(2 Tim 2:3-4) "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. {4} No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."
Today we honor the veterans who served this country and secured the freedoms that we enjoy. I certainly believe that it is proper and honorable to do so. I grew up during the time of the draft. When the government felt we needed more soldiers, we simply drafted young men into the service of their country. I was never drafted, but I volunteered to serve. This morning we enjoy a certain degree of peace in this world, but there is a battle going on.
It is a spiritual battle for the souls of men, women, boys, and girls. Now we need more soldiers, more workers if you will. The Lord has chosen not to draft anyone into spiritual service. He wants us to volunteer to get into the battle, to get into the work because the need is great.
This morning we officially launch our Outreach Ministry. It isn't anything terribly new. The need has always existed, but today I make the same appeal that Jesus made. We need more soldiers…we need more volunteers…we need more workers!
I. The importance of sharing the gospel with others cannot be over-emphasized.
A. Jesus wants everyone to hear the good news of salvation.
(Mark 16:15) "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
1. That isn't hard for us to understand is it?
2. How about this one.
(2 Pet 3:9b) "The Lord is … not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
3. He has provided the gospel as God's power to save all who believe.
(Rom 1:16-17) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. {17} For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
B. But the question today is how?
1. What is the most effective way to reach people today?
2. A recent survey asked over 10,000 people this question: "What was responsible for your coming to Christ and to church?"
3. Their replies were:
a. I had a special need - 3%
b. I just walked in - 3%
c. I liked the minister - 6%
d. I visited there - 1%
e. I liked the Bible classes - 5%
f. I attended a gospel meeting - 0.5%
g. I liked the programs - 3%
h. A friend or relative invited me - 79%
C. What can we learn from a survey like this?
1. It confirms that gospel meetings as traditionally held have lost much of their effectiveness.
2. It justifies churches' concern to pick their preachers carefully and to give special regard to the quality of their Bible classes.
3. The most obvious point of the survey is this: If churches are to grow, it will be through the efforts of individual members!
a. Preachers, programs, classes may help, but in most cases they will only maintain the size of the congregation
b. Such congregational efforts are worthwhile, however, for they can reach people with whom we might otherwise never come in contact.
c. But the fact remains: The greatest potential lies with people who have some contact with members of the local congregation.
II. Two things are needed to utilize contacts made through members of the congregation.
A. Concern for the lost by those members.
(Mat 9:36-38) "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. {37} Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; {38} Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."
(Rom 9:1-3) "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, {2} That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. {3} For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:"
(Rom 10:1) "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."
B. Knowledge of how to increase opportunities to share the gospel.
1. I am going to assume that the concern is there…
2. What I want to do is challenge us to put in practice some simple steps that will increase our effectiveness in reaching our community for Christ.
3. All the sincere concern in the world will not reach someone for Christ…we must put in practice what we know!
III. Do What it Takes to become a Caring Church.
A. People will not care what we know, until they know that we care!
B. This is important...
1. It will confirm our claim to be Christian.
a. Correct doctrine, organization, worship, etc., are certainly important.
b. Yet it is our love for one another that the Lord intended to convince the world that we are truly His disciples! (John 13:35) "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
2. Our love makes us useful to the Lord
a. The Lord knows what is going on in the local church…
b. Remember He said, 'I know thy works…'
c. I am convinced that we can become a church that can be used by Him to...
1) Reach others with the gospel
2) And nurture them in their spiritual growth
3) When that takes place, He will be pleased
3. Caring about each other will prepare us to minister to those without Christ.
C. Where do we start?
1. Make it a point to get to know every member and regular visitor by name.
2. Try to learn someone new at each service until you know them all.
3. Practice "hospitality" towards the members and regular visitors.
(1 Pet 4:8-9) "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. {9} Use hospitality one to another without grudging."
4. Invite someone to your home, or out to eat or for coffee.
5. Visit or call other Christians each week (esp. the sick, shut-ins, new members, absent members)
6. Volunteer your time and talent to minister to others in and through the ministries of this local church.
D. When we become a congregation filled with loving members who care for and minister to one another…
E. Then, and only then, I believe we will be ready for the Lord to use us to reach the lost.
1. If we don't care about each other…
2. It is doubtful we will ever care about those who are without Christ.
3. Have you ever seen a family that was really close…did you long for that kind of a relationship for your own family?
4. Jesus said that they would know we are Christians, when they saw our love for one another.
This morning, I want us to receive this challenge from our Lord. We need more soldiers for the battle, more workers for the vineyard. Will you determine to take an active part in reaching this world for Christ? It starts now! It starts here! We have no Outreach Program…we have an Outreach Ministry and that requires people who are willing to minister to others. Will you come and join with us in this great task? The Lord will not draft you…His desire is that we volunteer. Here am I Lord… [10]
Perhaps you are here today and you have never trusted Christ as Savior. The invitation is for you to come to Jesus. There will be those here who would love to take the Bible and show you how you can be born again. How you can have eternal life.
What about those who have never made the commitment to this local church? If you need to be baptized come today and surrender. If you are not a member of this local church, the invitation is for you to come and join with us. Get involved in a work that will make a difference for all eternity.