More Christianity -- Christian Living Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Christianity -- Christian Living
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About Elder Greg Madden
Expertise
I am a born again, Holy Ghost filled minister of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am avalible to answer questions
conserning most all Biblical doctrines, the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, "Pentecostal/Apostolic" issues, and issues that we as christians face in an secular world.
Experience
I gave my heart to the Lord a few months after being married during a revival meeting. A few weeks later I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and I have not been the same since!
In those twenty five years we have only attended one church (Harvest Church), and there I have served there as an Elder for fourteen years. We minister in song with the choir and worship team. I am also the new member’s class coordinator, men's ministry director, and the Harvest Riders motorcycle ministry president.
In 1993 the Lord called me to "...preach the Gospel where ever I open the door..." I have had the privilege of ministering God's Word to churches in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. In those meetings we have seen the Lord save, heal, deliver, and fill people will His Spirit.
Organizations
I am ordained through Harvest Church, and with the World Harvest Ministerial Fellowship. I also am a licensed minister with the State of Oklahoma.
Education/Credentials
I am currantly enrolled with the Ames Bible College.
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christian Teens > Christianity -- Christian Living > Born-again/Witnessing
Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 10/24/2009
Question
Hey I have actually 2 questions, hopefully you can answer both as they are pretty close to each other. First let me give you a brief overview of my walk with the Lord. I grew up in a Lutheran home, and didn’t really understand Jesus entirely and I never acted like acted like a Christian at all. But I would say that that was my religion to my friends and everything. It wasn’t until two years ago I said a prayer and invited Jesus into my life. Although of course I kind of did this as an exit to get to Heaven then realizing what it meant 100%. Yet I have to say I felt a sense of peace and warmth when I said the prayer so I can’t say I was saved and got the Holy Spirit that day. My actions continued pretty similar to what it used to be, pornography, video games, movies, rock music etc. About the very end of 2008 I begin to start asking myself is my masturbation acceptable to Jesus, would he approve of this. I would like to think this was the Holy Spirit telling me about this, but I am a worrysome person and sometimes I can’t tell what comes from God and what doesn’t. So anyhow I decided to make 2009 my year I would start making myself “right” with God, again I don’t know why I felt this, I again would like to think it was the Holy Spirit telling me to get right. So this year I have struggled all year trying to break my 10+ years of masturbation and other addictions.
My question firstly is: What do you think person should “experience” when “born-again”? I never had some kind of near-death experience and had no real big life-changer when inviting Jesus into my life. Sometimes I wonder because the way I feel, thus my next question. I believe in God and Jesus and what he did, yet I find myself struggling with sharing the Gospel with encouragement. What do you think about this? Is it my faith? I WANT to do my duty as a Christian, but I just don’t know what to say to people who don’t believe. The “comfort” of witnessing is not there. I begin to question if I am truly saved or something. I wonder also that I have “quenched” the Holy Spirit so much that no “gifts” of the Holy Spirit are present. I know a lot of people have gifts of the Spirit and they say its easy for them to witness with encouragement. I have prayed of course about this, but want to know someone elses opinion. I want to get right with God if there is something I am lacking. Would be great if you could replay, THANKS.
Answer
Benjamin,
Did you get a chance to read through the links I sent you below? If so, any questions? If not please take the time to do so and get back with me when you get a chance.
Thanks,
Elder Greg Madden
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benjamin,
Thank you for your questions and the opportunity to help. First, let me say congratulations upon receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour! This is the most important gift given to lost humanity (that is the gift of salvation through Jesus).
After reading your request, I can tell that there is some doubt as to whether you were/are really saved, correct? There is nothing wrong with this, as the Bible teaches us to "...make our calling and election sure." So to clarify in your own mind and spirit as to whether you are saved, please go to to this link on our personal ministry site. This page will explain salvation and give you a step by step process as to how to receive Jesus. After you have read through this, and have made certain in your heart that you are truly born-again, then continue with the rest of my response...
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1/HowtobecomeaChristian.dsp
Now that you have made for certain of your salvation, the next most important thing you as a Christian need to understand is how to walk in victory over sin, temptation, and the sin nature. What the Bible call's "sanctification". Because my response to this would be too lengthy to place in this response, I would like you to go to another page on our personal ministry site that will help explain this in great detail. This is a great Bible study about our "Victory Over Sin". Once you have read over this page, then continue to read over the rest of my answer to you...
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1/VictoryOverSin.dsp
After understanding how you as a Christian can walk in the victory Christ won for us through His finished work on the Cross, the next thing that you need to understand is that Jesus is not only our Saviour, but He is also our baptiser with the Holy Spirit. You mentioned the fact that you received the Holy Spirit when you asked Jesus into your heart. This is absolutely true. However, as I wrote earlier that salvation is the "most important gift given to lost humanity", but the most important gift to the born-again Christian can receive is the baptism with the Holy Spirit. You had mentioned that the gifts of the Spirit were not present in your life. There may be many reasons why this is the case, but one of them may be that you have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Jason, this subject may be unfamiliar with you, so once again I am going to suggest you read about this on another page of our personal ministry web site. After you have read over this page, then continue to read over my response to you...
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1/TheBaptismoftheHolyGhost.dsp
Jason, I am sure after read through these pages that many of your questions were answered. I am also sure that you may have more questions as well. So please feel free to write me and let me know if you do. I am here to help in anyway I can.
God bless!
Elder Greg Madden
Add to this Answer Ask a Question
|
|
