What God Is Doing
Often we look at the wrong direction. We ask believers to help us in outreach. We consult church experts on growing a congregation. We read the Christian authors for insight. All of this is not bad. But do we look to the unbelievers for answers. Often not! Instead of seeking the Christian world, maybe we should begin the ministry in watching God work. In Acts 10, Cornelius the unbeliever has a vision from the Lord. He is not a Christian, but has a heart for God. God provides the next step in outreach to a non-Christian God fearer. We would call him a seeker? God also provides a vision to the Christian–Peter, but he rejects it. No thank you Lord, we have our own agenda for evangelism. Gentiles are not included. God had the missional passion for the Gentiles to be saved. He communicated this to the Gentile, but his own people rejected the mission. Just think about how often this process has taken place. God is working in the: poor, the minorities, the sinful, and the people of God are saying, “No thank you Lord, we have our own agenda.” Those people are not like us enough for us to reach out to them. But these people are hungry for the Word, yes, yes, but they are not like us. God is working among groups, but sometimes Christians are too busying or too hard hearted to pay attention to God. Instead of seeing what you are doing, look for what God is up to. It might surprise you!
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About The Author
Your evangelism plan might be different from God’s.
This may be one of the hardest things for us to accept and embrace. Because, as you say, what God is up to may stretch us far beyond our comfort zones. Good note.
Can you imagine how things would look in our churches if everything we did regarding matters of preference (not theology) was shaped by how God is working in the lost around us…what a nover idea:-).
Grace and peace,
Rex
You cannot find a better partner to do ministry with then the Lord.