Performance Review #6: Evangelism

Steven Lake Posted on Posted in Life Well-Lived Tagged with ,

Passage:  Revelation 3:7-13

Verse:  “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name”  Revelation 3:8

Evaluation of:  The church in Philadelphia [theme is evangelism]

Evaluator:

  • Him [Jesus]
  • Who is Holy and True
  • Who holds the key of David [the authority to make decisions]

Strengths:  I know your deeds …

  1. See, I have placed before you an open door [evangelistic opportunities]
  2. I know you have little strength, yet you have kept My Word
  3. You also have not denied My Name
  4. You have kept My command to endure patiently

Weakness:  None [only 2 churches had no weaknesses]

Step:  Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown

Warnings:  I will make your enemies, who also are MY enemies …

  1. Come and fall down at your feet
  2. Acknowledge that I have loved you

Incentives:

  1. I will keep you from the coming trial on earth [Great Tribulation]
  2. I AM coming soon
  3. I will make you a pillar in the temple of God [honored in the New Jerusalem]
  4. You will never leave it
  5. I will write on you the Name of God [as the Co-Recipient of the “gift”]
  6. I will write on you the Name of the city of My God [as your destination]
  7. I also will write on you My New Name [as the Sender and Co-Recipient]

Application:

Each day during my Quiet Time, a man I’ll call Henry stops to chat as he walks through the park. He’s a student in a mainline seminary, and he’s writing a children’s book on the Bible. He usually comes by just as I’m praying. I politely talk for awhile, and then politely say goodbye so I can get back to the Lord. Not once have I asked him about his relationship with Jesus. God has placed an open door right in front of me, and I haven’t seen it!  Tomorrow morning will be different!  What about you?  Do you have a Henry in your life?   

Prayer:

“Lord, Forgive me for ignoring the evangelistic opportunities right in front of me. Help me lead others to and through the open door to Your waiting arms. Amen.”

© 2014 Designed to Serve®

About

Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.