Embracing Outreach: Sharing Jesus with Love and Courage
Summary
As we approach Easter during Holy Week, we reflect on our mission to glorify God by making spiritually healthy, reproducing followers of Jesus Christ. This mission is not just about programs or copying successful churches; it's about following the Holy Spirit's guidance. Our focus today is on outreach, sharing Jesus with others without being overbearing. Outreach is not merely a program; it's a way of life, an instinct for those transformed by Jesus. We are called to light the way for others to find Jesus.
In Matthew 9:35-11, Jesus demonstrates compassion for the crowds, seeing them as harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He calls us to pray for more workers for the harvest, emphasizing that we have the authority to share the good news. To do outreach effectively, we need the right perspective, motivation, approach, and response. The parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:1-7 reminds us of the value of each lost soul and the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
Our motivation should not be guilt-driven but love-driven. We are ambassadors of Christ, called to share the message of reconciliation. Effective outreach involves following the Holy Spirit's leading, being open to opportunities, and sharing the gospel with love and truth. It's not about having all the answers or arguing people into faith but about being intentional and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation.
The gospel is the power of God for salvation, and we are privileged to share it. We must courageously share the truth in love, trusting that God is already working in people's hearts. Outreach becomes an act of joy when we grasp the right perspective, motivation, approach, and response. As we close, I challenge you to consider who God is putting on your heart to share the truth in love with this week. Let's pray for boldness and love to share the good news, trusting that the Holy Spirit is at work.
Key Takeaways:
1. Outreach as a Way of Life: Outreach is not just a program but an instinctive response for those transformed by Jesus. It involves lighting the way for others to find Jesus, driven by compassion and a desire to share the saving grace we have found. [38:43]
2. The Value of the Lost: The parable of the lost sheep teaches us the importance of valuing each lost soul. There is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents, and this should motivate us to reach out with love and compassion. [43:33]
3. Love-Driven Motivation: Our motivation for sharing the gospel should be love, not guilt. We are ambassadors of Christ, called to share the message of reconciliation with others, driven by love for God and for others. [49:14]
4. Following the Holy Spirit's Leading: Effective outreach involves being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, recognizing opportunities to share the gospel, and trusting that God is already at work in people's hearts. [57:44]
5. Courageous Sharing of Truth in Love: The gospel is the power of God for salvation, and we are privileged to share it. We must courageously share the truth in love, trusting that God is working in people's hearts and that our role is to be faithful and obedient. [01:04:07]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [33:05] - Introduction to Outreach
- [34:22] - Understanding True Discipleship
- [35:11] - Story of Courage and Instinct
- [38:43] - Outreach as a Way of Life
- [39:20] - Jesus' Compassion and Authority
- [41:38] - The Right Perspective
- [43:33] - The Value of the Lost
- [45:07] - Compassion Without Condemnation
- [47:05] - Praying for God's Perspective
- [49:14] - Love-Driven Motivation
- [51:10] - Ambassadors of Christ
- [57:44] - Following the Holy Spirit's Leading
- [01:04:07] - Courageous Sharing of Truth in Love
- [01:09:26] - Conclusion and Living Hope
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 9:35-10:1
2. Luke 15:1-7
3. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 9:35-10:1, what actions did Jesus take when he saw the crowds, and what did he instruct his disciples to do? How does this reflect his compassion? [40:47]
2. According to the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:1-7, what is the significance of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep? [43:02]
3. How does 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 describe the role of believers as ambassadors of Christ? What is the message they are entrusted with? [50:29]
4. What are the four key elements mentioned in the sermon that are necessary for effective outreach? [41:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus’ compassion for the crowds in Matthew 9:35-10:1 challenge the way believers view and interact with those who are spiritually lost? [41:02]
2. In the parable of the lost sheep, what does the joy of finding the lost sheep teach about the value of each individual soul? How should this influence the church's outreach efforts? [43:33]
3. What does it mean to be an ambassador of Christ according to 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, and how does this role impact a believer's daily life and interactions with others? [50:29]
4. The sermon emphasizes a love-driven motivation for sharing the gospel. How does this differ from a guilt-driven approach, and why is it important for effective outreach? [49:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current approach to outreach. How can you make outreach more of a natural, instinctive part of your life rather than just a program or obligation? [38:43]
2. Identify someone in your life who might be spiritually lost. How can you intentionally reach out to them with love and compassion this week, following the example of the shepherd in the parable of the lost sheep? [43:33]
3. Consider your motivations for sharing the gospel. Are they driven by love or guilt? What steps can you take to ensure your outreach is motivated by love? [49:14]
4. How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily interactions? Share a recent experience where you felt led by the Spirit to share your faith. [57:44]
5. Think about a time when you hesitated to share your faith due to fear of rejection or not having all the answers. How can you overcome these fears and trust that God is already working in people's hearts? [01:04:07]
6. Who is God putting on your heart to share the truth in love with this week? What specific steps will you take to reach out to them? [01:06:55]
7. How can you cultivate a perspective that sees the lost as valuable and worthy of pursuit, rather than as projects or enemies? What changes in mindset or behavior might this require? [45:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Outreach as an Instinctive Response
Outreach is not merely a program but an instinctive response for those transformed by Jesus. It involves lighting the way for others to find Jesus, driven by compassion and a desire to share the saving grace we have found. This perspective shifts outreach from being an obligation to a natural expression of our faith. When we are truly transformed by Jesus, sharing His love becomes as natural as breathing. We are called to be the light in the darkness, guiding others to the hope and salvation found in Christ. [38:43]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the light of Christ through your actions and words today? How can you be intentional in sharing His love with them?
Day 2: The Value of Each Lost Soul
The parable of the lost sheep teaches us the importance of valuing each lost soul. There is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents, and this should motivate us to reach out with love and compassion. Every person matters to God, and He desires that none should perish. Our mission is to seek out those who are lost, just as the shepherd seeks the one lost sheep, and to celebrate their return to the fold. [43:33]
Ezekiel 34:11-12 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who feels lost or forgotten? How can you reach out to them with the love and compassion of Christ this week?
Day 3: Love-Driven Motivation
Our motivation for sharing the gospel should be love, not guilt. We are ambassadors of Christ, called to share the message of reconciliation with others, driven by love for God and for others. This love compels us to share the good news, not out of obligation, but out of a genuine desire to see others experience the same grace and transformation we have received. When love is our motivation, our outreach becomes authentic and impactful. [49:14]
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV): "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
Reflection: Reflect on your motivations for sharing your faith. Are they rooted in love? How can you cultivate a deeper love for those around you?
Day 4: Following the Holy Spirit's Leading
Effective outreach involves being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, recognizing opportunities to share the gospel, and trusting that God is already at work in people's hearts. We are not alone in this mission; the Holy Spirit empowers and directs us, opening doors and softening hearts. Our role is to be attentive and obedient, ready to step into the opportunities He provides. [57:44]
Acts 8:29-31 (ESV): "And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.' So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."
Reflection: Are you attentive to the Holy Spirit's leading in your daily interactions? How can you be more open to His guidance in sharing the gospel?
Day 5: Courageous Sharing of Truth in Love
The gospel is the power of God for salvation, and we are privileged to share it. We must courageously share the truth in love, trusting that God is working in people's hearts and that our role is to be faithful and obedient. Sharing the gospel requires boldness, but it is a boldness rooted in love and compassion. As we step out in faith, we trust that God will use our efforts to draw others to Himself. [01:04:07]
1 Thessalonians 2:2-4 (ESV): "But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts."
Reflection: What fears or hesitations do you have about sharing your faith? How can you rely on God's strength to share the truth in love with those around you?
Quotes
Outreach isn't just a program for Christians; it is a way of life. It is an instinct, a natural response for someone transformed by Jesus. That's what we need to understand when we're talking about sharing Jesus with others. Yes, we can do programs and have programs to do Outreach, but ultimately for the believer in Jesus, we want others to know that Saving Grace that we have found. [00:38:43]
The parable of the lost sheep actually it's in 968 I apologize now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him, but the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered this man welcomes Sinners and eats with them. Then Jesus told them this Parable suppose one of you had a 100 sheep and loses one of them does he not leave the 99 to in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it. [00:42:25]
Our motivation to share the good news is not guilt. The world uses guilt to motivate, the world uses fear to motivate. God does not use either guilt or fear to motivate us to do what he calls us to do. He will convict us, yes, but fear and guilt is not something that God deals with, and we need to have the right motivation as we share the gospel. [00:49:14]
All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them, and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. [00:50:19]
Effective Outreach isn't about forcing Jesus into conversations; it's actually about following the Holy Spirit's leading, being so intent to the leading of the Holy Spirit that when the opportunity arrives, we go wow, that was God in that moment. And I've had plenty of those moments, and I've had plenty of moments where I'm like I want Jesus use me in this moment. [00:57:44]
The gospel is the power of God for the Salvation of everyone who believes, first for the Jew and then for the Gentile. And we can unpack that first for the Jew and second for the Gentile all the day long, but what I want to focus on is it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes. [01:04:07]
People with this Outreach mindset that have a correct understanding of this Outreach mindset set, they have compassion without condemnation. They see people as that don't know Jesus as lost and not enemies, and that they see people who are lost as worthy of pursuit, not a project to be done. They love them for who they are because they are made in the image of Jesus. [00:45:07]
The right response to outreach is not guilt driven because guilt driven Outreach leads to burnout, but love driven Outreach leads to Joy. We are ambassadors of Christ. Once you come to a saving Faith, you now have been dubbed an ambassador of the kingdom of God. How amazing is that? I look at our current political situation and the President appoints ambassadors to other countries to share our values. [00:51:10]
Notice what Phillip was doing. He was obeying God where he was calling to him. Philip didn't know why he was going down this desert road, but God had called him there, and he had followed him there. He didn't know he was going to share the gospel. He didn't know what God was doing in this guy's heart, but God was already working at work in this guy's heart to bring himself to him. [00:57:44]
The gospel itself is too good to keep to ourselves. Again, we don't have to shoehorn it into everything, but pray that God would allow you to share this good news. People rightly understanding Outreach courageously share truth in love. Those are two key things: truth in love, not truth to win an argument, but truth in love and trust God is already working in the hearts. [01:04:07]
We love Christ, we love others, we share Christ because we're part of God's Mission. We have been dubbed in as ambassadors of the kingdom of God. We are part of his mission to reconcile the lost to our themselves. We have been given that so to start with the right understanding, the right motivation, let's talk about the right approach. [00:52:00]
Outreach becomes an act of joy in our hearts. Is that for you? So as we close, I want just want to end with this one challenge for us. Who maybe is God putting on your heart right now? Who is God going Darren I want you to be bold this week because I've already been working in their heart and they need someone to share the truth in love with them. [01:06:39]
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