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6/6/05

Friday, 10 June 2005

read this definition of evangelism during some study the other day, and it struck me as a good description of what we will be attempting to do on the youth mission trip. The definition is this: an earnest effort to spread the gospel. I quickly jotted down a simple definition of gospel: the teachings of Jesus that lead us toward salvation and act as guides for our living. And what does Jesus teach? I mean what are the specific rules that Jesus lays down as the appropriate ways for us to respond to God and to act toward each other. They are: 1 ) Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength; and, 2) Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus said that if we complete those two commands we have completely fulfilled the law.

     We will be traveling to Florida to give God?s love through our work, our time, and our words. We will be representing you here at FPCA, but, more importantly, we will be representing God?s great act of love in Jesus as we serve others. Nothing could be much more evangelical than that. We will be spreading the gospel. We will be witnessing to our deep love for God, and we will be sharing that love with others.

     This is important for our children and youth, and our adults to know. Because in today?s world the religious jargon often places the churches and the people of Presbyterian heritage outside the circle known as evangelicals. That?s not only sad, it?s blatantly false. We do the work of an evangel often. Every time we invite someone to church, every time we give of our resources so others can have opportunity, every time we send a card, make a phone call, or stop by someone?s home to visit them we are showing effect that God?s love in Jesus has had on us. We are, in essence, personifying good news.

     So, on Saturday morning, around 8:00 why don?t you come to the church parking lot and see what 68 evangelistic missionaries look like. They will be younger and older. Male and female. They will be people you know and love and people you have never met. They are going on a journey. A journey to discovery. I do not know what all they will find in the course of this week. And neither do they. Just don?t be mistaken about the identity of those people you will see should you choose to come out on Saturday. Don?t be fooled by anyone. Or any silly jargon that wants to tell you who these folks are. They are God?s children. Disciples of Jesus. Bearers of spiritual gifts. They love God. They love others. They will spread the gospel in word and deed.

     Be in prayer for those whom you send out. They go in God?s name.

     Grace and peace.