noble tasks in ministry. But, is the love of Christ being reproduced by passing it on to enduring generations? Cecil gave me the gift of this eternal purpose.

Secondly, 25 years after I met Cec, he would teach the most important lesson with just one simple question. As I was pontificating about some theological hobbyhorse, Cecil piped in asking, “Chuck, what does this have to do with Jesus?” At first I was ticked. I thought to myself, “Connect the dots man!” But as I continued to meditate on Cecil’s question, I asked myself, “Yah, what does this have to do with Jesus?” In fact, Jesus was conspicuously absent from most of my rhetoric from meeting with men to my preaching. Since that day I have dedicated my life to focus squarely on the person of Christ and to generously salt my speech with the name of my Savior, Jesus.

The Lord truly blessed me with Cecil, a mentor who had eternal perspective coupled with practical principles for day to day living for Christ. Do you have such a person in your life? And more importantly, are you being this kind of tutor in another person’s life? You can shape eternity!

What are the Key Lessons your mentors have taught you? Give your feedback by clicking on “comments” below.

Evangelism: Methods or Majesty

Living and Discipling among the Lost – A word on technique

Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it? That would be like a club wielding those who lift it, Or like a rod lifting him who is not wood. (Isaiah 10:15)

One of my fears in writing about the way we evangelize the lost is that the technique will be emphasized over the sovereignty of God. This is a great danger. Certainly, we must acknowledge that no one experiences true conversion unless the Holy Triune God has made it possible. The Father draws men and women to the Son (Jn 6.44). The Son reveals the Heavenly Father to those He determines (Mt 11.27). And the Holy Spirit convicts men of their sins (Jn 16.8) and regenerates them into newness of life (Titus 3.5).

We are merely tools in the evangelistic work. We can’t take any credit for the ultimate outcome of a person’s soul. Their spiritual transformation rests squarely in the hands of the Sovereign Lord. But unlike a dumb tool, we have a choice. We can choose to be useful or not. We can determine to be wielded in the hands of the Master or resolve to stay on the shelf. And, to some degree, I also think we can determine the effect of our usefulness by having a zeal to be used, accurately handling the Word of God, and displaying integrity in living out the message we proclaim. An ax is much more useful when it is sharp.

I remember the first man I introduced to Christ. I was actually talking to another man while he was eavesdropping. My presentation of the Gospel was so inadequate and in my own thinking it was unintelligible. The next morning, the unintended listener came to me and said he gave his life to Christ. I use this story to underscore the power of God. But we also need to follow the Scripture’s admonition to be trained and improve our abilities in communicated the Good News of Jesus Christ (Mt 4.19, 1 Pet 3.15, 2 Tim 2.15 2 Tim 3.16-17). Is it free will or sovereignty? Yes.

It’s been 16 years since I wrote this. I Still agree with most of it both Biblically and experientially. But stay tuned for some small tweaks!

Here’s an interesting up to day take on evangelism in the a Western Context in 2025