Tag: reaching the lost
Sunday rest: reaching the lost!
Dear Friends,
Greetings on another 7th day of rest and reflection. God’s love for us and for all of mankind is almost too much for us to fathom. We think we love others, but it is so easy to fall into attitudes of secretly desiring that those who hate us or oppose us would fall under God’s wrath. We can glibly say we love all people, but upon close examination of our hearts, attitudes, and words, our love is not what it should be.
Jonah was given a mission by God to go to Nineveh and preach to a people who were lost and in danger of God’s wrath. Jonah did not want to go. Behind Jonah’s reluctance was a lack of love and some prejudice. He did not like the Ninevites and wanted to see them fall under God’s wrath. (Jonah 4:1-3) He judged that they deserved every punishment that God could give them, and more!
When he did obey the Lord, he became upset that the Ninevites responded to his preaching and repented! He knew God’s heart of mercy and understood that if they truly repented, God would not follow through with the promised judgment! He was angry with God for showing mercy to this people! God, however, was still merciful to Jonah. He used a quick-growing plant to illustrate to Jonah His care for him and to help Jonah understand the importance of those who needed His mercy. (Jonah 4:10-11)
As we think about this ancient story of a prophet of the Lord who had prejudice in his heart, we can’t help but examine our own hearts. Are we reluctant to go to those we know who are different than us? Would you go and share Christ’s love and message with a neighbor who was an avowed atheist? Would you be willing to go to neighbors who were from another culture or false religion and show Christ’s love? These questions are not meant in any way to be judgmental of those who are different from us or to put condemnation on us. They are meant to help us examine our heart attitudes for real love and true commitment to Christ’s mandate to reach all people with the Good News!
May this day of rest and reflection fill us with a new love for those in the world who are lost. Ask the Lord for opportunities to show love to those you may be reluctant to share with. In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday Rest and Reflection:Pentecost Power!
Dearly beloved friends,
Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ! Another week is beginning and God’s people gather in buildings, homes, and small groups to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! We are so blessed to know Him and love Him! From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Jesus is being praised around the earth in every country and culture.
However, many still do not know Him. Over half the earth’s 6.3 billion people still have not heard of Jesus Christ. Many are lost in false religions and are entering eternity under God’s wrath. His Church is charged with going and telling every one! To do this Jesus sent the church the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a person who lives in each one who is saved and has repented of sin. He wants to fill us with “living water” and power to share that “living water” with the lost of the world.
Many Pentecostals seem caught up with emotional experience of God and speaking in tongues and even the gifts of the Spirit. They go from meeting to meeting craving more of God’s presence and desiring to see miracles. This is all well and good, but misses the mark! God gave the Holy Spirit to equip us to be His witnesses to the lost world. He sent us to go. He promises us that the signs and miracles will follow us as we are out doing the work of ministry and reaching the lost! We must leave the meeting empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit to reach our lost friends and family.
Listening to God’s directing voice helps us know when to talk and when to be quiet and pray. We must pray in the power of the Holy Spirit for then we pray according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-28) We build ourselves up in our faith as we pray in the Spirit. (Jude 20) No one can come to Christ unless drawn by the Father so we desperately need the Spirit for evangelism. (John 8:44, 16:8-11) The Holy Spirit give us direction and boldness to speak and act in the face of persecution. God has empowered His Church!
As you attend church this Lord’s day, pray that the place where you meet will be shaken by the power of the Holy Spirit! Ask the Lord to fill you again with the Holy Spirit! Go into the week to fulfill God’s command to reach the lost! Have a great week in Jesus!
In His Love, Pastor John