Bring people to Jesus
The lengths people will go to save someone in trouble. Why? Because every person is naturally drawn towards helping those in trouble.
Why don’t christians go to the same lengths to help those who do not know Jesus?
A study from the Barna Group found that 64% of Christians believe evangelism (sharing the Gospel) is optional.
In the past 6 months 61% of people have not shared the gospel with someone.
In the past 6 months 48% of people have not invited someone to church.
We are in a time when it appears evangelism is on the decline.
As Christians, we are all called to share what Christ has done. Jesus’ last words on earth were, “Go and make disciples of all nations” Matthew 28:19
Mark 1:45 NIV
“Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.”
Mark 2:1-12 NIV
“A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. [2] So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. [3] Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. [4] Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. [5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." [6] Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, [7] "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" [8] Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? [9] Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? [10] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" He said to the paralytic, [11] "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." [12] He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
4 supporting ropes to bringing people to Jesus
Seek
Jesus described his earthly ministry saying, “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
Jesus did not wait for people to come to him—he went to them.
The goal is to intentionally connect with those around us!
Connect with our neighbors, co-workers, baristas, school families, all in hopes of having opportunities to get to know them and to be a witness.
John 20:21 "Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Invite
We live arms length away from people.
Sadly, many of us have become accustomed to a culture that says, “my home is my private—my retreat from the business and chaos of life” instead of viewing our home as a resource for living on mission in our community.
Our homes are not our sanctuary’s but rather a community space to invite people in.
The reality is, one of the best ways you can build trust and relationship with your neighbors is by breaking the norm and inviting them into the space that culture says is yours alone.
Whether it’s inviting one neighbor over for coffee, a next-door family for dinner, or several people for a potluck BBQ, we should be eager to open our doors to those around us.
Invite over for a meal and or fun event.
Invite to church where they can experience community.
2 Corinthians 5:20 "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”
“Once we recognize that we are “ambassadors for Christ” we can begin to see our homes as embassies of the kingdom of Heaven, which exist for a greater purpose than our own comfort and escape.”
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Invest
Being a faithful witness to those around us means choosing to see them as people not projects.
When we think of our neighbors, our goal should not be finding an opportunity to ramble through a gospel presentation so we can check their name off a list and move on.
Our motivation should be love.
In his letter to the Thessalonians Paul writes:
1 Thessalonians 2:8 "Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
Invest in their lives as you lead them to Jesus.
Jesus makes this clear in Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Share
In the midst of seeking, inviting and investing we should be looking and praying for opportunities to share the gospel with them.
Love is the catalyst to sharing about Jesus.
Without love and compassion we share the gospel as a quota and checklist.
We have to have a genuine love for those who are lost.
John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
An opportunity might present itself over a meal conversation, and in other cases it might be through a tragedy or crisis that you have more leeway to pray for and share Jesus.
We need to approach every interaction prayerfully and listen closely for the Holy Spirit to direct us concerning when to speak and when to listen.
While our goal is to lovingly call others trust in Christ, we should recognize that doing so may involve several conversations about who Jesus is and what it means to follow him.
Luke 19: 5-6, 9-10 "5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly."
"Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Remember that God does not call the equipped; He equips the called.
Sharing our faith isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a command. And God is with us when we obey Him.
