Blog – Page 8

Gabrielle singing worship songs at the door.

(This was originally posted in October 2010. Sharing it again. This year, we are playing Toby Mac and Jamie Grace from our front porch.)

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

One day a year, all of the children in our neighborhood knock on our door. Some children we know very well, others we are meeting for the first time. But they come. They come for a treat. We give them even more…we give them the message of the Gospel.

Halloween can be a touchy topic of conversation for Christians. We respect however the Lord leads each family individually. Recently, a friend shared a sermon that John MacArthur taught on 10-31-09 (click here). His well-balanced sermon confirmed for us that we have indeed been honoring God in our family with what we do on Halloween. In the part of MacArthur’s sermon titled “The Christian Response to Halloween”, he says this: “Ultimately, Christian participation in Halloween is a matter of conscience before God. Whatever level of Halloween participation you choose, you must honor God by keeping yourself separate from the world and by showing mercy to those who are perishing. Halloween provides the Christian with the opportunity to accomplish both of those things in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a message that is holy, set apart from the world; it’s a message that is the very mercy of a forgiving God. What better time of the year is there to share such a message than Halloween?”

So, what does our family do on Halloween? We redeem the day. We shine our lights for Christ. We worship Him in song. We share the Gospel of Salvation.

Here’s what our family does on Halloween:

All of the lights are ON in and outside of our house on Halloween. Our house is LIT UP! “The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.” Proverbs 13:9

We play worship music from a CD player we put on our front porch. This year, we will be playing the complete series of “Seed of Family Worship”. It’s great! “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.” Psalm 86:9

We give out King-Sized candy bars! (Even John MacArthur said not to be stingy!) We are known for giving out king-sized bars now. In our hearts, we are giving to honor the King! (We prepare enough of everything for 100 children, and we usually are visited by 80 or so.) “…the righteous give generously.” Psalm 37:21

Best of all, we share the Gospel message. Each child knocking at our door receives a tract sharing the Gospel. This year, we are also giving out “Plan of Salvation Faith Bands”!! We are very excited about this. Each pack of Plan of Salvation Faith Bands contains the Gospel message and two sets of crosses in the Gospel colors! They can then go and share the Gospel message, too!

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Joshua and Gabrielle with our King-Sized Candy Bars!

10-31-09

Joshua and Gabrielle dress up in bright, colorful, innocent costumes.

“There’s nothing inherently evil about candy, costumes, or trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. In fact, all of that can provide a unique gospel opportunity with neighbors. Even handing out candy to neighborhood children–provided you’re not stingy–can improve your reputation among the kids. As long as the costumes are innocent and the behavior does not dishonor Christ, trick-or-treating can be used to further gospel interests.” — John MacArthur

We pray that those precious children who knock on our door will ultimately knock on His door! “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” John 10:9

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

King-Sized, Light-Shining Halloween!

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