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Teaching the Truth

We have many ways of teaching truth. These include Sunday Schools, Vacation Bible Schools, camps retreats, confirmation classes, Bible studies, Bible colleges, Christian elementary and secondary schools, Christian colleges and universities, seminaries, parachurch group like the Navigators, CBMC, Young Life, Inter Varsity, Campus Crusade for Christ, Youth for Christ, Child Evangelism Fellowship, mass evangelism, radio and TV evangelism, preaching in churches, personal evangelism, literature evangelism, Bible translation, Gospel recordings, foreign missions and parent-child evangelism.

Assuming all of these are effective, but considering how much of the above there is, this nation should be a converted and godly nation. Of this list we have participated in, prayed for, or given to all but confirmation classes. Some of the works are very effective, some are less effective.

Less effective:

1. where law and judgment are not presented before the good news
2. where there is not genuine love from the teacher for the people taught.

This will include many places that emphasize the truth more than love.

More effective:

He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:24

It is very simple. We should not have ministries to the lost with people who are not filled with the Holy Spirit. The evidence will be the fruit of the Spirit, boldness, and power.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

Boldness
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31

Power
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

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

Some missionaries have to return if there financial support falls below a minimum standard. Others have to return because of family problems. Does anyone get recalled because they are not filled with love, joy, power, and boldness? How about pastors of churches?

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