Engage in Outreach

 

Matthew 5:43-48

43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[8] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[9] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 

[Paraphrased] If you love only the people that love you, of what good is that?  Even the people who do not believe in Christ love only the people that love them.  And if you say, “Hello” to only your friends, of what good is that?  Even the people who do not believe in Christ say, “Hello” to only their friends.  Therefore, love others the way Christ loves you.

 

As Christians, we are expected to be disciples of Christ’s and also to reach out to others.  In Scripture, Jesus tells us in order to receive eternal life, we must (1) love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind (2) love our neighbor as ourself.

 

The problem is most Christians are hypocritical because they do not reach out to others.  These hypocrites may easily deceive you.  They look like this:

1)      They wear Christian T- shirts

2)      They don’t do drugs

3)      They have a daily devotional

4)      They raise their hands during praise and worship

5)      They never curse

 

If you call yourself Christian, then you are expected by God to reach out, in love, to everyone (friends, family members, acquaintances, those who curse you, those that hate you, etc.).

 

Why should Christians reach out to people?

  1. Billy Graham (the world renown evangelist) thinks so: “Christians have a priority to reach out in love to a confused and dying world with the good news of God’s forgiveness.”  This is a requirement for all Christians and cannot be compromised.
  2. Luke 15: Jesus tells a parable to teach Christians they should seek out lost unbelievers so they may be found.
  3. Matthew 28: The Great Commission says, “Go and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

 

As you can see, many “so called” Christians are hypocritical and as a result:

  1. Clicks have formed
  2. Certain individuals have been excluded
  3. People are being left out

 

I can tell you first hand that witnessing to someone, watching them turn away from their sin, and receiving Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior is one of the best experiences a Christian can partake in.  If you have not begun to engage in outreach, then start today.  Just do it!  Do not compromise your faith by not loving your neighbor.  Do not be scared, shy, or embarrassed to do spread Christ’s love.  Just do it!  God will give you the strength that you need, all you have to do is ask Him.

 

Bibliography

 

Coleman, E. Robert.  The Master Plan Of Evangelism.  Fowarded by Graham, Billy.  Grand Rapids:  MI: Baker Book House Company, 1993.

 

Hooker, Thomas.  Writings In England and Holland.  Edited by Williams, H. George.  Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1975.

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