Category: Evangelism

Sensitivity to God’s Activity

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date June 3, 2021
114 Comments on Sensitivity to God’s Activity

“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” Isaiah 6:1 (ESV) Authentic worship leads to sensitivity to God’s activity. When Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, he encountered the holiness of God. As a result, Isaiah had a heightened awareness of both his personal sin and the sin of those around him. The light of God’s holiness had exposed the darkness within him and around him. Isaiah was so overwhelmed by his encounter of God, that he said, “Woe is me.” Through his personal encounter with God, Isaiah heard the voice of God calling out to him. Isaiah was sensitive to God’s activity. He made himself available for God’s use by saying, “Here am I. Send me!” Have you reached that place in your walk with God? Have you encountered God’s presence at the level of hearing God’s invitation to join Him in His redemptive activity? Your worship of the One True Living God should result in a corresponding willingness to participate with God in His world redemption plan. Your heart aligns with the heart of God and you submit your will to God’s will. His agenda becomes your passion. Are you willing to place your “yes” on the altar unconditionally? Be willing to say to God, “Lord, I’m yours. Use me.” Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Tags Devo

Discipleship Evangelism Obedience

Tag! You’re It!

“And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.” Mark 3:14 (ESV) Can you imagine the honor of being chosen by Jesus to serve as one of His twelve apostles? You would have a starting position on the varsity team that Jesus coached. You would have access to His life behind the scenes in the locker room and on the practice field. You would want to spend all your time in His shadow and under His personal touch ministry. To be like Him, you would want to watch His every move and to capture every word He articulated. It would be so refreshing to be that connected to the Son of God. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have that kind of connection with the Son of God. At the moment of your conversion experience, you were adopted into God’s family and placed on the winning team. You have the privilege of drawing near to the Lord and learning how to enjoy His presence. God did not save you so that you could stay in the huddle. God rescued you from eternal damnation and placed you into His forever family and filled you with His Holy Spirit so that you could continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. You have been chosen by God to be sent out to portray His love and to proclaim the saving news of Jesus. You have been armed with the cure to the cancer of sin. Every single person who places their faith in Jesus alone for salvation will be saved and adopted into the family of God. You are chosen by God to build that relational bridge to those who are lost. Tag! You’re it! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Obedience On Mission

Mountain of Motivation

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” Matthew 17:1-2 (ESV) If only life was a perpetual mountaintop experience. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be on a constant spiritual high and never come down? Peter, James, and John had a once in a lifetime experience with Jesus on the top of a mountain. Jesus was transfigured before them. Peter wanted to build three shelters in order to stay on the mountaintop and live in the radiance of Jesus’ glory. Jesus used the experience to teach Peter, James, and John the necessity to come down the mountain to meet the needs of people in the valley. In other words, God surprises us with mountaintop experiences to reveal His glory so that we can go into the world to reveal God’s glory to others. Consider the terrain of your spiritual journey. Can you recall the mountaintop experiences you have had with God? Did God reveal His glory to you in those moments so that you would stay in the moment? No! God gave you those special glimpses into His nature and character so that you could go into the valley of life to connect with people in desperate need of God’s salvation. God moments can be difficult to transfer to others. Often, the God moments are for you to be encouraged and strengthened personally. The experience should motivate you to go into the world to declare the message of reconciliation to a world alienated from God. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Missions Paul

Refining Your Focus

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 (ESV) When I read this passage it reminds me of my experience of training for a 5k race. You may think that I meant that I was training for a marathon, but I was training for my first ever 5-kilometer race. I grew up racing motocross, bmx, and Jet Skis. But it wasn’t until I was in my mid-thirties that I embraced the challenge of running this type of race. I discovered that the intensity level in the training phase has proportionate benefits to the racing phase. Training matters! The Christian life is very similar to that of a race. Jesus calls us to run with purpose, focus, and intensity. We are to run in such a way as to get the prize. The focus of the Christian life is not comfort, but change. As we diligently run the race set before us, Jesus transforms us into His image. Knowing that we are going to receive a crown that will last forever, we are to run this race with passion and determination. Our lives are to be marked by discipline and self-control. Paul lived his life with a passion to complete the task the Lord had given him. He diligently gave his life to testifying of the gospel of God’s grace. God gave Paul grace for the race. There’s more to this life than preparing for and running in a 5k. God has an assignment tailor made for you to fulfill. God will comfort you as you comfort others and as He changes you. Allow God to empower you for the race. Be committed to finish strong! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Church Evangelism Great Commission

Courageous Partnership

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.‘” Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) I live in awe of the reality that God would choose someone like to me to be adopted into His family, to be included in His redemption story, and to be empowered for His redemptive mission. If you have turned your life over to Jesus Christ and allowed Him to become the Lord of your life, you to have been adopted, included, and empowered by God and for God. Your life has true meaning and your life matters to God and directly impacts the population of heaven. You have been given authority by Jesus to make disciples of all people groups. Don’t get distracted by materialism and the pursuit of prestige. Don’t allow your passion for God and His redemptive activity to be dissolved by the pursuit of worldly pleasures. Laser focus your life on that which moves the heart of God. Give your life to influencing people for Christ. As you go, make disciples. You may be the only Jesus others see. Reveal God’s love to every person you come into contact with. Be an irresistible influence for Christ on this broken planet called earth. Reveal the grace you have been given by God to others. Reveal the mercy you have received through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Reveal the hope of Jesus to others. Give your life to fulfilling the Great Commission. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Church Evangelism Missions

On Mission with a Message

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 1, 2014
55 Comments on On Mission with a Message

“‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’” John 3:16 (ESV) According to current statistics, there are approximately 7,105 living languages. There are more than 9,700 ethnic identities or people groups. With over 7.2 billion people on the planet, the world’s population is massive. What kind of hope is available to such a mass number of diverse people? The hope of the world is found in John 3:16. If you had to condense the entire Bible into a single verse, it would be John 3:16. God’s love for all people groups is captured by this one verse. The wonderful news is that God took the initiative to provide us with the gift of eternal life through His one and only Son, Jesus. God chose to robe Himself in flesh and become like us so that we could become like Him. Whoever believes receives God’s gracious salvation gift. There is no greater love. There is no greater gift. Bundle all the gifts from every Christmas you have experienced and you will not come close to the ultimate love gift God has provided in Jesus. Now that you have received God’s gift of eternal life, be willing to make His gift known to others. “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4 ESV). You can present the saving news of Jesus to any lost person anywhere and radically change their forever! You can share the ultimate gift with a world in need of our Savior. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Gospel Soulwinning

Share the Gospel Intentionally

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date February 1, 2014
122 Comments on Share the Gospel Intentionally

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (ESV) Be intentional in sharing the gospel. Paul, Silas, and Timothy brought the gospel to the Thessalonians (Acts 17:1-4). The gospel came with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power (I Cor. 2:4-5). Many of the Thessalonians responded by turning to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thess. 1:9). The gospel transformed their lives and influenced their culture. In Christ, we have the cure to the cancer of sin. We have been entrusted with the gospel of light that delivers people from the kingdom of darkness. God has armed us with the Good News of Jesus Christ and empowered us with the Holy Spirit to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. God still uses human instrumentality in the redemptive process. Will you be faithful to share the gospel intentionally? Paul, Silas, and Timothy lived among the Thessalonians to benefit them, to bless them, and to bring Christ to them. Instead of allowing the pagan culture to influence them, Paul, Silas, and Timothy intentionally influenced the culture by continuing the ministry of Jesus. Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. A thermostat sets the environment while a thermometer reflects the environment. God has not called us to be absorbed by the culture, but to influence the culture with the gospel. Be a spiritual thermostat for the Lord by sharing the gospel intentionally. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Intentionality Soulwinning

Relational Bridges

“He appointed twelve–designating them apostles–that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” Mark 3:14 (NIV) Can you imagine the honor of being chosen by Jesus to serve as one of His twelve apostles? You would have a starting position on the varsity team that Jesus coached. You would have access to His life behind the scenes in the locker room and on the practice field. You would want to spend all your time in His shadow and under His personal touch ministry. To be like Him, you would want to watch His every move and to capture every word He articulated. It would be so refreshing to be that connected to the Son of God. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have that kind of connection with the Son of God. At the moment of your conversion experience, you were adopted into God’s family and placed on the winning team. You have the privilege of drawing near to the Lord and learning how to enjoy His presence. God did not save you so that you could stay in the huddle. God rescued you from eternal damnation and placed you into His forever family and filled you with His Holy Spirit so that you could continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. You have been chosen by God to be sent out to portray His love and to proclaim the saving news of Jesus. You have been armed with the cure to the cancer of sin. Every single person who places their faith in Jesus alone for salvation will be saved and adopted into the family of God. You are chosen by God to build that relational bridge to those who are lost. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Purity Soulwinning

Irresistible Influence

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV) As followers of Jesus Christ, we are in the world, but not of the world. We are considered aliens and strangers in the world. God has saved us from our sin and called us to Himself. We are His workmanship (Eph. 2:10) and His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). God has done a gracious work in us so that He can do a redemptive work through us. God wants us to be an irresistible influence in our world. Living with eternity in mind will help us to protect our priorities and to reflect what God values. Our testimony will be strengthened by our devotion to living a life of moral purity. Sinful desires war against our soul. Sin infects us and affects our effectiveness in influencing a lost and dying world toward Christ. Let’s commit to stay close and clean. Our purity paves the way for connectivity with a fallen world. God wants us to stay clean and live such good lives among lost people that will cause them to glorify God. Is there anyone following Jesus as a result of following you? Have you become an irresistible influence for Christ right where you are? Are others being drawn to Christ because of your conversation and your conduct? Consider the people God has brought in your path over the past few weeks. How has your life impacted their lives? Was the life of Christ in you evident to them? Portray Christ in a real way to a real world in real need. You may be the only Jesus others see. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Jesus Ministry

Your Ministry

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’” Luke 4:17-19 (NIV) As Jesus stood up in the synagogue to read, He was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and then He found the place from which He wanted to read. The passage Jesus read was what we now know as Isaiah 61:1-2. Jesus identified the ministry that He was anointed to employ. He identified the focus of His ministry as preaching the good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for the prisoners, proclaiming recovery of sight to the blind, releasing the oppressed, and proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. “Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” Luke 4:20-21 (NIV) Isaiah prophesied some 700 years before Christ was born that the Messiah would be anointed for this particular ministry. Jesus affirmed that He is the fulfillment of that prophecy. Have you been the recipient of the ministry of Christ? Has your character and conduct been transformed? Now that you know Jesus personally, you are commissioned to embrace His ministry to bring others into His family. The ministry of Christ on earth is now your ministry. You may be the only Jesus others see! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Intentionality Soulwinning

Relational Bridges

“He appointed twelve–designating them apostles–that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” Mark 3:14 (NIV) Can you imagine the honor of being chosen by Jesus to serve as one of His twelve apostles? You would have a starting position on the varsity team that Jesus coached. You would have access to His life behind the scenes in the locker room and on the practice field. You would want to spend all your time in His shadow and under His personal touch ministry. To be like Him, you would want to watch His every move and to capture every word He articulated. It would be so refreshing to be that connected to the Son of God. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have that kind of connection with the Son of God. At the moment of your conversion experience, you were adopted into God’s family and placed on the winning team. You have the privilege of drawing near to the Lord and learning how to enjoy His presence. God did not save you so that you could stay in the huddle. God rescued you from eternal damnation and placed you into His forever family and filled you with His Holy Spirit so that you could continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. You have been chosen by God to be sent out to portray His love and to proclaim the saving news of Jesus. You have been armed with the cure to the cancer of sin. Every single person who places their faith in Jesus alone for salvation will be saved and adopted into the family of God. You are chosen by God to build that relational bridge to those who are lost. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Purity Soulwinning

Irresistible Influence

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV) As followers of Jesus Christ, we are in the world, but not of the world. We are considered aliens and strangers in the world. God has saved us from our sin and called us to Himself. We are His workmanship (Eph 2:10) and His ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). God has done a gracious work in us so that He can do a redemptive work through us. God wants us to be an irresistible influence in our world. Living with eternity in mind will help us to protect our priorities and to reflect what God values. Our testimony will be strengthened by our devotion to living a life of moral purity. Sinful desires war against our soul. Sin infects us and affects our effectiveness in influencing a lost and dying world toward Christ. Let’s commit to stay close and clean. Our purity paves the way for connectivity with a fallen world. God wants us to stay clean and live such good lives among lost people that will cause them to glorify God. Is there anyone following Jesus as a result of following you? Have you become an irresistible influence for Christ right where you are? Are others being drawn to Christ because of your conversation and your conduct? Consider the people God has brought in your path over the past few weeks. How has your life impacted their lives? Was the life of Christ in you evident to them? Portray Christ in a real way to a real world in real need. You may be the only Jesus others see. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Jesus Ministry

Your Ministry

Discipleship Evangelism Obedience

Tag! You’re It!

“He appointed twelve–designating them apostles–that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” Mark 3:14 (NIV) Can you imagine the honor of being chosen by Jesus to serve as one of His twelve apostles? You would have a starting position on the varsity team that Jesus coached. You would have access to His life behind the scenes in the locker room and on the practice field. You would want to spend all your time in His shadow and under His personal touch ministry. To be like Him, you would want to watch His every move and to capture every word He articulated. It would be so refreshing to be that connected to the Son of God. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have that kind of connection with the Son of God. At the moment of your conversion experience, you were adopted into God’s family and placed on the winning team. You have the privilege of drawing near to the Lord and learning how to enjoy His presence. God did not save you so that you could stay in the huddle. God rescued you from eternal damnation and placed you into His forever family and filled you with His Holy Spirit so that you could continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. You have been chosen by God to be sent out to portray His love and to proclaim the saving news of Jesus. You have been armed with the cure to the cancer of sin. Every single person who places their faith in Jesus alone for salvation will be saved and adopted into the family of God. You are chosen by God to build that relational bridge to those who are lost. Tag! You’re it! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Obedience On Mission

Mountain of Motivation

“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” Matt 17:1-2 (NIV) If only life was a perpetual mountaintop experience. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be on a constant spiritual high and never come down? Peter, James, and John had a once in a lifetime experience with Jesus on the top of a mountain. Jesus was transfigured before them. Peter wanted to build three shelters in order to stay on the mountaintop and live in the radiance of Jesus’ glory. Jesus used the experience to teach Peter, James, and John the necessity to come down the mountain to meet the needs of people in the valley. In other words, God surprises us with mountaintop experiences to reveal His glory so that we can go into the world to reveal God’s glory to others. Consider the terrain of your spiritual journey. Can you recall the mountaintop experiences you have had with God? Did God reveal His glory to you in those moments so that you would stay in the moment? No! God gave you those special glimpses into His nature and character so that you could go into the valley of life to connect with people in desperate need of God’s salvation. God moments can be difficult to transfer to others. Often, the God moments are for you to be encouraged and strengthened personally. The experience should motivate you to go into the world to declare the message of reconciliation to a world alienated from God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Missions Paul

Refining Your Focus

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 (NIV) When I read this passage it reminds me of my experience of training for a 5k race. You may think that I meant that I was training for a marathon, but I was training for my first ever 5-kilometer race. I grew up racing motocross, bmx, and Jet Skis. But it wasn’t until I was in my mid-thirties that I embraced the challenge of running this type of race. I discovered that the intensity level in the training phase has proportionate benefits to the racing phase. Training matters! The Christian life is very similar to that of a race. Jesus calls us to run with purpose, focus, and intensity. We are to run in such a way as to get the prize. The focus of the Christian life is not comfort, but change. As we diligently run the race set before us, Jesus transforms us into His image. Knowing that we are going to receive a crown that will last forever, we are to run this race with passion and determination. Our lives are to be marked by discipline and self-control. Paul lived his life with a passion to complete the task the Lord had given him. He diligently gave his life to testifying of the gospel of God’s grace. God gave Paul grace for the race. There’s more to this life than preparing for and running in a 5k. God has an assignment tailor made for you to fulfill. God will comfort you as you comfort others and as He changes you. Allow God to empower you for the race. Be committed to finish strong! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Church Evangelism Great Commission

Courageous Partnership

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matt 28:18-20 (NIV) I live in awe of the reality that God would choose someone like to me to be adopted into His family, to be included in His redemption story, and to be empowered for His redemptive mission. If you have turned your life over to Jesus Christ and allowed Him to become the Lord of your life, you to have been adopted, included, and empowered by God and for God. Your life has true meaning and your life matters to God and directly impacts the population of heaven. You have been given authority by Jesus to make disciples of all people groups. Don’t get distracted by materialism and the pursuit of prestige. Don’t allow your passion for God and His redemptive activity to be dissolved by the pursuit of worldly pleasures. Laser focus your life on that which moves the heart of God. Give your life to influencing people for Christ. As you go, make disciples. You may be the only Jesus others see. Reveal God’s love to every person you come into contact with. Be an irresistible influence for Christ on this broken planet called earth. Reveal the grace you have been given by God to others. Reveal the mercy you have received through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Reveal the hope of Jesus to others. Give your life to fulfilling the Great Commission. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Church Evangelism Missions

On Mission with a Message

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date May 1, 2010
57 Comments on On Mission with a Message

“‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’” John 3:16 (NIV) According to the Registry of Peoples and Languages, there are 6,809 distinct languages. There are more than twelve thousand ethnic identities or people groups. With over 6.7 billion people on the planet, the world’s population is massive. What kind of hope is available to such a mass number of diverse people? The hope of the world is found in John 3:16. If you had to condense the entire Bible into a single verse, it would be John 3:16. God’s love for all people groups is captured by this one verse. The wonderful news is that God took the initiative to provide us with the gift of eternal life through His one and only Son, Jesus. God chose to robe Himself in flesh and become like us so that we could become like Him. Whoever believes receives God’s gracious salvation gift. There is no greater love. There is no greater gift. Bundle all the gifts from every Christmas you have experienced and you will not come close to the ultimate love gift God has provided in Jesus. Now that you have received God’s gift of eternal life, be willing to make His gift known to others. “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4 NIV). You can present the saving news of Jesus to any lost person anywhere and radically change their forever! You can share the ultimate gift with a world in need of our Savior. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Gospel Soulwinning

Share the Gospel Intentionally

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date February 1, 2010
61 Comments on Share the Gospel Intentionally

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” 1 Thess 1:4-5 (NIV) Be intentional in sharing the gospel. Paul, Silas, and Timothy brought the gospel to the Thessalonians (Acts 17:1-4). The gospel came with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power (I Cor 2:4-5). Many of the Thessalonians responded by turning to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thess 1:9). The gospel transformed their lives and influenced their culture. In Christ, we have the cure to the cancer of sin. We have been entrusted with the gospel of light that delivers people from the kingdom of darkness. God has armed us with the Good News of Jesus Christ and empowered us with the Holy Spirit to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. God still uses human instrumentality in the redemptive process. Will you be faithful to share the gospel intentionally? Paul, Silas, and Timothy lived among the Thessalonians to benefit them, to bless them, and to bring Christ to them. Instead of allowing the pagan culture to influence them, Paul, Silas, and Timothy intentionally influenced the culture by continuing the ministry of Jesus. Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. A thermostat sets the environment while a thermometer reflects the environment. God has not called us to be absorbed by the culture, but to influence the culture with the gospel. Be a spiritual thermostat for the Lord by sharing the gospel intentionally. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Purity Soulwinning

Irresistible

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV) As followers of Jesus Christ, we are in the world, but not of the world. We are considered aliens and strangers in the world. God has saved us from our sin and called us to Himself. We are His workmanship (Eph 2:10) and His ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). God has done a gracious work in us so that He can do a redemptive work through us. God wants us to be an irresistible influence in our world. Living with eternity in mind will help us to protect our priorities and to reflect what God values. Our testimony will be strengthened by our devotion to living a life of moral purity. Sinful desires war against our soul. Sin infects us and affects our effectiveness in influencing a lost and dying world toward Christ. Let’s commit to stay close and clean. Our purity paves the way for connectivity with a fallen world. God wants us to stay clean and live such good lives among lost people that will cause them to glorify God. Is there anyone following Jesus as a result of following you? Have you become an irresistible influence for Christ right where you are? Are others being drawn to Christ because of your conversation and your conduct? Consider the people God has brought in your path over the past few weeks. How has your life impacted their lives? Was the life of Christ in you evident to them? Portray Christ in a real way to a real world in real need. You may be the only Jesus others see. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Missions Prayer

Changing the World through Prayer

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date November 12, 2009
56 Comments on Changing the World through Prayer

“The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.” Psalms 98:2 (NIV) You may not have the opportunity to travel to every continent on the planet, but you can touch every continent through prayer. Choose to pray strategically by employing a weekly prayer plan for the continents. Pray for Africa on Monday, Asia on Tuesday, Australia and Oceania on Wednesday, and Europe on Thursday. Pray for North America on Friday, South America on Saturday, and then pray for the church you are connected to on Sunday. Our natural proclivity is to be individualistic in our praying. We get so self-absorbed and self-centered that we bypass the joy and delight of praying for those outside of our sphere of influence. Go global with your prayer life. “’Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’” Acts 4:12 (NIV) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) Embrace God’s heart for the nations of the earth. God loves every people group and provides salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus. You can participate in God’s redemptive activity through the powerful avenue of prayer. Pray for the softening of the hearts of the people throughout the earth. Allocate some time each day to pray for one of the continents. Would you be willing to go on a short-term mission trip to one of the continents that you pray for? God has saved you so that you can invest your life in bringing others to Christ. It all begins with praying for those not connected to Christ. Yes! You can change the world through prayer. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Intercession Prayer

Praying Specifically for Others

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date November 11, 2009
60 Comments on Praying Specifically for Others

“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true–even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” 1 John 5:19-20 (NIV) What if the content of your prayers this week were transcribed and put into book form and placed on the end table in a doctor’s office waiting room for others to read? What would your prayer life reveal to others? What would the content of your prayers reveal about your walk with God? Choose to pray specifically. Instead of articulating generic requests and ambiguous petitions, begin to pray with specificity. For example, begin pray for others to know and enjoy the personal presence of Jesus. Pray for lost people by name. Write their names down and pray specifically for these individuals to become children of God. If the whole world is under the control of the evil one, then who will rescue the perishing? Who will do spiritual battle in prayer for the lost souls on this planet? Pray evangelistically and be willing to be used of God in the process of bringing others to Christ. Jesus has given us understanding so that we can know Him personally and make Him known intentionally. Jesus is the true God! There is no other! Jesus is eternal life! Jesus is the hope of the world. Jesus has saved us so that we can continue His ministry on the earth of bringing others into His kingdom. As a kingdom citizen, you have a kingdom assignment. Pray specifically for the salvation of individuals by name. Pray expectantly by making yourself available for God’s use in His redemptive activity. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Evangelism Missions On Mission World Redemption

World Missions (7)

The Christmas story is rooted in God’s nature and character. “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:20 (NIV) God’s story is the story of redemption. In His grace and mercy, God has come to us in order to rescue us from our sin and our eternal damnation. God’s redemptive activity is an outflow of His holiness and compassion. God became like us so that we could become like Him. The shepherds responded to God’s invitation by going into Bethlehem to see Jesus lying in a manger. They shared their angelic experience with Joseph and Mary to affirm their belief in Jesus as the savior of the world. The shepherds returned with an attitude of praise and adoration for all that God had done in their midst. They identified that their personal experienced lined up with God’s revelation. God keeps His word. When God speaks, you will know that His activity is just as He said. The shepherds anchored their faith in the certainty of God’s revelation. You can trust God to do what He says He will do. There isn’t a fraction of error. God speaks so that we can know Him, serve Him, and make Him known throughout the earth. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Evangelism Missions On Mission World Redemption

World Missions (6)

“‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’” John 3:16 (NIV) According to the Registry of Peoples and Languages, there are 6,809 distinct languages. There are more than twelve thousand ethnic identities or people groups. With over 6.7 billion people on the planet, the world’s population is massive. What kind of hope is available to such a mass number of diverse people? The hope of the world is found in John 3:16. If you had to condense the entire Bible into a single verse, it would be John 3:16. God’s love for all people groups is captured by this one verse. The wonderful news is that God took the initiative to provide us with the gift of eternal life through His one and only Son, Jesus. God chose to robe Himself in flesh and become like us so that we could become like Him. Whoever believes receives God’s gracious salvation gift. There is no greater love. There is no greater gift. Bundle all the gifts from every Christmas you have experienced and you will not come close to the ultimate love gift God has provided in Jesus. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph 2:8-9 (NIV) “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 (NIV) Now that you have received God’s gift of eternal life, be willing to make His gift known to others. You can present the saving news of Jesus to any lost person anywhere and radically change their forever! You can share the ultimate gift with a world in need of our Savior. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Evangelism Missions On Mission World Redemption

World Missions (5)

God speaks your love language. “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) The joy of Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus and giving meaningful gifts to those we love. Jesus came to give us the ultimate gift, eternal life. As we exchange gifts this Christmas, it is an expression of valuing others. As you shop for that perfect gift to bless someone dear to you, you thoughtfully consider what they need and what they like. You consider their tastes, interests, and desires. You focus your gift on their uniqueness. God speaks your love language in that He meets you at your greatest point of need. Salvation has come in the miracle of the manger, Jesus, born to bring life everlasting. On the Day of Pentecost, God demonstrated that the Gospel is for everyone. He broke through the ethnic and language barriers by allowing those present in Jerusalem to hear the Gospel in their own language. As the people groups represented in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost returned to their homeland, the Gospel spread. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:41 (NIV) God’s love language is universal. The miracle of Christmas is that in Christ God’s glory may be revealed to all nations. Are you available for God’s use? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Evangelism Missions On Mission World Redemption

World Missions (4)

God honors unity. “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts 1:14 (NIV) Anticipating Christmas generates major excitement and energy. You can feel it in the air as people saturate their flower beds, yards, and homes with decorative lights. The traffic heightens as shoppers strategically complete their Christmas lists. Travelers prepare to make their rounds among the family traditions. Anticipation of celebrating the birth of Christ brings out the best in us. Following the ascension of Christ, a hundred and twenty believers were gathered in the upper room anticipating the arrival of the Holy Spirit. They were anticipating the fulfillment of the Father’s promise. They all joined together. They continued with one accord in prayer. The Greek word is “homothumadon” which means with one mind, one accord, and one passion. In the language of the New Testament, it means to have the same mind and to rush along in unison. God honored their unity as demonstrated in their continual praying together. God allowed them to express their unity through a ten day prayer meeting of anticipation. Unified prayer was their preparation for the impartation of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Do you pray in anticipation of God’s answer? Have you experienced unified prayer with other believers? What if you brought unified prayer into your Christmas experience? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Evangelism Missions On Mission World Redemption

World Missions (3)

God is a promise keeper. “He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’” Luke 24:46-49 (NIV) Jesus developed His disciples by investing time with them. He modeled what He wanted to multiply in them and through them. Jesus commissioned His followers to preach in His name to all nations. Then Jesus affirmed that He would send them what His Father had promised. He instructed them to stay in Jerusalem until they received the impartation of the promise. God is the promise giver and He is a promise keeper. The promise He gave to the followers of Christ was the Person of the Holy Spirit. The promise He gives to every person who receives the gift of eternal life is the Holy Spirit. “We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” 1 John 4:13 (NIV) Are you a child of the promise? Have you been born into God’s family? God’s glory lives in you in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Will you live for the global glory of God by sharing His promise with all nations beginning with your neighbors? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Evangelism Missions On Mission World Redemption

World Missions (2)

God’s agenda is global. “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’” Luke 2:13-14 (NIV) You are here to bring glory to God. You have been created by God to fulfill His agenda. God’s agenda is global and your purpose is to live for His global glory. Don’t waste your life. You are too valuable to God. Don’t wade in the pool of apathy. Time is to too short. “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14 (NIV) The brevity of life and certainty of death are realities that should motivate us to passionately bring God glory every moment of each day. What are you doing for the global glory of God? It is impossible to be self-consumed and live for the global glory of God. It is impossible to be self-centered and live for the global glory of God. The angels got it. They demonstrated at Jesus’ birth that their focus was to bring glory to God. God alone is worthy of our adoration. God alone is worthy of a life focused on bringing Him glory. Are you willing to reorient your life around living for the global glory of God? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Evangelism Missions On Mission World Redemption

World Missions (1)

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7 (NIV) Make room for Jesus. He is the hope of the world. There is no other option for men, women, boys, and girls to be saved from eternal damnation. There is no other option for anyone to be delivered from the clutches of the enemy. Jesus is God’s response to the fall of man. Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV) “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV) Will you make room for Jesus? Will you give Him first place in your life? Your heart can be His manger. Jesus came so that you would know Him personally and to enable you to invest the rest of your life to making Him known. Seize the opportunities that God gives you this week to make Jesus known. World missions begins right where you are. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Evangelism Fishing Soul Consciousness Soulwinning

Fishing

“‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’” Mark 1:17 (NIV) If you aren’t fishing, you aren’t following. Jesus invites us into a love relationship with Himself that is immediate and eternal. Our relationship with Jesus is to be marked by spiritual maturity and a passion for souls. Once you have been delivered from the flames of hell and graciously positioned on the path that leads to life eternal, you will want to share the Good News with others who don’t know Christ. You will want those who are hellbound to become a new creation in Christ. When your citizenship has been transferred to heaven at conversion (Php. 3:20), you will want others to have the same gift that you have received. You will not be ashamed of the gospel for you will recognize it as the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” Prov 11:30 (NIV) “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Philem 1:6 (NIV) Watch for divine appointments ochestrated by God. The fish will be attracted by the lure of your life transformation in Christ. The glow of God on your countenance and the “Living Water” you splash as you interact with others will draw people to Christ. Let others see Jesus in you. Infuse your conversation with spiritual questions that prompt people to think about their eternal destination. There’s no lack of fish, only a lack of fishers of men, women, boys, and girls (Matt. 9:38). What will you do with the opportunities God gives you this week to make Jesus known? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor