Was it a "Good" Night?

I believe the most common question I get when speaking with folks after our Evangelism Outreach is this:

"Was it a Good Night?"

I think to myself of how to answer such a question and I contemplate & discern the following things:

1) What do they mean by Good?  What, more specifically "who", would have made it Good?

2) What is the expectation of the "questioner"?  What is His/Her understanding of the Gospel & our duty to be lights/witnesses in a dark/lost world?

3) How do evaluate and assess "Good" according to the Word of God?

4) How can we (the Servants) truly KNOW it was a "Good" night?

Let's take a look at some things I believe the Lord has been teaching me about such a question.

First, I believe with all my heart we MUST begin and end with the Holy Spirit; God himself in regenerated men/women - reconciling a lost humanity to Himself through his children and by way of the Gospel Message.

The Holy Spirit:  God in man, pursuing and accomplishing God's will through man, for God's Glory.  Simply put - Jesus continuing the ministry he demonstrated on earth, now accomplishing HIS WILL in and through born again believers towards a lost humanity in need of redemption and salvation.

John 16:7-11

I tell you the truth:  it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.  But if I go, I WILL send him to you.  And when he comes, HE WILL convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement; concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.  (v.13-14) When the Spirit of truth comes, HE WILL guide you into all the truth, for HE WILL NOT speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears HE WILL speak, and HE WILL declare to you the things that are to come.  HE WILL glorify me, for HE WILL take what is mine and declare it to you.

WOW!!  This is HUGE!  Do you believe?  Let's try to break down a "Good" Night concerning this passage!

_ What Jesus says Happens! Amen.  "HE WILL" send the Holy Spirit.  *For the sake of this teaching, since the Holy Spirit "IS" God - let's call him what He is....

* GOD WILL: (through his children)

1) Convict the World of it's sin; calling it to repentance/faith for the forgiveness of sin through Christ.

2) Reveal the standard of Righteousness (Jesus); the one who satisfies God's Holy standard - not man's fallen state of perceived righteousness that will never save/satisfy.  (Proverbs:  Each man perceives himself righteous in his own eyes.)

3) Judgement:  Warning and demonstration of Christ's judgement over Satan.  

*According to Jesus, (16:9) - the world's sin is unbelief in Him.*  Judgement WILL fall upon those who remain in sin.  (Exodus:  the soul that sins will surely die)(Romans:  the wages of sin is death).

So a "GOOD" night is:

1) A servant abiding in the Lord Jesus; filled with the Holy Spirit, understanding GOD WILL NOT fail in His ministry.  (Trust)

2) By that filling, GOD accomplishing HIS WILL (the above 3 pts.) that night in conversation.

3) A Faithful servant planting & watering by way of yielding to GOD; faithful to His word (Timothy), knowing that God alone can grow the seed.

4) Not looking to the responses/reactions of men, but rather keeping to God's call of integrity; unashamed of the Gospel.  

5) Not necessarily "focused" on "how many decisions", but rather "Did I, the servant do what the Lord has asked of me - regardless of the outcome". (*desiring out of love for all to be saved - GOD's will)

6) Thanking God for giving us Freedom/Forgiveness from our sins and dying to ourselves for the sake of  lost we talk to; just as He Himself demonstrated.  In a clear fashion, we are willing to die for (the worst of sinners we talk to) in order that they might be saved; laying our lives, efforts, and bodies in harm's way to put forth God's saving Gospel message.

Don't be deceived!!  Jesus himself said:

John 17:14-19

"I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.  And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.  I do not ask for these only, but also for those who WILL BELIEVE in me THROUGH THEIR WORD, that they may all be one, just as you, Father are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me!

Go On!  Act"S"aved!  .......and may the Lord Himself be with you always (just as He Promises!)

~ Marc Woz ~

Our Ability to Obey Him

1 John 4:16-18 

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.  God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.  And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.  So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.  Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.  If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

WE KNOW = conviction, truth, and full trust to draw near to him who loves us.

WE HAVE  = we place our lives in his hand/word/will for our lives b/c we trust him.

WE WILL NOT FEAR = we do not fear b/c we have a peaceful/loving relationship with him.  If he is for us and is ultimate judge; who could be against us?

WE CAN = we approach him without hesitation b/c we have consecrated ourselves, set ourselves apart, and lived a life of obedience in response to his love/commands toward us.

But "IF" 

WE ARE AFRAID = we sense punishment coming b/c of our disobedience/sin/choices

WE HAVE NOT = we are not choosing to further our faith and grow in the grace & knowledge of Jesus our Lord; we don't choose to draw near & we display our unbelief (sin).

~ Let us draw near to him each day and get to know him well; he who Loves us - Jesus.  May our response be a life lived for his will, his purposes, & his glory!  I pray this for each one of you who have been gracefully chosen to be loosed from your former chains of darkness and yolk of slavery; consider yourselves dead & crucified to the old man/nature (Galatians 2:20) - For this is Truth, let your life display it and show the world Jesus is who he is!  The Great I AM!  GOD!

Go now!  Act"S"aved!

Marc.

I will Tell the Whole Truth, nothing but the Truth so help me God.

I will tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me God.  Can you say this without flinch?  Is this your stance each day having been set apart for the Gospel of Jesus Christ; to be proclaimed to a lost and dying world?  

It is the command of our Lord Jesus, is it not?  If believed, then shared - No?  When is the last time you died to yourself in bringing such a message to a lost one?  Think for a moment - Is it not utterly SIN to remain silent?  To do so is to withhold the most valuable gift in all of the world towards those you love - well at least you say you love.  Isn't withholding good 100% bad?  Is not participating in bad sin?  The Bible says the wages of that sin is death (Romans 3:23).  Is it right that such sin would be named amongst one of God's true children?  How could it be?  But Lord, I really do believe!  "Believe?" says the Lord.  Is believing disobeying?  Does proclaiming you believe the same as evidencing it by works; meaning backing what (yes), you are commanded to speak?  Certainly not - for we need not go further do we?  Of course not, don't go hiding behind a bush, for the Lord will see you.  Do not go blaming or lying for the Lord will catch you in your deceit and you will be found guilty.  Is this questioning stirring your heart?  Are you angry at me who writes?  Are you accusing me as a mere human who dares write such an address to your conscience?  Oh, but I too am being preached to this very moment.  And I too must answer to the Lord with handling rightly this truth - for I am not above you; nor am I favored by God in this responsibility as to be relieved of my duty - For there is no partiality with God (Romans 2:11) - What He says, He says and what He requires, He requires; for each will answer for him/herself - Amen?

Let's change gears, but first, repent of what you must and ask the Lord to give you courage - ask this for me as well.  Our goal is to please Him, to advance His purposes in all the world and bring this matter to all who know (by way of reminder); and to those who do not (so they too, may share in the fellowship with us/Him: 1 John).

Is God pleased when others (non-believers) get offended as a faithful one brings the Gospel message to their conscience?  Is he displeased because another who suppresses the truth is displeased?  I think NOT.  Is he displeased with us because we truly believe and will be persistent with others on this most vital and eternal topic He set in place to save all?  Well, those who wish not hear or obey are!!  They may say: "This annoying Christian keeps trying to RAM this Bible stuff down my throat; who does he/she think they are?  They have NO RIGHT?"  Is this True?  Is this what you meant by your persistence?  I hope not!  Then why shutter under the false accusation of a mere mortal in ignorance?  If God is ultimate Judge + the maker of all things and the Author of the Gospel which saves, and He is on your side - Who is to win such a case against you?  Did not the Ruler, Creator, and Judge give you this Authority?  Then why must Christians listen and cower under the father of mere mortals (The Devil)?  He is no longer your father, though he once was!  You've been adopted!  Now your yolk is easy and the burden of the Lord is light, lest you continue in sin!  God help us!

Too be cont'd..... (in the meantime.....Act"S"aved!)  Marc.

Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 5:6 - (referring to Jesus)"You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 5:1-5 - (referring to men chosen to be priests) For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you."

Now - What about YOU? What about those born again? What about a Christian? Is not each Christian born of God with the title of priest? Is not the role of priest ours whom are Christians? As it says.....

1 Peter 2:4-5 - As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, TO BE A HOLY PRIESTHOOD, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2: - YOU ARE A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION, THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE EXCELLENCIES OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT. ONCE YOU WERE NOT A PEOPLE; BUT NOW YOU ARE GOD'S PEOPLE; ONCE YOU HAD NOT RECEIVED MERCY, BUT NOW YOU HAVE RECEIVED MERCY.

* Continue to meditate on your new identity in Christ Jesus; as you draw near to him (reading the Bible, praying earnestly, and obeying what you read) - He will bless you with a purposeful, passionate, and fruitful life in His name.  You will receive the joy and conviction of what it is to Act"S"aved.

A Testimony is a mark of your True/New Identity.

Mark 5:19-20  (After Healing a Demon-Possessed Man)

.."Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."  And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decopolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Key Points/Considerations:

1. Were you Demon Possessed; hopelessly living in sin?
2. Were you born Saved?  Healed?  Ready to proclaim the excellencies of God's mercy?
3. Did you need God's Grace and Gift of Salvation?
4. Have you been healed/saved by grace, through faith in Christ alone? (a gift/work of God)
5. Do you then have a "Testimony" of Salvation/Redemption?
6. Does this "Testimony" reveal the "Resurrection Power" of Jesus to make alive something formerly dead?
7. Do you think this "Testimony" of Power is useful in this fallen world?
8. Do you believe God had significant purpose for your use of this gift and "Testimony"?
9. What does this "Testimony", given by God alone reveal about your identity?  Your relationship to Him now vs. before?  
10. What does He want you to do?
11. Will you believe, obey, and proclaim the Gospel via His command?
12. Do you see the Loving Gift/Sacrifice on His part in order to have Saved you & given you "Testimony" and assurance?
13. Do His commands now seem burdensome or are you highly motivated by His Love to obey?
14. Does His Love to you and now in you drown out Fear/Doubt?
15. Will you surrender your will and take up His in order to purposely Glorify Him?
16. Will you take Him at His Word?  Can He be trusted by you as you remember His Sacrificial Death for your life?
17. Will you still willingly remain in complacent sinfulness?
18. Will you write out your God-given "Testimony" and remember it always?
19. Are you convinced Jesus alone did this marvelous work in you?
20. Will you live out your life and identity in Christ and display to Him that He IS your LORD?

-ActSaved

Do you live in a Righteous or Sinful World?

Do you live in a Righteous world or a Sinful world?  If sinful, and the message you preach is righteous, then what else to be expected than conflict, disagreement, persecution, hatred, strife, mockings, and evil responses.  If your Master who was perfectly righteous experienced all of the above as He preached how will you expect a different result?  If you obey Him as He obeyed His Father, then you should expect the result He expected and not be surprised at the coming result.  

This statement is not to say that a remnant of those who heard believed.  Some repented of sin at the hearing of the Righteous words of Jesus and will when you faithfully proclaim the Gospel as the Father would draw them according to His will and Spirit.  But beware to preach a different Gospel to suit the sinner.  Beware even further to preach a Gospel to suit yourself!  Suiting the sinner with a man-made gospel is to suit self!!  They never receive the truth which could set them free and you preserve yourself in order to avoid conflict!  If finality arrived - They would be lost in eternity under God's wrath and you would be caught in disobedience; knowing yet not doing! (sin).  The Bible says the latter has the greater responsibility!  

Please read your Bibles everyday as God commands for our protection, fruitfulness in Christ, and for the sake of the lost (to name a few!).  God help us all - Be encouraged by this confrontation - God is calling you to the privilege of serving him; great reward is awaiting those whom are faithful and obedient!!

Act"S"aved!!