On the second Sunday of January, nine zealous Roman Catholics came to Grace Life Church of Dallas from all over Texas. They asked to be "evangelized" and to hear what non-Catholics had to say about "their" Bible. The meeting was initiated by members of a group called St. Paul Street Evangelization after they heard that members of Grace Life Church were evangelizing at a Catholic church on Christmas Eve. The reports they heard were true. In fact, my wife Jane and I, along with seven other members of our church, went out to wish Catholics a Merry Christmas and ask them to describe the greatest gift they had ever received. Not one of the 300 Catholics we engaged said their greatest gift was eternal life. So we offered them our Greatest Gift Gospel (which contains only Scripture) and many of them thanked us. 

I was amazed that Catholics would come from as far away as Houston, Austin and Tyler to hear the biblical Gospel at an evangelical church. Shortly after the meeting started with the St. Paul Street Evangelization group, we found out their motives were not really to be evangelized. I opened with a 25-minute Gospel presentation stressing the sufficiency of Jesus Christ and the supreme authority of His Word, then welcomed questions from the audience. Along with the nine Catholics, there were about 25 members of Grace Life Church present to answer their objections and defend the biblical Gospel. The Catholics became agitated and hostile because "non-Catholics" were trying to evangelize members of the "One True Church." The meeting lasted for 3 1/2 hours as small groups formed to continue the discussion. While we were successful in delivering the message of the Gospel with clarity and compassion, it was apparent that the seed of God's imperishable Word was not falling on fertile soil.

I was reminded of two biblical truths that were evident during our meeting. First, we were powerless to convince Catholics to believe the Gospel because "the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Second, "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Cor. 4:4). We know that God is the only one who can open the prideful eyes of those who are blinded by religious indoctrination. The blessing of seeing God's glory revealed in Christ is granted only to those who are recipients of God's sovereign grace. Knowing this biblical truth, I am forever indebted to God's grace and for His delivering me out of spiritual darkness into the glorious light of His Son. To Him be all glory and praise!

sponsored tour of Israel that includes a 14-day cruise from Rome with teaching excursions in Jerusalem, Galilee, Malta, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Sicily and Naples. One of the greatest experiences of a Christian's lifetime is to visit the city of Jerusalem. God chose this wonderful this wonderful place to be His holy habitation. So much has happened in this ancient city that it is mind boggling to sort it all out. The dates for this wonderful opportunity to see the lands of the Bible have changed. The cruise departs from Rome on October 4 and returns Oct. 18. For more information or to receive a brochure call (972) 495-0485 or see the brochure here.

Pope Francis approved the "heroic virtue" of eight dead Servants of God, which now allows for their public veneration. The title "Servants of God," is the first stage in the sainthood process. Read more.

(972) 495-0485

PO Box 940871, Plano, TX 75094

www.ProclaimingTheGospel.org