Outreach Lesson - What’s our job?

With so many new and creative methods for outreach, many times we seem to become SO creative that we miss core reason of “reaching out” to the lost or down-trodden. As I was reading in the book of Luke, I came across this ever-familiar passage in chapter 15:

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Is there a better example of what we as Christians are supposed to be doing than what Jesus Himself did while He was on earth? Here are our four jobs when it comes to outreach:

1. To receive sinners. (v 2) Sinners. You know…those people that make you feel uncomfortable. Those men that slip and say things they shouldn’t. You know…those ladies that don’t dress JUST LIKE you think they ought to. Those that are tattooed up, or pierced in every place imaginable. They are the people we are supposed to be receiving! We would never admit this, but we really believe deep down that people are supposed to get right with God to a certain degree….THEN come to church. Nothing could be further from the truth! Church is a spiritual hospital! You don’t show up at a hospital unless you are the sick or you are one who helps the sick.

2. To eat with them. (v 2) Now, I love this part. As you may know, I’m not running the Boston Marathon anytime soon. I enjoy eating….yes, for the food. But I really enjoy spending time with people over a meal. I regularly eat at restaurants with friends of mine in my adult Bible class. That is all easy. Here’s what makes us EVEN MORE uncomfortable. Take a ‘SINNER’ out for dinner. Take one of those described in Job #1 out to lunch. Get to know them, their families, their problems, etc… It’s all good to go out with a buddy, but what about a “different bird”?

3. To seek the lost. (v 4) Many times we get so busy feeding and ministering to the 99 sheep that are a part of our (and God’s) flock, that we do not spend proper time soul winning for the lost. Nothing will ever take the place of personal soul winning. You can dress it up any way you like; you can be as creative as you like; but NOTHING will take the place of a person asking the question, “If you died right now, would you know 100% that Heaven would be your home?” That question is the most important question that could ever be asked.

4. To rejoice with our brethren on earth and to know that there is rejoicing in Heaven! (v 6-7) I love a good success story in the ministry. I love hearing about a visit someone made and the growth they are seeing in their Christian life! I love rejoicing here on earth about what God is using me to do! But even better is to realize that Heaven rejoices when God uses me to lead someone to Jesus!

I hope these four short jobs will be a blessing and encouragement to you as we reach out to a world that so desperately needs the truth only found in Jesus Christ.