Category: Soulwinning

Let’s Go Fishing

“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Mark 1:16-18 (ESV) If you’re not fishing, you’re not following. To be a true follower of Jesus Christ, you must be fishing for souls. Jesus has called every follower of His to fish for men, women, boys, and girls. Our purpose for existence is to know Jesus personally, to grow in Jesus progressively, and to go for Jesus intentionally. As a follower of Jesus Christ, your lifestyle should include both private and public worship. To know Jesus personally gives expression through your daily intimacy with Him in private worship. You bring your worship of Jesus with you to a gathering of fellow followers of Christ in public worship. Are you growing in your love relationship with Jesus? Are you connected to a small group of Christ-followers in order to grow progressively in community, in Bible knowledge and application, and in exercising your spiritual gifts? Are you growing in your knowing? As you know Christ and grow in Christ, you are compelled to go into the world to represent Christ. Your lifestyle becomes intentional. Your soul-consciousness is elevated. Your passion to reach the lost at any cost is ignited. Now, let’s go fishing! Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Conceal Great Commission Mission Reveal Soulwinning

Our Mission

“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.’” Matt 28:18-20 (ESV) The Great Commission is our mission. 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. Now that’s something worth giving your life to! 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. Maximize every opportunity that God gives you to make Jesus known. 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 to others that you have come to know firsthand. Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Lordship Soulwinning Testimony

Prepared to Share

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV) Your submission to the Lordship of Christ determines your level of readiness to give an answer for the reason of the hope you have. When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, your passion becomes pleasing Him. Your ambition in life is to do what Jesus did. Submitted to the Lordship of Christ, your life becomes oriented to the redemptive activity of God. What is the reason for the hope you have? What was your life like before Christ became your Savior and Lord? How did you come to know Christ personally? What is different about your life now that you have an abiding love relationship with Him? Be prepared to give an answer. Be prepared to engage others in spiritual conversation. Unveil to others what Christ means to you and what He can do for them. Sadly, conversation can dilute into being superficial and temporal. What if you began to operate your life in light of eternity? What if your conversation became centered around the reality of God’s redeeming love? Give evidence to the Lordship of Christ in your life. With gentleness and respect, declare the hope you have in Christ. Speak of the mercy and grace of God you have been freely given. Allow the light of God’s love to radiate from your life and your lips. In Christ, you have the most powerful message on the planet. Are you ready to give an answer? Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Proverbs Redemptive Activity Soulwinning

Worth Capturing

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 (ESV) You were worth capturing. God intentionally pursued you with His redeeming love. God poured out His love on you and lavished you with His grace and covered you with His compassion. Before you were conceived, God thought of you and developed a master plan for your life. His plan included the plan of redemption that delivered you out of the kingdom of darkness and placed you in the kingdom of light. God pursued you, redeemed you, adopted you into His family, and sealed you by His Holy Spirit so that He can produce the fruit of righteousness through your life to influence others. In Christ, you become a tree of life. You have the God-given capacity to point others to the One who gives eternal life. Your life is to branch out and to bear fruit that draws others to Christ. God has sanctified you so that you can join Him in His redemptive activity. Be sensitive to the opportunities God gives you today to capture souls. Be an irresistible influence for the Lord today and allow Him to shine His light through your life to radiate His love, His compassion, and His story of redemption. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ESV) Every person you encounter today is worth capturing for the Lord. You will not cross paths with any human being that Christ cannot redeem. His atoning work on the cross is sufficient to save anyone, anywhere, at any time, in any culture! The fruit of His righteousness through you is a tree of life. Be wise! Capture souls! Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Beatitudes Peacemaking Soulwinning

Helping Others Make Peace with God

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date April 13, 2021
118 Comments on Helping Others Make Peace with God

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV) Peacemaking involves helping others make peace with God. As a peacemaker, you have the awesome privilege and responsibility of building a bridge to others to help them come into a saving relationship with Jesus. God reconciled you to Himself so that you could join Him in reconciling others to Himself. You have been rescued to rescue others. God has given you the ministry of reconciliation. You may think that you are not called into the ministry. However, every believer is called into the ministry of reconciliation. God has built the ultimate love bridge to you so that you can in turn build His love bridge to others. As a child of God, you not only have a ministry to fulfill but you also have a message to declare. The message of reconciliation is the wonderful news that God is reconciling the world to Himself, in Christ. The atoning work of Jesus on the cross provides for the complete and absolute forgiveness of our sins. In Christ, God does not count our sins against us. We are forgiven! We are free! We have discovered the cure to the cancer of sin. We have the remedy for the plight of sinful man. God has lavished us with His love and armed us with the most powerful life changing message on the planet. Are you helping others make peace with God? Will the population of heaven increase because of your participation in the ministry and message of reconciliation? Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Compassion Soulwinning Tenacity

Carry Your Corner

“And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.” Mark 2:2-4 (ESV) These four men were convinced that Jesus was the answer. They were focused on the mission of getting the paralytic to Jesus. Even though the obstacles were vast and the house was full, these four men were willing to be creative and committed to bringing the paralytic to Jesus. What if one of the four decided not to carry his corner? What if one of the four chose to give up and release his corner of responsibility? One of the remaining three would have had to take on double the load. Instead, the four men worked together as a team unified and devoted to bringing the paralytic to Jesus. “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” Mark 2:5 (ESV) Jesus rewarded their faith. These four men were willing to dig through the roof to lower the paralytic down. No barrier was big enough to penetrate their passion and to dilute their devotion. These men were willing to go beyond their own comfort and convenience in order to place the needs of this paralytic before their own. Are you willing to carry your corner to bring people to Jesus? Are you willing to carry your corner to ensure the ministry of Jesus continues on the earth? Do your part to meet needs and to point people to Jesus. Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Proverbs Redemptive Activity Soulwinning

Worth Capturing

Holy Spirit Salvation Soulwinning

No Greater Task

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4 (ESV) God empowers us for participation in His redemptive activity. We cannot operate in God’s kingdom economy without God’s kingdom resources. God’s agenda can only be fulfilled by God’s enabling. Without God’s power, we cannot fulfill God’s mission. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit indwelt the believers and enabled them to speak forth the Gospel. Everyone heard the Good News in their own heart language. This miraculous communication of the Gospel was God’s demonstration that the Gospel is for everyone! What is your spiritual story? How did you come to know Christ personally? What has your life been like since being filled with the Holy Spirit? What does God’s Word say about how a person can be saved? If you have experienced the Gospel firsthand, then you are now ready to witness to Christ’s saving power. You are now ready to share your faith with others. Read Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-10, and 10:13. God has reconciled you to Himself so that you can join God in reconciling others to Himself. Build bridges to those who don’t know Jesus so that they can have the saving relationship that you enjoy in Christ. There’s no greater task on planet earth! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Discipleship Jesus Soulwinning

Fishing and Following

“And so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’” Luke 5:10 (ESV) If you’re not fishing, you’re not following. Following Christ will result in faithfully and intentionally fishing for souls. When you follow your Rabbi, Jesus, you go where He goes and you do what He does. Jesus alleviated Simon’s fear by clarifying his life-focus. Instead of fishing for fish, Simon was being invited to a life of fishing for souls. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.” Prov. 11:30 (ESV) “And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” Philem. 1:6 (ESV) “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” Jude 1:22-23 (ESV) Focus your life on that which is closest to the heart of Jesus. Souls! Focus your life on fishing for souls. Join God in His redemptive activity by bringing others into a saving relationship with Jesus. Share your personal salvation story (I Pet. 3:15-16) and invite others to become followers of Jesus Christ. Focus your life on souls! Eternity is at stake! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Beatitudes Peacemaking Soulwinning

Helping Others Make Peace with God

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date August 2, 2014
62 Comments on Helping Others Make Peace with God

Children Influence Soulwinning

Pointing Children to Christ

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date July 19, 2014
59 Comments on Pointing Children to Christ

“‘Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.’” Matthew 18:5-6 (ESV) Jesus loves the little children. As you read these powerful words of Christ, you may be offended by the strong language used. Jesus does not water down His conviction about the vitality and vulnerability of children. Jesus confronts us with the reality that the children are our responsibility. If we choose to mislead them, we will suffer the consequences. If we choose to guide them in the way of the Lord, we will be blessed. The vast majority of those who come to place their faith in Christ alone for salvation do so before the age of twelve. Children exhibit tenderness toward the things of God. They are so open to what God wants to do in their lives and through their lives. Children are like tender clay in the hands of a potter. God has given us the responsibility to help mold them and shape them into fully devoted followers of Christ. With this awesome privilege comes tremendous responsibility. Jesus wants us to take our responsibility of influencing children toward Him seriously. Think of what is at stake when children are misled. Not only is their immediate future jeopardized, but also their eternal destiny. I am so grateful for the godly men and women that God placed in my life during my formative years to point me to Jesus. They faithfully modeled the Christ-centered life. Every generation deserves to be led to the foot of the cross and introduced to a saving relationship with Jesus. Are there children in your sphere of influence that will be in heaven because of you? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Compassion Influence Soulwinning

Making an Eternal Difference

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date July 6, 2014
64 Comments on Making an Eternal Difference

“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.” Luke 19:5-6 (ESV) You have a choice. You can be a thermostat and set the environment or you can be a thermometer and reflect the environment. Jesus chose to be a thermostat. Jesus leveraged His influence to transform Zacchaeus and his family. Jesus was intentional about bringing life-change to this chief tax collector and his family. The people criticized Jesus for His actions. We are introduced to this concept of muttering and grumbling in the Old Testament as the children of Israel grumbled against God, Moses, and Aaron (Exod. 16:6-8). Jesus was willing to be misunderstood and criticized in order to bring eternal life to Zacchaeus and his family. Jesus was willing to endure opposition to present this family with the opportunity to be transformed by His love. Will you influence your environment or be influenced by your environment? Will you become like those around you or will they become like you? It depends upon your decision to be a thermostat or a thermometer. God has placed you here to be salt and light to influence this decaying and dark world with the purity and the light of His love (Matt. 5:13-16). God has planted you right where you are so that you can bloom for His glory and bring others into the kingdom of light. Are you willing to be criticized for loving the unlovable? Are you willing to be misunderstood for extending grace to the despised and forgotten? You have the gift of eternal life and the power of the Holy Spirit operative within you. Be a thermostat for the glory of God! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Courage Influence Soulwinning

Proclaim Without Shame

“‘For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.’” Luke 9:26 (ESV) Do you conceal your Christianity? Do those in your sphere of influence know that you are a follower of Jesus Christ? There’s nothing to be ashamed of. In Christ, you have been adopted into God’s family and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:5,13). You have been rescued from darkness and placed in the kingdom of light (Col. 1:5). God has placed you in the display window of life to portray His grace to a dark and decaying world (1 Tim. 1:16). Embrace the attitude of Paul who affirmed, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16 ESV). The gospel that brought you hope and eternal life is the same gospel that you represent in this life. Don’t be ashamed of the Good News that transformed your life. Don’t withhold the cure to the cancer of sin that will set others free just as you have been set free. Jesus was not ashamed to identify with the lost by becoming flesh (John 1:14). For a person to be ashamed of Christ and His words is to deny the One who gave His all to provide for the forgiveness of sin. There’s no room for shame when it comes to identifying with Christ. To align with Christ is an honor to behold. Go public with your faith. God has given you the message worth sharing and the light worth shining. You have the capacity to influence others toward Christ. How many people will be in heaven because of you? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Holy Spirit Power Soulwinning

Infused with Power

“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33 (ESV) How is resurrection power evidenced in your life? The apostles demonstrated resurrection power as they testified of the bodily resurrection of the Lord. They combated immense opposition to share the gospel. They were willing to risk everything for the sake of witnessing to the reality of the resurrected Lord. As they gave witness of the Lord’s resurrection, the grace of God was upon them. Could it be that God reserves His resurrection power for the most important task? Is it possible that God unleashes His resurrection power when you join Him in His redemptive activity? When you testify of His redeeming love, God releases His power in you to accomplish His task of spreading the fragrance of Christ. When you enter the spiritual battlefield for the souls of men, women, boys, and girls, God empowers you for the mission. Are you attempting anything that requires resurrection power? Are you living on mission with God to the extent that you are desperate for His divine enabling? God has given you everything you need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). As you share the gospel, remember that it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16). There’s no need to be ashamed. Operate in the resurrection power God provides. Allow God to take you places you have never been in your love relationship with Him. Trust God to give you the boldness and the courage to confront the culture and to present the wonderful saving news of Jesus. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Influence Soulwinning Testify

Being a Megaphone for the Master

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date February 4, 2014
115 Comments on Being a Megaphone for the Master

“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (ESV) One of the features of a High School football game is the cheer squad. The cheerleaders seek to engage the fans in the stands in order to motivate them to cheer on the team. Regardless of the score, the cheerleaders seek to get the fans involved in the game in a positive manner. Often the cheerleaders utilize a megaphone to project their cheers and to amplify their message. God has transformed your life by His grace so that you can become a megaphone to amplify the Good News of Jesus Christ. That’s right! You are a megaphone for the Master! The message of Christ is to project from your life and from your lips. Are you encouraging people to get into the game? Are you sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with those in your sphere of influence? The church at Thessalonica became a megaphone for the Master. The Lord’s message sounded forth like a blaring trumpet and like rolling thunder. The church boldly and continually trumpeted the gospel message. Their faith in God was not a secret to be concealed, but a glorious reality to be revealed. God did not transform your life so that you could hide your Christian walk. God did not deliver you from the kingdom of darkness and place you in the kingdom of light so that you could become a silent saint. You have been saved by the grace of God to become a megaphone for the Maker of heaven and earth. Your faith in God is to be projected for others to encounter the redeeming love of Christ. Go public with your faith. Let others hear your personal testimony. Share your spiritual story and live out the gospel. 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

Courage Soul Consciousness Soulwinning

Passion for the Lost

“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.” Philemon 1:6 (NIV) God uses the person who embodies a deep craving for the lost. It is possible to live your life each day and become so consumed with your own life that you totally bypass the reality of lost people. You can become so fixated on meeting your own needs that you overlook the glaring reality that lost people go to hell. Only those who have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ will go to heaven. Hell is real and the path leading there is broad. Heaven is real and the path that leads there is very narrow. As a child of God, you know the way for a person to get to heaven and have eternal life. You know that Jesus is the only way (John 14:6). Now that you know Jesus personally, be active in sharing your faith with others. You may be the only Jesus others see. You may be their only hope. Don’t conceal what God has done for you by providing you with the gift of eternal life by His grace and through faith in Jesus. Reveal the Good News of Jesus to the world beginning with the next person God brings into your path. Be sensitive to opportunities that God presents you with today. Seize the moment to make Jesus known. Actively share your faith so that those who know you, but don’t know Christ, will come to know Christ because they know you! Pursuing God, 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

Obedience Reveal Soulwinning

Reveal His Name

“‘If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.’” Luke 9:26 (NIV) Do you conceal your Christianity? Can you be accused of being a closet Christian? Do those in your sphere of influence know that you are a follower of Jesus Christ? There’s nothing to be ashamed of. In Christ, you have been adopted into God’s family and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:5,13). You have been rescued from darkness and placed in the kingdom of light (Col. 1:5). God has placed you in the display window of life to portray His grace to a dark and decaying world (1 Tim. 1:16). Embrace the attitude of Paul who affirmed, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile”(Rom. 1:16 NIV). The gospel that brought you hope and eternal life is the same gospel that you represent in this life. Don’t be ashamed of the Good News that transformed your life. Don’t withhold the answer to the problem of sin that will set others free just as you have been set free. Jesus was not ashamed to identify with the lost by becoming flesh (John 1:14). For a person to be ashamed of Christ and His words is to deny the One who gave His all to provide for the forgiveness of sin. There’s no room for shame when it comes to identifying with Christ. To align with Christ is an honor to behold. Go public with your faith. God has given you the message worth sharing and the light worth shining. You have the capacity to influence others toward Christ. How many people will be in heaven because of you? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Grace Power Soulwinning

Divine Enabling

“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33 (NIV) How is resurrection power evidenced in your life? The apostles demonstrated resurrection power as they testified of the bodily resurrection of the Lord. They combated immense opposition to share the gospel. They were willing to risk everything for the sake of witnessing to the reality of the resurrected Lord. As they gave witness of the Lord’s resurrection, the grace of God was upon them. Could it be that God reserves His resurrection power for the most important task? Is it possible that God unleashes His resurrection power when you join Him in His redemptive activity? When you testify of His redeeming love, God releases His power in you to accomplish His task of spreading the fragrance of Christ. When you enter the spiritual battlefield for the souls of men, women, boys, and girls, God empowers you for the mission. Are you attempting anything that requires resurrection power? Are you living on mission with God to the extent that you are desperate for His divine enabling? God has given you everything you need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). As you share the gospel, remember that it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16). There’s no need to be ashamed. Operate in the resurrection power God provides. Allow God to take you places you have never been in your love relationship with Him. Trust God to give you the boldness and the courage to confront the culture and to present the wonderful saving news of Jesus. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Faith Obedience Soulwinning

Go Public

“The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia–your faith in God has become known everywhere.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NIV) One of the features of a High School football game is the cheer squad. The cheerleaders seek to engage the fans in the stands in order to motivate them to cheer on the team. Regardless of the score, the cheerleaders seek to get the fans involved in the game in a positive manner. Often the cheerleaders utilize a megaphone to project their cheers and to amplify their message. God has transformed your life by His grace so that you can become a megaphone to amplify the Good News of Jesus Christ. That’s right! You are a megaphone for the Master! The message of Christ is to project from your life and from your lips. Are you encouraging people to get into the game? Are you sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with those in your sphere of influence? The church at Thessalonica became a megaphone for the Master. The Lord’s message sounded forth like a blaring trumpet and like rolling thunder. The church boldly and continually trumpeted the gospel message. Their faith in God was not a secret to be concealed, but a glorious reality to be revealed. God did not transform your life so that you could become a closet Christian. God did not deliver you from the kingdom of darkness and place you in the kingdom of light so that you could become a silent saint. You have been saved by the grace of God to become a megaphone for the Maker of heaven and earth. Your faith in God is to be projected for others to encounter the redeeming love of Christ. Go public with your faith. Let others hear your personal testimony. Share your spiritual story and live out the gospel. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Influence Intentionality Soulwinning

Intentional Influence

“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 Thessalonians 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 Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Faith Influence Soulwinning

Actively Share Your Faith

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date September 6, 2013
59 Comments on Actively Share Your Faith

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

Ambassador Atonement Soulwinning

Express the Message

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NIV) Express the message; you became the righteousness of God. God took the initiative to do for you what you could not do for yourself. God built the bridge you could not build. He established the only way for you to come into a vibrant love relationship with Him. How did God make this eternal relationship possible? God made Jesus to be sin for you so that you could become righteous like Him. At the moment of your salvation, you received the imputed righteousness of Christ. God justified you through your faith in Christ. As a result of the divine transaction, your identity has shifted from that of a lost person to that of a saved person. You are now in Christ and reconciled to God. In Christ, you have been called and commissioned to share the most important message on the planet. You have been armed with the cure for the cancer of sin. The message of reconciliation that brought you into a growing relationship with Jesus is the same message you are to share with others. You are an ambassador for Christ. God has saved you and filled you with the Holy Spirit to enable you to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Express the message of reconciliation. Just as you have become the righteousness of God in Christ, you can share the message of reconciliation with others. Will you allow God to use you as an ambassador for Christ? Will you continue the ministry of Jesus on this broken planet full of broken people? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Compassion Soulwinning Tenacity

Carry Your Corner

“And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.” Mark 2:2-4 (ESV) These four men were convinced that Jesus was the answer. They were focused on the mission of getting the paralytic to Jesus. Even though the obstacles were vast and the house was full, these four men were willing to be creative and committed to bringing the paralytic to Jesus. What if one of the four decided not to carry his corner? What if one of the four chose to give up and release his corner of responsibility? One of the remaining three would have had to take on double the load. Instead, the four men worked together as a team unified and devoted to bringing the paralytic to Jesus. “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” Mark 2:5 (ESV) Jesus rewarded their faith. These four men were willing to dig through the roof to lower the paralytic down. No barrier was big enough to penetrate their passion and to dilute their devotion. These men were willing to go beyond their own comfort and convenience in order to place the needs of this paralytic before their own. Are you willing to carry your corner to bring people to Jesus? Are you willing to carry your corner to ensure the ministry of Jesus continues on the earth? Do your part to meet needs and to point people to Jesus. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 280: Matthew 8; Mark 2) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Proverbs Redemptive Activity Soulwinning

Worth Capturing

Psalms Redemptive Activity Soulwinning

Say So

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” Psalm 107:1-3 (ESV) One of the features of a High School football game is the cheer squad. The cheerleaders seek to engage the fans in the stands in order to motivate them to cheer on the team. Regardless of the score, the cheerleaders seek to get the fans involved in the game in a positive manner. Often the cheerleaders utilize a megaphone to project their cheers and to amplify their message. God has transformed your life by His grace so that you can become a megaphone to amplify the Good News of Jesus Christ. That’s right! You are a megaphone for the Master! The message of Christ is to project from your life and from your lips. Are you encouraging people to get into the game? Are you sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with those in your sphere of influence? God did not transform your life so that you could become a closet Christian. God did not deliver you from the kingdom of darkness and place you in the kingdom of light so that you could become a silent saint. You have been saved by the grace of God to become a megaphone for the Maker of heaven and earth. Your faith in God is to be projected for others to encounter the redeeming love of Christ. Go public with your faith. If you know so, then say so! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 123: Psalms 106-107) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Courage Soul Consciousness Soulwinning

Passion for the Lost

“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) God uses the person who embodies a deep craving for the lost. It is possible to live your life each day and become so consumed with your own life that you totally bypass the reality of lost people. You can become so fixated on meeting your own needs that you overlook the glaring reality that lost people go to hell. Only those who have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ will go to heaven. Hell is real and the path leading there is broad. Heaven is real and the path that leads there is very narrow. As a child of God, you know the way for a person to get to heaven and have eternal life. You know that Jesus is the only way (John 14:6). Now that you know Jesus personally, be active in sharing your faith with others. You may be the only Jesus others see. You may be their only hope. Don’t conceal what God has done for you by providing you with the gift of eternal life by His grace and through faith in Jesus. Reveal the Good News of Jesus to the world beginning with the next person God brings into your path. Be sensitive to opportunities that God presents you with today. Seize the moment to make Jesus known. Actively share your faith so that those who know you, but don’t know Christ, will come to know Christ because they know you! 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