Too good not to repost… (Thanks for sharing it Pastor Troy Singleterry)
Count me in… I purpose to be “One of the few!” (Luke 10:2 … Read it!) But I pray for others to join me!
Coffee With The Lord
The Best Way To Start the Day- Coffee With The Lord
Hey, how about an evangelism strategy that works!
One of the challenges churches have is getting the Gospel (the message of Jesus Christ, who came to seek and save those who are yet in their sin and “lost”) to those who really need it! Often churches fall into the trap of simply “preaching the gospel” to pews full of people who have already heard the message, responded to it, and nod their heads while muttering “amen” (some have used this figure of speech to describe it… “preaching to the choir” – preaching to people who already agree with you).
My experience as a pastor over the years has confirmed the value of an effective evangelism strategy that works! A Biblical method, you might say, modeled by Matthew (or Levi) when He began his journey as a new follower of Jesus. The account is found in Luke 5:27-32 (read it for yourself).
Matthew (Levi) was looked upon as a notorious “sinner” by the religious community – a “tax collector” – complicit with hated Rome, a compromiser, a cheat, someone who “ripped off” fellow Jews to enrich himself. He was a guy who REALLY NEEDED GOD according to the religious elite! The rigorous religious crowd – “the Pharisees and scribes” – hated them!
But one day Jesus visited Matthew’s (Levi’s) tax booth had a conversation with this “sinner man” and the upshot of it all was, before Jesus left, he issued this invitation/challenge… “Follow me!” Matthew (Levi), was convinced of his sin and need of what Jesus had apparently talked about, he “left everything, rose, and followed Jesus!” Incredible story! Jesus had that kind of effect on people!
So what does Matthew (Levi) do? He is so impressed by Jesus, His message, and the personal change that has come to his life since he began following Jesus, that he decides to have a reception for Jesus at his home (the Bible calls it “a great feast”) and invite his old “tax collector friends” and others he knew to meet Jesus and hear His story – His appeal.
When the scrupulously religious crowd heard about it, they criticized Jesus and his disciples saying, “Why are you guys “eating and drinking with ‘tax collectors’ and sinners!”
Jesus’ response was classic! He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick! I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance!”
Enter “evangelism strategy that works!” What if we encouraged brand new followers of Jesus – Christians who still had a sparkle in their eyes, passionate love for the Lord in their hearts, and zeal to share their new-found “friend” and “Savior” with others, to host a “reception” in their home (or a nice local café) and share their story. And then have a sincere, experienced, Spirit-filled follower of Jesus there to explain succinctly the Gospel message along with an invitation for any of the guests there that day to begin their own journey “following Jesus.
Hey, I’ve seen it work! It’s an effective strategy to get the Gospel message to the people that really need it! One problem though… There’s always someone from the “scrupulously religious crowd” around to criticize that you’re “hanging out” with “sinners!” My advice? Pay more attention to what Jesus had to say about that matter, than the critics!
Know anyone that fits this description… Arrogant, proud, cocky, overconfident, pushy, rude, bullying, mean, oppressing and taking advantage of others?
Know anyone or any group of people that fit this description… Arrogant, proud, cocky, overconfident, pushy, rude, bullying, mean, oppressing and taking advantage of others… and we could go on, eh? Anyone come to mind? Any leader? Any politician? Any group of people? I could give you my list of names right now… Some of them you’d recognize in a moment – they’re in the news every day… But I’ll defer….
There’s a Psalm about them (and the people they’re taking advantage of)… Psalm 94
“Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? They pour out their arrogant words! All the evildoers boast! They crush your people, O Lord, and afflict your heritage. They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless! They say, ‘The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive!’
“Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see?
“The Lord will not forsake His people! He will not abandon His heritage! Justice will return to the righteous and all the upright in heart will follow it? If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought ‘My foot slips!’ Your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up! When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul! … The Lord has become my stronghold and my God the Rock of my Refuge!” (From Psalm 94)
Reminds me of the advice of Apostle Paul… “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine! I will repay, says the Lord!’” (Romans 12:19) So as frustrated and disgusted as I am by people like that, I’m going to trust the Lord to bring them down, work justice, and vindicate His people! Oh, and one more thing… Paul went on to urge us in the same passage, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good!” (vs. 21) Believe me, I’m working on it!
