Tag Archives: Evangelism

To Seek and Save the Lost

Posted on by
Reply
Painting in St. Mark’s Cathedral on Wikicommons
Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:8–10; NKJV)

Chapter 19 in the Gospel of Luke is a transition between two major sections of Luke’s narrative. The first half of the chapter (verses 1–27) closes out the large central division focusing on the Gospel of the Kingdom of God with a brief review of Jesus’ Kingdom priorities. The second half of the chapter (vv. 28–48) begins the next major division, which narrates the presentation of Israel’s Messiah, beginning with the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem.

Continue reading →

This My Son Was Dead

Posted on by
2
Painting by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo on National Gallery of Art
But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:22–24)

In Luke chapter 15, Jesus has departed from the Pharisee’s house and continued His journey toward Jerusalem. In chapter 14, Luke concluded the major section on what it means to truly follow Jesus. Now, the focus is on the what true service in the Kingdom of God looks like.

Continue reading →

What Is the Church?

Posted on by
Reply
Photo by John Cafazza on Unsplash
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers... praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41–42, 47; NKJV)

The word ‘church’ receives mixed reactions in modern America. Historically, the church has largely been a force for social good, founding many of the social institutions we take for granted today (including education and healthcare). But in modern America, the church is often portrayed as an outdated institution holding society back from social progress. What is the church? What are her primary religious and social purposes? Let’s dig in.

Continue reading →