Destinations – Relationship Outreach

Today we are looking at the destination of Evangelism or what we call Relationship Outreach – the place where I am convinced of and committed to my responsibility to partner with other believers to reach out to those far from God with the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ. We have a conviction here at YC that this effort is more a relational experience than a task. You can tell someone to do something and they may do it with little or no regard for how the task is received, because it isn’t seen through the lens of a relationship. What we are discussing today cannot be reduced to a task. God didn’t send a memo to mankind that he loves us – He didn’t line up the stars to create a celestial message about how much He cares about us. God has always been wrapping the revelation of Himself “in skin.” 

God has given us a message assignment. What Christ accomplished on our behalf has changed everything. When we receive that message (the Good News) for ourselves it changes our heart – the way we see life, death, people, time, resources and where we will spend eternity. There is nothing more radical than what we have to offer. C.S. Lewis said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but by it, I see everything else.” 

Look up the following passages and write down the terms that the Bible uses to describe what and how we are to go about communicating the Gospel (Luke 8:39; Col. 4:5-6; 2 Peter 3:9 and 2 Cor. 5:18-20).  

Looking back over your notes let me give you a few clear steps that will help you follow through on each point in your sermon notes.

Praying for opportunities is great but I’d challenge you to make an actual list of the people in your life with whom you frequently come into contact. Begin to ask God for     opportunities to share with them. You’ll be surprised how quickly these opportunities arise once you are thinking and praying about specific people.

Appealing to common ground is simply recognizing what you have in common with those same people. Is it a sport, hobby, mutual friend, what is it that you can build on to widen your relational connection?

Reaching out in love is more than just sharing good news – it’s being good news. You will never love someone deeply until you get past the temptation to judge them superficially. James Thurber says, “There are two kinds of light, the glow that illumines and the glare that obscures.” Which kind are you?

Tell your story. If you have never written down your story, you need to. Take a few minutes this week to write out your personal story of coming to Christ. This will reinforce your spiritual aptitude greatly. Once you have written it out, share it with someone ASAP and ask for their input.

Nurture friendships. Luke tells us that Jesus was a friend of sinners. I heard a very disappointing statistic – within 2 years of becoming a Christian, most believers have little or no unbelieving friends. How are you staying connected with friends who are far from God? This week, step-up and muster the courage to ask an unbelieving friend to join us on the 17th as we start our new Fall series about Spiritual Community.

Expect God to act. Anticipation. When you start doing the things on your list, you will see a lift in your faith. When you do nothing to engage what you say you believe, what you believe ceases to be engaging.

Reflect Christ with your life. Staying focused on your spiritual journey is the most reflective thing you can be doing. A growing changing life is the kind of life that reflects Christ most clearly. So what steps can you take today and this week to make sure you are focusing on and taking your next best steps forward?

See you at the kickoff!

In His Love,

Pastor Jeff

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