Towne Hall Meeting, Outreach II

Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 47
NT: Galatians 6
W&W: Psalm 106.1-18

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 48
NT: Ephesians 1
W&W: Psalm 106.19-31

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 49
NT: Ephesians 2
W&W: Psalm 106.32-48

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 50-51
NT: Ephesians 3
W&W: Psalm 107.1-16

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 52
NT: Ephesians 4
W&W: Psalm 107.17-32

Today’s Reflection:

In Bethel Church of the Nazarene’s Towne Hall meetings begun on August 16, I was asked about plans for outreach. I emphasized that outreach should be a part of the lives of our church members, part of our daily walk with Christ. As we follow Jesus, we are called to:
· Know God in worship
· Show love in relationship
· Grow up in discipleship
· Go out in citizenship
· Sow seeds of partnership
The “Go” of this formula is the part that specifically addresses outreach. There are at least three dimensions of outreach that are connected but distinct: Compassionate Outreach, Evangelistic Outreach, and Missionary Outreach. Last week I addressed Compassionate Outreach. Today I will address Evangelistic and Missionary Outreach.

So, let’s turn to Evangelistic Outreach. Jesus said, in what we call the Great Commission (Matthew 28.18-20): “Was given to me all authority in heaven and on the earth. Going, therefore, disciple ye all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatever I gave command to you; and behold I with you am all the days until the completion of the age” (emphasis mine, Greek Interlinear New Testament).

I quote that from the Greek in order to make the point that the going is to be just that: a going… constantly. As you are going about life, make disciples. This is outreach. Where you live, where you go to school, where you work, where you worship, where you serve, where you play – wherever you may go – make disciples! It’s in the going that you are to do the doing! Hence, our evangelistic outreach becomes more about what we are than what we do. This is the reason Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses” when the power of the Holy Spirit comes on you (Acts 1.8). He didn’t say you will speak my witness, but you will be my witness.

My philosophy of evangelistic outreach was forged in the fires of revival when I was first saved with Nelson Perdue as my pastor. It is a combination of incarnational and invitational outreach: living it and inviting others to be a part of it. People need to see Christ in your life – in attractive winsome behavior, attitudes and words – so real that they want what you have. That is incarnational outreach. Any outreach “program” that does not have that at its heart is doomed to fail. Then, when your family, friends, coworkers and business associates are drawn to it, you can be ready with an invitation. At times you may have opportunity to invite them to faith in Christ. Most of the time, I suspect, your opportunity will be to invite them to church – whether a service or an activity. That’s why we want every Sunday here to be of the best quality and with an eye on seeing people saved. I want you to be proud of what we are doing here so that you can invite your friends. I want you to make us proud by living a life of consistent love, service, and holiness. Invitational and incarnational.

Finally, when speaking of outreach, we should think of Missionary Outreach: reaching out beyond our community. Our outreach also includes global missions and district missions. We sent a team to Guatemala to work and to witness. We plan on doing another one. We have pledged over $20,000 for World Evangelism as part of our local church budget. We have partnered with Covenant Community Church in downtown in the past. We have opportunity to do so again this fall. God will honor a church that is mission-minded, that is concerned with others. After all, doesn’t that describe his heart?

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.25a: God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.