Let Down Your Nets! – Pastor Andrew Schank

Pastor Andrew SchankOn April 28, 2006 at the Mandan Baptist Church of Mandan, North Dakota I had the awesome privilege to preach this sermon to the Preacher’s Fellowship. It was a great day of preaching, singing, worshiping God and praying! Listening to this message brings back some memories of when I pastored the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Beulah, North Dakota. Feel free to share this message with your friends on facebook or twitter!

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73102: Complete Word Study Dictionary, New Testament Complete Word Study Dictionary, New Testament

By Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D. / Amg Publishers

Explore the idioms and nuances of the original text of the New Testament without learning Greek! This detailed study tool arranges every word by Strong’s numbering system. Each entry gives the word’s derivation; history and etymology; an exegetical commentary; and synonyms and antonyms. Includes an English word index. 1505 pages, hardcover from AMG.

Useful Instructions In Soul-Winning Part 2 – By Pastor Dan Reed | Manna For Your Day

Dr. Dan Reed was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1951. He was saved at the Woodland Avenue Baptist Church in 1973 while studying engineering at Auburn University. Sensing the call to preach in 1973 he enrolled at Tennessee Temple College under the ministry of Dr. Lee Roberson. Finishing his B.A. in December of 1975 he was called to Emden, Missouri , a town of 61, to pastor the Community Baptist Church. Pastor Reed has started two churches and two Christian schools during his 33-year ministry. He is currently the pastor of Harvest Baptist Church of Acworth, Georgia. (Learn more about Dr. Reed HERE)
 

USEFUL INSTRUCTIONS IN SOUL-WINNING Part 2

Scripture Reading: Jude

Text: (Jude 1:22-23) “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”  (KJV)

Being “discerning” means we must take the time to listen to people to discern their needs and how we should deal with them. I do not mean now that the gospel ever changes, but the way we approach people, according to Scripture, is according to their own needs and background. Proverbs 18:13 “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it; it is folly and shame to him.” Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer…”

(2) Be pitiful -

Jude said, “Of some having compassion.” The word literally means “pity”. Some people just need some compassion. Psalm 26:5,6 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth…” Do you see the emphasis on compassion in those verses? So what type of people need compassion?

(A) The ignorant need compassion for Hebrews 5:2 says, “Who can have compassion on the ignorant?” Some people have been duped, their minds are confused because the god of this world hath blinded their minds! You don’t jump on people who are ignorant! If a person knows the gospel and deliberately rejects it, he needs solemn rebuke; but not those who are ignorant of the truth!

(B) The fainthearted need compassion. In Matthew 9:37 “Jesus was moved with compassion on them because they were faint” which speaks of their faintheartedness. This speaks of people easily discouraged. Perhaps they have wanted to be saved but never fully understood and embraced Christ and are discouraged. We should be very tender and compassionate with these people.

(C) People who are bound by their sins like the Gadarene demoniac. Jesus told him to go home and tell his friends what the Lord had done for him and how he had compassion on him. Some people really do desire to be saved from their sins, they simply need someone to care long enough to help them come to the Savior!

(D) The bereaved need compassion. When the Lord came across the bier of the widow of  Nain’s son, the Bible says, “He had compassion on her and said unto her…” I have led many people to Christ after a funeral. The person I bury may be lost, but if I have compassion on the family, I can likely win some! It is compassion that causes the soulwinner to stop and help someone in need, to go the extra mile, to keep going back. There is a man in our church who was led to Christ by a bus captain that kept going back and back, every Saturday. That is the compassion that makes the difference!

(3) Be pungent -

“others save with fear pulling them out of the fire” – “Others” means here is another case. These kind are to be saved with fear, they do not need compassion, they need to have the fear of God placed in them. The term “pulling them out of the fire” probably refers to the story of Lot and how the angels had to lay hold on them and literally pull them out of Sodom! Some people live so close to hell that it takes severe warnings and rebukes to touch them at all. Old Oliver Greene used to pray, “Lord, save that one nearest hell.” Who is this crowd?

(A) The religious self righteous crowd- Jesus had compassion on the multitudes and the publicans and sinners, but He had nothing but rebukes and fiery indignation to the Pharisees and scribes!

(B) Those caught up in cults and false doctrine who have turned from the way of truth but have not gone so far as to be given up. A stiff warning may help someone like that.

Look For Part 3…

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25965: Teach Me to Pray Teach Me to Pray

By Andrew Murray / Bethany House

Contemporary Christians know that God answers prayer and that praying is important, but most also wish their prayer life could be more effective. Murray instructs readers from Scripture and the life of Jesus that prayer is the root and strength of all work for God, that God intends to answer every prayer, and that prayer is meant to be a way of life. These thirty-one classic meditations, written in 1885, have been edited and clarified for new readers. 240 pages, softcover from Bethany.

Prioritizing Pastoral Visitation

One of the simplest ways to gain the respect and admiration of any child of God is to visit with them in a time of need. Many Christians can recall a time when a visit from their pastor was the very event that helped them the most in the midst of crisis. Though pastors know this, it can be the hardest thing to consistently perform in ministry!

Even though pastors are stretched in their responsibilities, they must be sure to make quality visits. Not only quality visits, but also various types of visits. Balancing the priority between these can be wearisome. In spite of the frustration that can frequently arise with the visitation portion of ministry, without a doubt, it is the most rewarding experience a pastor can have.

Let’s face it, some visits are more important than others. We are not saying that people are unimportant or less significant, but we are advocating that pastors prioritize who they visit, when they visit and how long they visit certain people. Consider the following…

#1 Church Visitors – When folks visit your worship service, they need a visit! As soon as is humanly possible they need the pastor, and preferably another church member, returning the visit. Even if it is just a minute or two at the door where a gospel witness can be reiterated, this type of visit is essential.

#2 Unsaved People You Are Asked To Visit – Occasionally a pastor will be asked to visit a friend or relative of a church member who is lost. It is very important that the pastor make the visit as soon as he can. Much prayer should precede this, but no time should be wasted by deferring this matter very long.

#3 New Members Of The Community – This is often over looked in the ministry. Through various sources, a pastor can keep up with who has just moved into the community. New move-ins are prime territory for cults. It is best to beat them to the door!

#4 New Converts – These people are in great need of direction and personal care. Frequent visits may be necessary to help disciple the newly saved. The time spent here is never wasted!

#5 The Sick – When someone is ill or hospitalized, a pastor should be sure to make an appearance. These visits are longed for in many cases. People may forget your sermon title, but they will not forget it when you visited them in the hospital.

#6 Elderly And Shut-Ins – The senior saints must not be neglected nor forgotten. They need attention from the pastor. Set a routine and stick with it! These visits are a lot of fun! Enjoy your time with these people!

#7 Church Members – Visit people in your congregation as often as common sense deems appropriate. Don’t play favorites, but spend quality time. Pastors build relationships and this is only solidified with personal visitation!

Conclusion

Visitation is vital to a thriving ministry. No matter how many things are competing for your time, if you are too busy to visit, then you are way too busy! Build a better relationship with people by spending time with them!

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10573: Preaching & Preachers Preaching & PreachersBy Martyn Lloyd-Jones / Zondervan

A classic from one of the most dynamic preachers of this century! Originally delivered as a series of lectures, Lloyd-Jones’s essays capture the essence of powerful preaching. His insights on the shape and preparation of the sermon, the preacher’s relationship to the congregation, and more will give you much to ponder as you write your next sermon.

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