Curious George

Greg Gilbert over at 9marks.org posted a transcript of a discussion between Don Carson, John Piper, and Tim Keller on priority of sharing the Gospel in our compassion ministries.  I have become strongly convicted that followers of Christ must care for the poor and helpless as an expression of our love for God and people.  In the midst of these ministries, however, there is a subtle temptation to serve the needy in order to improve their life in a temporary way without addressing their eternal destination and need for salvation.

Carson, Piper, and Keller stress the priority of the Gospel and it’s role in motivating us to help those in need.  We must never help someone with the shortsighted goal of improving their life.  We must be driven by the destination of their eternal souls and their great need to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Take a look at Gilbert’s transcription of the discussion here and let me know what you think.  You can follow a link to the original audio after the jump.

Source:  Church Matters: The 9Marks Blog

I love Coca-Cola’s commercial called “Happiness Machine!”  It got me thinking about how much happiness I spread to those around me.  Now, I know what some of you are going to say.  Some of  you think that since we can’t make everyone happy it’s not worth trying at all.  I also know that many Christians seem to think that following Jesus means living a stoic life devoid of any fun or happiness.  What if we lived with outrageous generosity that made people smile in amazement?  What if we served people with no strings attached?  I think it would open many doors of opportunity to share the love of Jesus!  What do you think?

I recently had the privilege of being introduced to a pastor named Gabriel Nsofwa in Kabwe, Zambia. Bobby Culpepper at Westwood Baptist Church told me I should get in touch with him and lend some encouragement and prayer. It’s been a blessing to communicate with Pastor Nsofwa over the last several weeks as he has shared what God is doing in Kabwe.  Pastor Nsofwa comes highly recommended by missionaries who spent many years in Zambia and served with him there.

I’m struck by the wonder of making a friend halfway around the world and the instant bond we shared because of our faith in Jesus.  Pastor Nsofwa is the pastor of Kabwe Central Baptist Church and is working hard to share the Gospel in Kabwe.  I hope you’ll join me in praying for Pastor Nsofwa, his wife Tricia, and their children.  You can also help to support Pastor Nsofwa and his church by contributing to their ministry with money and resources.  Here are a list of items that they need:

• Evangecubes
• Musical instruments
• Clothes and shoes (second hand items in good shape are welcomed) for the poor and orphans in Kabwe
• Bibles
• Worship materials
• Christian books
• Laptop computer
• Tracts
• Copies of the Baptist Faith and Message
• Video projector

Send me a message if you can help with any of these items.  I’ll gather the items and send them to Kabwe.  You can contribute to Kabwe Central Baptist Church securely through this widget:

Kabwe Central Baptist Church