Sermon Info
Summary
Jesus calls His people to reach out to others. For many this is a struggle, but there is incredible joy when we join God in what He is doing. As a Church, it is not just about us, but about each of us loving God and loving others. Our world desperately needs Jesus. Everyone needs the hope and help of Jesus. Someone was bold and kind enough to share Jesus with us. Now, it is our time to reach out to others with the love of Jesus. For 20 years, as a Church, we have been reaching out and we have seen God make an incredible difference. Let’s be obedient to Jesus and reach out when He prompts our heart. Together, we can see God change the world!
Content
Jesus Gives us Our Purpose
If we are saved and destined for heaven at the moment of our salvation, why doesn’t God just take us home right away? After all, Scripture tells us heaven will be incredible. We know we’ll be in the presence of our Creator, and everything will be in perfect order. Instead, we continue to live in this broken, fallen world. We suffer from ailments and injuries and heartbreak. We remain burdened by the consequences of sin, even though our own sins are forgiven.
Our God is good, however, and he temporarily keeps us around on earth for good. No one leaves us too early, and no one lives a day too late; He has numbered our days and has a plan for us. For all of us who still breathe, our calling as Christians is to come to know God better and make Him known to others. Put another way, there are two big reasons Christians aren’t immediately taken to be with God in heaven:
- We grow, mature, and experience the depth of God’s love through our trials in an imperfect world.
- We have a chance to bring the Good News of the Gospel to others while we remain on earth.
Our growth and maturation as Christians serves to reveal our need for God and the beauty of His sacrifice for us. This, is turn, equips and inspires us to bring the story of Jesus Christ to others in desperate need of a savior. When we do this, we fulfill the purpose Jesus has given us in the Great Commission, which is the verse shown below.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. — Matthew 28:18-20
We are Called to Go
The Great Commission begins with the words, “Therefore go.” Jesus showed the disciples what a Godly life looks like, and He revealed to them the new covenant that God has made with all His people through Christ Jesus. The teachings, miracles, and sacrifice that Jesus made was not just for show — it was meant to inspire action. So, we are to take in His truth and therefore put it into practice. We are called to live it out!
So, we should “go.” For some, this means going to Moldova or the Amazon jungle. For others, and at different times, it means going down the hall to a loved one’s room. Jesus didn’t mean you need to cover a ton of distance! We just need to look for and act upon opportunities to point to God as we go.
There are people we interact with on a daily or weekly basis who desperately need to know of God’s love for them. Maybe some names and faces come to mind for you at this moment. It can be difficult sometimes to cross the divide and meet someone where they are for a spiritual conversation. It can be a sensitive and personal topic, but if you think about what’s at stake for their lives and eternity, you know it’s worth it to go there.
As Christians, we are in possession of the solution for man’s greatest problems. We know a man who has defeated death, and we know the secret to finding joy and contentment in all situations. We know the Creator of all things, and we call Him Father. If we keep these things at the forefront of our minds, how can we not share these wonderful truths with the people around us?
You’re Not Alone
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20
Sharing the faith with others can be intimidating. We worry that we might not have the perfect words to say or that we might not choose just the right moment. But once we become believers, the Holy Spirit is with us and in us. He will prompt and guide us in our efforts to evangelize.
Because we have the Spirit, we are not alone when we share our faith with others. Jesus simply calls us to be obedient, and we have the freedom of leaving the results up to Him.
It can be difficult to walk away from a spiritual conversation feeling that we haven’t succeeded in converting someone to faith in Jesus. But we are limited in our understanding, and God is not. Even though someone you speak to might not accept Jesus immediately, God may see how they will come to Him in the future. The efforts we give to share Christ with others can have ramifications well beyond what we can see. Therefore, we can be bold in Christ Jesus when we reach out to others.
Resources:
Engage // Part 5: Evangelism // Jeff Simmons
Masterclass // Part 4: Plant Seeds of the Good News // Jeff Simmons
