Reaching Out
By Chap Bettis

Last week, we introduced our second summer initiative to you: We are asking each family unit (and our college students) to invest 20 dollars this summer for the sake of outreach and the kingdom.

· Last week we saw that Abraham was chosen to receive blessing.

o But he was chosen to receive a blessing to be a blessing to all nations on the earth.

o And he was chosen to be a blessing to all nations on the earth to bring glory to God.

· Similarly, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you were chosen to receive blessing.

o But you were chosen to receive blessings to be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth.

o And you were chosen to be a blessing to all peoples of the earth to bring God glory.

But how exactly are we to do this? Turn to Colossians 4.

· This morning I want to take a look at principles and also practical hints on using your money.

· Colossians 4:2-6. Look with me at four keys that are in this passage on outreach.

The first key is prayer.

· Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

· There is a command that they should pray for themselves and

o Paul requests that they pray for him. This is like Billy Graham asking prayer from us. Paul has been on three successful missionary journeys so far. Yet he is still asking for prayer.

o The obvious application is that we need to pray for ourselves and each other.

· This summer if God is going to do a work through you and through the money we have given you to invest, it must start with prayer.

· Why does God honor prayer?

o Because it shows our dependance on him

§ If I am a Christian, I am not set on saving my own skin, but on seeing that the salvation of God comes through me to others, and the great way is by intercession. Oswald Chambers, Leadership, Vol. 2, no. 1.

o Prayer also changes us. It give us new love. It allows God to direct us. Corrie Ten Boom said is prayer you steering wheel or your spare tire?

o Personal story – There are two older ladies that walk their dogs around here. They are not really on my radar screen. Yet one afternoon as I was walking to the car, I distictly felt led to speak with them and invite them to Psallomen. They didn’t come. But prayer changed me.

How should we pray?

o Opening prayer is that the Lord would guide you into investing that money in a way that would yield much fruit.

o If you are a family, we urge you to make it a family prayer project.

o In addition, there are other ways you can pray.

o On the back of the handout I have given you 10 ways that you can pray

1. Lord, open a door for the message.

2. Lord, when you open a door, help me declare the message clearly.

3. Lord, when you open a door, help me declare the message boldly.

4. Lord, take away my blindness so that I can see open doors.

5. Lord, lead me to hurting people who are ready to be prayed for.

6. Lord, lead me to a person who is ready to hear the gospel.

7. Lord, open a door with the people I will see today at ___________(work, appointments, errands, etc.).

8. Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me be sensitive to His voice.

9. Lord, bless ________________ (any unbeliever you have promised to pray for).

10. Lord, bring to mind ways I can follow up conversations I have already have.

Put that list where you can see it every morning so that you can pray it. If you pray those prayers, God will answer. Remember – the Lord can answer those prayers whether or not the person is ready to come to Christ. We need to count conversations not conversions.

The second key is wisdom. Conduct yourself with wisdom.

· Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (Walk in wisdom toward outsiders) v.5

· Christians can forget every principle of wisdom when it comes to evangelism.

o For example, I heard there were Xians giving out tracts to the families of the Station nightclub fire. These people don’t need a piece of paper. What would wisdom realize about their state at that moment? They are angry at God.

o On the other hand, I have recently heard that the Cumberland man who accidently shot his son while hunting has become a Xian. How? A couple who had lost their own child met one of the parents at the grave site, befriended him and eventually led them to the Lord.

o The same God who calls us to reach out also wrote the book of Proverbs.

· Wisdom says…

o The purposes of a man’s hearts are deep waters but a man of understanding draws them out.

o He who speaks before listening is to his folly and shame.

o A gift opens the way for the giver.

· NT

o 1 Pe 3:13 says (in the context of evangelism) “Who is going to harm you if you are zealous for good?”

o “All men will know you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:34

· The gospel travels along bridge of your relationships. Realtionships are built throught wisdom.

o There are different ways of building a genuine relationship and showing love.

o You have genuine relationships with relatives.

o You also have relationships with people at your place of work.

§ For Moms that may be your neighborhood.

The third key of speech. Speak words of grace.

· Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt… v.6

· Several ideas behind this.

o Pleasant words – we are not harsh or judgmental.

§ Christian can forget where they came from. We are one alcoholic showing another alcoholic where to find help. We are one wretched sinner showing another wretched sinner where we found help.

o Grace words – word that can mention the grace we have received from Christ.

§ That tell his story.

Last week we talked about a kindness and truth spectrum.

o If you choose to show God’s love and kindness to someone, make sure it is done in the name of Jesus.

§ The money given was specifically for outreach. So acts of kindness need to be done in the name of Jesus.

§ For example, you could bring cookies or donuts to work. “Hey – thanks a lot. What’s the occasion?”

· Respond, “Our church just wanted to show you Christ love (or kindness) in a practical way. So enjoy. Here’s our church card if you need more info.”

o Not only can we bless with kindness, bless with truth.

· booklets

o related to problems they are having from a Xian perspective

o share some aspect of the gospel

· Focus groups or a Bible study- having people in to talk about spiritual things

The fourth key is the message.

· Pray that God may open a door for the message.

· God needs to open a door for the message to proclaim the mystery of Christ.

· Our goal, ultimately is to proclaim the good news of JC to everyone.

o Could be at church. Out of your gift can come an invitation to attend.

o Could be through our website. Out of your gift could be an invitation to check out the website.

o Could be through a book or books you give away.

o Ultimately, our prayer is that our friends will hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

How will you invest that $20 for the sake of spreaking the love and truth of Christ? We want to hear about what God does through you.

If you have any questions, comments or observations, please call Chapman Bettis at 401 727-2367 or John Riley at 401-453-5550 or email at johnr@cornerstoneri.com