SEARCHLIGHT
Are Christians becoming more concerned with their own well-being than with reaching out to share the good news Gospel of Jesus Christ?
SCRIPTURE
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23; 9:35 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Just listen to the TV news and you will hear a great deal of bad, sad news. Networks now try to conclude their news broadcast with something positive and uplifting.
ARE YOU GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, OR NO NEWS? Do you intentionally desire to share your personal faith in Jesus Christ which means you are good news in a bad news world? Or are you a bad news person because your life does not reflect the good news? Perhaps you may be a no news person who desires to be a secret believer. Two times Matthew makes it very clear that everywhere Jesus went, He proclaimed the good news of God’s kingdom to everyone who would listen. [see the above Scripture text]
There are signs that indicate when Christians are not concerned for unsaved people like they once may have been when they became born-again. Let me suggest some:
- when believers are not sharing witnessing opportunities they have experienced,
- when believers are not making prayer requests for unbelievers,
- when believers' prayers are consumed with just personal needs,
- when there is a lack of excitement regarding special outreach events led by their church,
- when world missions giving is not what it could be,
- when missionary services are not well attended, and
- when there are no regular water baptisms.
Jesus has called every believer to be a missionary with the good news message. [Matthew 28:19] Churches are not just to send missionaries to other parts of the world to spread the Gospel but are to raise up believers at home to share the good news. Someone said, “If we do not evangelize, we will fossilize. If we do not grow and go, then we will dry and die.” Evangelism must first begin at home in order to reach the world with the Gospel.
As a believer, you have to make a choice between isolation and mission. Will you quietly live as a secret Christian knowing that you are born-again and heaven bound? Or will you intentionally live a good news life? Here are 5 ways you can become good news and lead people to personally know Jesus Christ:
- You can live a Christlike life. A life that is changed by Jesus Christ is “the gospel according to you.” Many people will read your gospel before they even read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Live for Jesus. That’s what matters.
- You can pray for people. It is important to pray for nations, but it is equally important to pray for your family, neighbors, and fellow employees. Name them. Be specific with the Lord.
- You can love people. God does. John 3:16 says that God so love the world that He gave His one and only Son. Christians are to love like God. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” [John 13:34,35]
- You can share God’s good news. Special training is not needed. If you will make yourself available to the Holy Spirit, God will bring people across your daily path who will listen to your personal story as to how Jesus Christ has changed you. Pray to be used.
- You can invite people. Church services are not just for Christians. Many people are saved when they attend a worship celebration. Special events offer opportunities to invite people to hear the gospel. Andrew invited Peter. Philip invited Nathaniel. You can invite _________.
SOMETHING TO DO
- To become more Christlike, read Galatians 5:22,23; Colossians 3:12; Matthew 5:16.
- List the people you are praying for on a piece of paper.
- Daily pray to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Every day look for opportunities to share the good news.
- Pray about whom God is directing you to invite to church.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I want to become like You in sharing the good news. Fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. Give me eyes to see opportunities. AMEN.