Reaching Out to Others

Introduction

Reaching out to others with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ should be the desire of every church and Christian. Jesus gave the Great Commission to the apostles before he ascended into heaven.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt. 28:18-20.)

Jesus said to the apostles before they went into Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8.)

The apostles, since they were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, were ambassadors for Christ. We can preach the word of their testimony, but no one today can testify or give an eyewitness report concerning Jesus Christ. “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us. We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20.)

Since justification unto eternal life is by faith and faith comes by hearing, it is essential that someone be sent with the message of redemption. (Rom. 10:10-14.) This passage was first applied to those announcing the return of the Jewish exiles in captivity to Jerusalem. (Isa. 52:7.)

Jesus’ life is our example for reaching out to the lost. The Bible says of Him, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10.) Though we will never attract a crowd like the Son of God did, or be able to preach with the same power as an eyewitness, yet we too can reach out to the lost and present the saving message to them. I believe that we should avoid the extremes that have often plagued evangelism; that is, the fervent call for us all to go out and convert the world today, making evangelism the whole of Christianity, or drawing back into our church clubs and losing our evangelistic emphasis.

There are several good ways named in Scripture in which we can and should reach out to others outside the Kingdom.

James 2:1-9

This setting is a Jewish synagogue assembly where people are coming to worship. The word, synagogue, is the Greek word used for assembly, in verse 2. The context is about the proper response to one class of people—the economic status of those attending. The rich and the poor are coming to worship. James taught that the Christians should not have the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons. (2:1, 9.) If we have respect of persons, we commit sin.

There would be a tendency for the brethren to have a greater respect for the rich than for the poor. This was especially true in Israel where there had developed a false view that if one were faithful to God, then God would bless that person financially. Poverty to them was a sign of unfaithfulness and of God’s judgment. The disciples were shocked at Jesus when he taught, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of heaven. For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:24-25.)

James is clear. We must reach out to others who come to our assembly without respect of persons. This should be done even when society pressures us to do otherwise. God wants us to reach out to everyone. Without abuse to this text, we can apply this to every social group and status. Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28.) The world is seriously divided along the lines of economic status, educational, gender, and race. One group has always presented themselves as being above others. But in the eyes of God, all are equal. If we could just learn that lesson, how blessed we would be. I believe that we would gain the favor of God and most men if we did. We should never seek the favor of the bigoted, prejudiced and narrow-minded.

We must reach out to them sincerely and without respect of persons.

How do we reach out to others? We must reach out to them sincerely and without respect of persons. We must reach out to them in our hearts. You are not less than anyone else, but neither are you better than anyone else. The unbelievers will soon know the truth about us and how we feel toward them. Someone will speak out and say to the poor, Stand over there and sit in the back. They will say to the rich, Here sit up front on the best seats.

1 Corinthians 14:23-24

This setting is a worship assembly at Corinth. In the first century, they had something that we do not have today. They had spiritual gifts—the gift of prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, supernatural knowledge, etc. Nine different gifts are named in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. The brethren were causing a lot of confusion by abusing those gifts. Too many people wanted to be seen and heard. Too many wanted to lead songs. Women were asking what someone said. Paul told them to ask their husbands at home. The point that Paul was making was that we should be cautious in our worship assemblies that all things are done unto the edification of the saints and in view of non-believers being present in our assemblies. If they see a lot of confusion and disarray, they will go away saying that we are mad!

We win or lose many people right here in our assemblies!

In view of this text, how can we reach out to others? We can do so in our assemblies by being careful that we worship God reverently, sincerely, decently and in order. (1Cor. 14:40.) God is not the author of confusion; man is its author. If our assemblies are serious and spiritual in nature, unbelievers will be convicted and fall down before God worshipping Him. They will say that God is in us of a truth. We win or lose many people right here in our assemblies. I have long believed that a church grows and falls to grow based upon the hearts and attitudes of those present in the assembly. The New Testament places a lot of emphasis upon it as seen by both James 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-14.

Matthew 9:37-38

“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9:37-38.) We reach out to others through prayer—praying for the lost and for laborers to reach them. Jesus said that the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

We reach out to others by praying for laborers. The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

Paul prayed for the lost. He wrote, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” (Rom. 10:1-2.) He also added: “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” (Rom. 9:1-3.) Samuel said this about his love for Israel: “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.” (1 Sam. 12:23.)

Mark 10:17-22

This is the story of the rich young ruler who asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to go and sell what he had and give it to the poor. The young man went away sorrowful because he had great riches. Then the Bible records Jesus response to this young ruler: “Then Jesus beholding him loved him and said unto him, One thing you lack.” (10:21.)

It is evident in the Bible that God loves the lost. He so loved them that he gave his only begotten Son. (John 3:16.) It is likewise evident that Jesus loves the lost. You and I should love everyone that God loves and that is everyone.

We should love everyone that God loves, and that is everyone.

But it is easier to say that we love everyone than to actually feel and express that love. Loving the lost with their bad habits, repulsive behavior, and harsh language is not an easy thing to do. One thing that can help us to get on the right road is to realize that we have some repulsive habits that God is not pleased with as well. When we can see ourselves more clearly, then we will love others. When we exalt ourselves, we will despise others. (Luke 18:9.) One sure way to drive others away is to make others feel that we are better than they are. If they ever think that, even if we do not intend to convey that message, we will never win them to the Lord.

3 John 7, 8

“Because that for his name’s sake, they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.”

How do we reach out to others? We do so by receiving missionaries and supporting them. Diotrephes, who loved to have the preeminence, refused to allow missionaries to speak to the brethren. John wrote, He received us not, which included even the apostle John! In two weeks, we will have Daniel Frerot, missionary to France. Recently, we have had several missionaries at Cawson Street. We cannot support all of them as much as we like. But we can hear about their work, give them something to help them in their work, and pray for them. They are reaching out to others beyond our community and country. We want to be fellow helpers in their work. We have an amazing small number of foreign missionaries. Their work is the life-blood of the church. We must encourage and support them.

I know of scores of new churches that are being established by our brethren in the former Eastern Communist block of countries. Their work is crucial to the saving of the lost who struggled under the yoke of communism.

Romans 10:13-15

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:13-15, found first in Isaiah 52:7.)

The messengers of God announced the return of the captives form Babylon. Isaiah wrote, How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of them that bring the gospel of peace. The figure is one who is coming rapidly toward Jerusalem walking on the mountaintops to bring the good news of their release. Our message needs to be presented like theirs was announced. The captives are free and they are returning home! Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1.) “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32.)

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32.) “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36.)

Conclusion

How do we measure success? The Bible does not define success by numbers, but by faithfulness. God’s word will accomplish what he sends it forth to do. But we should not grow weary, but to remain faithful and dedicated to the work. God will be honored in the process. We will win those who desire salvation. Isaiah asked, Have they not all heard? Yes, verily. The sound has gone throughout all the earth.