Peace Presbyterian Church

“Becoming a Contagious Christian”

“The word evangelism comes from the Greek euangelos, which means to bring good news. The word Gospel also means good news”

One thing that I have noticed as a pastor is that the idea of evangelism can often cause some anxiety. Often church members can feel that evangelism is something best done by the “professionals,” such as pastors. It is important to remember what the word evangelism means. The word evangelism comes from the Greek euangelos, which means to bring good news. The word Gospel also means good news. The Four Gospels then are bearers of Good News, for they tell us of the great love of God, that we can see as revealed in the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. Our faith in and our relationship with Jesus Christ is good news, because now we can have peace, joy and love that is impossible outside of knowing Jesus. Thus, each believer is called to share the good news of having Jesus Christ in their hearts and lives.

“God has surrounded us with friends and family who have not yet experienced the love of Christ”

In his book, Becoming a Contagious Christian, Bill Hybels shares with us how we can enjoy and practice relational evangelism. Relational evangelism flows from being authentic in living out our faith while living in a dark world. God has surrounded us with friends and family who have not yet experienced the love of Christ. God wants us to seek out opportunities to care for them and to show them that God loves them unconditionally. People are hungry for a chance to have religious conversations and for people who will graciously talk with them. Let us be faithful in doing this.

“Are we contagious with negativity, anger and bitterness or”

Hybels asks us a key question: are we contagious with and for Christ? Is our relationship with Jesus, is our love and commitment for and to Christ, something so compelling that we cannot help but share our love for Him on a regular basis? I have shared from the pulpit before that we are all contagious. Are we contagious with negativity, anger and bitterness or are we contagious with the love, grace and mercy of Jesus? We have a basic choice to make: what or who will define your life? Will you live for yourself or for Jesus? Will your love for Jesus be contagious and impossible to keep bottled up within?

“As we become swept away by gratitude to Him, we learn to praise God in each and every moment”

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds us of the importance of motives. Jesus wants us to be profoundly grateful: for the grace of God, for the mercy of God, for the love of God, for the forgiveness of God, and for the gift of each day from God. As we become swept away by gratitude to Him, we learn to praise God in each and every moment. Our praise and gratitude to God should lead us to accept the call Jesus gives us in 5:14-16 to be “the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Jesus is telling us that good news is always meant to be shared. If our relationship with Jesus is truly making a difference in our lives, we cannot help but share Him with others. We have been created to share Christ with others, to be a light in a dark and dreary world.

“God does not want us to be scared about sharing our faith...”

God does not want us to be scared about sharing our faith, or our relationship with Jesus with others. God just wants us to be real, to be authentic and to be genuine in living out our faith and doing so in a way that brings glory to Him, not to us. God wants us to enjoy relational evangelism, as our love for Jesus becomes so contagious that we cannot help but share Him with others.

Be contagious for and with Christ!. Enjoy His love and enjoy sharing His love! Jesus loves you, and so do I!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Brian

Sermons for September 2007
A Study of Colossians 3
Setting our Hearts on Christ

September 2, 2007: “Setting Our Hearts on Christ”
Deuteronomy 11:13-21; Colossians 3:1-4 ”
    “ Communion Sunday”

September 9, 2007: “Putting Sin to Death”
    “ Zechariah 1:1-6; Colossians 3:5-6”

September 16, 2007: “Getting Rid of the Old Ways”
    “ Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Colossians 3:7-8”

September 23, 2007: “Being Renewed in Christ”
    “ Isaiah 62:1-12; Colossians 3:9-11”

September 30, 2007: “Being Compassionate like Jesus”
    “ Exodus 34:1-7; Matthew 9:36; Colossians 3:12”

During the month of September, we will study the Third Chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Colossians in reflection on how we can set our hearts on Christ and on how we can enjoy new lives in Him. When provided, please read and reflect on the Scriptures ahead of time in preparation for hearing and responding to God’s Word as it is read and proclaimed.