NUMBER EIGHT, 2022
In this issue 3
The Philip Approach to Evangelism
charles r. swindoll 6
Are All Sins Equal?
steve johnson 8
Back to the Basics
charles r. swindoll 11
Charles Simeon
bill gemaehlich Understanding Our Times 12
Pluralism
steve johnson 14
A Joyful Work: Insight For Living Ministries Australia
insight for living ministries Puzzle 15
Pluralism versus the Exclusiveness of the Gospel
Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bibleteaching ministry of Charles (Chuck) R. Swindoll. Chuck is the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas. His international radio program Insight for Living has aired for more than 40 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Copyright © 2022 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NLT. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by Tim Schellenberg. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.
THE PHILIP APPROACH TO EVANGELISM by charles r. swindoll
Cover & Article Photo: Jonny Caspari on unsplash.com
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not difficult to identify. They can usually be ou’ve been there. You know—that place where you overheard counting (out loud) the names on should bring up the Gospel, but, for what- their list or chasing down every non-Chrisever reason, you don’t. It’s that awkward tian they spot. Tact is not their long suit. The Harvard Approach is quite different: moment where cotton peaks for harvest in your mouth, your brain puts a padlock on “Let’s all discuss the world’s religions.” This any memory verses, your breathing becomes reason-centred approach attracts both genirregular, and your excuse Rolodex is spin- uine and pseudo-intellectuals, and while it is educational and occasionally quite stimulatning to find a way out of the conversation. There are several reasons why most of ing, it suffers from one mild drawback—no us are reluctant to witness for Jesus Christ. one ever gets saved! Being sophisticated is One is the feeling of ignorance. We don’t more important than telling the truth about sin or heaven or hell. Discussion is in...decireally know how to go about it. Another is sort of an indifference that sions are out. Perhaps the most popular is the Mute sweeps over us. We’re well-fed. We believe in the Saviour. Our family is growing. We Approach: “I’m just a silent witness for God.” sort of shift that responsibility to some- The best thing you can say about this method one else—the televangelist, the pastor, or is that no one is ever offended. That’s for sure! The secret-service saint the big conference crusade When God who settles for this self-centred leader who’s able to declare gives you the approach could be tagged Christ so well. Another reason we are opportunity—and an undercover Christian: no reluctant is fear. No one likes He will; probably one knows for sure but God. Somewhere along the line this to be asked questions they soon after you person has swallowed one of can’t answer, especially with read this—try the Satan’s tastiest tidbits: “Just a stranger. We don’t enjoy the unpredictable. We’re Philip Approach. live a good Christian life. Others will ask you about Christ if they afraid of a hostile response. We’re afraid of appearing foolish. So we are really interested, so relax.” Frankly, I can count on one hand (and have fingers left over) choose to keep our faith to ourselves. Make no mistake—witnessing takes a big the number of people who have suddenly come to me and asked me how they might dose of courage. It also takes a proven method. Various know Jesus Christ. “Faith,” please remember, methods are employed to communicate “comes from hearing” (Romans 10:17). What we need, I submit to you, is the the Good News of Christ to the lost. Some of the approaches appear to be successful and Philip Approach. This Christ-centred effective on the surface, but, underneath, method is set forth in a series of seven principles drawn from Acts 8:26-40. they leave much to be desired. Philip was engaged in evangelistic meetTake the Sharpshooter Approach, for example: “The more, the better.” This ings in Samaria when the Lord instructed numerical method is decision-centred, him to go south to the desert road that ran and little (if any) effort is directed toward from Jerusalem to Gaza. Faithful Philip follow-up or discipleship or cultivating a “arose and went,” (NKJV). He was available relationship. Such anxious soul hunters are (Principle 1). On the road he encountered
an Ethiopian statesman travelling home from Jerusalem. The man was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah! And the Spirit of God prompted Philip to approach the traveller. Philip was led by the Spirit (Principle 2). In other words, he sensed that God was clearly opening the door. Philip co-operated, for obedience (Principle 3) is essential. He heard the man reading aloud and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (ESV). What an excellent start! A proper opening (Principle 4) is so important. Philip didn’t barge in and start preaching, nor did he corner the gentleman with a loaded question. The man invited Philip to sit with him and assist him in his quest for understanding. Philip responded with great tactfulness (Principle 5). Even though he had his foot in the door, he remained gracious, courteous, and sensitive to when he should speak of salvation. When that moment came, he “opened his mouth” and became specific (Principle 6). No vague dialogue about religion. He spoke only of Jesus, the main issue. The last few verses then describe the brief but memorable follow-up (Principle 7) Philip employed. Philip stepped out of his comfort zone because he had a passion for sharing the
Good News of Jesus Christ with hurting humanity. What about us? It took courage to hop up on the chariot. It took even more to open his mouth. But what a legacy Philip created at that moment. Many scholars believe the seed Philip planted in this African statesman yielded crops a hundred-fold in Ethiopia. All because of one man who was willing to speak up when so many others would have kept quiet. As we rub shoulders with spiritually hungry and thirsty men and women and sense their inner ache for help and hope, let’s holster the Sharpshooter Approach, drop out of the Harvard Approach, and silence the Mute Approach. When God gives you the opportunity—and He will; probably soon after you read this—try the Philip Approach. Your one act of courage may lead to a spiritual legacy beyond what you could ask or even imagine. I can’t think of a place I’d rather be at the moment Christ returns than riding shotgun in a 21st-century chariot, speaking openly about trusting in Jesus. Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, “Creating a Legacy of Courage: The Philip Approach,” Insights (March 2004): 1-2. Copyright © 2004 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
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ARE ALL SINS EQUAL?
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can’t count how many times I have heard people say, “sin is sin.” Or similar to that they say “all sin is equal.” But is that true? What does the Bible say? Are all sins equal? Is one sin worse or greater than another? Many have asked this question, me included. To find the answer we have to consider several truths. First, all sin is equal in the sense that all sin breaks God’s law and falls short of His perfect standards. The Bible portrays sin as straying from God’s paths—it is opposing Him; it is rebellion. Whether it is the sin of stealing a small item, telling a lie, or murder, all sin transgresses the law of God. In that sense, all sin is the same in God’s
eyes. Human law parallels this: a person can break the law by jaywalking or by mass murder. Either way, the law is violated. The second truth to consider is the personal and social consequence of sin. In human law, jaywalking does not have the same personal and social impact and consequence as committing murder. Similarly, the Bible also teaches that not all sin is equal in its personal, social, spiritual, and eternal impact. The sins David committed in connection with his adultery with Bathsheba had a far greater negative personal, social, spiritual, and eternal impact than the lie told by Rahab to protect the Israelite spies (Joshua 2:1-7). Measuring it that way, some sins are obviously greater than others.
Article Illustration: Arden Ludwig
by Steve Johnson
This has implications in light of a third cross determines destiny of heaven or hell. thing to consider: God’s justice. The justice Judgment of the deeds determines the of God requires He render to everyone that degree of punishment. which is due them, both good and bad— Are all heavenly rewards equal? When it comes to believers, God will reward or punishment (2 Corinthians 5:10). And justice requires that rewards and pun- reward the deeds done in this life. Our destiishment must be commensurate with the nation of heaven is already settled by owning deeds. Greater sin requires greater punish- Christ as Saviour. We are already justified by faith (Romans 5:1) and for the believer ment or else it isn’t just. Are all sins and punishment there is no condemnation or punishment (8:1). But the issue of rewards in heaven equal? In Matthew 11:21-22 Jesus says, “What is yet to be settled at the Judgment Seat of sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Some believers For if the miracles I did in you had been will receive great reward in heaven (Matdone in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people thew 6:1,4; Luke 6:23) while others would be would have repented of their sins long ago, saved “yet so as by fire.” That is, being saved but with no rewards to show (1 clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their How we live— Corinthians 3:14-15 KJV). Some heads to show their remorse. choosing to sin or will show faithfulness in this life and be granted even greater I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will not, and the kind responsibility in heaven, while be better off on judgment day than you.” Korazin and of sin we engage those who weren’t faithful will Bethsaida were places Jesus in—matters now, lose any reward they might did miracles and therefore and for eternity. have had (Matthew 25). Accepting or rejecting Christ gave more light concerning His identity. But the people didn’t repent determines destiny. How we live—choosof their unbelief. Jesus indicates how pun- ing to sin or not, and the kind of sin we ishment would be worse for unbelievers of engage in—matters now, and for eternity. Korazin and Bethsaida because they have While every sin breaks God’s standards, not been given more light (Jesus’ miracles) every sin is consequentially the same. How than those in Tyre and Sidon. They were we live now counts forever. Bible references for deeper accountable for more. In God’s mind, the sin of Korazin and study on “all sin is not equal” Bethsaida was worse and therefore • 2 Corinthians 5:10 required greater punishment. Unbelievers • Matthew 11:21-22 who commit greater sin in this life receive • Luke 10:13-15 greater punishment in eternity. That is • Matthew 18:7-9 the why the books are opened at the judg- • Revelation 20:12–13 ment—to weigh their lives “according to • 1 Corinthians 3:14-15 their deeds” and to measure appropriate punishment (Revelation 20:12–13). Accep- Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for tance or rejection of Christ’s work on the Living Canada.
by charles r. swindoll
Article Illustration: Tori Matthys
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he late football strategist Vince Lom- tive world championships all the time. bardi was a fanatic about fundamen- But—how? Lombardi operated on a simple tals. Those who played under his leader- philosophy. He believed that excellence ship often spoke of his intensity, his drive could be best achieved by perfecting the and his endless enthusiasm for the guts of basics of the sport. Razzle-dazzle, crowdthe game. Time and again he would come pleasing, risk-taking plays would fill a back to the basic techniques of blocking stadium (for a while) and even win some and tackling. On one occasion his team, games (occasionally), but in the final analthe Green Bay Packers, lost to an inferior ysis, the consistent winners would be the squad. It was bad enough to lose, ...but to teams that played smart, heads-up, hardlose to that team was absolutely inexcus- nosed football. His strategy? Know your able. Coach Lombardi called a practice the position. Learn how to do it right. Then do very next morning. The men sat silently, it with all your might! That simple plan put looking more like disciplined puppies Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the map. Before than a team of champions. They had no Lombardi’s advent, it was a frozen whistleidea what to expect from the man they stop between Oshkosh and Iceland. What works in the game feared the most. When you say of football works in the Gritting his teeth and “church” today, it’s church as well. But in the staring holes through one athlete after another, Lom- like ordering a malt... ranks of Christendom, it’s bardi began: you’ve got 31 flavours easy to get a little confused. Change that: a lot confused. “OK, we go back to the to choose from. When you say “church” basics this morning....” Holding a football high enough for all to today, it’s like ordering a malt...you’ve got 31 flavours to choose from. You can select see, he continued to yell: wheeler-dealers, snake handlers, prima “Gentlemen, this is a football!” How basic can you get? He’s got guys donnas, positive thinkers, or self realizers. sitting there who have been playing on Rock bands with coloured lights, shaved gridirons for 15 to 20 years...who know heads with pretty flowers, and flashy showoffensive and defensive plays better than men with healing lines are also available. If they know their kids’ names...and he that doesn’t satisfy, search for your favouintroduces them to a football! That’s like rite ism and it’s sure to turn up: humanism, saying, “Maestro, this is a baton.” Or, liberalism, extreme Calvinism, political “Librarian, this is a book.” Or, “Marine, activism, anti-communism, supernatural this is a rifle.” Or, “Chef, this is a skillet.” spiritism, or fighting fundamentalism. But wait! What are the absolute basics of Talk about the obvious! Why in the world would a seasoned the church? What is the foundational task coach talk to professional athletes like of a biblically oriented local assembly? Filthat? Apparently, it worked, for coaches tering out everything that isn’t essential, don’t lead their teams to three consecu- what’s left?
Let’s listen to the Coach. God tells us we have four major priorities if we’re going to call ourselves a church: Teaching...fellowship...breaking of bread...prayer. (Acts 2:42) To these four we are to continually devote ourselves. Solid, balanced, “winning” churches keep at the task of perfecting those basics. These form the what aspect of the church. The how is equally important. Again, the Coach addresses the team. He declares that the church that gets the job done is engaged in: Equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12 NASB1995) “Hey, that’s easy,” you say. “How simple can you get?” you ask. Are you ready for a shocker? The toughest job you can imagine is maintaining these basic assign-
ments. Most people have no idea how easy it is to leave the essentials and get involved in other activities. Believe me; there is a steady stream of requests from good, wholesome, helpful sources to use the pulpit as a platform for their cause. I repeat—good and wholesome things but not essential...not directly related to our basic purpose: the interpretation, the exposition, the application of Holy Scripture with relevance, enthusiasm, clarity, and conviction. First and foremost, that is what a pulpit ministry is all about. But churches like that are so rare across our land; it makes you want to stand up and say: “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a Bible!” Copyright © 2010 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.
Insight for Living Canada began over 35 years ago when a Bible-study group in Vancouver decided to look into bringing Chuck Swindoll’s messages into Canada. For more visit insightforliving.ca/our-history
CHARLES SIMEON by Bill Gemaehlich
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ith the unprecedented times in biblical preaching as an evangelical. In April which we are living, Romans 12:12 1831, after pastoring at Trinity Church for 49 reminds us to “Rejoice in hope, be patient years, his friend Joseph Gurney asked him in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (ESV). how he endured so much persecution and One man of great faith who demonstrated prejudice, he said, “My dear brother, we such patient endurance during tribulation must not mind a little suffering for Christ’s is Pastor Charles Simeon. sake. When I am getting through a hedge, if Charles Simeon was born in 1759 in Read- my head and shoulders are safely through, ing, England. He was the son of a wealthy I can bear the pricking of my legs. Let us attorney and grew up in an unbelieving rejoice in the remembrance that our holy family. He first attended Eton College and Head has surmounted all His suffering and then went on to King’s triumphed over death. Let His commitment and us follow Him patiently; College at Cambridge where he came to faith in we shall soon be partakers patient endurance Christ. In 1782, soon after of His victory”1 through great graduating, he was called With extraordinary opposition is a model devotion for Christ and to pastor Trinity Church we should look to in Cambridge. From the the love of God’s people, beginning, he was very emulate as we endure Simeon faithfully preached unpopular with his con- trials and persecution. in the same church for 54 gregation because they felt years. His commitment he was given the pastorate undeservedly and patient endurance through great oppoover their associate vicar John Hammond. sition is a model we should look to emulate During his tenure at Trinity Church, his ser- as we endure trials and persecution. As vices were disrupted—congregants refused we come together to pray let Romans 12:12 to participate and would even lock their be our prayer this month. pew doors to prevent others from attend“Rejoice in hope, be patient in ing. Rather than resigning or scolding his tribulation, be constant in prayer.” congregation, Simeon resolved to let God’s (Romans 12:12) word and prayer overcome their opposition. It only took 12 years. 1 H.C.G. Moule, Charles Simeon, London: InterVarsity, 1948, 155f. In addition to his pastorate, Simeon also suffered persecution while serving as a Bill Gemaehlich is the EVP/COO operations at fellow at Cambridge University. He was Insight for Living Ministries insulted on streets by students who were prejudiced by his congregation and for his
PLURALISM by steve johnson
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anada is a mosaic of people from all over the world with many different ideologies and religious beliefs. Because of this we describe our country as pluralistic. As our society becomes even more ethnically diverse, pluralism is something we will experience in greater measure. Beyond the varieties of beliefs and ideologies existing in our society, there is a kind of religious pluralism that is promoted. Combined with relativism, it asserts that all these diverse religious beliefs are equally valid and that there is more than one path to God. While it’s touted as tolerant and therefore superior and more enlightened, asserting this is itself a doctrinal statement and excludes all other beliefs. So the proponents of religious pluralism are guilty of
the exclusivism they forbid in others. It’s really just another religion with a specific view of salvation contrary to Christianity. Christians take issue with this because Christianity makes, and always has made, the exclusive claim that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to God and salvation. There are two questions we must answer when confronting this type of religious pluralism. 1. Is Jesus the only way of salvation? 2. Is faith in Christ required? From a pluralist’s standpoint, the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way of salvation is intolerant. It assumes the existence of absolute truth, that it may be known, and it delegitimizes all competing religious claims. Exclusivism does not fly well in a secular
society saturated with relativism, the idea The penalty for lawbreaking is death, so all the religious activity or good behaviour that truth is relative to the individual. The Bible teaches that all people have in the world isn’t adequate. Only Jesus, by some knowledge of God and a sense of His sinless life, substitutionary death, and obligation to Him (Romans 1:18-21). This triumphant Resurrection from death proknowledge produces in humanity a sense vides what is necessary for salvation. No of sinfulness and guilt, which are actively one else in the history of the world has died supressed. Human religions are our because he bore the sin of others and not attempt to manage this sense of guilt and as the judgment for his own sin. Therefore, worship God while simultaneously trying Jesus alone qualifies to be Saviour. But what if someone has never heard of to suppress God’s demands on us. Religion Christ? Can they still be saved apart from is our attempt to reach up to God. In contrast to human religions, the Gos- believing in Him? Jesus Himself says no, pel teaches that God has reached down to “...everyone who believes in him will not us. It fully acknowledges human guilt and perish but have eternal life... anyone who provides a way for our guilt to be removed. does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing It is here we find the rationale In contrast to in God’s one and only Son” for the exclusiveness of the human religions, (John 3:16–18). Jesus wasn’t Christian faith and its reason for being. Christianity pro- the Gospel teaches kidding when He warned, “... you will perish, too, unless claims that God has made a that God has you repent of your sins and way for sinners to be rescued reached down to us. turn to God” (Luke 13:3). He from their sin and restored to fellowship with Him through the person told His disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ the Redeemer stood in the place except through me” (John 14:6). In Romans 3, Paul reasons that since of sinners and provided for them in His saving death and Resurrection all that everyone is unrighteous before God God requires. In His sacrificial death He (Romans 3:9–10), the only remedy is rendered satisfaction to God whose law attributing the righteousness of Christ to was broken by our sin, and God gave public them (vv. 24–25), and this righteousness is approval of His accomplished work in rais- received only by faith, because God “makes sinners right in his sight when they believe ing Jesus from the dead. The sacrifice of Christ was the only pos- in Jesus” (v. 26). Among all religious figures and foundsible means of saving us. If there was some other way to provide salvation for human- ers in the history of the world, Jesus alone, ity other than Jesus’ death, God would have because of who He is and what He did, is done that. God can acquit the guilty sinner qualified to be our Saviour. That makes only on just grounds, and it’s only in Christ Christianity unique and exclusively the savthat these just grounds have been met ing truth we need to believe and proclaim. (Romans 3:21–31). Humanity’s religious efforts are insuffi- Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for cient because they don’t solve the problem Living Canada. of our guilt at having broken God’s law.
A JOYFUL WORK: INSIGHT FOR LIVING MINISTRIES AUSTRALIA by Insight for Living Ministries
fter establishing an office in Canada of secularism in Australia’s culture, he in 1984, Insight for Living Ministries remains hopeful and enthusiastic because (IFLM) began looking to the next territory of the invigorating power of God’s Word. in which to fulfil our calling. Australia For 35 years, God has grown IFLA into a quickly seized our attention since it too uses trusted source of biblical truth in AusEnglish as its primary language. Although tralian Christian media, drawing in new a Christian broadcast presence was already listeners to the Insight for Living broadcast. Starting at the same time as Chris, there at that time, it didn’t mean the Australian government or radio industry would Nathan Potts joined the IFLA team as its receive us with open arms. Attaining access regional pastor to provide a local presence to the radio airwaves in Australia was no and voice to our listeners in Australia. easy feat—especially for programs that From the time Nathan and his wife Julie married in 1990, their pasdidn’t originate locally. In 1987, Insight for sion and goal has been to But through the working Living Australia (IFLA) serve Christ in full-time of God’s providence, IFLM vocational ministry. God partnered with the Ausofficially opened brought that yearning into tralian director of Trans its office doors in reality and now, for almost World Radio, John Reeder. Through his strategic Blackburn, Victoria, and 20 years, Nathan has pasrelationships with radio launched its first Insight tored multiple churches stations, his insight into for Living broadcast in and devoted himself to the exposition of Scripthe radio industry, and the land down under. faithful ture and the equipping of his devotion to Christian church leaders for the work of ministry. ministry, we knew we were in good hands. Today, Nathan pastors the Church of In 1987, Insight for Living Australia (IFLA) officially opened its office doors in the Paravista in Adelaide, South Australia Blackburn, Victoria, and launched its first while also providing biblical counselling to Insight for Living broadcast in THE LAND IFLA listeners and overseeing IFLA’s Bible teaching material. In 2015, he stepped in as DOWN UNDER. Chris Littlechild became IFLA’s new chairman of the board. Because of COVID-19, Australia, now executive director in 2013. From his years with Campus Crusade, to his experience more than ever, needs fervent Christian as a chaplain for sports teams and a board leaders like Nathan to spread the bright member at Trans World Radio, Chris has message of Christ’s joy and hope during used his eclectic background, along with dark times. his vibrant and inviting personality, to help IFLA transition into a new phase of minis- Excerpt taken from “A Joyful Work.ˮ Read the try. While Chris has witnessed the growth complete article online at insightforliving.ca/ifla.
Article Image: Robert Katzki unsplash.com
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Puzzle — Fill in the Blank
Pluralism versus the Exclusiveness of the Gospel Difficulty ● ○ ○ ○
Fill in the blanks with these key statements or phrases. The solutions are direct quotes from the NIV Bible translation.
1. (John 3:16) 2. (John 3:18) 3.
(John 14:6)
4. (Acts 17:22) 5. (Acts 17:27) 6. (Acts 17:30) 7. (Romans 2:15) 8. 9. 10.
(Romans 3:10) (Romans 3:25) (Acts 4:12)
Puzzle solutions will be posted at insightforliving.ca/puzzle at a later date.
online RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR LEADERSHIP? Vision, integrity, articulation, courage, and a thick skin. Other requirements could be added for the follower of Christ, godliness is essential. Insight for Living Ministries, by introducing you to godly leaders of the past, is committed to encouraging you in this pursuit, as well as challenging you to grow in godliness. Visit insightforliving.ca/leadership for free resources
