Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare, Mentor's Guide, MG08

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E V A N G E L I S M A N D S P I R I T U A L W A R F A R E

kind of people in a certain kind of way. He reveals these people to be those who are most vulnerable and needy. A life lived with distinction and with compassion for the needy and the broken turns out to be the most important sign of authentic Jesus-relationship. What is needful for us to see here is that urban evangelism that does not first and foremostly emphasize a certain kind of messenger will never be effective in delivering the message of the Lord . This simple affirmation has to undergird all that we say and do in ministry. Frankly put: who you is is more important than how you gab. Ultimately, it will determine where you go. All of the following contacts seek to unearth into plain sight the point given in the devotional above. There can be no question that our current ministry training regimens focus on professional and academic preparation, not upon the distinctives of a life lived in compassion for the broken and the poor. This is not negotiable. Christ suggests clearly those who belong to him and those who don’t. If we take this seriously, then, it will demand a boldness and courage to forge a new direction in training, qualifying, and credentialing leaders. We will no longer be able to ignore the dynamics of love, compassion, service, justice, and holiness in selecting evangelists and others to represent the Good News in the city. To do so is to take Jesus’ own words and throw them in the mud. We either take his standards of servanthood and ministry seriously, or we neglect them to the hurt of those who we train, and those to whom they are sent. There is no substitute ever for a man or woman, a boy or girl of genuine character representing the Gospel in their communication of it. Sooner or later, if you go with intelligence and knowledge alone, the very Good News we seek to communicate will be covered up by human pride, position, knowledge, and hubris. Only Christ can save a soul; only his messengers of integrity can bear fruit that remains and that bring honor and glory to God (John 15.16).

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