December 10, 2000 Volume 1 Number 50
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In school we studied axioms. In math and logic an axiom is "a statement that needs no proof because its truth is obvious" (Webster's New World Dict.). An axiom is a self-evident truth. We observed other axioms such as: The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, as the crow flies, the sum is equal to the total of its parts. But there are some more truths which men both secular humanists and half-hearted believers, need reminding of today. They would be obvious even without a revelation from God, though many of them are alluded to in Scripture. Let us begin with this axiom-Something cannot come from nothing. It is on this basis that we conclude that the universe could not be self-existent, for it would have created itself from nothing. If there were ever a time when totally nothing existed then that situation would be locked forever. There would just be a constant eternity of nothingness, for something cannot come from nothing. But this leads to another axiom-Mind is superior to matter. Left to itself, matter cannot choose to act on its own. Matter can be acted upon by mind (intelligence), but no the other way around. An enormous amount of planning and action (mind, intelligence and power) would have been necessary in order to bring this orderly universe and all life systems into being. We are forced to conclude that the first cause was not lifeless matter but a highly intelligent mind. Mind over matter is an axiom. Romans 9:20 says, “Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?” Also, creation demands a creator. Heb 3:4 says, “For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.” We can all agree about the house. Shouldn't it be even more obvious that something, which requires even more power and intelligence than a house, was brought into existence by a more powerful and more intelligent being? The "logic" of unbelievers is woefully lacking at this point. The word "create" is a verb, an action word. But a verb cannot show action unless there is a noun to do the acting. More Truths… Life demands a life-giver-something cannot give that which it does not have. No one has ever demonstrated the opposite. Scientists agree that "all life comes from existing life (the law of biogenesis)." This is one reason the "Big Bang Theory" is not a sufficient explanation for a universe that is filled numberless forms of life. "Whoever" gave the abundance of life we see everywhere around us, had it to give and knows the secret to life that remains a mystery to man. In Acts 17:25 it says, "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” Law demands a lawgiver, is yet another axiom. Many laws of nature exist---motion, gravity, etc. They attest to the fact that there is a lawgiver somewhere. Every effect must have an adequate cause. There has to be a moving force that brings the elements together in such a way as to make these laws dependable and useful. It would be terrible if each day was different and these laws went in and out of effect at random.That which is being sustained demands a sustainer. An enormous amount of energy is needed to keep the earth rotating on its axis and revolving around the sun, to say nothing about the energy needed that keeps all other heavenly bodies moving in their galaxies. For anything to continue functioning it must have sustenance. And what about the energy needed that keeps the earth providing fuel for man and machine? I am the sustainer and maintainer of my automobile. It needs both sustenance and maintenance regularly. Concerning the universe the Bible says, "upholding all things by the word of His power” in Heb 1:3 and "He gives to all life, breath, and all things” in Acts 17:25. It is continuous action and not at all like the person who believes in a one-time creation in which the creator has no further interest in his creation or its functioning. The fact that man has a conscience implies an intelligent creator, designer, sustainer, life-giver and lawgiver who has a set of standards of right and wrong. We have already shown the logic of an intelligent Creator. Everything that any being with intelligence does has a point to it (or a reason for it). What other reason could there be for mankind being given a conscience (a sense of "ought" or "ought not") if there is no standard by which to order and measure it? This implies a revelation of the will of the Lawgiver. You Reap What You Sow. There are other self-evident truths, but there is a final one we want to observe in a moment. First, we need to consider the consequences of saying, as the humanist does, that there is no Creator, Designer, Sustainer, Life-giver, Law-giver or Moral Being. It is to say that each man is merely an animal and a law unto himself, that there is no meaning to life or the universe, you better put self first, get all you can and all you want to do because the "here and now" is all you have. It is to invite a "free-for-all" in morality. Do you wonder at the rapid increase in crime-drive by shootings, car jacking, that rape has increased so dramatically? No nation has survived her moral decline. Which leads us to the last axiom You reap what you sow. No one has demonstrated the opposite. Experience tells us this truth in the plant world: sow corn-reap corn. How terrible it would be if we couldn't depend on this. But it is also true in life. We need not fear this self-evident truth if we are sowing the proper seed. Notice what Paul says in Gal 6:7-8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Evidence is all around us. These truths are obvious. Those who ignore them or are half-hearted are "without excuse”-Rom 1:20. Are you ready for the Lord to take vengeance on "those who know not God and obey not gospel? Are you prepared to reap what you have sown? Heb 9:27 tells us another truth, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Are you ready? Carlos Aguilar
When it comes to personal evangelism, "What can we do?" is a question that has many good answers. It is a much-debated mystery why the average Christian is not more active in personal evangelism. Is it because we lack desire (motivation) or is it because we lack know-how (training)? This may be like asking "Which comes first: the chicken or the egg?" A lack of motivation inhibits our training and a lack of training inhibits our motivation. At least this much is clear: many of us are not confident that we can do very much. We are honestly willing to help, but our question is: "What can I do?" This is a question that can be answered. If an unawareness of what we can do is the thing that is really holding us back, that is a problem that can easily be fixed. The fact is, there is a considerable variety of things that relate to personal evangelism, most of which can be done by almost all of us right now. The things that we can do fall into three basic areas. Praying about personal evangelism If we neglect prayer we risk rendering our work a complete failure. "Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Him; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles" Lk 6:12,13. "Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manean who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away" Ac. 13:1-3. It may be that we have so few opportunities to teach others because we spend so little time in prayer about it. Cf. Col. 4:2-6. Praying is something everybody can do right now, without any further training. If a person were to commit two or three hours a week to "merely" praying about the subject of personal evangelism -- and not quit doing it -- great things would result. "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest'" Mt 9:37,38. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" Jas 5:16. Praying about the spread of the gospel is not just something for people who "can't do anything else"; it ought to occupy a significant amount of the time of even the most seasoned personal evangelist. Preparing to do personal evangelism In our fast-paced culture, we often underestimate the need for preparation, but preparation is essential in any important work. Preparation to teach, including prayer and study, is not wasteful "downtime." It is a vital part of teaching. Of the thirty-three years that Jesus lived, the work He came to do took only about three years. The remaining ninety-one percent of His life was taken up in preparation. "Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age" Lk 3:23. Jesus said that He would make His apostles into "fishers of men" Mt. 4:19. When we ask "What can I do?" we may be overlooking the fact that time spent equipping ourselves for the work is a vital part of what it takes to win souls to the Lord. "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you" 1 Tim 4:15,16. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 Tim 2:15. "Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" 2 Tim 2:21. Doing personal evangelism Eventually, we must get down to the business of actually communicating the gospel to those who are lost -- and this is where most of us balk. But even here, there are more things to be considered than we might think. The work of personal evangelism encompasses numerous activities, directly or indirectly, all of which are important in their own way. Having prayed and prepared, we simply need to adopt attitude of Isaiah: "Here am I! Send me" Isa 6:8. This advice contains more than a little wisdom: Have your tools ready. The Lord will find you work. We need to be able say what Paul could say: "As much as in me, I am ready to preach the gospel" Rom 1:15. The key to being active is committing the time. If we will commit a definite amount of time each week to personal evangelism, all that remains is to fill up that amount of time with activities relating to personal evangelism. In selecting activities, we can -- and should -- take some from each of the three areas of praying, preparing, and doing. At first, more of our time will be spent on praying and preparing, but as we mature in the work, the proportions will change. We will find ourselves spending more time actually teaching others about the gospel, although we will never outgrow the need for prayer and preparation. The key is committing a definite amount of time each week to the work. When we have done that, the question of what to do with that time can be answered in numerous ways. There are very many things nearly all of us can do to help out in the great work of rescuing souls for the Lord. There Is Much To Do There is much to do,
there's work on ev'ry hand, One Minute Sixty seconds. That's not too much time. It passes quickly. It is gone before you know it. But, it is enough time for you to tell your spouse, "I love you." It is enough time to tell someone, "Thank you." It is enough time to hug your children. It is enough time to tell your parents how much you appreciate them. It is enough time to give someone a smile rather than a frown. It is enough time to stop and thank God for giving us His Son. Paul said, "Redeeming the time" Ephesians 5:16. One precious minute, sixty seconds, that you can take and use wisely to brighten someone's day. Ray Hawk We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
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