Author: Phil Rehberg

evangelism missions

Kingdom Evangelism – What Your Unbelieving Friends Need To Know About Themselves

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It is important to be realistic about what is in the heart of unbelievers. Some Christians give the impression that the biggest reason people don’t follow Jesus is the bad example of Christians or other faults in the church. But this does not fit with Scripture. The reality is that the lost are corrupt. By the time people reach early teens they have adopted sinful ways. Most people want to be god of their own lives; they want to cling to destructive ways. Even if they are “nice” people and have been hurt by those who call themselves Christians, the truth is that they are just making excuses. (There are cases of real abuse that do create a huge barrier and we should recognize their pain) “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23, ESV). In other words, the lost are just like all of Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

The Encouragement Of Waiting – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13, ESV). Our present mode of existence is the mode of waiting. When we look forward to something really good that we know is coming it fills us with energy to get through our days. It lifts our hearts to know that soon we are going to experience something very exciting. So waiting for something wonderful is not a bad thing, rather, it encourages us and keeps us focused on something good. Likewise, waiting for Jesus to appear with all his majesty and goodness on display strengthens us, knowing that our destiny is to live with him in his utopia forever. As we keep our gaze on Jesus and our future hope he empowers us to overcome all obstacles. Overcoming A Fault That’s Beyond Your CharacterJanuary 23, 2026Hope In God – Continue Reading →

evangelism missions

Kingdom Evangelism

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When it comes to evangelism and missions, Jesus wants us to show the world what a citizen of the kingdom looks like. Immediately after the beatitudes in Matthew 5 we hear Jesus saying “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13, 14, NIV). (Paul says something similar in Philippians 2:14-16.) Then he gives the command “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16, NIV). Thus, after explaining what kind of people his disciples should be, he directs them to go out and display the kingdom of God in their lives. His point is that when others see what the kingdom looks like in us, then some of them will also become people who glorify – display – God and his kingdom. God is looking for seekers who will Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Jesus Gave Us Peace – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“Peace be with you” (John 20:19, 21, 26, ESV). After Jesus arose he appeared to his disciples and at least three times he said to them “Peace be with you.” They had been extremely distressed by his death and the opposition of the Jewish leaders but now Jesus is emphasizing that they should now have peace. “Peace” includes a general inner harmony and freedom from turmoil. This peace is available to all his followers who keep their focus on him and walk in his Spirit. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit and so if we keep faith we experience a deep peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:7). When we embrace fear and unbelief this peace fades but we can always refocus ourselves on the peace Jesus gives. He wants us to have peace and he provides it. Let us be encouraged that God is in control of all things Continue Reading →

Social justice

Pursuing Social Justice In Christ – Part 2:How Much Can We Transform Society?

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Last week we saw that pursuing social justice is our responsibility because it is part of the kingdom of God that Jesus brought. Will we be able to complete the fulfillment of the kingdom of God? No. We must wait for Jesus to return and execute a final defeat of evil. There is no passage in the New Testament directing believers to fully establish the kingdom of God in this age. Rather, people are invited into the partial kingdom that Jesus has already established. Jesus and his apostles speak of believers finding the kingdom, entering the kingdom and spreading the message of the kingdom so that others may enter. Jesus brought the kingdom so it is here now and people can choose whether to enter or not. But we can not complete it. Yet this lack of full establishment does not discourage us because he is using us to spread Continue Reading →