July 1, 2022 -- II Timothy 4:1-5 -- Evangelism and Canada Day

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
II Timothy 1-5 ESV

Happy Canada Day!

The focus of my week has been to read books that will help me sharpen my skills as a disciple-maker who makes disciple-making disciples for Jesus. One of the books I just read is Greg Laurie's Tell Someone. He notes that when people are fishing they “chum the waters”. I'll let him explain:

Make a spiritual point, and see if they respond.
In fishing terms, it’s calling “chumming”.
That’s when you
throw some bait or other things
into the waters to attract fish.
G. Laurie, “Tell Someone” page 57

You’ll note from our text today Christians are commanded to speak the Good News of Jesus wherever they are. In this celebratory season, spiritually chum the waters. Today offers all kinds of rich opportunities to do so. Here are some conversation starters, that allow you, fellow Christian, to chum the waters for Jesus.

Did you ever consider the fact that our National Anthem is overtly Christian—”God keep our land glorious and free”? Discuss

Did you know that the fourth stanza of the poem which formed the basis of our national anthem is a prayer? Stanley Weir wrote four stanzas for his poem, O Canada. The last stanza reads:

Ruler Supreme Who hearest humble prayer
Hold our dominion within Thy loving care
Help us to find, O God, in Thee
Our lasting rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day,
We ever stand on guard.
You can see the Christian hope for a new heaven and a new earth and the appeal to the Living God of glory to guard our land and her people in His Sovereign care.

Stanley Weir, the author of the English version of the Canadian National Anthem, was born in Hamilton (November 15, 1856) and later moved to Montreal. He was an acclaimed judge, recognized for his skills in municipal law, and a poet (he died August 20, 1926). Hearing what you just have about the background to this well-loved poem, do you think Canada is more open to such overtly Christian themes, or less open? Is this good or bad? Why?

No doubt there are a few spiritual conversation starters there.

Lord, never let us fall into the trap of thinking
it is ever too late.
That we have done anything so wrong,
that we have said anything so hurtful,
that we have sinned so boldly
as to miss the opportunity to be known and loved by You.
Teach us to not argue with our neighbors,
but to love them the way Jesus loved.
You’ve modeled the way;
now give us strength to imitate You.
In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
G. Laurie, page 70

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