© The Witnessing Church Blog Book

Witnessing Inspite of the Obstacles - Part 4

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:04:00 +0000

IV. Other Situations

A. Talkative person

1. Whereas we must socialize at first to establish friendships, if we merely socialize, we are wasting God’s time, and our effort.

2. When dealing with a talkative person, ask questions to interrupt a narrative and to steer the conversation in the direction you want.

3. Be careful, however. A person who really wants to tell you something and is not permitted to, may react unfavorably to your visit.

B. Religious Zealot from another faith

1. Generally it is wise not to spend much time with a very zealous believer of another faith whose goal is to convert you.
DA 455, 456 - “The perception and appreciation of truth…depends lees upon the mind than upon the heart…. Man’s advantages for obtaining a knowledge of the truth…will prove of no benefit to him unless the heart is open to receive the truth, and there is a conscientious surrender of every habit and practice that is opposed to its principles. To those who… (have) an honest desire to know and to do His will the truth is revealed as the power of God for their salvation.”

1. Until the person recognizes a spiritual need, they are unable to accept truth
2. Conversion is the main goal & not convincing a person of a doctrine. A converted person’s attitude is, “Teach me Thy will O God.”

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Heart Surrender Is The Success to Soul-Winning

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Many have fail to realize that the most important preparation to giving Bible studies is not finding a neighbor, co-worker or friend to study with, or finding the right bible lesson guide , memorizing all the texts, or practicing your delivery. While these may have their place, they will be utterly fruitless without the preparation of your heart. God wants to see your friend eternally saved. He wants to work through you to make that a reality. But if your heart is not beating in unison with His, if you have unconfessed sins or an unsurrenderd heart, God is greatly limited in what He can do through you. It is therefore important that we take time to have our heart right with God before even approaching our neighbor, co-worker or friend to take Bible studies.

What steps can we take to surrender our heart daily?

1. Devotional Life

Daily Bible study fortifies your mind with the truths of Scripture, opens before your mind concepts and ideas that make the Scriptures more plain to you and your Bible study contact, and keeps you from the path of the enemy.

“It is a sin for those who attempt to teach the Word to others to be themselves neglectful of its study … Of all men upon the face of the earth, those who are proclaiming the message for this time should understand their Bible, and be thoroughly acquainted with the evidence of their faith. One who does not possess a knowledge of the Word of life, has no right to try to instruct others in the way to heaven. ” Gospel Workers, p. 249

What this is saying, is that if you are not spending time in Bible study you are not going to have anything to share. You will be feeding people stale bread that you received second-hand from someone else. Such bread cannot give life. You must go to the fountain of life yourself and feast and then take what you have received to the one who is hungry.

“ The life of God, which gives life to the world, is in His word. It was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons. By His word He stilled the sea and raised the dead; and the people bore witness that His word was with power. He spoke the word of God as He had spoken it to all the Old Testament writers. The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ. It is our only source of power. ” Gospel Workers, p. 250.

2. Prayer Life

A look at the example of Jesus reveals the importance of prayer for anyone engaged in soul-winning.

“The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.” Isaiah 50:4, 5

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Mark 1:35

“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12

Before meeting with others, Jesus met with His Father. This should be an example to us that we should spend the early morning communing with God, receive instructions for the day. We need to do the same in order to become an effective Witnessing Church.

3. Surrender of Self

“In choosing men and women for His service, God does not ask whether they possess learning or eloquence or worldly wealth. He asks: ‘Do they walk in such humility that I can teach them My way? Can I put My words into their lips? Will they represent Me?’ God can use every person just in proportion as He can put His Spirit into the soul-temple.” Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 144

“The worker for God should be prepared to put forth the highest mental and moral energies with which nature, cultivation, and the grace of God have endowed him; but his success will be proportionate to the degree of consecration and self-sacrifice in which the work is done, rather than to either natural or acquired endowments.” Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 583

A heart emptied of self is a heart that can be filled with the Holy Spirit. The less there is of me, the more there can be of Christ. And when Christ is supreme in the life, we will be able to work the works of Christ.

“There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.” Christian Service, p. 254.

It is by daily beholding Jesus that the self in our lives becomes disgusting to us and we choose to set it aside. The following quote is a prayer you should say on a daily basis in order for self to disappear and Christ be seen. It has been helpful to me in my daily walk with God.

“No man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul. It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward it is to be renewed.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 159, 160

So “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1, 2

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

The Witnessing Church Evangelistic Cycle

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:52:00 +0000

The key to successful evangelism is understanding the harvest cycle. Barns full of ripened wheat come from hard work in the field and a careful process of nurturing seeds to full growth. And the barns are not the end of the journey, for from that crop come new seeds ready to be replanted for the next harvest. Thus, the harvest is not simply an event, but part of a cycle.

When we compare evangelism with the harvest cycle, we see that the cycle of evangelism consists of several specific steps, each of which is important to an ongoing and successful harvest:

1. Preparing the Soil (spiritual revival and training
2. Planting Seeds (literature, Bible studies, small group)
3. Cultivating for Harvest (short bridge events, seminars)
4. Harvesting (evangelistic series)
5. Preserving the Harvest (nurturing and discipling)
6. REPEATING THE CYCLE! (Remember, the seed is IN the harvest.)

Understanding the cycle of evangelism “turns the light on” for many minds regarding why public evangelism has often fallen short of its goals:
A. Reason #1 We plant few or no seeds in preparation.
B. Reason #2 We forget to keep the cycle going.

Many people take time to warm up and “ripen” for harvest. Most of us can remember a time when someone had to patiently sow seeds and wait for us to “sprout” spiritually. This is part of why the cycle of evangelism must never cease—at the end of almost any evangelistic effort many promising prospects have not yet made their decisions. But many of these “disappointments” will yet ripen if they are not left to wither and die. Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 promises, “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days…. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether both shall be alike good.” We must keep inviting until the banquet hall is full (Matthew 22:1-14).

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Witnessing In Spite of Obstacles - Part 3

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:33:00 +0000

III. Questions

A. The same principles apply when dealing with questions as when dealing with objections.

B. When a question is asked concerning the topic or verse under consideration, answer the question briefly, preferably with a Bible text.

C. If the question asked is unrelated to the subject or about a doctrine that will be presented at a future time
1. “That’s a good question. Why don’t we finish our lesson, and then at the end I’ll try to answer your question.”
2. “That’s an excellent question, and it is so important that this lesson series has devoted a whole lesson to that topic. If your question is not answered in that lesson, perhaps we could study it so more to try to find the answer.”
3. If a topical question, (for example - Baptism) you might invite them to research their own Bible for the answer. Show them the key words to look for, and key questions to consider.
a. Be sure to get them started the right direction, else the devil will often lead them in the wrong direction.

D. When pressed for an answer to a question on a subject to be studied in the future

1. “It wouldn’t be fair to you for me to give you a five-minute answer to a question that will be addressed in a full lesson. If is did so, you might leave thinking that’s just my opinion…
Evan. 485 - “You should not feel it your duty to introduce arguments upon the Sabbath question as you meet the people. It f persons mention the subject, tell them that this is not your burden now. But when they surrender heart and mind and will to God, they are them prepared candidly to weigh evidence in regard to these solemn, testing truths.”

E. If you don’t know the answer, say so! It will help your prospect to understand that you are also a student of the Word, seeking additional instruction and enlightenment.

1. Offer to research the question and bring them an answer.

F. When someone asks a series of questions, remember that generally the last one asked is the greatest in their mind.

G. Whatever the question, don’t allow anything to derail you from the subject for that day

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Witnessing Inspite of Obstacles Part 2

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:04:00 +0000

II. Objections

The list of objections that you will encounter when conducting Bible studies and evangelistic visitation, is almost endless.

A knowledge of the most general objections and how to meet them is most helpful, as well as some basic principles in dealing with objections.

A. Principles to remember in dealing with objections:
1. Deal with all objections calmly and respectfully, and as briefly as possible.
a. Some objections are merely a decoy to divert attention from the issue or decision at hand
b. Try to determine whether or not the objection is sincere.
c. Seek to discover and remove their main objections
d. Always bring your prospect back to the central issue or topic at hand as gracefully & quickly as you can.
e. Woman at the well
John 4:16-26
2. Use the Word in meeting objections
a. By doing so, your prospect will soon realize that it is not your ideas that they are objecting to, but God and his word.
3. Be kind and tactful - Don’t debate or argue
a. You can win an argument, but lose a decision, a soul.

B. Remember, a decision will not be made until the main objections are resolved

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Pointers For The Witnessing Church - Part 3

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:39:00 +0000

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As a witnessing church, we are called to proclaim the good news EVEN IN THE YEAR 2009. We will face opposition as we go forward this new year to witness for Christ, but we must continue to work for Him.

“Go to your neighbors one by one, and come close to them till their hearts are warmed by your unselfish interest and love. Sympathize with them, pray with them, watch for opportunities to do them good, and as you can, gather a few together and open the Word of God to their darkened minds.” RH 3/13/1888

HOW TO DEAL WITH VARIOUS PROBLEMS

1. The gospel is God's power unto salvation. Make that gospel message clear.
1 Cor. 15:3,4; Rom. 1:16

2. Show that salvation is God's planning and not our own.
1 Pet. 1:10,11,18,19; Eph. 1:4

3. Stress the necessity for a personal acceptance of Christ.
John 1:12; 3:16-18; 3:36; l John 5:11,12

4. Show that salvation cannot be merited.
Eph. 2:8,9; Is. 64:6; Tit. 3:5

The law cannot save.
Gal. 2:21; 3:21

The grace of God saves through faith.
Rom. 3:24; 5:1

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Pointers For The Witnessing Church - Part 2

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:08:00 +0000

“If you are in communion with Christ, you will place His estimate upon every human being. You will feel for others the same deep love that Christ has felt for you. Then you will be able to win, not drive, to attract, not repulse, those for whom He died. None would ever have been brought back to God if Christ had not made a personal effort for them; and it is by this personal work that we can rescue souls.” Christ Object Lessons pg 197

HINDERANCES TO THE WITNESSING CHURCH

1. Fear of Man
Gal. 2:10-16

2. Backsliding
Ps. 51

3. Self-centeredness
Phil. 2:4

WHY SHOULD THE WITNESSING CHURCH BE SOUL WINNERS?

1. We have been put in trust with the gospel
1 Thess. 2:4

2. We have a personal commission from God
Matt. 28:18-20

WITH WHOM ATTEMPT PERSONAL WORK

1. The Lost
Matt. 28:19
Jas. 5:20

2. The needy Chrisitan
Gal. 6:1,2

WHEN ATTEMPT PERSONAL WORK?

“The Lord desires that His word of grace shall be brought home to every soul. To a great degree this must be accomplished by personal labor. This was Christ's method. His work was largely made up of personal interviews. He had a faithful regard for the one-soul audience. Through that one soul the message was often extended to thousands. We are not to wait for souls to come to us; we must seek them out where they are. When the word has been preached in the pulpit, the work has but just begun. There are multitudes who will never be reached by the gospel unless it is carried to them.” Christ Object Lessons pg 229

In season and out of season. A member should be ready always with a testimony.

II Tim. 4:2; Eccl. 11:6; Acts 1:8

WHERE ATTEMPT PERSONAL WORK?

1. In public evaangelism
Acts 20:20

2. In personal contact
John 4:4,7

3. In house-to-house visitation
Acts 5:42; 20:20

“In large cities there are certain classes that cannot be reached by public meetings. These must be searched out as the shepherd searches for his lost sheep. Diligent, personal effort must be put forth in their behalf. When personal work is neglected, many precious opportunities are lost, which, were they improved, would advance the work decidedly.” Christian Service pg 113

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

How To Find Interest

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:39:00 +0000

In my years of training churches members and pastors alike always ask me where can we find these people we can witness to.

According to some studies, 75-90% of people have joined the church because of friends or relatives. This indicates that friends, families and neighbors is still valid. For example Matthew. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth.‘Follow me,’ Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him (Mark 2:14,15).

You will find also in Welfare Ministry, p.60 - “This was the way the Christian church was established. Christ first selected a few persons and bade them follow Him. They then went in search of their relatives and acquaintances, and brought them to Christ. This is the way we are to labor. A few souls brought out and fully es- tablished on the truth will, like the first disciples, be laborers for others”

Although this list is not exhaustive, I pray that this list will stimulate you to want to go out and reach your friends, family members, co-workers even strangers for Christ. If I can be of any assistance or you would like to share some insights on what is working in your area of the world, please let me know.

HOW TO FIND INTEREST

1. List visitor families from Vacation Bible School records.
2. Conduct an inside census.
3. Locate newcomers by calling all new listings in phone directory.
4. Update a former community survey.
5. Ask youth to survey blocks in which they live.
6. Subscribe to newcomer service for information on prospects.
7. Locate homebound by publishing lists and asking for update.
8. Use telephone directory to survey and entire telephone exchange.
9. Subscribe to local Legal News for information on new homeowners.
10. Canvass university dormitories for souls.
11. Survey apartments adjacent to campus for student prospects.
12. Check college admissions office for church preferences of students.
13. Confer with student housing office for names of students.
14. Check with workers at day care centers near colleges.
15. Confer with workers providing nurseries near colleges.
16. Confer with workers at college infirmaries.
17. Confer with workers at kindergartens provided near colleges.
18. Request information on prospects of mobile home park managers.
19. Request religious affiliation of students from college registrars.
20. Call college placement offices for newly employed.
21. Enlist the help of school guidance counselors.
22. Ask shift workers to identify colleagues who are prospects.
23. Gather information on those who work in hospitals.
24. Survey membership for those who are hotel and motel employees.
25. List church members who left the church.
26. Ask members to provide names of colleagues with whom they work.
27. Contact international clubs for information on foreign students.
28. Talk to labor unions for information on migrant workers.
29. Confer with military base chaplains for families.
30. Inquire of seamen’s service for information on internationals.
31. Secure cooperation of associational office on any prospects.
32. Use the door-to-door survey to locate people.
33. Request business people to identify associates who are interested.
34. Request church members to identify neighbors that don’t go to church.
35. Identify unenrolled parents of children enrolled in Sabbath School.
36. Find parents from day care centers enrolments.
37. Identify parents of children enrolled in church day schools.
38. Identify parents of children enrolled in church kindergarten.
39. Request mail response from radio audience.
40. Contact moving companies for newcomers.

“Present the gospel in its simplicity. Follow Christ’s example, and you will have the reward of seeing your students won to Him.”—Counsels to Teachers, p. 255

“Thousands of hearts can be reached in the most simple way. The most intellectual, those who are looked upon and praised as the world’s great and gifted men and women, are often refreshed by the most humble, simple words spoken by one who loves God, who can speak of that love as naturally as worldlings can speak of those things which their minds contemplate and feed upon. Words, even if well prepared and studied, have little influence, but the true, honest work of a son or a daughter of God in words, or in a service of little things, done in natural simplicity, will unbolt the door, which has long been locked, to many souls.”—Evangelism, p. 443

“Even the great men are more easily drawn by the simplicity of the gospel than by any effort made in human power.”—Evangelism, p. 443

“What you need is a living experience in the things of God and simplicity in presenting the love of Christ to the lost.”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 266

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Guidelines for Team and Prayer Partner

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:42:00 +0000

1. Time: Be prompt! Must be on time for Bible study appointments. If crisis and you're going to be late, call if at all possible and explain. This is only being courteous and respectful. Remember our goal is to win their trust and confidence.

2. Social Time: At the beginning of the Bible Study there should be a short period of time to share and get to know each other better. (Approximately 5-10 min.) you the prayer partner may enter into this conversation.

3. Prayer Partner during Study Time: Once the Bible Study has started, you are to be only a prayer partner.

You MUST NOT enter into the conversation! You are greatly needed to pray for the Bible Presenter and for the Student.

Bring a simple Bible study, bring activity or coloring books, if children are in the home, tell them a story, etc to keep them busy so they don’t interrupt the study.

WARNING: YOU MUST NOT enter into Bible study with minor in the home without first seeking permission from the parent(s) and more importantly NEVER be in a separate room with a minor.

Things to Pray for:

For the Holy Spirit to speak through the speaker. To present just what the student needs.

For the Holy Spirit to open their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Luke 24:45

That they may learn to know God and Jesus Christ for this is eternal life. John 17:3

Help them to see what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God. 1 John 3:1

Bind Satan and any distractions: such as phone calls, visitors, family interruptions, or dog barking.

4. Close with Prayer: Best to leave very quickly, leaving the student with the thought of the study. You can give words of farewell but don't engage in other conversation.

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

General Guidelines to Preparing Bible Studies

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:45:00 +0000

This is provided for you to use as you are preparing your Bible studies. Your study will be powerful and effective if you use these principles. You can find this information also in my book "The Witnessing Church" on pages 50-52.

1. Make it CHRIST centered -LOVE-focused. Use the stories of Daniel to help to identify our situation, our experiences with God at our side just as He was with Daniel. Our trust and faith in a love relationship with Jesus will give us peace and joy even in a time of trouble. Just as Jesus wins in the end – If we make Him the Lord of our life, we will win with Him.

2. Personal Testimony - Give at least two personal testimonies. How God has worked in your life. How the study of prophecies has bless you. How He has cared for you, protected you. The joy and peace you have since Jesus is the center of your life. Personal testimonies makes it real, shows how the verse does make a difference. It helps you connect with your student.

3. Application - Each section in the study guide (Prophecy Seminar) write a Personal Application
Draw out the main thought in each section. Make it into a personal application for yourself and your study interest. At the end of each section state this is your lesson.

4. End of Study-List the Application-One for each section - Review these with your interest.

5. Decision - Take the thoughts from each application and make into a decision. You can write ONE decision following the above steps.

6. Prayer - Take the decision and make into a prayer. Sealing it in prayer.

Bible Studies You Can Use Applications -- Decision -- Prayer
Sample

I always like to review or summarize what we have learned in our time together.

Application # I
We have seen how completely interrelated Jesus, His love, and the Bible are. Isn't it incredible how Jesus, who is the Word, and Bread of Life, chose to reveal Himself and His plan to save us (you and me) from the pain and hurt of this sinful world and take us to heaven to be with Him forever.

Application # 2
We learned from God's Word and talked about how important it is that we let the scriptures and God's Spirit interpreting the Bible --- that is the only way we can be sure that it is a accurate and true meaning.

Application # 3
Isn't it exciting to see how God wants us to have a relationship with Him! To know Him, Jesus says, is eternal life.

Decision
Wasn't this study inspiring? It is incredible how Jesus wants to reveal Himself to us through His word. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I want to study the Bible more in order to have a clearer revelation and a deeper relationship with Jesus, don't you?

I would like to close with prayer if that's ok with you.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You so much for giving us the Bible. It's so awesome that You love us enough to give us Your Book the Bible to reveal Yourself to us. Thank you for sending your Spirit to guide our minds as we have studied today. Lord, we want to study your Word more and more, so we can understand You and know you better and better. Please guide us every time we open the Bible, enabling us to see Your Word clearly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

By following these guideline you will have converted individuals walking through your church doors. If you have questions please feel free to jot me a line, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

What Islam (Muslims) Believe

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:40:00 +0000

The Muslim religion is one of the fastest growing world religions. Its global scope embraces more than 800 million adherents [now nearly a billion, with one out of every five persons on earth being a Muslim].

Established by Mohammed in the early seventh century, the Muslim faith emphasizes total obedience to the one God, Allah (the God of the Bible). The word Islam comes from a root word meaning surrender, submitting oneself to God, renouncing any other object of worship. The idea of peace is associated with the Arabic root salam.

The primary religious duties of Islam are five:

1. To pronounce Shahada or testimony “There is no God but Alla, and Mohammed is the apostle of God.”
2. The ritual prayer (Salat) performed five times a day (dawn, noon, afternoon, sundown, and evening)facing Mohammed’s birthplace, Mecca.
3. Almsgiving (Zakat) or a fixed percentage tax levied by Muslim governments upon the faithful.
4. A fast during the month of Ramadan.
5. Hajj or a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.

Muslims accept the Koran as the verbatim, unadulterated, direct speech or language of God. They trace their origin to Abraham whom they believe offered up Ishmael as the child of promise rather than Isaac. Tracing their lineage through Abraham, Moses, and John the Baptist, they believe Jesus simply to be a prophet.

Islam is closer to Judaism and Christianity than any of the other great world religions. The Muslims claim Judaism failed and Christianity became spiritually corrupt, therefore God raised up the prophet Mohammed to reform the corruptions of an apostate religion.

Some doctrinal beliefs held in common with Muslims:

1. Muslims believe in an almighty, all-knowing, loving God
2. Muslims believe in the final judgment. They accept the fact that human beings are morally responsible for their actions.
3. Muslims believe in a final resurrection from the dead at the Messiah’s return.
4. Muslims give great emphasis to assisting and helping the poor.
5. Muslims place priority on prayer.
6. Muslims forbid alcohol, gambling, and pork.
7. Muslims place emphasis on obedience to God.
8. Muslims believe in a great controversy between good and evil.

Some Muslim beliefs contrary to Biblical thought & Bible texts to meet them:

1. Jesus is a prophet but not the eternal Son of God.
(See Jn. 8:58; compare with Ex. 3:14; Heb. 1:6-8; Mic. 5:2; Isa. 9:6)
2. The Bible is not really reliable since it is filled with human error and has not been copied accurately.
(See 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; Ps. 12:6,7; Matt. 24:35; Ps. 119:105)
3. Salvation is attained by following the five religious duties of Islam.
(See Rom. 3:23; Isa. 59:1,2; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8; Heb. 2:8,9; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13.)
4. Revelations through Mohammed supersede the Bible. They provide a source of salvation.(See Jn. 17:17; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Isa. 45:22.)

Possible approaches to Muslim friends:

1. Develop a friendship based on the points we hold in common.
2. Invite your Muslim friends to your home for a vegetarian meal.
3. Share your concern for genuine Christianity. Acknowledge the apostasy in Christianity and the need for reform.
4. Studies on Biblical prophecy help to confirm the authenticity of the scriptures.
5. Since the Muslim family unit is extremely strong with the father’s leadership role highly respected, be sure to respect the Father as the family leader.
6. At an appropriate time, openly share your personal testimony—describe the plan of salvation in detail. Assert that Jesus claimed to be the son of God repeatedly. Either He is divine or else He is a liar or a lunatic. Since the Koran declares Him to be a prophet, how could a righteous prophet lie by attempting to deceive the world regarding His identity.

Due to entrenched tradition, strong family ties, and extremely strong societal pressures winning Muslims to Christianity is extremely difficult. Be patient. Share truth gradually. Focus on a positive relationship with your Muslim colleagues then, at the appropriate time, share Jesus.

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Gaining Decisions For The Truth

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 17:54:00 +0000

As pastor, trainer, author and church growth specialist I have found that church members and church officers who conduct Bible studies without prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit, seldom bring ripe fruits into our churches.

Some decisions are brought on by pressure, manipulation and scare tactics. I want you to know that we should never have anyone entering the baptismal pool unless they have committed their lives to Jesus Christ first before committing themselves to church membership.

Remember also it's about people, not about you. Your attitude can also push others away from making an important decision for life or death. So please treat others the way you want to be treated if you were hearing the gospel for the first time. In order to alleviate false conversions, I've laid out some Thou Shalt Not's to take into consideration when gaining decision for the truth of CHRIST.

1. Don’t proceed without heart preparation and prayer.

2. Don’t condemn a person’s past life. Give him hope for the future.

3. Don’t argue, lose your temper, or your patience.

4. Don’t interrupt the person who is raising an honest objection. Their opinion is important to them.

5. Don’t adapt the “that’s nothing compared with” attitude toward the person’s problems.

6. Don’t shut the door of mercy in his face because he is slow to accept.

7. Don’t use the “take it or leave it” approach.

8. Don’t give the candidate the impression that you are “running him down: to get him. Over-anxiety has driven many a fish from the hook.

9. Don’t talk with a person about joining the church in the presence of friends.

10. Don’t over urge, or give the sense that you are pressuring.

11. Don’t give the impression that you are in a hurry, even if you are.

12. Don’t stay for refreshments after the decision is secured.

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

What Mormon Believe

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:55:00 +0000

(Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) The founder of the church, Joseph Smith claimed that in the spring of 1820 he had a vision in which he saw God and Jesus Christ. He was told not to join any church but to establish the church of Christ in its fullness.

In September of 1823, the angel Moroni purportedly appeared to Smith in a vision to tell him that a book containing the history of the ancient inhabitants of America was buried in a hill called Cumorah, about four miles from Palmyra, New York.

The next day Smith supposedly found the book. Although not allowed to look at it until 1827, he eventually translated its golden plates. Combined with visions and revelation, its teachings formed the basis for the Book of Mormon.

Smith wrote two other books, Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. Mormons are industrious, hard working, morally upright, temperate people, yet most of their doctrines find little harmony with the Bible.

Mormons believe:

1. The Bible is the Word of God only as far as it is correctly translated. They believe the Book of Mormon is superior to the Bible because the words are “pure” words.

2. Man pre-existed with God as an immortal soul before being created. One of the reasons for creation was to create bodies for these souls.

3. God was pleased when Adam and Eve sinned because the earth would now be populated.

4. There are immortal souls now living in the Spirit world with Jesus preaching the gospel to them.

5. They must hold baptismal services for the dead in Mormon Temples.

6. Jesus was married to Mary, Martha, and the other Mary at the wedding feast of Cana (Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 259, by Brigham Young). They accept polygamy or multiple marriages where the law of the land permits it.

7. Marriage must be sealed for time and eternity in a Mormon Temple.

8. There are three degrees of heaven—the celestial (for faithful Mormons), the terrestrial (for Mormons not so faithful), and the telestral (for others who will be servants). In essence all humanity will receive eternal life yet some will become servants of others.

Some doctrinal beliefs held in common with Mormons [Seventh-day Adventists & Mormons]

1. Mormons are faithful tithe payers.

2. Mormons are concerned about their health, refraining from alcohol and tobacco.

3. Mormons accept the concept of the Gift of Prophecy in the church today.

4. Mormons believe in baptism by immersion.

5. Mormons accept the idea that he religious bodies today are “fallen Babylon” and Christianity needs a return to the New Testament teachings.

Some major doctrinal misunderstandings of Mormons and Bible texts to meet them

1. The Bible is mistranslated

(See 2 Tim. 3:15,16; John. 17:17; 5:39; Psalms 12:6; 2 Pet. 1:21; Matt. 4:4.)

2. Baptism for the dead: A belief based on a misunderstanding of 1 Corinthians 15:29. In the New Testament baptism is always a personal decision indicating belief in Christ, repentance for sin, and acceptance of Jesus teachings.
(See Acts 2:38-41; Mark 16:16; Matt. 28:19,20.)

In the New Testament, salvation is based on a personal choice. No one can provide that opportunity for another.

(See Rev. 22:17; Psalms 49:7)

In 1 Corinthians 15:29, the apostle Paul is arguing in favor of the resurrection. He thus raises a question. If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead. Paul is not condoning the practice of being baptized for the dead, as evidently some in Corinth were doing. He is simply pointing out that if there is no resurrection, then they (whoever they are) who are baptized for the dead have performed this ceremony in vain. There is no evidence from this passage that Paul was instructing the Corinthians, or anyone else for that matter, to be baptized for the dead.

Looking at Paul’s statement from yet another perspective, in 1 Corinthians 15:19 the Greek word “for” in the passage actually means “in behalf of, or because of.” When Christ returns the dead in Christ will be resurrected and the righteous living caught up with them to meet Jesus in the air (1 Thess. 4:16,17). To be baptized in behalf of or because of the dead is referring to some living person who finally takes the step of baptism (an individual commitment to Christ) because of the godly example and influence of someone who has now passed to their rest in dead. When Jesus comes, the Christian who’s life and example has influenced others to accept Christ and be baptized, even after that Christian died, will now meet those who were saved by his influence.

(See Heb. 11:39,40)

3. Sunday worship: Mormons believe that the first day of the week, Sunday, is called “The Sabbath” eight times in the original Greek Bible. This is based on a total misunderstanding of the word for week which comes from the same root word in the original as the word for Sabbath, but is a different word.

(See Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Ezek. 20:20; Luke 4:16; Matt. 24:20; Acts 13:42-44; Luke 6:5; Matt. 12:8; Isa. 66:22,23; Heb. 4:9--Hungarian Bible [marginal reference in the English Bible].)

4. Immortality of the soul: The belief that each individual has an immortal, indestructible soul distinct from the body but which leaves the body at death destined from heaven or hell.

(See 1 Tim. 6:15,16; Gen. 2:7; Gen. 3:19; Eccl. 9:5; Job 27:3; Psalms 146:4; 6:5; 115:17; John 11:11-14.) Remember the Bible uses the word “soul” 1,600 times and never once says “immortal soul.” The Bible calls death a sleep 53 times.

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Witnessing In Spite of Obstacles - Part 5

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:25:00 +0000

Answering Excuses With Bible Texts

We must be prepared to meet a person’s objection or excuse with a “Thus saith the Lord.” Here is a pratial list of texts for meeting certain common excuses.

1. “I can’t leave my church.” Rev. 18:4; John 10:26,27; 12:42,43; Matt. 7:22,23.
2. “I can’t make a living if I keep the Sabbath.” Matt. 6:33; Ps. 37:3; Isa. 65:13,14; Isa. 58:13,14
3. “I will lose my job if I keep the Sabbath.” Matt. 16:25,26; 1 Tim. 4:8.
4. “It is inconvenient to keep the seventh day and follow this doctrine.” Matt. 16:24; 10:38.
5. “I am too great a sinner.” 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 7:25; Isa. 1:18.
6. “I am afraid I can’t hold out.” Jude 24.
7. “I can’t live up to the truth.” 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 12:8,9; John 1:12.
8. “I am not good enough.” 2 Cor. 8:12.
9. “People would talk about me.” John 17:14; Luke 6:22,23,26; Prov. 29:25
10. “My friends would ridicule me.” John 15:19; Mark 8:34; Jam. 4:4
11. “My husband, wife, father, mother brothers, and sisters will oppose me.” Matt. 10:36,37; Luke 14:26,27.
12. “My preacher and my friends advise me against this.” 1 Kings 13:1-26: Acts 4:19; 5:29.
13. “It will cause trouble and division in my home if I take my stand for this teaching.” Luke 12:49- 53; 1 Kings 18:17,18.
14. “There is one thing (movies, jewelry, tobacco, etc.) which I cannot give up.” Matt. 19:16-22; 6:24; Luke 14:33; Matt. 13:45,46.
15. “No, not now.” Prov. 27:1,2; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:13; Isa. 55:6; Gen. 6:3.
16. “I am waiting for my husband (or wife or a friend) so we can accept it together.” Eze. 14:20; 18:20; Rom. 14:12.
17. “I will wait until I have the right kind of feeling.” Isa. 48:18; 1 John 2:3.
18. “Too late, I have waited too long.” Eze. 33:19; John 6:37; Rom. 10:13.
19. “I tried once, I am afraid to try again.” Dan. 3:17; Rom. 4:21; 2 Tim. 1:12; Jude 24.
20. “How may I know that my sins are forgiven?” 1 John 1:9; Prov. 28:13.
21. “Some things are not clear yet.” John 13:7; Acts 1:7.
22. “I am not so bad.” John 3:18; Rom 3:23.
23. “God is love, He will save me anyway.” Luke 13:3; 2 Pet. 2:4.
24. “There are too many hypocrites in the church.” Matt. 7:1; Rom. 14:12.
25. “The step will cost me too much.” Luke 18:29,30; 1 Pet. 2:24.
26. “My job may be at stake.” Isa. 51:7; Job 13:14,15; Ps. 119:72, 127.
27. “I cannot leave my friends and relatives.” Ex. 23:3; Prov. 13:20.
28. “I believe it is not necessary to unite with a church.” Acts 2:47.
29. “I am too old to change my ways of life.” Gen. 6:3.
30. “I will wait until the Spirit of God convinces me.” Matt. 25:1-13.

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Witnessing In Spite of Obstacles - Part 1

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:39:00 +0000

Today I received a text message from Steve. His question is "How do you deal with obstacles, interruptions, distractions, and questions when giving Bible studies?" Well Steve today I'll start with Interruptions & Distractions. Check back later for more answers to your question.

How do you deal with obstacles, objections, interruptions, distractions, and questions when giving Bible studies?

I. Interruptions & Distractions
A. If the TV is on:
1. It is best to get the TV turned off, because even the picture without the sound is distracting
- Some people never turn off the TV during the day.
- They will have grown so accustomed to its noise, that they will not even think of turning it off unless prompted to do so
2. Some tactful ways to get the TV turned off are:
a. “Were you watching your favorite program?”
b. “Could we turn off the TV for just a few minutes?”
3. If the kids are watching TV:
a. “Could we go to another room for the study so as not to disturb the kids?”

B. If the radio or tape player is on loud:
1. Talk quietly so that your prospect will have to strain to hear you.
- Often this is the best prompt to get someone to turn down or turn off loud or undesirable music.

C. If the baby cries or children are being a distraction:
1. Here is an excellent opportunity for the visitation team to make full use of their group.
a. Once a friendship has been established with the family, one of the team members can offer to take the rock the baby, or to entertain the kids in another room.
b. If young children are present, an aggressive team will anticipate their visit, and take some books or other material to occupy the children while the team leader conducts the Bible study.
2. Suggest a time to study when the children are in bed or at school.

D. Other distractions:
1. If the housewife is cooking or in the kitchen upon arrival, inquire if something in the kitchen needs attention before beginning.
2. If it is near mealtime or if relatives have arrived, try to discover how much time your prospect has.
a. This will determine the length of your visit, and whether or not it is an appropriate time for a Bible study.
3. In a decision visit, if one person in the home desires to hear the gospel and another is evidently not interested, one of the team can help by asking the uninterested one to show them the yard, of is they could visit in another room.
a. In the case of a Bible study, however, every effort should be made to include the entire family in the study.
4. Whatever the occasion, the team members should be alert for every opportunity to make it possible for the leader to proceed with the presentation without interruption.

E. Most of all, Be patient! You are in their home, taking their time
1. Demonstrate by your actions and words, Christian patience, kindness, and tact

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Sharing Your Testimony

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:59:00 +0000

DOS AND DON'TS
TO SHARING YOUR TESTIMONY

1. Don’t glamorize sin. Be very careful about giving details of your sinful past. Instead, give details about your new life in Christ.

2. Tell what God has done, not what you have done.

3. Every individual who has been saved by the grace of Jesus has a testimony of how He (Christ) has worked in their life. Don’t be ashamed to share it. “I was at church every week, but far from Jesus,” may reach some of your hearers as nothing else can.

4. Use terms people can understand. For example “I finally have peace in my heart,” “I have Jesus in my heart and I’m not carrying all that guilt,” “Life is so much happier because I know God has a plan for me.”

5. Be real and sincere, not overemotional.

6. Don’t criticize other people or denominations. Guard the reputation of family and friends, even if they are part of a painful past. Your former church persuasion may not have been doctrinally correct, but it may once have been instrumental in leading you in the right direction.

7. Instead of dwelling on the trials and sacrifices of coming to Christ, dwell on the blessings and rewards. Tell the truth about the darkness, fear and misery of being in Satan’s service. Help people see that you believe “heaven is cheap enough.”

8. Don’t be preachy!

9. Identify with your audience. Tailor your testimony to meet them.

10. Tell about the supportive new friendships with church members.

11. Point to the steps you took to become a Christian, so they can envision how they could undertake a similar journey.

12. If possible, offer to talk or pray with anyone who wishes afterward.

WORDS OF INSPIRATION

Our Own Experience“That which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience.” The Desire of Ages, p. 347

“A testimony from the heart, coming from lips in which is no guile, full of faith and humble trust, though given by a stammering tongue, is accounted of God as precious as gold.” Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 1091.

Part of Our Experience“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11,12

Everyone Can Share Who's been Touched!“They could tell what they knew; what they themselves had seen, and heard, and felt of the power of Christ. This is what everyone can do whose heart has been touched by the grace of God.” The Desire of Ages, p. 340.

Share the Blessings!“No sooner does one come to Christ than there is born in his heart a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus; the saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart. If we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and are filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit, we shall not be able to hold our peace. If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good we shall have something to tell. Like Philip when he found the Saviour, we shall invite others into His presence. We shall seek to present to them the attractions of Christ and the unseen realities of the world to come. There will be an intensity of desire to follow in the path that Jesus trod. There will be an earnest longing that those around us may ‘behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ John 1:29.” Steps to Christ, p. 78.

Your Testimont Could Reach Harden Hearts!“Our confession of His faithfulness is Heaven’s chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world. We are to acknowledge His grace as made known through the holy men of old; but that which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience. We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves the working of a power that is divine. Every individual has a life distinct from all others, and an experience differing essentially from theirs. God desires that our praise shall ascend to Him, marked by our own individuality. These precious acknowledgements to the praise of the glory of His grace, when supported by a Christ-like life, have an irresistible power that works for the salvation of souls.” The Desire of Ages, p. 347.

What Should We Share?
“So everyone may be able, through his own experience, to "set his seal to this, that God is true." John 3:33, A. R. V. He can bear witness to that which he himself has seen and heard and felt of the power of Christ. He can testify: ‘I needed help, and I found it in Jesus. Every want was supplied, the hunger of my soul was satisfied; the Bible is to me the revelation of Christ. I believe in Jesus because He is to me a divine Savior. I believe the Bible because I have found it to be the voice of God to my soul.’” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, p. 321.

“Tell them how you found Jesus, and how blessed you have been since you gained an experience in His service. Tell them what blessing comes to you as you sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn precious lessons from His word. Tell them of the gladness and joy that there is in the Christian life. Your warm, fervent words will convince them that you have found the pearl of Great price. Let your cheerful, encouraging words show that you have certainly found the higher way. This is genuine missionary work, and as it is done, many will awake as from a dream.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, p. 38.

Who Should We Share Our Testimony With?“The first works of the church were seen when the believers sought out friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and with hearts overflowing with love told the story of what Jesus was to them and what they were to Jesus.” Testimonies to Ministers, p. 168.

Your Testimony Should Be Heart Felt!“As witnesses for Christ, we are to tell what we know, what we ourselves have seen and heard and felt. If we have been following Jesus step by step, we shall have something right to the point to tell concerning the way in which He has led us. We can tell how we have tested His promise, and found the promise true. We can bear witness to what we have known of the grace of Christ. This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for want of which the world is perishing.” The Desire of Ages, p. 340.

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

The Fort Method

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:42:00 +0000

I have received an email today. The question was asked "How do you bring the conversation around to talking about Jesus?

The FORT method is a good tool to use. FORT stands for Family Occupation Religion and Testimony.

People generally like to talk about themselves. In our Witnessing Church training we conduct a hands on workshop that has helped church members gain the confidence to witness to their friends, co-workers, doctor, lawyers and More...

May this be a blessing to those who are looking for ways to share their faith.

F = Family How is your family doing?
Are you originally from this area?
In what area were you raised?

O = Occupation What kind of work do you do?
How long have you worked there?
(If retired or unemployed) What type of work did you do?
How do you like your job?

R = Religion What is your religious background?
Have you been a (Methodist) all of your life?
Do you attend a church?
Which church do you attend?
Does your whole family attend together?

T = Testimony My life before I accepted Christ was …
How I became a Christian …
My life since becoming a Christian …
I have recently been sharing with my friends some interesting Bible lessons that have meant much to me. May I share them with you?

Always remember the conversation is a two way street. So let them share their story, if they have one.

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Pointers For The Witnessing Church - Part 1

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:07:00 +0000

"One soul is of infinite value; for Calvary speaks its worth. One soul, won to the truth, will be instrumental in winning others, and there will be an ever-increasing result of blessing and salvation. Your work may accomplish more real good than the more extensive meetings, if they lack in personal effort. When both are combined, with the blessing of God, a more perfect and thorough work may be wrought; but if we can have but one part done, let it be the individual labor of opening the Scriptures in households, making personal appeals, and talking familiarly with the members of the family, not about things of little importance, but of the great themes of redemption. Let them see that your heart is burdened for the salvation of souls.

“Those who have been most successful in winning souls, were men and women who did not pride themselves in their ability, but who went in humility and faith, and the power of God worked with their efforts in convicting and converting the hearts of those to whom they appealed. Jesus did this very work. He came close to those whom he desired to benefit by personal contact. How often with a few gathered about him, he commenced the precious lessons, and one by one the passers by paused to listen, until a great multitude heard with wonder and awe the words of God through the heaven-sent Teacher. He did not wait for congregations to assemble.

The grandest truths were spoken to single individuals. The woman at the well in Samaria heard the wonderful words, ‘Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’--Review and Herald, March 13, 1888. Christian Service pg 121

1. The individual church member must be converted

Words reveals life in Christ
John 1:12-14; 20:31; 1 John 5:9-13

Spirit bears witness to new life
1 John 5:10; Gal 4:6; Rom. 8:16

Each person needs new life in Christ
John 3:7

Life through faith in Christ
ll Tim. 1:12

2. The individual church member must be dedicated
Rom. 12:1,2; Gal. 2:20

Call to separation
1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 2:10

Means of separation
Col. 3:16; Ps. 119:9,11

Failure through lack of separation
1 John 1:16; 3:20-22

3. The individual church member must be prepared

Through use of the Word
ll Tim. 2:15; Eph. 6:16,17

Meditation 1 Tim. 4:15
Memorization Ps. 119:11
Steadfastness 1 Cor. 15:58

Through practice of prayer
Ps. 77:1; Jer. 33:3; Jas. 5:16

Through having a passion for souls
Rom. 9:1-3; 10:1; Ps. 126:6; Prov. 11:30

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Why Most People Don't Witness

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:52:00 +0000

There are some valuable reasons why church members do not witness. But I also hope by listing these reasons, we will be without excuse for becoming a witnessing church.

1. We are too busy doing other things
2. We are too tired and overworked
3. We have forgotten the mission of the church
4. We are not studying our Bibles as we ought
5. We don't understand the value of a soul
6. We don't know how
7. We have a misconception about the role of the minister in the pulpit, and that of the congregation
8. Some are lazy when it comes to witnessing
9. We are afraid
10. We have lost our first love for Jesus and His church

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Ye Shall Be My Witnessess...

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:01:00 +0000

We're happy to announce that The Witnessing Church training has been a success at Clovis SDA Church. Their evangelistic series has started and they had a full house on opening night.

The Witnessing Church Coach will be available to the Clovis church throughout their evangelistic series for advice, coaching and more.

The Witnessing Church is available to churches who need a headstart in evangelism and has an excellent follow-up department whose main focus is to continue church growth. We're dedicated to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to win souls to Christ through training church members to reap the harvest.

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

The Soul Winner's Spiritual Checklist

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:01:00 +0000

Perhaps today one of the reasons why we are not more effective in leading more people to Christ is because of the many erroneous ideas we hold about getting decisions. Shockingly, as James puts it, sometimes we do not receive because we don’t even ask! (James 4:2).

Many Christians present the gospel with a blunt “take it or leave it” mentality - they see their job as only sounding the warning, shaking the dust from their shoes upon its rejection and then moving on quickly to new blood.

Some even believe that people are already predestined to accept or reject the gospel, so why waste time trying to persuade them? Consider though for a moment, what if God had used similar methodologies or approaches with us, where would you and I be today? Even as God is never overbearing, He doesn’t give up on us easily! From the very outset, He is always the Initiator: we did not go looking for Him, he came looking for us!

God is constantly trying to get our attention; like a man who is passionately in love (only His love infinitely flows to deeper deeps and extends to higher highs!), he uses a myriad creative ways to try to woo us to Him: He will use people, circumstances, occasions, trials - all in effort to reach us, to get our attention because He yearns greatly to bless us!

His is a stubborn love - it is a love that says, I will never leave you nor forsake you, I will stand just nearby, just outside your personal space hoping that you will answer my call and let me into your heart. No wonder we hear Jesus saying: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20).

We find that influencing people to make a decision for Christ is often times the most difficult part of soul winning, it’s not easy, it’s really hard work! For many, it will prove to be an unpopular choice, out of step with society or threatening to their financial well-being. At its heart, it’s a science whose principles we will have to learn and practice. One practicum of the trade put it this way, “The study of the workers now should be to learn the trade of gathering souls into the gospel net.”

If we truly love people and want to see them saved in God’s Kingdom, then even as they make their objections and excuses (and believe me, they will!), we won’t be daunted or discouraged by them, we will persist with much prayer and supplication for these souls because we love them. Paul writes to the Christians at Corinth: “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings . . . For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 9: 22, 23;10:33).

Love is the essence of God’s saving action in the affairs of humanity and this should be our motivation for garnering decisions. So even before we call people to a decision for Christ, let us examine ourselves to see whether or not we are truly in the faith, to check our motivation for evangelism. Below, I have quickly outlined a few questions that you can ask yourself to check your spiritual soul winning temperature.

SPIRITUAL CHECKLIST

1. Have I truly been convicted and converted by the gospel? - To what degree has the gospel impressed and convicted my heart? Do I really know Jesus? Do I have a relationship with Him in daily bible study (John 5:39), prayer (1 Thess. 5:17)? For if I don’t know Him, I can’t introduce Him to others or even influence them to follow Him (Acts 3:6; Psalm 51:10-13).

2. Is my Christian walk bearing spiritual fruit? – How is my life reflected in the Christian and wider community? Can Jesus be seen to be shining out of my heart? Can people see the evidences, the transforming effects of me abiding in Jesus? Is the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance) embellished in my character (Gal. 6:22, 23)?

3. What is my motivation for soul winning? – Am I just involved in witnessing to play the boastful “numbers game” or do I genuinely love people and want to see them saved before their probation closes, as Christ will return soon to usher in His eternal kingdom?

4. Do I recognize that soul winning is a partnership with God? – Am I truly aware that calling people to make decisions for Christ involves a partnership between myself and the Holy Spirit, who ultimately impresses and convicts each heart (John 16:7-11)?

Pastor Derrick Hall is available for church seminars, speaking engagements and can be contact by email at mark5verse19@gmail.com. or visit us on the web.

Empowering The Twenty-First Century Church To Witness

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:02:00 +0000

In my travels across the country as a public evangelist and bible teacher, I have witnessed many churches which were once cold and forbidding or even lukewarm, become transformed into vibrant, inviting witnessing centers for Christ.

It has also become increasingly apparent to me though, that our overall evangelistic strategy needs to focus more on discipling people for Christ and emphasize less on convincing people to become members of the church.

It is easy for any one to become a member of a church, to record their name on the church roll when they are baptized; but to disciple them to become true followers of Christ, to carry out the distinct mission of the church is another matter.

This requires serious, structured, determined, prayerful effort by local church leadership, which should be implemented immediately after the evangelist and his team has left town. I have observed that in this area – discipleship – the church is critically failing to close the loop in the evangelistic cycle.

A new believer who is continually equipped, nurtured and discipled for Christ, should be encouraged to go immediately to his family, friends and coworkers, to share his faith and to make new disciples. If God’s Witnessing Church adopts this formula, there will be a revival and reformation in God’s church of the likes we have never seen.

I am convinced that for our churches to become truly empowered to witness, it will need to start with each individual member. Our members are in need of training on how to share their faith, as many were never taught to do so when they became members of the church. Someone might argue that the early disciples received no training, so why train the church today? This is not entirely true. We have to remember that the disciples spent three and a half years with the greatest Teacher ever known to man.

As Christ went about preaching, healing and teaching, almost every incident encountered was an object lesson for the disciples. As recorded in the gospel, there were times when Jesus sent them out on their own to witness as part of their training. You will recall, on one particular occasion He sent out the twelve, on other occasion He sent the seventy.

As Jesus sent them, He even told them what to say and for some reason, He would always send them two by two. Thus careful scrutiny of the gospel shows that Christ was consciously training His disciples for the gospel work which they were to carry on after His ascension. The training that Jesus gave his disciples was indeed successful as seen at Pentecost.

As the disciples stood boldly as witnesses for Christ, many hearers, including former skeptics, confessed that indeed these Christians had been with Jesus, that is to say, even though these were unlearned, ignorant men, in the sense that they had never attended the religious schools of the Pharisees, it was obvious that these men had received some training by their association with Christ.

After receiving training from AFCOE (Amazing Facts College of Evangelism) in the dynamics of church growth and evangelism, I created a church training seminar called The Witnessing Church, which has proven to be very popular with many churches across the nation. The phase, “Witnessing Church”, as used in our seminars, simply refers to a body of believers that is actively mobilized for the work of evangelism and outreach, through seed sowing, bible study outreach, reaping events, follow-up and discipleship. In other words, a Witnessing Church is one that has adopted a basic framework for evangelism, or a cycle of evangelism, in its outreach plan.

We are told by the Lord’s servant that, “There should be no delay in this well-planned effort to educate church members.”1 I believe with all my heart that as God’s people become better equipped to reap the harvest, that our stories will one day be seen as the continuation of the unfinished work of Acts!

Afraid of being Rejected

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:25:00 +0000

When conducting the Witnessing Church Evangelism Training classes I sometimes ask the question. Have you ever been reject? 90% of the class would say yes. I would ask the following question, how did it feel and were you able to move on with your life.

Why ask such a question. Most members are afraid to go out into the field or do outreach for fear of rejection. John 15:18-22 - If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you...

I'm going to stop right here. If we are chosen by God to go and tell the good news, honestly answer the question. Do you believe that everyone is going to accept it? Then why is it that we let our feelings get the best of us if our friends, coworker shut the doors on us, and we just give up and close the door to witnessing. After much debating and speaking with members it comes down to one thing. "SELF" When we sometimes go witnessing we go with our agenda not Gods.

I've learn when we don't have a daily devotion with God, I mean getting up as Jesus did and talking with your heavenly Father and laying our plans at His feet and picking up His plans for us, we fail. We must be filled with His Holy Spirit moment by moment leaning on the everlasting arms for wisdom when we need to reach hearts.

I was once ask by a member during training where can you find in the bible where Jesus knock on a door and was rejected. At that time I recall the story of the rich ruler, he came to Jesus and they began talking and as they were talking they got to the commandments and Jesus got right to the point. He said sell all you have and follow me. The bible made it very clear that it was a sad day not only for the rich ruler but for Christ Himself, His appeal to the heart was rejected.

You see even though Jesus was the Son of God, He went to the core of the rich rulers heart and knock on the door. I choose that story even though there are countless stories of others rejecting Christ. But I choose this example to tell you, don't be fearful of the rejection you will receive, but know that you are His.

Jesus promises in Matt 28:20 - I am with YOU. Praise God! we have that blessed assurance and promise. We have nothing to fear if Jesus is leading us and His angels are watching over us and if we listen to that small still voice that guides our every step. We will find ourselves becoming a Witnessing Church.

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

The Importance of Training

balmseminars@yahoo.com (Pastor Derrick Hall) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 18:30:00 +0000

Before starting the Witnessing Church, I realized that many evangelistic series were not been successful. Why? Members had involvement issues. For several reasons. They were afraid, lack self-confidence, felt no one has ask them and some have admitted they don't have the training.

I have learned that most members were giving bible studies they were not familiar with and lost many bible study interest because of that. We are told that “Many would be willing to work if they were taught how to begin. They need to be instructed and encouraged.” - Christian Service, p. 59

It was then that the "The Witnessing Church" was born. Since then I have been training churches all over the United States, the Carribeans including Belize in Central America. As an evangelist I make it my duty to train the elders as well as bible workers in doing follow-ups during and after the evangelistic series.

With my wife by my side as a nurse we visit missing members and their families, the sick which in their home is offered prayer as well as water treatment to break the fever which brings about healing and it's through medical missionary work we can reach the sick. This is how the people will listen to every word that comes from the mouth of God. We are told to “Carry the Word of God to every man’s door.” Christian Service, p. 144

I thank God for the training I received at Amazing Facts College of Evangelism in Roseville California. I would recommend this school to anyone interested in being a bible worker, trainer, evangelist, minister or just to strengthen your walk with the Lord.

God has given me the privilige of being a conference bible worker, colportuer as well as a evangelist and have traveled throughout the United States, Europe and Central America. If I'm not preaching you'll usually find me training churches and preparing them for outreach. We must not abandon the vision.

And we must not forget our young people. I believe young people find church boring because we do not train them and activate them for service both in the church and in our communities. Just about every young person I have encouraged to go on mission trips come back with a vision to do more for Jesus. You'll also find they want to go back again and again.

We are Adventist looking for the second coming of Christ. So let's get our churches not be ashame of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's not forget the impressive dream that Ellen White had:

“In the visions of the night a very impressive scene passed before me. I saw an immense ball of fire fall among some beautiful mansions, causing their instant destruction. I heard some one say, "We knew that the judgments of God were coming upon the earth, but we did not know that they would come so soon." Others, with agonized voices, said, "You knew! Why then did you not tell us? We did not know!" On every side I heard similar words of reproach spoken.” - Christian Service, p. 111.3

You will find on my Blog page ideas, and where to find tools to help you become a witness in this world. Remember we can't win everyone, but through Christ we can sure win anyone who will answer as Christ knock on their hearts door through us. There is no power within us to save souls, but we are His instruments used by God through the power of His Holy Spirit.

So check back from time to time and experience the power of a Witnessing Church. Before you go I would like share a qoute from a favorite author of mine and you will find her quotes among others as I share with you ideas to become successful soul winners. I am available to you by email if you have questions I can be contacted at mark5verse19@gmail.com. Let me share this quote.

The work of winning souls to Christ demands careful preparation. Man cannot enter the Lord’s service without the needed training, and expect the highest success. . . . The architect will tell you how long it took him to understand how to plan a tasteful, commodious building. And so it is in all the callings that men follow.

Should the servants of Christ show less diligence in preparing for work infinitely more important? Should they be ignorant of the ways and means to be employed in winning souls? It requires a knowledge of human nature, close study, careful thought, and earnest prayer, to know how to approach men and women on the great subjects that concern their eternal welfare.–Gospel Workers, p. 92. (1915)

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .