Reaching Others

Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, "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 the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

We have started a new series called “Reach,” and last week’s message was about reaching others. Part of what God has called us to do is to reach the lost with the good news of the gospel so that people would come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. 

How many times have we heard this particular passage of scripture, agreed with it, and still done very little with it? Many of us have been in church long enough to know the scriptures and have a good understanding of God’s heart towards people. 

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

We know that it is God’s will for all men to be saved. 

Romans 10:10 - For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

We know we are living in the last days; the Bible indicates that there will be a great harvest of souls.  

Matthew 9:37-38 - "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." NIV

We all know the process of how someone gets saved.  

Romans 10:13-15 - for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

We know that God will save them if they call on Him, so the problem is not there. If they hear the truth in a way that they can understand it and see it as true, they will believe. But someone has to tell them! 

God is not expecting you to be a great preacher. A preacher or someone who shares the good news is someone who influences lives.  Are you influencing people for God?  We sometimes let opportunities pass us by when we could have influenced someone’s life for Jesus. 

One of our goals as Christians should be to increase our influence in people’s lives. How do we do this? How do we improve our impact?  The depth of your concern determines the magnitude of your influence and love for them.  

Think back to the people who have been the most influential in your life. Perhaps it was a parent, a brother or sister, a teacher, a pastor, or a good friend.  Now, if I told you to make a list of the people in your life who loved you the most, in most cases, it would be the same people.  The people who love you the most influence your life. 

Why was Jesus so effective in ministry?  Because he cared for people. 

Matthew 9:36 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

We need to follow His example. Jesus cared deeply about people and had a genuine concern for them. No matter where He was or what He was doing, He always prioritized people.  The Bible says He went around doing good, healing all who the devil oppressed. 

If we want to win people to Jesus, we have to increase our influence. We do that through relationships, investing in other people. Take time for people in your life, pray, encourage, and love others. Do what God has called you to do, be a part of the salvation plan. 

Prayer - Heavenly Father, help me have a heart for others. Help me to love them as you love them.  Father, help me to take time to invest in other people’s lives, so that they may know that I genuinely love them.  Help me to influence them for the sake of the kingdom of God. I pray today for my family and friends who don’t know you, that they may be saved, and that you would use me as an instrument of salvation in their lives. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.