Reaching out to people with the gospel of the Kingdom of God and disciple-making is a command of God.
This is expressed in the Bible Passage known as the Great Commission. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).
I hope you were encouraged by the previous blog on this series which shared snippets from the Talking Jesus Research. That research showed that forty-five percent of people in the United Kingdom believe in the resurrection! The evidence also showed that more people are open to exploring faith https://fmministry.co.uk/talking-jesus-a-summary-of-research-and-conclusions
The reality however is that many people are cautious about sharing their Christian faith at work and in other public arenas. So, the question to ask is why are Christians not taking up the opportunities to reach out to people they meet and work with.
Reaching out – the constraints
Christians in the Firing Line – a book written by Dr. Richard Scott and published in 2013 cited thirteen case examples where sharing of Christian faith at work and on the streets leading to serious problems for the Christian. The price paid included loss of employment, being struck off the register of professional bodies, or unpopularity in the community or the media.
Why is it that society seems to be exploring the Christian faith and at the same time persecuting those holding the values?
I would propose that the general population still wants to determine what to believe or not when they accept any religion. The quest for spirituality for most is to design a religion that fits with the individually conceived idea of how it should be. This is what causes a clash with the Christian gospel which says there is only one way to make it to heaven – through complete obedience to Jesus Christ.
The above is bolstered by the fact that only those Christians who are un-compromising about the truth of the Word of God get into trouble. Examples from Dr. Scott’s book and other cases we have seen in the public media are that un-compromising believers would initially be offered the opportunity to retract their position. Many, seeing the potential costs have made a U-turn and agreed with whatever was the politically correct position of the day.
Those who refused to back down are warned, threatened, blacklisted, and sacked. Many have chosen to resign from careers they have spent so much of their lives building. The alternative is the stressful journey of defending their positions in the Courts.
Factors to consider in reaching out in obedience
- Decision to obey
A Christian must resolve in his or her heart to obey the Great Commission. This takes the complete surrender of one’s life to Jesus: heart, mind, body, and soul. It demands surrendering every benefit one can gain on this planet as the decision to reach out in obedience can cause the Christian to lose everything on this side of eternity.
God is merciful and faithful, so he will not allow any of his children to face what he has not already prepared them. The level of trial and testing will be only to the level of faith that has been built in the believer.
Christian believers should be reassured that God will not allow them to be tested more than they can bear. And when testing happens, he will also provide a way out so that the Christian can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- Spending time in prayer
Prayer is the most important activity of a believer and the best tool for reaching out in obedience. Believers should be spending time in praying Kingdom advancing prayers, for the lost to be saved into the Kingdom of God. It is through prayer that God will move individual hearts into obedience to what God would like them to do. The believer will receive wisdom on how to reach out and be strengthened for the outcome whether good or bad.
3. Being the message
The work of reaching out with the Great Commission is for every day and everywhere. It is not just in Church on Sundays or Bible Study or even workplace ministry. Reaching out must be an all-inclusive lifestyle. Therefore, part of the decision-making in reaching out is to choose to be the message of the gospel in every area of our lives.
The Bible describes this as being the aroma of Jesus Christ. The fragrance is pleasing to and brings life to those who are being saved but it is also a fragrance of death to those who are perishing ( 2 Corinthians 2:15-16).
- Reaching out has to be powerful and progressive
Acts 1:8 – 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus asks that his disciples must wait for the Holy Spirit before reaching out with the gospel. Accordingly, anyone willing to reach out must ask and wait to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. But the gift of the Spirit is guaranteed for those who are born again and are willing to use the Spirit for the work of the Kingdom (Matthew 7:12; 1 Corinthians 12:7).
Reaching out must also start small and continue to grow big as the Kingdom of God grows. Christians must start from where they are; home, work, family, and friends. The witnessing must start from one location and progressively move to the end of the earth. This is now easily achievable for a lot of people through the internet and various social media platforms.
Reaching Out – lessons from parable illustrations
- The Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-31)
There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
LESSON – There should be no procrastination or pretence. Reach out in obedience. Today is not too late!
- The Parable of the Bags of Gold (Matthew 25:14-30)
A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The men who had received five and two bags of gold went at once and put their money to work and doubled their money. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
When the master returned, the men who put their money to use were commended. They received ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
The man who did not put his gold into use was rebuked and thrown outside where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. His unused gold was given to the man who had the most.
LESSON – God has already given you what you need to reach out. Do not Bury them!
3. The Rich and the Kingdom of God (Matthew 19: 16-23)
A man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” He said he was already keeping all the commandments, but he knew he still lacked something.
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
The man went away sad because he had great wealth. Jesus used the parable to teach that it is difficult for someone rich to enter the Kingdom of God.
LESSON – God wants us to give up all idols to follow Him, to reach out and witness.
Idols may be money, pride, family, friends, jobs, etc.
Reaching Out – In conclusion
Reaching Out – In conclusion
- Be saved/born again.
- Ask to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
- Pray and open your heart to obey God in every way.
- pray for kingdom advancement at every opportunity.
- Reach out in obedience as God will lead you.
- Be ready to give everything you have for the kingdom.
- Go from Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria to the end of the earth.
- Be encouraged if you face trial as that is meant to strengthen your faith.
- Rejoice and know that your reward is waiting for you.
You can read our previous blog at :
Our Blog – Fishers of Men Ministry (fmministry.co.uk)
God bless you and let us keep talking and sharing Jesus Christ with the world.
Adesina
One Response