Evangelism 101, Part 5

We all encounter tough questions -- especially when you're a parent. Kids can come up with some real stumpers. Jesus did, too. Examples include when He asked which was harder: to heal or to forgive; or when He asked who is greater: the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves. Maybe the most poignant was in Luke 6:46 when He asked, "Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"

The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift that Changes Everything

The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift that Changes Everything by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne (Matthias Media): Mohler writes: "Colin Marshall and Tony Payne offer a truly compelling and authentically biblical understanding of a scripturally structured ministry in the local church. The book is deeply convicting as it confronts so many of the superficial ecclesiologies of our day, and it is genuinely helpful and encouraging by pointing to higher ground."

Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church

Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church by Michael Horton (Baker Books): In a previous "Preaching Now" book note, we wrote: "Writing from a strongly Reformed perspective, Horton argues that much of the American church has replaced theology with therapy and has opted for good advice over good news. His targets are wide-ranging--from emerging to fundamentalist--but any reader will find useful insights and a reminder of the need to keep the gospel at the center of our proclamation."

Illustration: Baptism, Lost and Found

A drunken man stumbles across a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by the river. He proceeds to walk into the water and stand next to the old country preacher. The minister notices the old drunk and says, "Mister, are you ready to find Jesus?"

Illustration: Purity, Abstinence

In a recent edition of his "Breakpoint" commentary, Chuck Colson talked about a recent landmark study demonstrating that abstinence programs are the most effective sex-education available: "The study was undertaken by University of Pennsylvania professor John Jemmott III. [Six hundred sixty-two] young girls were randomly assigned to one of five groups, including a control group. Some kids were taught contraceptive-based 'safe sex' education; others were taught to delay having sex; some girls were given a comprehensive message that included contraceptive information. Others were given general health messages about diet and exercise."

Tell Stories Well

In his new book Faithful Preaching (B&H), Tony Merida offers some tips on using illustrations, including this: "Know how to tell a good story. It is one thing to find a great story, but it is another to share it effectively and concisely in the sermon. Illustrative stories should include characters, descriptive details, conflict, movement, suspense and a climax."