The Speak Life Podcast

Our third instalment in our ‘Surprising Gospel Strategies‘ series, is ‘Don’t tell them that Jesus is God’! Apart from the ‘click bait’ title, there is some real truth here. Sometimes our evangelism starts with who God is, and then we try to convince them that ‘Jesus really is God’, but John 1:18 flips things on its head, when it says:“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”Jesus is the one ‘on show’, and God is the invisible one.In evangelism, make Jesus central. Jesus reveals the Father! He didn’t appear halfway through God’s story, but right from the beginning.“[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”Colossians 1:15Support the show

Meetup is a networking app that enables you to find specific interest groups in your local area. Tom Schmidt uses it to draw local people to discuss things regarding Christianity. Tom is a church planter and met up with Glen Scrivener at the ‘Story’ Mission at St Mary’s Church, Wootten.Tom grew up in the Lutheran Church, but says he didn’t really understand the gospel. When he went to college, he met some Christians from Campus Crusade for Christ, and they told him about having a personal relationship with Jesus. He read Josh McDowells book ‘More than a Carpenter’, and after that, became a Christian.  Then he worked with Campus Crusade for Christ for a time, and then did a year long mission trip in Scotland, and really felt a calling to do it full time. He also met his wife in Scotland!He now has planted and leads “The Cross of Christ Fellowship“One of their outreaches is at a booth at the Last Fling Festival, where they invite people to answer questions such as:What’s the Purpose in Life?What’s wrong with the world?Who is Jesus?What happens to you after you die?A could of years ago, Tim started a group in Naperville using the Meetup app, to discuss questions similar to the above, meeting in a Barns and Noble bookshop twice a month, they often have new people every time.After initiating a discussion, everyone is invited to share their name, beliefs, and why they came. Then the discussion on the particular topic is lead through asking questions.The majority of the 15-20 people who come are non-Christians, almost all from the app, and they tell their friends. There are 600 people are interested in the meetup group, and a waiting list of would be chatters!Support the show

Last episode, we looked at the first ‘Surprising Gospel Strategy‘ which was ‘Shutting the Doors’ of the church building for the rest of the week, and going out to meet people where they are.This episode, we look at the second strategy, which is to ‘Move On’. Often we feel we must stay and win the argument – we feel others are wrong, and we are right. Is this the right strategy? It is best way? There are times when it’s better to ‘move on’ from one conversation to start another elsewhere.We also mention this post, found in the corner of a NIV Study Bible:Who did Jesus talk with? pic.twitter.com/YIg0DM2clj— Glen Scrivener ن (@glenscrivener) 21 June 2017Support the show

This may come as a surprise to some, but it can be better to shut the doors of the church, in order to reach more people with the Gospel. Glen explains in more depth, taking some advice from the Reformation. Also, news of our new ‘Patreon Campaign’!Support the show

As of publishing, this coming Sunday is Trinity Sunday, so we thought it would be good (like last episode) to do something ‘calendar related’, connected to Trinity Sunday.  On first thought, the doctrine of the Trinity may seem too complicated for non-Christians to grasp.  Not so, says Glen Scrivener! Listen to this podcast to find out more.Oh, and here’s an article Glen wrote on the subject.Support the show

As of publishing, this coming Sunday is Pentecost, so we thought it would be great to have a conversation about Pentecost, and the role of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism. You can listen to the podcast and follow the notes below.What is Pentecost?In the Jewish calendar (see Leviticus 23), Pentecost is the “Feast of Weeks”. It’s held 50 days after “Firstfruits.” At “Firstfruits” you have tasted the goodness of the coming crop. At “Pentecost” the harvest comes in.In the New Testament, Jesus rose on the day of “Firstfruits”. He was the Seed who went into the ground (on Good Friday) and came up again (on Easter Sunday). His new life guarantees a rich harvest of resurrection.The first ever Pentecost happened in Exodus – 50 days after the Israelites came out of Egypt. On that day Moses came down from the mountain with the law and he judged idolatrous Israel. 3000 people died on that first Pentecost. In Acts 2, the Spirit comes down from on high and brings life – on that day 3000 people are reborn!What does Acts 2 teach us about the Spirit?The Spirit comes through the Word – especially preached. (v14ff)The Spirit is associated with the last days (v17).The Spirit is the triune life of God poured out (v33).The Spirit is a gift for the unworthy (v38).What does the rest of the Bible teach about the Holy Spirit?The Spirit is the LIFE of God.The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (Job 33:4)The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you – they are full of the Spirit and life. (John 6:63)Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)If Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:11) What does the Spirit do in the life of God?1. He joyfully declares the Father’s overflowing love:You are my Son who I love, with you I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:16-17)2. He joyfully declares the Son’s glad dependence:At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. (Luke 10:21)3. He gives life to the SonThrough the Spirit of holiness [Jesus] was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4).  What does the Spirit do in our life?1. He joyfully declares the Father’s overflowing love to us:God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)2. He joyfully declares our love as sons back to the Father:The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ (Romans 8:15)3. He gives life to us If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:11) Everything that the Spirit is in God’s life, He becomes in our life! The Spirit sweeps us up into the Son’s communion with the Father. By Him we “participate in the divine nature”! (2 Peter 1:4)Support the show

Today is Ascension Day! Today’s podcast is about how the Ascension relates to current issues:8:45      What is the ascension?14:24    Why is it the answer to the Election?17:22     Why is it the answer to Brexit?19:14     Why is it the answer to Terrorism?25:00    Why is it the answer to Trump?27:39     Why’s it the answer to the Football Transfer Market?Happy Ascension Day Everyone!Support the show

Glen Scrivener to the Yorkshire Gospel Partnership on the subject of God’s Glory. Also, here’s a related blog post that Glen wrote for Union Theology.Support the show

Often what we want in life is ‘freedom’ but as Glen Scrivener explains, what we expect to be freedom, often ends in bondage, expectation is different from reality.  We also talk about three-two-one.org More talks at stmarysmaidenhead.org/reallivesSupport the show

Glen Scrivener went to St Mary’s, Maidenhead the other week, and gave this talk.  Be a fly on the wall, as Glen looks at whether life is a comedy or a tragedy. More talks at stmarysmaidenhead.org/reallivesSupport the show