A Closer Walk With God
Increasing Opportunities To Share The Gospel
The importance of sharing the gospel of Christ with the lost cannot be overemphasized... Jesus wants everyone to hear the good news of salvation - Mk 16:15-16 "And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." The gospel is God's power to salvation to all who believe it - Ro 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."' -- But what is the most effective way to reach people today? The Institute For American Church Growth asked over 10,000 people this question: "What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?" Their replies were . . .
I had a special need - 3%
I just walked in - 3%
I liked the minister - 6%
I visited there - 1%
I liked the Bible classes - 5%
I attended a gospel meeting - 0.5%
I liked the programs - 3%
A friend or relative invited me - 79%
What do we learn from a survey like this? If churches are to grow, it will be through the efforts of individual members. Preachers, programs, classes may help, but in most cases they will only maintain the size of the congregation. Such congregational efforts are worthwhile, for they can reach people with whom we might otherwise never come in contact. The greatest potential lies with those who have some contact with members of the local congregation. Each of us have daily contact with tens of people who need the gospel of Christ. In addition to efforts designed to reach people "en masse" (via television, radio, mail), we need to utilize the contacts made through the members (in other words, provide a "two-pronged" approach to evangelism). Two things are needed to utilize the contacts made through individual members. A concern for the lost by those members - Mt 9:36-38 "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."' ; Ro 9:1-3 "I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit-- that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh."; 10:1 "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved." A knowledge of how we can increase our opportunities to share the gospel with those with whom we frequently come into contact with, assuming that the concern is there. In this lesson I wish to share suggestions on how anyone who is a Christian can increase their opportunities to share the gospel...
Do things which make for a caring congregation. Our love of others will help prove that we are who we claim. In other words, that we are truly the disciples of Christ - Jn 13:35 "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."' Correct doctrine, organization, worship, etc., is important, but it will be our love for one another that will convince the world that we are truly the disciples of Christ!
Our love makes us useful to the Lord. The Lord knows the true condition of His churches! - Re 3:7-8 '"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." If we are a congregation that can be used by Him to reach others with the gospel, to assimilate them into the Family of God, to nurture them in their spiritual growth, then He will "open doors" for us!
But suppose that we are not a place where new Christians can grow spiritually in an atmosphere of love...? Then here are some "action steps" to take. Make it a point to get to know all the members by name. Get a church directory and begin to place names with faces. Try to learn someone new at each service until you know them all. Practice "hospitality" towards the members - 1 Pe 4:8-9 "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." Invite them into your home, or out to eat (set a goal of one new family or member per month). Visit other Christians frequently (esp. the sick, shut-ins, new members, absent members).
Make a list of souls you would like to see saved. This may not seem important, bu it is! It utilizes a very helpful technique used by people successful in all walks of life (in other words, having a "things to do" list). For us, it helps to focus our attention upon those we hope to reach for the Lord, and not neglect them. In making up this list start with those who are close to you and work outwardly. Family, relatives, your own and of fellow church members, friends, regular visitors to the services of the church, coworkers, casual acquaintances (mailman, store clerk, etc.) and last but not least, neighbors. Limit this list to five or eight souls (a list with too many and you will not be able to focus your efforts effectively). Give priority to those who are the "unchurched". In other words, those who are not active members of any denomination or particular religion. Active members of a denomination or religion are often very satisfied with their human traditions and are not as receptive to the pure and simple gospel of Christ. Husbands and wives might best just have one list (as the suggestions to follow will require their joint cooperation). Keep this list where you will see it daily so you will be constantly reminded of these people; so you will be more likely to do the things mentioned next . . .
Pray for souls on your list daily that God will work together with you. To give you "opportunities" to do good for them - Co 4:3 "At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison--"; 2 Th 3:1 "Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,". To give you the "wisdom" to make the most of those opportunities - Ep 6:19-20 "and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
Pray that those on your list will have the opportunity to hear the truth; have honest hearts to be open and receptive to the truth. Remember, it is God who gives the increase. We are but servants whom God can use in His providential workings - 1 Co 3:5-7 "What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." So though we may work as though it all depends upon us, let us pray as though it all depends upon God!
We will continue this lesson in a second part. Having looked at a couple of things to do with our list of souls we would like to see saved we will look at some additional action steps we will need to take.
