News from Evangelist Mike Gendron                                                 August 2020

Sowing the Imperishable Seed of God's Word

One of the most amazing contrasts revealed in God's Word is the profound difference between the physical birth and the spiritual birth. Everyone has experienced the physical birth, but only a few are chosen to experience the spiritual birth (Mat. 22:14). Those who are born physically are born of the flesh by a corruptible, perishable seed, which means we will all experience physical death. Those who are blessed to experience the second birth are born spiritually of a seed that is imperishable, which results in everlasting life. This is how Peter describes the spiritual birth: "...y ou have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring Word of God" (1 Pet. 1:23). Those born again of imperishable seed will never die spiritually, however those born only of perishable seed will die both physically and spiritually.

The Word of God and the Spirit of God
Just as there are two things necessary for the physical birth, there are also two requirements for the spiritual birth. Both the sperm and the egg are necessary to bring forth physical life. In a similar way, t he Word of God and the Spirit of God are necessary for spiritual birth. One without the other cannot produce a child of God. The Spirit of God comes and goes as He pleases and brings forth life when the imperishable seed of God's Word is sown in good soil (Mark 4:8; John 3:8). In an instant, a child of wrath is transformed into a child of God, from spiritual death to spiritual life, from darkness to light, from blindness to sight, and from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God (Eph. 2:5; Col. 1:13).

Sowing the Seed
Knowing that the Word of God is necessary to bring forth  eternal life, we should all be motivated to sow the imperishable seed as we go from place to place (James 1:18). No one can control the Spirit of God, however we can control when and where we sow the Word of God. One of the best ways to sow the seed is by giving away our Gospel Tract that contains only Scripture. Six key elements of the glorious Gospel of grace are presented exclusively using the imperishable seed of God's Word. When unbelievers read about God's Perfection, Man's Problem, God's Provision, Man's Part, God's Promise, and Man's Privilege, they will know enough truth to respond to the Gospel with repentance and faith. When the Spirit of God brings conviction of sin and illumination of God's Word, He seals those who believe, guaranteeing their eternal inheritance (John 16:8-11; Eph. 1:13-14). There is no greater cause for rejoicing than when we see people who were dead in sin come alive in Christ! The redeemed rejoice along with all the angels in heaven when sinners repent (Luke 15:10)!

Is Our Lord's Last Command Your First Concern?
The Lord Jesus has given us this awesome responsibility of making His last command our first concern (Mat. 28:18-20). Our Lord enables us to faithfully respond to this responsibility with His power and grace. When you divide the word "responsibility" into two parts, it becomes our "response" to His "ability." Our Savior  said the mark of a true disciple is one who glorifies God by proclaiming His fruit-bearing Gospel. "By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples" (John 15:8). One of the ways we do this each day is by asking people that we meet a simple, yet profound question: "Do you know where you will spend eternity?" When their response is, "I don't know", or "I hope it's heaven", we offer one or more of our seven Gospel tracts that will provide all the answers from God's Word. It is so important to put the Word of God in people's hands, because Satan uses everything in his power to thwart people's access to Scripture. He knows that the living and abiding Word of God is the imperishable seed that brings forth eternal life and sets people free from religious deception. Another clever way to sow the imperishable seed is by placing Gospel tracts in strategic places. When we see rosary beads hanging from rear view windows, we always place a Gospel tract under the windshield wiper. We also place our Gospel tracts in magazines, on counters, in hymnals, on public bulletin boards, and other places where people will see them.

Witnessing is a Royal Privilege
All Christians have also been given the royal privilege of being ambassadors for the King of kings. The highest honor we have as Christians is representing King Jesus as His ambassadors by taking His message of reconciliation to a lost and dying world. Every man in Christ is a new creature who has been given the ministry of reconciliation. God has recreated Christians for the purpose and privilege of reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-20). Christians are born again to reproduce! So often when unbelievers respond to the Gospel in genuine saving faith, the very first thing they want to do is share the good news with all their loved ones. 

It is my prayer that Christians everywhere will grow in their desire to glorify God through the proclamation of His Gospel. There may be no better way to demonstrate our love for Jesus than to labor in the fields that are white for harvest (John 4:35).
Pope Gives Mary Three More Titles

Pope Francis has approved the inclusion of three additional invocations in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called the Litany of Loreto. Her new titles include: "Mother of Mercy", "Mother of Hope", and "Comfort of Migrants." Read more.

We have to wonder why Mary needs more titles. She already has so many. Here are just a few of the others the Catholic Church has given to her: Advocate, Ark of the Covenant, Comfort of the Afflicted, Gate of the Dawn, Holy Mary, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Mediatrix of all Grace, Mother of Sorrows, Mother for the Journey, Mother of the Church, Mother of God, Mystical Rose, Our Lady of the Annunciation, Our Lady of Charity, Our Lady of Providence, Our Lady of Ransom, Our Lady of Solitude, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Queen of All Saints, Queen of Angels, Queen of Apostles, Queen of Confessors, Queen of Families, Queen of Martyrs, Queen of Patriarchs, Queen of Prophets, Queen of Virgins, Queen of the World, and Refuge of Sinners.

The pope also entrusted China to Mary's protection. He said, "We entrust the pastors and faithful of the Catholic Church in that great country to the guidance and protection of our Heavenly Mother, so that they may be strong in faith and firm in fraternal union, joyful witnesses and promoters of charity and fraternal hope, and good citizens." Read more.
Separation of Church and State

Pastor Tom Pennington of Countryside Bible Church in Southlake, TX finished his 7-part series,  The Gospel Response to Civil Government from Romans 13:1-7. He gave a brief history of the church, which included the marriage of the Roman Catholic Church with the government of the Roman Empire in the 4th century under Constantine. His excellent message gives six biblical reasons why the Biblical church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ, must be sanctified by the truth and remain separated from the state.
1. Different origins (Gen.10-11; Acts 2)
2. Different realms (Jn. 18:36)
3. Different leaders (1Tim. 2:1; 3:1; 5:17)
4. Different standards for leaders (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1)
5. Different missions (Rom.13:1-7; Eph. 4:11-16)
6. Different futures (Dan. 2:44)
Letters to Edify and Encourage the Saints

Mike, I look forward to your monthly e-newsletter. Last month's article on antithesis gave me insights that I was not expecting. The examples of antithesis you gave rang a bell in my mind. I thought of Hebrews 4:12. "For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart". This is how God's Word is like a sword. The "law of antithesis" design of the Bible cuts, it divides, and it is not ambiguous. When people dilute or compromise important doctrines, the antithesis (sword) is dulled. I've seen the sword description many times, but now I understand better. Thank you.
I also recently heard John MacAuthur's message on "God's Demand for Discernment." He gives several reasons why the church has little discernment. One of them is that the church has allowed the culture to influence it and the culture is unwilling to think antithetically. Our culture only wants shades of grey. There is no right or wrong. Thank you for your article. J.J.H., Plano, TX

Mike, I was talking to a Catholic who made claims that the first church was the Catholic Church. I was positive the Catholic Church was started when Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. However, this person brought up some random quotes from some popes and bishops from around 170 AD. I know the Catholic religion has a false gospel, but I want to know if their claim to being the first church is false as well. Can you provide any historical evidence that I can share? D.M., Internet

D.M., Roman Catholicism teaches there is one, holy, catholic and apostolic church whose bishops are successors of the apostles and whose pope is the infallible head of the church. It teaches that whoever listens to its bishops is listening to Christ and those who refuse to enter or remain in the Roman Catholic Church cannot be saved. Scripture reveals a much different church. The Lord Jesus started only one church, which is composed of all believers who have been born again of the Spirit. It has only one head, one Shepherd and one builder - the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone, by His Spirit, adds to the members of His church when a man repents and believes the Gospel. At that moment, he becomes a member of this church. It is a church whose existence does not depend on forms, ceremonies, cathedrals, church buildings, chapels, pulpits, fonts, vestments, organs, or any act of favor from the hand of man. Its existence depends on nothing but the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Throughout the history of the church, Satan has planted his tares in the church, including the many pagans who entered the church when Constantine made his form of apostate Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. This was the genesis of the Catholic religion, which officially and dogmatically departed from the faith of the apostles at the 16th century Council of Trent. You can read more church history in articles posted here.   

Mike,  Thank you for your continued faith and work in reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel. I was so encouraged when you spoke at Dallas Theological Seminary when I was a student there. You encouraged me to witness to the RC community. I have been witnessing mainly with the LDS community here for the last 12 years. Y our new tract: You Can Never DO What Christ Has DONE fails to mention the imputation of Christ's righteousness. It only spoke of what Christ did as a propitiation.  Keep up the good work. It would be nice to meet up with you again and talk about God's faithfulness in ministry.  J.K., Provo, UT

J.K., Thank you for your great suggestion. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 5:21. Before I place my next order, I will add that verse. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. 
Biblical Responses to Catholic Teaching

Catholic Teaching:  Mary "did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 969).  
   
Biblical Response:  Catholics not only have another Jesus and another Gospel, they also have another Mary. By creating this counterfeit Mary, the Catholic Church has robbed the Lord Jesus Christ of His glory and honor. He is the only savior, the only Advocate and the only mediator between God and man (John 14:6; 1 John 2:1; 1 Tim. 2:5). "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
May we all glorify our Lord Jesus Christ by sharing His Gospel within our circle of influence and beyond! 

Mike & Jane Gendron
(817) 379-5300
2829 Veranda Lane, Southlake, TX 76092
Mike's Ministry
Engagements 
  
POSTPONED
Grace Bible Sanctuary
Palm Bay, FL
Aug. 8-9

Mike will teach a 2-day conference on the topics of biblical discernment, evangelism, Roman Catholicism, and  contending for the faith. The church is located at 726 James Circle in Palm Bay. For more information 
call (321) 795-6588 

Austin Bluffs Evangelical Free Church
Colorado Springs, CO
Aug. 13

Mike will respond to questions from his appearance on the American Gospel documentary from the Collage Group on Zoom at 7:15 pm.
 
The Ambassador Pack of Gospel Tracts


The pack includes packages of all seven of our Gospel Tracts plus one set of Gospel Cards to equip and encourage you to sow the imperishable seed of God's Word. Order here.
 
A Wonderful Gift for Unbelieving Friends


According to God's Word, there is only one way to heaven but many ways to hell. Anyone that you know who is indifferent towards eternal truths needs to see this message.
The 2nd message entitled "Why Should I Believe the Bible?" gives 10 compelling reasons why the Bible is the most unique book ever written and is the supreme authority in all matters of faith. If anyone is being deceived by false teachers, this message will exhort them to test every man's teaching with God's Word. Order here.


We must get the Gospel right because many are being deceived by compromised and distorted gospels that leave people with a false hope. 
Mike uses the authority of Scripture to define, explain, clarify, and defend the Gospel of Christ. To order click here.

Our New Gospel Tract


 How often do you hear people say they hope they are good enough for heaven or they hope their good works outweigh their bad works? This Gospel tract will set the record straight that man can never DO enough to merit heaven. People need to know that Christ has DONE everything necessary to save sinners completely and forever. This is an excellent tract that will challenge people who are relying on a works-based salvation, including Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopalians, and Methodists.  Order here.
Our Best 3-Pack of DVDs for Evangelism


Order this set of 3 DVDs on evangelism, a total of 6 messages, for additional savings. This is an excellent resource for home Bible studies, Sunday School classes or sharing with friends.
Messages include: Where Will You Spend Eternity?, Why Should I Believe the Bible?, Rescuing Loved Ones from God's Wrath, Why Evangelize If God Has Already Chosen?,  False Converts in the Church, and Witnessing for God's Glory. Order here.



This book will encourage Catholics to trust Christ and His Word over the teachings and traditions of their religion. It is rich with Scripture and begins by laying a biblical foundation for truth and authority. 

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