Foundations of missions: Power Evangelism
Continued from: Foundations of missions: Disciple Making
You will receive power…and you will be my witnesses…
(Acts 1:8)
God’s power is foundational for our outreach.
The best modern example I know of this is in Mozambique. Heidi and Rolland Baker were at the end of their rope six years ago. Floods had covered much of the country. They were struggling with persecution from government officials. More and more refugees poured into their camp, and then on top of everything else, a cholera epidemic hit. It looked like the end – time to pack up and head back to America.
But the Bakers hung in there, depending on God for healing and provision. And then, suddenly, something broke in the spirit – some spiritual corner was turned. Everyone with cholera was healed simultaneously. The doctors had never seen such a miracle. And a country in great desperation for hope began to find it in Jesus Christ.
Everywhere the Bakers went, this desperation for God was manifested. Thousands began giving their lives to Christ. Many other sick people were healed. People began to have so much faith that they prayed for the dead and saw them raised back to life. Stories of these miraculous events spread like wildfire. New churches were planted at an astonishing rate. Everywhere the Bakers went, great crowds gave their lives to Jesus.
People in neighboring countries began to hear of what God was doing. The same revival caught fire and spread. And it continues unabated in southern Africa today. The Bakers have seen over 5000 churches planted.
Jesus said that we disciples would receive power. Some theologians in America want to say that all that has stopped. There aren’t any Bible verses that say that; they take verses and try to twist them to support their position because they have never witnessed miracles themselves and figure there must be a good theological explanation for it. But we have received power. The power supply never got shut off when the apostolic fathers died. You have same access to it as the people of Mozambique.
Continued in: Foundations of missions: local, national, regional, global strategies
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The Jesus of the bible is the same today regardless of what any body may say today,God is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh according to His Promise, its time to step up and push past the skeptism, repent of the unbelief and the fleshliness that has shut us out of the flow of His power, and begin to walk worthy of our calling, God helping us
Yes. Yes. Yes. And for those who have not experienced or witnessed the miracles and came up with an unbiblical theology based on their experience (or lack of it)…where is the hunger and compassion to press into the Lord on behalf of the suffering and lost?
Below are four verses given by Christ in his final conversation with His disciples that reflects the power and authority Christ gives to disciples/future believers as well in John 17.
Joh_14:11-14 “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
Joh_15:7-8 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. g in My name, I will do it. ”
Joh_15:16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. ”
Joh_16:23-24 “In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”
amen! it gripes me that so many “teachers of the law” want to take this power away, when Jesus so plainly invested us with it and it’s on display all over the world.
Love that story – sounds a bit NT!
The typical approach to evangelism today struggles to make real impact because it is simply not Biblical. “But it works!” That doesn’t make it right or mean we shouldn’t question it. Let’s remember, God is sovereign. He can even use our imperfect efforts to save people – He used a theologically unsound book to lead me to Himself. The God described in the bible is simply incomparable but today the Christain faith has become just another religious option – very comparable to others – it lacks the power that sets it apart. 70-90% of converts to other religions and cults come from mainstream Christian churches. There may be a number of reasons for this trend but none greater than the lack of power in our witnessing. How do we regain this power Jesus promised? Pray of course then try this – next time a non-Christian shares a personal need with you, TELL them (don’t do it secretly) you will pray for them. Contact them a week later and ask them how they are going. My wife and I have tried this approach and have been amazed (shouldn’t have been) at what God has done. This is a simple step toward power evangelism that any one can try.
Paul said that the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Have a go – nothing heretical about praying for people.
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thanks for your articles. am encouraged. i have been unable to raise foe the work we are doing among the voodoo people and the pygmies of central africa. i always feel am a burden thanks so much