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Post by Jesse Morrell on Mar 30, 2006 17:21:32 GMT -5
Campus NewsTraveling ministry visits campus, students discussSOURCE: www.tsumeter.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/29/442b627d16712?in_archive=1(K.Cummings) by Elbert Jaquess Meter photographer March 29, 2006 In today’s society where “getting crunk” or being extra enthusiastic appears to be the right thing to do, last week some TSU students found themselves on the receiving end of such an act. Through biblical methods of evangelism, members of the Open Air Outreach group took TSU’s campus by storm, on Thursday, March 23, and Friday, March 24. But why have such an abrupt, unannounced entrance unto the campus? “We are kind of an alarm clock,” said Jesse Morrell, a member of Open Air Outreach. “We tell people it’s time to wake up and get out of the comfortable bed of sin and go shower in the cold shower of repentance. “Some people want to hit the snooze. Some want to throw the alarm clock out the window, but some wake up.” Morrell said Open Air Outreach is a New England area outreach ministry whose main focus is reaching college students through open-air preaching on college campuses. He said they want to reach the lost with the gospel of Christ Jesus through open-air preaching on streets and college campuses and to train other Christians to do the same. The general consensus of the spectators seemed to be OK with Open Air’s message, but some students weren’t completely sold on it. “Half of what [Morrell] says is true, but the way he’s coming at us isn’t the right way.” said Amber Hunter, a junior English and literature communications major from Moreno Valley, Calif. “The way he speaks of sinning and repenting multiple times and that you’re still going to Hell is wrong. [Morrell] also doesn’t explain all sin. He just focuses on premarital sex, drinking and drugs without speaking on gluttony and lust, and when asked he has no response.” Charles Rushing II, a sophomore English and literature major with a minor in philosophy from Baltimore, shared Hunter’s sentiments. “He has a good message,” Rushing said. “But he hasn’t researched and the way he’s delivering it may scare away people who really, really want to be saved which is a very bad thing.” But if nothing else, the presence of Open Air prompted discussions, according to member Miles Lewis. “The students have good serious questions and they are really listening,” Lewis said. SOURCE: www.tsumeter.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/29/442b627d16712?in_archive=1
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Post by Jeffrey Olver on Mar 31, 2006 12:22:24 GMT -5
I wish we could have given the paper the quote from one young lady who saw us both days named Courtney. she told us that at first she hated what we were doing, but when she actually stopped and listened, she realized we were just preaching the word.
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Post by prolifedorothy on Mar 31, 2006 21:38:41 GMT -5
The people who object to the preaching never come up with any new statements. It's always the same old cliches
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Post by Jesse Morrell on Apr 1, 2006 0:00:39 GMT -5
It seems that the devil tells people the same old lies everywhere. He doesn't need to make up any new ones because people keep believing the old ones.
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Post by Zachary Gudelunas on Apr 1, 2006 7:11:27 GMT -5
Campus News“Half of what [Morrell] says is true, but the way he’s coming at us isn’t the right way.” said Amber Hunter, a junior English and literature communications major from Moreno Valley, Calif. “The way he speaks of sinning and repenting multiple times and that you’re still going to Hell is wrong. [Morrell] also doesn’t explain all sin. He just focuses on premarital sex, drinking and drugs without speaking on gluttony and lust, and when asked he has no response.” “He has a good message,” Rushing said. “But he hasn’t researched and the way he’s delivering it may scare away people who really, really want to be saved which is a very bad thing.” One of the biggest barriers for sharing God's love with outsiders seems to be our communication style. In Colossians 4:2-6, the Apostle Paul wrote, "...pray for us...in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." Trying to reach people is learning to communicate in a way that is understood by those without a religious background. Many Christians have developed an insider language void of the Spirit and power that people outside the church do not understand but yet many call it, “evangelism”. One of the biggest barriers for sharing Gods love is our own communication style that is often far from Jesus’, Paul’s and many of the followers of Christ through the ages that simply obey the scriptures out of child-like faith. Consider 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, "But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" Jesus ministered to the women at the well through the prophetic gift and a word of knowledge. This communication style was highly effective, later we find the whole city receives we Him as the Christ. Prophetic ministry is for both Christians and to those who are not. Everyone needs to hear God's "love message" for his or her heart. Prophetic words are to bring encouragement, life, and blessing to people. One prophetic word can change a life forever. Jesus said in John 6:63, "The flesh profits nothing. It is the Spirit that gives life. The words I speak they are spirit and life." Prophetic words will bring life and blessing from the heart of God and help build a bridge to heal the breach in humanity, bringing them back into a relationship with the Father. We see what happened on the day of Pentecost through Holy Spirit’s communication style, when the multitudes understood many of the languages that were spoken supernaturally by the followers of Christ; they were converted at the preaching of Peter! The Gifts of the Spirit arrested the people’s attention and opened the door for the divine message. You can’t have one without the other, we need the power of Holy Spirit in our ministries to draw people to Jesus and confirm the Word we speak. As we change our approach to reflect the culture of Heaven, which is always relevant, in every nation, to every people group, God will use us to lead people to Jesus Christ daily. We can be naturally supernatural and find that evangelism is actually fun, easy to do, and much more accepted by those around us. For 3,000 got saved in the first “Open Air Meeting” of the Early Church and they did not even plan the meeting nor have a sermon prepared or a salvation script! How can we change our approach to evangelism that we might become as culturally relevant and as fruitful as Jesus was in his earthly ministry, for we are called to do even “greater works”? The solution is found in the last thing Jesus said to His followers on earth. It was for them to tarry in Jerusalem until they received power from on high (Luke 24:49). Jesus directly linked the receiving of this Holy Spirit power to the ability of followers to witness the Good News to others effetely (Acts 1:8). Sharing the Good News and having it confirmed through miracles, signs and wonders is Evangelism (Mark 16:20). The Holy Spirit’s Power is relevant in any culture therefore it became the communication style of Jesus and his followers. It is allowing yourself to be filled with the overflowing fullness of the Holy Spirit so that He can work through you to make His truth known. Without the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Church lacks the spiritual equipment outlined in the first Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 12, which is so necessary for an aggressive conflict with the powers of darkness; she is also deprived of that edifying enrichment derived from the manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in her mist. We must have power today to equip the church and evangelize the world effetely. We can’t use our own wisdom, it’s foolishness to even think we have the power to save the world or build the church in and of ourselves. For this Kingdom knows no end, if they’re boundaries within your mind God did not put them there my friend. He only knows forward motion and desires to give you His Spirit without measure. In Acts 26:17-18 Saul encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus. Jesus said, ...I am sending you to them [Unbeliever’s] to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins... We must first open a persons eyes spiritually in order for them to turn from darkness. This involves demonstrating Gods love and power to them. A quick study of the first 7 chapters of the Gospel of John will give you an overview of how Jesus used words of knowledge, prophecy, and miracles to draw seekers. Evangelism is stepping out in faith to share not only the word but the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ with everyone He brings across our paths. When people not only hear the truth but see it and feel it, they come to know how very real Jesus Christ is. In John 4:48, Jesus comments on how effective signs and wonders are in helping people believe. Jesus gives us kingdom authority and supernatural power to be effective witnesses, and fulfill the Great Commission. He empowers us to share the gospel and also to prove it through miracles, signs and wonders like healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead and casting out demons. That’s God Kingdom come. That’s His will being done on earth as it is in heaven. That’s Jesus’ style of evangelism and it’s completely and totally relevant today! When will we catch on? We can’t afford to misunderstand Jesus’ evangelism methods if our mission is to save a dying world. If we ignore the Gifts of the Holy Spirit we despise the heritage which is granted to us in Christ, and forget what the apostle Paul exhorted in 1 Corinthians 12, verse 1: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” Smith Wigglesworth once said, “There is a great weakness in the church of Christ because of an awful ignorance concerning the Spirit of God and the gifts He has come to bring. God wants us to be powerful in every way because of the revelation of the knowledge of His will concerning the power and manifestation of His Spirit. He desires us to be continually hungry to receive more and more of His Spirit.” There is a more excellent way to evangelize the world and build the church up. It is to seek the love of God first, and to desire the Gifts of the Spirit in order that we might effetely communicate God’s heart and serve Him the fruit of the sacrifice of His dear Son. Let us not labor in vain any longer it is clear in the Word “Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts...” This is the way of Master. We can only do work the works of Christ if we believe WE can, today. We must have faith and a strong desire to demonstrate the love of God through the power of the Spirit, for without the Lord we do nothing. Our fruit will only wither away, but what the Spirit produces is eternal, it remains. In Mark 16:17-21 it clearly reads, And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
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Post by Jesse Morrell on Apr 1, 2006 12:10:45 GMT -5
Maybe I should have clarified that you can't believe the liberal reports of these newspapers. You could be as meek as Jesus and they will try and make you look as mean as the devil.
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Post by Josh Parsley on Apr 1, 2006 13:51:20 GMT -5
What do you mean "change our approach"?
What do you mean "which is always relevant?"
" much more accepted by those around us" accepted by who? The world?
Just some curious questions...
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Post by Zachary Gudelunas on Apr 1, 2006 17:36:49 GMT -5
What do you mean "change our approach"? What do you mean "which is always relevant?" " much more accepted by those around us" accepted by who? The world? Just some curious questions... Anyone who doesn’t have an experience with God, doesn’t know God. And any revelation from God’s Word that does not lead us to an encounter with God only serves to make us more religious thus ineffective in our approach to save the lost. The Church cannot afford “form without power”, for it creates Christians that our no different then the Pharisees in their methods to change the world. “For the Kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20) We can’t declare the Good News with persuasive intellectual arguments but we must show the spiritual power behind it. Jesus said, “As you go, PREACH THIS MESSAGE: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:7-8) But you can’t give what you do not have, correct? For many in this generation have been handed down a Gospel that contains no power but only the religious forms of the traditions of men, thus the need for a reformation in our thought concerning our approach to preaching the Good News today. We need Heavens realities here on earth, but we will not see them if we’re preaching the wrong message! Faith without works is dead, we can’t just “Preach the Word” we must have a divine demonstration and conformation of our message or else it’s not the Good News, it’s just at best “good preaching” and that’s not what the world needs. Jesus said, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; OR AT LEAST BELIEVE ON THE EVIDENCE OF THE MIRACLES THEMSELVES. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. Jesus entrusted us with the same ministry the Father entrusted to Him but somehow we have changed it, making it irrelevant, effective, and powerless. We can’t give people word only; there must be a demonstration of the power of Christ to save. For further incite read the Acts of the Apostles and do a quick study of the first 7 chapters of the Gospel of John, it will give you an overview of how Jesus and his followers used words of knowledge, prophecy, and miracles signs and wonders to win the world. Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. LOOK HOW THE WHOLE WORLD HAS GONE AFTER HIM!" (John 12:17-19) The world wanted Jesus’ ministry, is that surprising? So if they don’t desire ours we must consider our methods. Are we using word only, without power? God is not a big talker, He back his word with power. We must change are approach to preaching the Good News that it might become as relevant to a lost world as the ministry of Christ was. If you have a hard time understanding this ask yourself what is the fruit of your Gospel? Jesus gave this list to John the Baptist, “Go your way, and tell John what things ye have SEEN AND HEARD; (1.) how that the blind see, (2.) the lame walk, (3.) the lepers are cleansed, (4.) the deaf hear, (5.) the dead are raised, (6.) to the poor the gospel is preached”. Fruit is the final factor, and this list is a good judge in weighing any ministry today.
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Post by ejuliot on Apr 1, 2006 19:09:34 GMT -5
Zachary, This is a sincere question have you ever healed someone, raised someone from the dead, made lepers clean, or the lame to walk, or made deaf people hear (I am deaf and if you have healed a deaf person I would like to come visit you ;D)? Just curious...
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Post by Zachary Gudelunas on Apr 1, 2006 19:39:36 GMT -5
I have healed the lame, watched cancer and tumors leave peoples body through the laying on of hands, as well as creative miracles, such as legs growing and skin problems and burns all being instantly healed by the power of God.
As well as with the prophetic gift and word of knowledge I have seen countless people saved and healed through a revelation from the Spirit concerning their illness, life (often there past), or dreams and interpretations (Like as in Daniel and Joseph’s ministry).
God will heal you! He is no respecter of persons and never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
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Post by Zachary Gudelunas on Apr 1, 2006 19:59:44 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300][/glow]God give His Church supernatural gifts that we might witness for Him, bringing souls to salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ who through us builds the church.
The Gifts of the Spirit have a vital role in both stimulating and inviting faith.
Peter’s repentance (Luke 5:8-11)
The man born blind (John 9)
Proconsul Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:11-12)
Jesus believed that whole cities could turn to salvation through the exercise of spiritual gifts (Matt. 11:20-24)
The gifts also serve to open doors for evangelism.
Jesus delivered a legion of demons from a man,
Mark 5:9-20 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
Jesus saves a Samaritan woman through a word of knowledge.
John 4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
The power of gift’s further the preaching of the gospel.
Speaking in tongues drew large crowds so that Peter might proclaim the gospel to them. (Acts 2)
The healing of the lame man allowed Peter to preach in Solomon’s porch. (Acts 3:1-26)
The city of Samaria listened to Philip because of the miracles they saw him perform. (Acts 8:6-8)
When the paralytic Aeneas was healed, Luke notes that “all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord” (Acts 9:35)
The raising of Dorcas “became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord” (Acts 9:42)
Many Ephesians believed because of the apostle Paul’s miraculous ministry (Acts 19:11-20)
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Post by Josh Parsley on Apr 3, 2006 8:08:24 GMT -5
What do you mean "change our approach"? What do you mean "which is always relevant?" " much more accepted by those around us" accepted by who? The world? Just some curious questions... I don't mean to be rude I am just curious to the answers to my questions. Maybe I just missed the answers, if so I am sorry to be ignorant. Thanks. God Bless.
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Post by Zachary Gudelunas on Apr 3, 2006 19:51:06 GMT -5
This statement is key in understanding the following,
“Jesus Christ is our model for ALL Ministry. For He is perfect theology.”
1. QUESTION: What do you mean "change our approach"?
ANWSER: We are supposed to demonstrate the kingdom of God with power, not just words. But much of the church passively waits on God’s sovereignty rather than taking the kingdom. God wants to keep his promises but we need to develop our faith to receive and aggressively take them.
The world wanted Jesus’ ministry, is that so surprising, it was powerful, just read the first 7 chapters of the Gospel of John? Jesus and his followers used words of knowledge, prophecy, and miracles signs and wonders to win the world; that was their approach. It was the ministry of word and the spirit together, not one or the other. But most often we tend to measure life’s possibilities by our own limited experience. The temptation to deny the existence of things outside our own experience is nowhere more obvious then in the matter of spiritual gifts and the miracles they accomplish.
We must ask ourselves this question, “Are we using word only, without power?” The power of Holy Spirit to heal has been continuously mocked and ignored by both professing Christians and unbelievers throughout the world today. But nonetheless Scripture that says He bore our sickness and pains, (Isaiah 53) is an argument for Christ’s atonement providing healing as well as forgiveness. That was the ministry of Jesus healing, salvation, and deliverance. It was for the whole person and whole cities. He never changed.
But we must change if our approach to preaching the Good News that it might become as relevant to a lost world as the ministry of Christ was. The world needs the ministry of Jesus not man. People have been so in the habit of putting Jesus in a class by Himself that they have failed to recognize that He has made provision for the same living Spirit of God that dwelt in His own life, and of which He Himself was a living manifestation, to inhabit your being and mind, just as it inhabited the being of Jesus or Paul. We must go from intellectualizing God’s Word to being impregnated by it, that we might minister as the Maker in creative power.
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)
2. QUESTION: What do you mean "which is always relevant?"
ANWSER: Dispensationalist teaching leads us to believe we hope people are healed but you don’t pray for the lost and hope they’re saved. Why can we impart salvation by faith but not for healing? They are not separate issues they come from the same place—The Word of Truth.
Jesus said, “As you go, PREACH THIS MESSAGE: 'THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. But somewhere along the line we’ve stopped preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Yet this is what Jesus demonstrated as our method of witnessing until His return, “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) Jesus’ way is always relevant even up until the last trump.
Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Yes, we don’t expect the liberals who deny the supernatural dimension of life to heal the sick. Neither do we expect the Cessationists who believe that it’s no longer possible to pray with faith to heal the sick. But we do expect those Charismatics and Pentecostals and third wave evangelicals who believe healing is still for today to minister the gift. Because if not you – who? Who is God going to use? More people will find God’s power increasing in the church when they start stepping out, preaching the kingdom and releasing God’s power. Heaven never changes and its Gospel has never faded, and its power is available today to those who desire to preach the Kingdom message as Christ did. It is the message that can produce the same results in every nation, in every people group on the face of the earth until the coming of the Lord Himself.
3. QUESTION:"much more accepted by those around us" accepted by who? The world?
ANWSER: Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. LOOK HOW THE WHOLE WORLD HAS GONE AFTER HIM!" (John 12:17-19) The whole world wants Jesus and all who look like him. Both saved and lost alike desire the ministry of Christ-like men and women, that they may be healed, saved, and delivered and walk with God as the Second Adam did.
The world is waiting for an encounter. In Romans 8:19 it says, “All creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal who his children are.” When Jesus prayed to the Father he identified our ministry with his, in that it was one-in-the-same. He said, “JUST AS You sent Me into the world Father, I also have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18) Therefore, Go into the entire world and preach the good news to all creation. (Mark 16:15) Planet earth is expecting to see a manifestation of Jesus today through the sons of God. But where are His children that with great power give witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus as the early church did turning the world upside down. There are here still! Walking with the Holy Spirit as Christ did in power transforming whole nations.
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