Category Archives: Outreach

If our reasons for proclaiming Jesus never get beyond the biblical commands to do so, outreach will possibly be sporadic or half-hearted. We may find ourselves fearful in whatever attempts we make. And, it may be easier to make it more about ourselves (what we say and do), than about Him. Yet, 2 Corinthians 4:5-6, makes it clear that we proclaim Jesus. So, why should we proclaim Jesus?

The Reasons Why We Proclaim Jesus

A closer look at 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 show us that we have better reasons for proclaiming Jesus than simply because God said we should.

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

These verses reveal what we have in Jesus which provides all the reasons we need to proclaim Him.

1) In Jesus we have something beyond human tradition or man-made religion.

We proclaim that which transcends human imagination or reasoning. We proclaim Jesus who is God with us (Matt. 1:23). What Jesus did for us defies human wisdom (1 Cor. 1:18-31).

2) We have someone who breaks through the darkness of a sin-ridden world.

We proclaim the One who said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12) We can point people to the Light but we can’t give them light. This is something that only an Almighty God can do.

3) Through Jesus we can better understand and relate with the Almighty, Creator God.

We proclaim the One who is “the way and the truth and the life” who made it clear that “no one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6). We have “the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ“ (2 Cor. 4:6). Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (Jn. 10:30) so He could thereby claim, “anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (Jn. 14:9) He is “radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Heb. 1:3).

These realities lay the foundation for finding motivation to proclaim Jesus as Lord.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matt. 28:18-20)

Whose Responsibility is it to Fulfill This Great Commission?

The original disciples to whom Jesus spoke these words certainly were in a unique position to fulfill Jesus’ words as they were used by Him in a special way to begin the Church.

Missionaries who are committed to full-time ministry of spreading the Gospel through many venues in many places undoubtedly are ones who today can continue the advancement of this commission.

Church leaders whose responsibility it is to support and promote God’s mission undoubtedly have a strategic part in its fulfillment.

People with the spiritual gift of evangelism who have that special divine empowerment to share the Good News would especially be drawn toward the Great Commission.

What about all other Christians?  Is the Great Commission everybody’s responsibility?

Nowhere in the context of these verses do we read that Jesus intended to direct these words only to missionaries, church leaders, or people with the gift of evangelism.

Verse 16 does let us know that He was speaking to the eleven disciples.  However His concluding words in verse 20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” suggest this commission was to continue on past the original disciples.

Are you a disciple of Jesus today?  You too have a responsibility to fulfill Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples.”

PLEASE NOTE: You’ll find this article in the Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide which helps leaders think through their part in fulfilling the Great Commission.

We can learn from the early church.  Breaking down the words of Peter, one of the Early Church Apostles, in 1 Peter 3:15-16 helps us know what we need to pay attention to if we are going to likewise gain favor without compromising Truth.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

How Can We Gain Favor Without Compromise Per 1 Peter 3:15-16?

If we break down the above verses, we can learn how to gain favor without compromising.

1)  Proper Motivation (but in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord)

What is in our heart?  Are we seeking to please people or the Lord?

2) Consistency (always be prepared)

Consistently study the Word to be ready to consistently share Truth.  Being prepared to simply stand on a “soap box” about some issue is not what gains favor.

3)  Inclusiveness (give an answer to everyone)

One of the quickest ways to lose favor is to demonstrate bias in who we are willing to associate with.  We need to be willing to share with “everyone” who asks which sometimes might include those who make us uncomfortable.

4) Sensitivity  (give an answer to everyone who asks)

Timing is not everything but it sure does help to keep pace with the Spirit’s work in people’s lives. Pushing what we have to say on people who are not ready is like throwing your pearls to the pigs.  “If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces” (Matt. 7:6).

5)  Positive Focus   (give the reason for the hope that you have)

This doesn’t mean that you never confront what’s wrong in this world (sin), but that you encase it in hope, not condemnation.  Jesus came to bring the hope of salvation (Jn. 3:16-17).  While people need to understand that they are sinners in need of a Savior, put your focus on the solution to people’s problems not the problem.  That’s what people want to know.

6)  Godly Attitudes (do this with gentleness and respect)

As the saying goes, the end does not justify the means.  But notice, the “how-to” is not about technique but deals with attitude.  This is “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).  “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 2:24-25).

7)  Accountability  (keeping a clear conscience)

At the end of the day, you must give an answer to God.  Did you reach out with His love to the people around you?  Did you reach out without compromising truth?

Gaining favor without compromising truth doesn’t mean people will always agree with you.  And, it doesn’t mean no one will ever speak out against you.  However, when we follow all of the above principles, those who malign you will be the ones in shame — “keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Let’s examine ourselves and ask God to bring us into alignment with 1 Peter 3:15-16 so those who speak ill of the church today are not justified in their accusations.

Of the early church, Acts 2:47 says that they were “enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”  Though they would experience persecution from religious leaders of their day who did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, the general populace seemed to view them favorably.

Lessons from the Early Church About Gaining Favor Without Compromising

A few verses earlier, Acts 2 states that “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.”  The message remained central. They obviously did not water down truth to appeal to unbelievers.  Gaining favor did not mean doctrinal compromise.

Acts 2:42-47 describes their willingness to look out for each other in tangible ways, evidence of motives based on love.  The world often uses how we treat each other as a litmus test which seemed to be the case for the early church.  There was an authenticity and sincerity in what they did.  Learn from the example of the early church.

Implications for Today’s Church About Gaining Favor without Compromise

We have the same message of Truth to extend to the world around us.  Will people listen?  Will people respond to us favorably even if they don’t agree with the message?  Perhaps we need to look at ourselves through their eyes.  Are we passing the litmus test?  When people look at the Church today, what do they see?  Is it something they would want?  Let’s start by doing some soul-searching.

Look for the next post:  Gaining Favor Without Compromising Truth – How?