The Problem with “Instant Evangelism” (02.22.24)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about the problem of “instant evangelism.” Of course, it is possible for someone to be converted quickly. However, we need to be careful that we do not have an expectation to see a proper response to the gospel before a person has a fundamental understanding of God and His word that can provide the foundation for a life of faith. For various reasons, seeing results from our efforts to evangelize is often slower today than in previous generations. What does that mean for us? We’re going to discuss that today.Continue Reading

The Seven Churches (Part 6): Philadelphia

The Seven Churches (Part 6): Philadelphia

The sixth church addressed in the book of Revelation was in Philadelphia. This is the only place where this city is mentioned in the Bible. It was likely a smaller church, yet the Lord told them about their great opportunity to spread the gospel.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Revelation 3:7-13).

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Cold, Empty Churches

Empty church

Corydon E. Fuller, in Reminiscences of James A. Garfield, described a period in which he (the author) was working with a school in Hambden, Ohio, in 1851. In this “little village” that “enjoyed no past, and had no hope in the future,” there were two churches which he described in this way:

“The two churches stood like gladiators over against each other, shabby in their weather-beaten habiliments, faded and tattered by winter’s storms and summer’s heat. Without, they were forbidding and repulsive; within, the fires had grown cold upon their altars, and the worshipers had departed, save a few fossils who had come down from a former generation.” (Reminiscences of James A. Garfield, p. 39)

No additional information is given about these churches and how they got into this condition. However, any church could find itself in this condition in the future, no matter its current state.

The churches Fuller described were once active in their work and worship. Yet over time, their services had “grown cold,” and most of the “worshipers had departed.” Whether one condition led to the other or both happened concurrently, they were related (and can also be in our churches today).Continue Reading

The “Serious Sin” of “Proselytism” (02.16.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week I’m joined once again by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about some comments made by the pope in which he condemned the “serious sin” of “proselytism.” What did he mean by that? Is it anything like evangelism, or is it something different? And how should we, as Christians, view our responsibility regarding evangelism? We’re going to cover this in our discussion.Continue Reading

Evangelism and Social Media (02.09.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about evangelism and social media. Recently I had an opportunity to join brother Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba – a gospel preacher in Nigeria – for a discussion on his YouTube channel on this topic. The episode today contains a portion of our discussion. Brother Lesley was gracious enough to allow me to share this discussion here with the Plain Bible Teaching audience.Continue Reading

Christians Becoming a Minority Group in America (02.02.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about the future of religion in America. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, those who profess to be Christians may be in the minority in fifty years. I talked about this in an episode a few months ago, but this week I have Kristofer Gardana with me so we can discuss the challenges and potential opportunities that Christians could encounter in the future if these projections become a reality.Continue Reading

Answering Basic Questions (Part 11): What Is the Work of the Church?

Answering Basic Questions

Earlier in this series, we discussed the question: What is the church? A related question, and one that will come up from time to time, is about what local churches are to be doing. If you ask various people, you will likely get many different answers. This is the reason why there is an almost limitless number of activities and “ministries” offered by churches today. Is it necessary – or even good – for churches to do all of these things?

What is the work of the church? There are four points for us to consider here.Continue Reading