Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (Full Version)

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Liveloved -> Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (4/30/2008 10:51:28 AM)

As I prayed Psalm 51 this morning, I began to see this psalm as showing me what true evangelism is. So I'm going to share my thoughts and seek yours as well.

The psalm begins with David's seeking God's mercy and grace because of David's sinful actions. David is truthfull about what he has done---not excusing or rationalizing but judging it as the evil that it is.

David knows that it is this kind of truthfullness that the Lord desires from him. It seems that only as we are willing to be truthfull about ourselves are we able to know Jesus. (And in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom.)

There is such a sense of brokenness in David, real contrition, over his evil that is against God. And David knows only God can bring the restoration he needs. So he pleads with God to do this.

And THEN David says he will teach others the ways of God. Only out of this kind of brokenness and contrition are we made able to teach. Truthfullness about MY sin and seeking God to restore ME is the preparation for evangelism. THEN. . .only THEN. (see v13)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. (Ps 51:17)

This verse seems to speak the key to true and effective evangelism. A broken spirit, a contrite and broken heart, that has been restored by a merciful God, over and over and over again, is the place where true evangelism is born.

It is the meeting of my misery with His mercy that leads to loving the lost and telling them of the wonders of Jesus.

Yes, I see this as our pattern. What do you think?[:)]



saraha98 -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (4/30/2008 11:35:51 AM)

I agree wholeheartedly!! Today my daughter and I were reading In The Shadow of Plenty by George Grant. Chapter 9 talks about Nehemiah and starts out with Chapter 1:1-4. An exerpt from verse 4 is So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days......
Nehemiah's heart was broken for the people of Israel and until our hears are broken for the people of this world we cannot minister to them. Read Nehimahs prayer that also begins in verse 4 and continues through verse 11. It is much the same as the prayer you mentioned which David prayed. God is so good!! Just after I finished reading this chapter with my daughter, I signed onto the computer and read your post. Maybe it's God speaking. You think?



iamjc-s -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (4/30/2008 12:02:15 PM)

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God turns our "broken spirit, a contrite and broken heart" into a beautiful mosaic. PRAISE GOD from whom ALL blessings flow (including those that don't SEEM like blessings).



Ignited-Faith -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (4/30/2008 3:02:59 PM)

What hits me is that we don't even see our true heart condition, perhaps because of pride. Then when we come to Christ, we see what a mess we really are. Pride is replaced with true humility. Then God can put the pieces of our life together.

quote:

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. (Ps 51:17)



Liveloved -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (5/1/2008 10:41:54 AM)

quote:

we don't even see our true heart condition,


I think this is what happens as we live in relationship with the Lord. I know it has been my experience. He deals with us as we are willing and ready.

It seems many don't progress from the salvation experience and live this life of repentance and contrition that is so necessary. It is what opens our hearts to others, to really love the lost because we truly see who we are apart from Christ.

It is easier to tell others the truth than to live it. And that is why so much of our 'evangelism' fails.



Little_1 -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (5/1/2008 2:04:19 PM)

Yes - I agree Liveloved. Psalm 51 is a good pattern for evangelism.
-----------------------------------------------

I am reminded by the text which is a good pattern for revival:

"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways I will hear them from heaven and heal their land" -- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Conditions include:

~ Heirs of the King (i.e. God's own people) - If my people who are called by my name......
~ Humility - ...... will humble themselves ......
~ Hunger for God - ......pray, seek God's face......
~ Hatred for sin - ......and turn from their wicked ways ......


Conclusion:

~ God will hear from heaven......
~ God will ......heal our land


Hope you don't mind bullet points - that's how I think and it helps me to remember [sm=hammerhead.gif]



Liveloved -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (5/1/2008 6:06:40 PM)

Good points, Little_1. Evangelism and revival have the same prerequisites---it begins in me. It begins with my seeing MY sin, turning from MY sin. This is what I call living in repentance.

This is the good news we have to take to others. Forgiveness of sin and salvation through Jesus. Bless you![:)]


P.S. Stop hitting yourself on the head![sm=hug.gif]



Little_1 -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (5/2/2008 2:07:20 AM)

So many people pray for revival but when God gives them opportunities - they don't like the fact that God needs to do a work in them/us first!

Thanks for this thought provoking post Liveloved.



Liveloved -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (5/2/2008 10:58:07 AM)

quote:

So many people pray for revival but when God gives them opportunities - they don't like the fact that God needs to do a work in them/us first!


Yes, I was in worship with a large group about a month ago. They were singing a song about revival fire falling. And as the group sang, I thought, "Do we really have any understanding of what we are saying?" If revival fire falls, it is going to fall on ME and I am going to go through the fire. Going through the fire is not easy. It is not the easy believism that is prevalent today. Fire burns off all that is not of Him. Like the moth drawn to the flame, those drawn to the flame of God will have all of the self life burned away as dross so that the life of Jesus shines as gold.

Revival begins with me. Amen. Bless ya dear sister![sm=hug.gif]



Focusing -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (5/2/2008 11:52:28 AM)

Thank you for this thread LL!

Revival comes through Him working in our hearts ... humbling ourselves to His guidance ... and allowing Him to shine through in our actions as a result of true repentence.

It is the single best form of evangalism I personally am aware of.

I wonder ... do you think true revival within us is the result of a focused energy we put into it, or is it the result of the Holy Spirit? My personal experience was it was the Holy Spirit all the way ... and I was a willing participant.

To explain, the Holy Spirit took the opportunity when I was seeking after God, grabbed me by the hand and didn't let go. I poured myself fully into where He was guiding me, but I believe that if it were not for the Holy Spirit's strong presence, revival would not have happened in my heart and mind.

Does that make sense? I don't think revival is something we can will upon ourselves just because we want it to happen. I think we need to be in a place where the Holy Spirit needs us to be, so He can work in us.



Liveloved -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (5/2/2008 12:16:33 PM)

quote:

I was a willing participant


Very true, Focusing, and, yes, sometimes a reluctantly willing participant. That's why I used the moth drawn to the flame illustration. We are drawn but the flame singes and sometimes we'd like to fly away. He draws us. But it is ALL His work. Nothing of us.

Many years ago I wrote a song called God is a Consuming Fire. In that song I spoke of fire and the respect we are taught as children of fire. Fire can destroy but it also can sustain. God is a consuming fire and when we are drawn to Him, He sustains us as He destroys all that is not of Him. Yes, it is His work and the Holy Spirit is a very important part. Once the heat turns up, we would often run. The heat is being turned up in my life right now as I am in the midst of a major health situation. There is no running except into the arms of Jesus. But as difficult as it is, I know that the result will be praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus. I'm not at the place of rejoicing outwardly yet. But I'm trusting Him. The outcome is His and will be wonderful...as He is. Bless you.[:)]



Little_1 -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (5/2/2008 2:44:01 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Liveloved

quote:

I was a willing participant


Very true, Focusing, and, yes, sometimes a reluctantly willing participant. That's why I used the moth drawn to the flame illustration. We are drawn but the flame singes and sometimes we'd like to fly away. He draws us. But it is ALL His work. Nothing of us.

Many years ago I wrote a song called God is a Consuming Fire. In that song I spoke of fire and the respect we are taught as children of fire. Fire can destroy but it also can sustain. God is a consuming fire and when we are drawn to Him, He sustains us as He destroys all that is not of Him. Yes, it is His work and the Holy Spirit is a very important part. Once the heat turns up, we would often run. The heat is being turned up in my life right now as I am in the midst of a major health situation. There is no running except into the arms of Jesus. But as difficult as it is, I know that the result will be praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus. I'm not at the place of rejoicing outwardly yet. But I'm trusting Him. The outcome is His and will be wonderful...as He is. Bless you.[:)]


Thank you for sharing this whole thread Liveloved. It is a beautiful thread for those willing to 'read' it and accept it. I do believe there are revivals happening in the individual lives of God's children and like yourself, I do believe the Holy Spirit initiates it and we need to be willing to follow...... this is the not-so-easy part but it is a blessed path ...... revival fire consumes all dross and refines - but what is produced is gold.



Liveloved -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (5/2/2008 4:11:14 PM)

quote:

Thank you for sharing this whole thread Liveloved. It is a beautiful thread for those willing to 'read' it and accept it. I do believe there are revivals happening in the individual lives of God's children and like yourself, I do believe the Holy Spirit initiates it and we need to be willing to follow...... this is the not-so-easy part but it is a blessed path ...... revival fire consumes all dross and refines - but what is produced is gold.


Thank you, Little_1. I know you know this path. Many reject it. It is not that we choose the suffering path. But when He is your choice, the fellowship of His sufferings, begin conformed to His death, is our reality. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh (IICor 4:11).

We shall come forth as gold---His promise to us.[:)]



CherishedbyGod -> RE: Psalm 51 - A pattern for evangelism (5/3/2008 1:13:02 PM)

This is a beautiful thread and I have wanted to respond to it for a few days[:)]

I remember when we used to sing "Refiner's fire, my one's heart desire, is to be holy, set apart for you, Lord". Little did I know what was to come upon me the next number of years.

John the Baptist preached about Jesus ~He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire~ ouch! We want to ignore the fire part.

God has to break us and we have to go through the fire, sometimes over and over again if we are going reflect His glorious image. There is really no other way.

I love that psalm. One thing (amongst many) that strikes me is that David says ~against Thee, Thee only have I sinned and done this evil in Thy sight~

I think it is rare when we have a glimpse of just how terrible the sin in our own hearts is to God - how destructive we can be, the hideousness of sin, how horrible it is; how black. At least that is how it has been in my own journey with the Lord.

God has to bring us to the point where we see the offensiveness of our own sin in God's pure, holy eyes! And, I believe it is through the fires that God brings us there.

Yes, deep calleth unto deep.........



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