How are you, Dear One?
I hope things are well with you. I am thankful you are here to read this blog. You bless me with your desire to see men, women, and children saved by the grace and mercy of God. Thank you! Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll even witness to someone I know and love and longingly pray for? And maybe I’ll have the privilege of doing the same for you?
Today let’s look at some really great analogies that you can use to help people understand spiritual concepts. I have taken these from Pastor Chris and Linda Peeler’s training manual. There are plenty more to come, so try to practice these each day this week so you’ll have a good handle on them and can use them in a conversation!
Awesome Analogies – by Pastor Chris Peeler
The gospel: A Courtroom Analogy
Have you ever been in a courtroom? It's a pretty solemn place isn't it? Let's say you're there, standing before the judge because you've committed a horrible crime. The judge says to you, “Steve, you owe this court $100,000.” You look in your pockets and all you're able to come up with is $3.62. The judge says to the guard, “Take him away!” As they're slapping the cuffs on you, someone rushes into the courtroom, whips out his checkbook, and writes the judge a check for the exact amount demanded: $100,000.
The judge knows him, knows he's good for his money, and says to the guards, “Let him go!” How would you feel toward the guy who wrote the check? That's right. Really thankful, right? That's exactly what Jesus did for you! But instead of writing a check with pen and paper, He paid your fine with his very blood on that cross.
Repentance: 180 Degree Turn
Repentance means taking a 180 degree turn. You turn completely away from your sin, and start going in the other direction. It’s important to remember though, that the emphasis must be on what you’re turning to. You’re turning away from your sin and you’re turning to God.
Repentance: A Car Trip
Let’s say you and I were up in New York, and we decided it was important to go to a conference in Florida. We get into my car, and I’m driving. We drive for hours, and the scenery starts to change, but instead of seeing palm trees and sunshine we start to see more and more pine trees and snow. Hours later we realize we’re not in Florida, we’re in Maine! You’re upset. I’m upset. What must I do to make it right?
There are three things. First, I must realize that what I had done was wrong and I must ask for your forgiveness, Then I must stop stop going north, and I must turn around. Lastly, I must head south, and not stop until we get where we are going. Repentance is just like those three things. First you must realize that you have been sinning against a holy God, and you must ask Him for forgiveness. Then you must stop sinning. (No one is ever able to completely stop sinning, but we can begin to learn to hate our sin, hate how it separates us from God, and make every effort possible to stop sinning.) You must [with God’s help] turn your life around. Lastly, you must pursue a relationship with God and trust in Him alone to save you from your sins.
I hope you have a great week! Remember to pray for RALF! Practice your 90 second gospel message. Meditate on the scripture verses we’ve gathered. And, most importantly, spend time adoring and seeking our awesome GOD and Savior!
grace and peace,
mary