The Good News in Cleveland

I spoke at the City Life Center earlier this week. The topic given to me was "Purpose." Some business people had come in to volunteer that night by serving the food. I overhead them explaining to teens why they should purpose to become better people. However, their reasoning was starkly empty. Bad people (all people) aren't motivated to change "just because." Furthermore, bad people (all people) an unable to change who they are from core of their being (Jeremiah 17:9). I have heard enough "pull yourself of by the bootstraps" sermons/motivational speeches. "The gospel is why; the Spirit is how" should be in every sermon. One of our teens seriously wronged another teen this week. She had no remorse and pushed the blame on everyone but herself. This is because she has neither embraced the gospel nor heard the Spirit. The only reason why one should fundamental change his or her purpose and grow is because Jesus died in their place and rose from

Surrounded by unbelievers on the near west side of Cleveland, God has been gracious to provide several opportunities for me represent Jesus this week alone. However, some of those situations are not fun. Some individuals embrace the gospel while others are unsettled by its conviction. When buying a car, investing time and money in a “lemon” speaks to a hidden and crippling factor the immediately devalues an already purchased automobile. In evangelism, by contrast, there are no lemons. As we have learned in previous lectures, the believer is responsible for content, not conversion! This statement is easily said, but it is crucially realized in the day-to-day activity of personal evangelism. After *Man Time on Thursday, two of the teens that Jesus and I are discipling went with us to a local restaurant. We opened to 1 John 2:18 where we had left off the week before, the passage about antichrists (which would later become ironic). After studying together for a bit, the gu

The adage “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” reminds one to make the most of a unique situation when it presents itself. This is true in the context of servant evangelism which can create unorthodox opportunities for the communication and demonstration of the gospel. As the incarnation of the gospel, the formative reality that “Jesus died in place of criminals and rose from the grave, proving He is God” should never be far from word or action. Tuesday afternoon is my brief moment of rest in a whirlwind of a day. Just after getting home last Tuesday, the “Hey! Hey Caleb!” from my window was not entirely welcome. It was J P and Tyler. They begged me from the window come out to work on their "new" bike (which was found in an abandoned house). These young guys don’t have dads, and so I have put myself in a position to fill-in with fatherly help for these and several other guys. I decided to step out and serve them other than serving myself with a break. While I

The Spirit constantly brings me back to the gospel. Many struggle to define it, but it's as simple to understand (and as life-shattering to believe) as these fifteen words. Keep bringing it back to this: "Jesus died in place of criminals and rose from the dead, proving He is God." These words come out of 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 and Romans 1:4. Memorize them. Get redundant. We connect to this good news by  confessing to be that criminal against God and believing that God died and rose in our place (Romans 10:9). Talking forgiveness with Ronald last night, all four of us men went around the table and prayed that God would help us better understand how much Jesus forgave so that we can better forgive people in our lives (Matthew 6:14-15). The message [the gospel] we take our stand on is clear, clear, clear and ready to make the difference at all times. Prayer need: Please lift up the parents and grandparents of the young believers here. I have been able to connect w