Archive for category Evangelism
The Title That Lasts Forever
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Discipleship, Evangelism on April 2, 2012
Tonight I sit awaiting the championship game of the NCAA Basketball Tournament with mixed emotions. Oh, don’t misunderstand, I’ll be watching every second, coaching from my chair with every play, leaning and jiving, cheering loudly for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Yet, for some reason things are different as I age. As I mature in the Lord (hopefully), I realize that tonight’s game is just that–a game! The title of NCAA 2012 Men’s Basketball title, like all earthly titles, regardless how prestigious, are only temporary.
When it’s all said and done, I hope that UK will hang its 8th National Championship Banner, but what title will last throughout eternity, when it’s all said and done? What title should I seek? What title should you seek? The title we should desire is the Biblical title of OVERCOMER! Who is an Overcomer? What does that title mean? Consider the following verses from the Word of God:
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5 (ESV)
When I repent of my sins and place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, I am “born of God.” Those who are born of God are Overcomers. Jesus told Nicodemus:
3 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:3-6 (ESV)
I encourage you to search your soul and know with 100% certainty that you have born of God. Examine your heart and be sure that you are God’s child and that you possess the title of Overcomer through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Life is filled with uncertainties, but eternity can be definite. Decide right now to be an Overcomer!
Resolutions for 2012
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry, Worship on January 6, 2012
My friend, Dr. Paul Chitwood serves as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. He recently published a very well-written challenge that I would like to share with you. I echo the following words of Dr. Chitwood as we seek to magnify and honor the glorious name of the Lord Jesus in 2012:
With this first 2012 post, I’m hoping a New Year’s resolution list for Kentucky Baptists will be well received. I offer no earth-shattering new insights. I simply challenge us to be faithful to the basic call of Christ upon our lives and obedient to the fundamental teachings in God’s word. If every Kentucky Baptist would commit themselves to the following resolutions, our churches would flourish, every lost person in the Commonwealth could hear the gospel, and the cause of the Great Commission would be rapidly advanced.
First, would you resolve to walk closely with Jesus through concerted prayer and daily Bible reading? Our Lord exhorts us in John 15:4, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” The first call of the gospel is the call to be in Jesus Christ. He is the source of spiritual life and spiritual power. Apart from him, we will remain powerless.
Second, would you resolve to obey Jesus in all things? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28). Matters like sexual purity, financial stewardship, personal honesty, sobriety, and refraining from gluttony are not negotiable for those who have confessed Jesus as Lord of our lives.
Third, would you resolve to share Jesus with at least one lost person each week? The command to be witnesses and the promise of the Spirit’s empowerment to that end are clearly stated in Acts 1:8. As for the lost, “how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard” (Rom 10:14)? Yet, multiple studies and surveys reveal most of us never take the initiative to tell lost people how to be saved. Pray that God would give you the opportunity to share the gospel with just one person each week.
Fourth, would you resolve to love and serve Jesus’ bride with more passion than ever before? Your church isn’t perfect but it needs you. And you need the church. We simply cannot be faithful followers of Jesus apart from his church. Love and serve her.
Fifth, would you resolve to commit more of your resources to Jesus’ Great Commission? The sin of greed has captivated us. Rather than starting with a tithe and giving generously beyond that, the average church member gives less than 3 percent of their income. If we merely gave a tithe, church ministry budgets and the Cooperative Program mission budget would triple, resulting in an exponential harvest of souls in Kentucky and around the world.
My Story
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Evangelism, Life Happens on January 3, 2011
My name is Steve Rice and this is a brief story of the most important thing in my life. I grew up as somewhat of a hillbilly in eastern Kentucky. I lived in Floyd County and graduated from Betsy Layne High School. I loved to hunt and fish. I loved to ride motorcycles and play basketball. I especially loved to golf. Jack Nicklaus was always my favorite golfer. My dad was a plumbing and heating contractor and my mom was a stay-at-home mom. They were both hard workers and I had about anything I wanted as a boy.
I was happy, but when I was fourteen years old, I started to feel like a piece of the puzzle was missing in my life. I went to church all the time with my parents, but I realized I had never personally made a decision for Christ. I started worrying about what would happen to me if I died without Christ. One day after my pastor, Earl Waugh preached, I walked down the hardwood aisle in the First Baptist Church of Allen and told him I wanted to become a Christian. He led me in a simple prayer and I asked Jesus to come into my heart and forgive me of my sins.
Right away, I could tell something was different. I didn’t worry any more about death and a peace came to my life. I’ve been a Christian now for thirty-seven years. I still have problems and still make mistakes like everyone else. But God has always been there to pick me up and wipe me off. My mom passed away in ‘92. I miss her more and more every year. I don’t know how I would have made it during that time without the Lord. I try to live for the Lord every day the best I know how.
Through the years God has blessed me with a wonderful wife and three awesome children, but that’s enough talk about me. I’d like to hear about your life. Has this kind of thing ever happened to you? Do you feel like something or someone is missing from your life? Would you like to invite Christ to come into your life? If I can answer any questions or help you with a decision to invite Christ into your life please email me at srice@fbcshelbyville.com.
SuperBowl MVP Drew Brees
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Evangelism, Life Happens on February 8, 2010
Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints and to the Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees. Brees is passionate about his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to this great interview:
Jesus = Happiness!
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Evangelism, Life Happens on February 4, 2010
This Sunday at Shelbyville First Baptist Church I am preaching from Matthew 19:16-30 (see below). The first portion of this passage (vv. 16-22) relays the story about the young wealthy ruler who asked Jesus, ”Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life” (v. 16). Although He had everything his world said that a person needed to be happy, he still sensed that something was missing. His instincts and the Holy Spirit correctly led him to Jesus, but ultimately, he was unwilling to place God’s will above his own. Tragically, the Bible says that “he went away sorrowful” (v. 22).
I have never been rich; I have never been a ruler; I have seen younger days, but I am happy; I am peaceful; and I am full of joy! Everything is not “perfect” in my life, but “He” (Jesus) is perfect in my life. I realize that this all sounds unusual if you are not a Christian. Although I’m a preacher, I’m not preaching here. I’m simply saying that my life changed when I met Jesus! He is my intimate friend and constant companion. He gave His life for me and I am striving to “give” my life for Him.
If you are a Christian. Give a shoutout for Jesus and a brief testimony about your relationship with Him. If you are not a Christian, please consider trusting Him as your personal Savior and following Him as the Lord of your life.
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:16-22 (English Standard Version)
Annual Theme: “GO”
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Evangelism, Ministry on January 23, 2010
In all the years I have served as a senior pastor, I have never adopted a church-wide annual theme. Oh, I thought about it lots of times when I saw others do it, but I just never felt impressed by the Lord to do so. A few months back, God began to speak to me about adopting a theme that focused on evangelism and missions.
I thought of catchy themes, rhyming themes, and clever themes, but the Lord seemed to say “keep it simple.” After prayer I chose a one-word, two-letter, church-wide theme for Shelbyville First Baptist Church this year. It doesn’t get much more simple than that. Our theme is “Go”!
This year I pray that we will mobilize like never before as a church and as individual Christians. Personally, I am increasing my evangelistic efforts, I am scheduled to travel to Russia this summer to teach, and I am making plans to lead a trip to the Holy Land.
Please share your “Go” ideas here.
Haiti Relief Effort
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry on January 15, 2010
Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti. Please join me in praying for the people of Haiti daily and join me in asking God to show us what He would have us do to help. As expected, we have people from our church who are gearing up to travel to Haiti to help with disaster relief efforts. I will share information soon about opportunities to travel to Haiti and help if you are interested.
I encourage you to consider giving a monetary gift to help the people of Haiti. Here are a number of reputable ways you can give to the Haiti Relief Effort.
Southern Baptist International Mission Board
$22,000 Phone Bill
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Evangelism, Funny, Life Happens on December 16, 2009
According to an Associated Press story, a 13-year-old California teen ran up a cell phone bill of nearly $22,000.
Ted Estarija said he was expecting his bill to be higher this month after adding his son to his plan, but wasn’t expecting a bill of $21,917 in data usage charges. The Hayward man said his Verizon Wireless bill soared after his son apparently downloaded about 1.4 million kilobytes of data last month. His plan didn’t cover data usage, so he was charged by the megabyte.
Estarija said after the first media reports, Verizon said they would credit his account for the entire amount. He has also suspended his son’s account.
When I read this story today, I thought of John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Unlike Mr. Estarija, Jesus knew the cost. He knew that coming to this earth would cause him unspeakable pain and ultimately cost Him His life, yet He came anyway.
PRAYER: “Lord, thank You, that although You knew the cost, You came to this earth. You came so we could know You, see You, and experience salvation through Your death on the cross. Thank you for paying our bill, caused by our sin and for crediting our account with your righteous when we trust in You as our Savior. Lord, thank You! AMEN.”
UK or U of L?
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Evangelism, Funny, Life Happens on December 13, 2009
One day I was in a barbershop getting a haircut. As you try avoiding the thoughts of a hair joke next time you see me, let me share my “spiritual” experience.
While my bushy flocks were being trimmed and thinned a gentleman walked in the shop wearing telling apparel. He was wearing a UK hat, a UK coat, a UK sweatshirt, and possibly some unseen UK clothing as well. I looked up and said, “Looks like we have another one of those Cardinal fans coming for a haircut.” Everyone laughed because it was obvious that this man was on the side of the University of Kentucky!
Moses once asked the question, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” I believe it should be obvious whose side we are on! Our words, our dress, our drink, and most importantly, our life should scream that we are on God’s team. Everywhere the barbershop UK fan went throughout the day folks would clearly know that he was for UK. It’s likely that UK basketball would sometimes be part of his conversation, but even when it wasn’t he was sharing his allegiance.
“Lord, help us to be obvious Christians. Show us ways to provide both a silent and verbal witness of our allegiance to you! Lead us to be far more excited about the eternal things of God than the temporary things of this world.”
Can Non-Christians Have Joy?
Posted by Stephen C. Rice in Church Chat, Discipleship, Evangelism, Worship on December 9, 2009
In 1971, the group Three Dog Night released a song that was the #1 song on the charts for 6 weeks in a row. Here are some of the words to the song:
Jeremiah was a bull frog; was a good friend of mine. I never understood a single word he said, but I helped him drink his wine. And he always had some mighty fine wine. Joy to the world; all the boys and girls, now. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea; joy to you and me.
It seems to me that this song contains a very misguided view of true joy and where it originates. In the New Testament, the word “joy” is the word χαρά [khar•ah]. Throughout the Bible, joy is almost always associated with salvation.
In Luke 2:10, the angel told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy….” What was that great joy? “Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11, NASB). David linked joy and salvation when he prayed, “Restore to me the joy of my salvation” (Psalm 51:12, NASB).
I contend that only Christians can experience Biblical joy because only Christians have experienced salvation. Non-Christians can certainly experience happiness in life, but happiness can come and go. Joy is constant — it does not depend on circumstances. I like to say it this way:
Happiness depends on happenings; Joy depends on Jesus!
If we’re going to choose a song about joy, I think the Isaac Watts version of “Joy to the World” is much better than the Three Dog Night version. Here are the words:
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room. And heav’n and nature sing. And heav’n and nature sing. And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
What do you think? Can non-Christians have joy in their lives?
