FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – JOY & PEACE

 

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – JOY & PEACE

 

The second fruit mentioned is….

JOY

Have you ever been walking through a store and noticed someone (a complete stranger) smiling at you as they passed?  Did you find yourself smiling back?  And then realize you still have a smile on your face after you’re way past them and a couple isles over?

Or the opposite happens – you’re walking through Walmart with a smile on your face.  Suddenly, you find those you pass begin to smile back at you.  Smiles can be contagious.

Life can be tough at times. 

People look for things that will put a smile on their face.  That’s why comedians are popular and we often see Christmas decorations put up in homes 2-3 months before Christmas arrives. 

People are searching for something to make them happy, but only true happiness can be found in Jesus. 

Living for God does not mean life will be perfect, that you won’t have any struggles or upsets, and that you’ll always be smiling, but the Bible does say “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Neh 8:10). 

The joy of the Lord is our strength?  What about when we don’t feel joy; we don’t feel gladness, and we definitely don’t feel like rejoicing?

There have been times when I was going through some very serious and intense situations.  I knew my face revealed the stress and the load I was under, but walking around with a forlorn countenance was not going to be a good witness and reflection of the Jesus living inside of me.  So, I would pray every time I was heading to a store or wherever I needed to go, “Jesus, help me to have a smile on my lips and joy on my face despite the ache in my heart.” 

After that prayer as I was walking into a store, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in their gleaming windows and could see a smile on my lips that I did not feel in my heart.

It’s not that I felt joy, or gladness, or a rejoicing at that moment, but God gave me strength and helped me to smile despite all I was going through. (I’m not saying that it is wrong to be real, and that we have to hide our emotions to those near to us when our heart is overwhelmed.)

We may not feel joy in our heart when we’re going through intense struggles and trials such as the illness or death of someone close to our heart, but we can draw strength from knowing the One who is in control of it all and has the final say.  We can draw joy from knowing that one day life’s trials will seem so small when we see Jesus Christ and look upon His face.

A precious missionary (Barbara Willoughby) who has went on to be with the Lord preached a message many years ago titled, “If the devil can’t steal your joy, he can’t keep your goods.”

Life can deal us some blows, but we choose whether to be bitter over it or to become better.  Walking around with a frown or a scowl on our face does not help to make situations better.  Oft times, it can do the opposite and make it worse.

There are times when we have to pray as the psalmist did in Psalm 51:12 – Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation…”

Psalm 126:5 promises: they that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Despite persecutions, severe beating, betrayals, and being near death at times, Paul said in Acts 26:2 “I think myself happy…”   Happiness is a choice.

Isaiah 12:3 - Therefore with JOY shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

What is the water that we draw from the wells of salvation?  Jesus said He will give us living water that will flow out of us like a river (which is the Holy Ghost – John 7:38-39)  We can draw with joy from the well of salvation, no matter what we face or go through, IF we keep our eyes on Jesus and stay FULL of the Holy Ghost.   We can have joy when we keep our eyes on the prize of eternity knowing one day we’ll see Jesus face to face and Heaven will be our home.   

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, knew where to find joy = in God’s Word.

Jeremiah 15:16 – Thy Words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

The Psalmist penned in Psalm 16:11 ….in Thy presence is fulness of Joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

We will find joy when we get in His Presence.  That’s why we often stress and repeat and repeat and repeat the importance of personal prayer and Bible reading time along with the importance of pre-service prayer as well as Church attendance.  

The time we spend in God’s presence is so small compared to the time spent doing everything else.  Take time and make time for Jesus every day.  That’s where you’ll gain and regain your joy.

 

The next fruit mentioned is….

PEACE

The opposite of Peace is Worry/Anxiety.

Paul wrote to the Philippians in Phil 4:6 – Be careful (anxious) for nothing (about not even one thing); but in every thing by PRAYER (talking to Jesus), and SUPPLICATION (petition, asking) WITH THANKSGIVING (remember to thank God for hearing and taking care of whatever the need is) let your requests (what you have need of) be made known unto God.

We live in troubled times. 

Mass shootings are happening often.
Wildfires and hurricanes destroying homes and lands. 
Our country is divided. 
Not to mention all the personal turmoil that goes on within homes.  

We all desire PEACE!

Jesus said in John 16:33  …in the world ye shall have tribulation….

The word ‘tribulation’ means ‘pressure, anguish, burdens, persecution, trouble.’   We’re going to go through tough times in life.  It’s all part of life.

But Jesus gave us some encouragement when He went on to say, “…but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Storms will come at times in our lives.  Tumults and rumors of wars may abound.  But Jesus is in control of it all!

Jesus calmed the storms that arose and threatened to drown the Disciples with 3 simple words: “Peace, be still!” 

He’s still able to calm both the natural and spiritual storms that come against us as well.  

In John 16:33, Jesus said:

These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME ye might have PEACE….

There’s an old song that says, “I know the Peace-speaker, yes, I know Him by Name (Jesus), I know the Peace-speaker, He controls the wind and rain, when He says ‘PEACE, BE STILL!’ they have to obey….”

I don’t fret and worry when natural storms roll in – instead, I pray IN FAITH and rest in the peace that Jesus gives that HE is in control.

Storms (trials, tribulation, situations) that affect my children, my grandchildren, my family, and the Church are a greater struggle to pray IN FAITH and not worry or stress over it anymore.  That’s where we need to pray, “Lord, help my unbelief.”

Does Jesus not care about what concerns us, about them, about you and I more than we care?  Yes, He does.  When we learn to trust Him completely, we will have a peace that passes all understanding which will keep (guard) our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:7)

Isaiah described Him as the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

We may not be able to change or stop what’s happening but we can have peace because we know WHO has ultimate control. 

The Bible says “GREATER is He who is in me than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

When we have the Holy Ghost, we can have peace within no matter what may happen in life around us.

That is one facet of peace….to have peace within us and not worry whatever we face and go through. 

The other part of peace is that we need to be peaceful toward others, not quarreling, or fighting or striving with others.

James 3:18 teaches – the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Paul taught in Hebrews 12:14 – Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

1 Timothy 2:2 admonishes us to live a peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

1 Thessalonians 5:13 admonishes us to be at peace among ourselves.

Jesus taught in Mark 9:50 – Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Make others thirsty for Jesus through the peacefulness that they see in you.

Paul sent letter to the Ephesian church in Ephesians 4:3 admonishing them to – Endeavor to KEEP THE UNITY of the Spirit in the BOND OF PEACE.

Being Peaceful will help bind us together.

Colossians 3:15 teaches to let the peace of God RULE in our hearts.

We need to let the fruit of peace rule in our hearts – whether it is being at peace no matter what we face or go through.  And have peace one with another.  

Sweet and bitter waters can not flow out of the same fountain. (James 3:11)  We can’t be bitter, angry, spiteful, hateful, gossipy and so on while claiming to be a Christian.  We need to be peaceful toward others.  

Are we pricking others with our thorny words?  Or are we drawing them to Jesus by our sweet fruit (meaning upright conversation and actions)?  

Jesus said by our fruits, they will know us.  (Matthew 7:20)

 

 

 

What are you savoring more?

 So many are wrapped up, tied up and busy doing man's work - - - but not God's.

So many are quick to try to sell you on their product or business - - - but yet are hesitant to or won't mention Jesus or the Bible.

So many, too many are so quick to talk about, post about, and like so many things - - - except the things about Jesus. 

So many will try to convince and even COMPEL you on so many things:  "come on! You HAVE to go (name of place or destination)!" or
"you HAVE TO TRY this!" Especially if they mention a favorite food.
and on it goes - - - but yet are embarrassed and afraid to invite someone to come to Church.

Jesus rebuked Peter in Matthew 16:23 - thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of man.

Savourest = regard; interest oneself in; be like minded with; be of the same mind

What are you savoring (interesting yourself in) more?
The things of God?
Or the things of man?

Fellow Christian,  we're running out of time.   Jesus is coming soon. 

We must interest ourselves in the things of God more than the things of this world.

We must have the same mind as Christ and be about the Father's business.  We must reach for the lost before it's too late. 

And he said to them all,

If any man will come after Me, let him....
(1) deny himself,
(2) and take up his cross daily,
(3) and follow Me.
  — Luke 9:23 (KJV)

Many want to go to heaven
- But do not want to deny themselves, giving up self will for His will.
- Or take up their cross daily - Crosses are heavy with splinters.  Many will hang an emblem of one around their neck, but very few want to endure the trials, agony, suffering, and afflictions that come with carrying the cross.  Occasionally is hard enough to bear but Jesus said to carry it daily.
- Following Jesus - it's easy to say, "lead me, Lord, I will follow" but harder to do when He begins to take us down paths we don't want to go or require us to do things we don't want to do. Following Jesus isn't easy, but it's worth it.

If any man will come after Christ, it will take commitment and perseverance and endurance.
Are you willing to...
(1) deny yourself?
(2) and take up your cross daily?
(3) and follow Him no matter where He may lead?

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - LOVE

 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - LOVE

 

Galatians  5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Merriam-Webster defines the word ‘fruit’ as:

1.      A product of plant growth

2.     The effect of an action or operation

Fruit is the product of growth.

When we have the Holy Ghost living inside of us and we stay FULL of the Holy Ghost, there will be a product, an evidence, of Spiritual Growth that will be produced in our lives.  The Bible calls it ‘the fruit of the Spirit’. 

Fruit are normally sweet and delicious to taste such as apples, oranges, bananas, pineapple, and so forth.  These fruit contain vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need to maintain health.

Some fruit can be a little tart or sour to taste but that does not make them unhealthy. 

Lemons, for example, are tart and make a person pucker when tasted yet people will add them to water to make lemon water or combine them with sugar to make lemonade.  

Why?  Because people know lemons are good for you and when combined with other ingredients, they can actually be pleasant to the taste buds. 

Lemons promote hydration, contain vitamin C, improves skin quality, supports weight loss, aids digestion, helps prevent kidney stones, and reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. 

I’ll admit – there are some fruit I do not like and avoid eating such as grapefruit.  But my distaste for this particular fruit does not change the fact that it’s good for a person.

When we have the Holy Ghost living inside of us, we are going to begin to produce fruit…good things in our lives that will cause others to see the evidence that Jesus is living and working inside of us. 

The first fruit mentioned is….. LOVE

The word love is mentioned at least 310 times in the Bible (KJV).

The first thing many think about when they hear the word LOVE is the love that God has toward us….

Romans 5:8 - While we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.

God loved us when we were filthy and defiled by sin.

1 Cor 2:9 - But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

Ephesians 2:4 – But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us.

There are many more Scriptures about God’s love for us. We all love to hear about God’s love…the kind that makes us feel all fluffy and warm inside... but correction and chastisement are also expressions of God’s love toward us.

Revelation 3:19 – As many as I love, I rebuke (convict, tell a fault) and chasten (punish, discipline)…

If God loves you, He will convict and discipline you.   But above even God’s love toward us, Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-

…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
THIS is the first and great commandment.
The second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Loving God above anyone or anything in our lives is the first thing we are commanded to do.

Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5 where God said….
          Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
          And thou shalt LOVE the LORD thy God with ALL thine HEART,
          and with ALL thy SOUL, and with ALL thy MIGHT.

We are to love God with every part of our being.

Psalm 31:23 - O love the Lord, all ye His saints...

Jesus had John write a letter to the Church in Ephesus warning them that they had forsaken their first love (Him).  They had everything else right except they were not spending adequate time or perhaps no time at all talking to Him in prayer. (Revelations 2:1-7) 

2 Timothy 3:4 warns that in the last days (before the return of Jesus), people will love pleasure (having fun) MORE than they love God.

Having fun is not wrong or bad unless it takes up more of our attention and time than spending time with Jesus.  The first and greatest of the commandments is to love God with every part of our being.

Jesus taught in John 14:15 – if ye love Me, KEEP my commandments.

He continued in John 14:23 - ….if a man love Me, he will keep my words…

If we love God, we’ll obey, observe and do whatever He has commanded in His Word.   Someone who does not keep (obey) His words does not love God. (John 14:24)

 

The second great commandment is that we are to love others as we love ourselves.  In other words, treat others the way you pamper and take care of yourself. 

I’ve heard teaching derived from this Scripture that this means God is telling us to love ourself.  That is not what Jesus was saying. 

Ephesians 5:29 – For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church.

We can look around and see various ways that we each love, nourish, and cherish our own flesh – that’s why you will find some who are overweight or binge eats (because we like to eat and give our flesh special treats) or is anorexic (because the person is concerned about body image) or works out and exercises or eats healthy (because the person wants to be healthy), and so on.  

Paul warned Timothy in his letter to him (2 Timothy 3:2) that in the last days many will be lovers of their own self.  That’s why you see so many selfies and pictures of food along with talk about needing to love self more or hearing about spa days and quotes like ‘I need a ME day.’ 

(By the way, pictures of food and self will get waaaaayyyyyy more likes than any post that is religious in nature. A past fb memory of a picture of food had 79 likes while religious posts had maybe 15.  That’s a sad reflection of what people gravitate to most.)

The Bible doesn’t tell us to love ourself more.  It, in fact, warns the opposite.  Jesus said we need to (1) love God first THEN (2) love others just as we love and take care of ourself.  We do not find a command to love ourself more.  It’s not in the Bible.

Jesus taught in John 13:34 – a new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Notice Jesus admonished them to love each other twice…within the same verse.

He continues in John 13:35 - By THIS shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another.

People will know that we truly love Jesus and are trying to follow and be like Him IF we love others.

Jesus again teaches on the same subject a couple chapters over in John 15…

Vs 12 – This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Vs 17 – These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Jesus asked Peter THREE TIMES in John 21:15-17, “lovest thou Me?” Three times Peter responded, “Lord, Thou knowest I love You.” Each time, Jesus responded back, “then feed my sheep.”  His point?  If we love Him, truly love Him, we will love OTHERS as He loved us.

1 John 4:7-8 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God;
and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Jesus warned in Matthew 24:12 – and because iniquity (sin) shall abound (spread), the love of many shall wax cold.

People do not love others as they used to.  People used to know their neighbors.  They used to care about their neighbors.  They used to have compassion on strangers.  But you rarely hear or feel that any more….because sin is growing, increasing, and spreading.  The love and care for others has grown cold in the hearts of so many.

Paul wrote to the Church in Rome in Romans 12:10 – Be kindly affectioned one to another with BROTHERLY LOVE; in honour preferring one another;

Romans 13:8 – Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:10 – love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Galatians 5:13 - …by love serve one another.

Ephesians 3:17 – That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN LOVE.

Ephesians 4:2 – With all lowliness (humbleness) and meekness (gentleness), with longsuffering (patience), forebearing (put up with) one another in love.

That’s what family does – puts up with one another and loves despite the flaws and differences.

Ephesians 4:15 – But speaking the Truth in love…

Speak the truth when and if needed, but speak it with love in your heart.

Ephesians 5:2 – and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us…

Galatians 2:2 – That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love…

There’s an old song: “Bind us together, Lord, with cords that cannot be broken…bind us together with love.”  Lifting each other up through prayer will help knit us together in love.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 – and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men…

Not only should we love others, but our love toward others should be abounding (growing).  And not just toward the people we know, but also toward the strangers.  We need to have compassion and care for everyone.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 – But touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

If you are staying full of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost inside of you will  teach you how to love others.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 – …putting on the breastplate of faith and love…

Love is part of the armor that is a guard around our heart.

Hebrews 13:1 – let brotherly love continue

Don’t stop loving your brothers and sisters in Christ – keep loving each other.  Let brotherly love continue even when you feel hurt or betrayed.

1 Peter 1:22 – Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.

Don’t let your love be fake or for ulterior motives.  

1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion (sympathy) one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful (tender hearted), be courteous (friendly, kind).

1 John 2:10 – he that loveth his brother abideth in the light…

1 John 3:10 – In this the children of God are manifest and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Everyone claims and thinks they are a child of God but if they are not doing the things that are right and if they do not love their brothers and sisters in the Lord, Scriptures say they are not the children of God.  

1 John 3:11 – For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 3:14 – we know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.  He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Cold hearts are a sign of spiritual death.

1 John 3:17 – But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

1 John 3:18 – My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Talk is cheap. People throw out the phrase ‘love you’ so loosely. Actions speak louder than words.  Love is manifest more-so through our actions than by our words. 

1 John 4:7-8 – Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:11 – Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1 John 4:12 – ….If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:20 – If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

1 John 4:21 – And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.

1 John 5:2 – By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.

2 John 1:5 ….love one another.

 

Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 13

{1} Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (agape love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

{2} And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing.

{3} And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (love), it profiteth me nothing.

{4} Love (Charity) suffereth long – love causes someone to be longsuffering and patient with others.  Longsuffering is another fruit of the Spirit.  So, love helps to develop and produce more fruit.  

and is kind – Love will cause a person to be generous, helpful, and care about others. 

Love (charity) envieth not – love is not jealous, doesn’t have ill feelings toward another.

Love (charity) vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up –Love doesn’t brag or boast. Love is not proud or haughty.

{5} Doth not behave itself unseemly – Love doesn’t act in ways that are inappropriate or not right.

seeketh not her own – isn’t self-seeking

is not easily provoked – not going to become angry easily.  Love will not lash out in retaliation.

thinketh no evil – love will not think and dwell on what is evil, wicked, ungodly.  Love will not wish ill or harm toward others. 

{6} Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth – Love is not happy about sin, unrighteousness, or wrongdoing.  It does not rejoice when injustice happens.  Rather, a person who has love will rejoice when truth triumphs and is revealed.

{7} Beareth all things – this word means covers with silence.  In other words, love will not be quick to broadcast their side of the story.  Sometimes, the best way to fight a battle is to stay silent and let God fight the battle for us. 

believeth all things, hopeth all things -  love believes and has faith that our loved ones are going to make that turn around and get back on the right path.

endureth all things – Endure means to continue to stand firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.  Sometimes, we’ll have to patiently put up with things: being done wrong, reviled, persecuted, and so on.

{8} Love (Charity) never faileth – faileth means to be driven off of one’s course.  If you have love, you won’t be driven off course.  You will stay steady and unmoveable no matter what may come. 

{13} And now abideth faith, hope, love (charity), these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE (charity).

Why is love mentioned first of all the fruit of the Spirit?  Because the greatest of all these is love.  When you love others you will exhibit all these aforementioned attributes.

A good challenge is to replace the word ‘love’ with our own name and ask ourselves, “Am I patient?  Am I kind? ….” Then continue down the list.  If we are lacking in any of these areas, we need to pray and ask God to help us to develop those characteristics.

Of all the fruit of the Spirit, the greatest of these is Love.

Love God – Love others 

And they shall turn away their ears

from the Truth,
and shall be turned unto fables.
  — 2 Timothy 4:4 (KJV)

Fables = not founded on fact; not true, i.e. a lie

Don't turn away your ears from hearing the Truth. 💔

COMPEL THEM TO COME IN - Reaching for the Lost

 

COMPEL THEM TO COME IN,
THAT MY HOUSE MAY BE FILLED

Luke 14:23 – And the lord said unto the servant, Go out in the highways and hedges, and COMPEL THEM TO COME IN, THAT MY HOUSE MAY BE FILLED.

This Scripture along with the following notes popped up in my facebook memories from April 13, 2022. As I was praying a year ago about soul winning, that Scripture came to my mind.

Jesus was giving a parable about a Great Supper (Luke 14:16-24).  He told how that many were invited, but when the supper was ready they all made excuses as to why they couldn’t come… too busy, have other obligations to attend to, something else is taking priority, spending time with family was more important, and so on.  They gave the same excuses many give nowadays as to why they can’t come to Church.

The first invitation was joyous: “Come and dine!” But so many refused, not realizing what they were giving up for earthly things.

The master of the house became angry at their excuses, so he next sent them to invite those who are poor, and maimed (crippled), and the halt (limping), and the blind.  Because those who have needs and are not rich in the things of this world are more likely to receive Him gladly.

The servants did as they were instructed and some must have responded and came, yet they reported back to the master of the house that there was still room. So, Jesus said the lord instructed them to go to the highways and hedges and COMPEL them to come in so that His House may be FILLED.

Compel means: (1) force or oblige someone to do something (2) bring about something by the use of force or pressure (3) literally means to force.

This is completely opposite of how most think and operate when it comes to soul winning.  I know we can’t literally force someone to live for Jesus, but we need to COMPEL them as much as is possible using Godly wisdom because time is running out.  We don’t want our family, our friends, or anyone to be lost for eternity.

If you have someone who keeps seeming to badger and hound you about coming to Church, you need to thank God for them.  They care about your soul and where you spend eternity enough to risk making you upset with them.  But they’re doing it because they love you.

Don’t stop compelling others to make the choice to live for Jesus.  So what if they think you’re being a little extra or a bit strange.  What is that in comparison to eternity? 

The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. (Mt 9:37) There are not very many who will actually go out and knock doors, invite people to come to Church, and teach Bible studies. We each need to pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will teach us how to be a laborer in His field.  Don’t look and pray for someone else to do it.  He gave each and every one of us the ‘Great Commission’….

Matthew 28:19-20 – GO ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…

Has anyone ever fished?  Does anyone like to fish?

I personally do not care for fishing because when you are fishing, you may sit there for hours casting out your line then reeling it back in, doing this over and over without catching anything.   You may catch a minnow or a crawdad that you keep throwing back and they keep coming back.  Or you may catch one, possibly two small fish the entire time you are out.  All that work with very little to show for it. Yet, you may go back out on a different day at a different time and catch fish after fish after fish. 

Jesus wants us to become fishers of men.

Mark 1:17 – And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

We need to each be praying every day for Jesus to make us to become Fishers of Men.  That is what He has called us to do…reach for the lost.  As we follow Jesus (drawing closer to Him daily through prayer, Bible reading, and often denying the flesh through fasting), He said He will make us to become fishers of men.

I believe Jesus was drawing a correlation between fishing for fish and fishing for souls.  Sometimes you’ll fish all night and catch nothing….you’ll be reaching and witnessing and inviting and yet no one responds, no one comes.  Then, all of a sudden, we feel Jesus leading us to ‘cast our net on the other side’ and suddenly there are many responding.  We can’t give up just because we have not seen a harvest.  Keep reaching, keep casting your net because the next cast out may be the one that brings in a net full.

We all need to be reaching for the lost while we can.  We need to look at each person we meet or pass with eternity in mind, because this could be the day when they step foot into eternity.   Where will they spend it?

Was there a door of opportunity to try to witness to someone or invite them to Church that we ignored? Did we try to tell them about Jesus Christ? 

There will be specific people that only you will be able to reach.  The Pastor does what he can but he’s only one person.  If you reach and reach and reach and only one comes, that is one more soul on their way to heaven.  You never know how God will use that one that you reached. 

What are you doing to reach your family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances for Jesus?

Sometimes our hindrances in reaching out to the lost could be….

Fear of what they’ll think – it really is sad that many will ‘claim’ to be a Christian yet will make fun or laugh at someone for reading their Bible or praying over their meal or talking/posting mainly about Jesus.  It is backwards. A real Christian wants to talk about Jesus and read His Word.

Jesus said if you’re ashamed of Him, He’ll be ashamed of you.  (Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26, Romans 1:16) We’re living in an adulterous and sinful generation as Jesus said.  Keep shining your light because it matters mainly what Jesus thinks and gaining His approval.   Those who mock and make fun may not show any signs of moving toward God now, but you never know if that seed planted will one day take root and begin to grow years from now.

Fear of not knowing what to say – this is especially difficult for those who are not outgoing.  Pray and ask Jesus to put the right words in your mouth.   One lady was having trouble knowing what to say but finally realized she could read a quick Bible study to someone once the door was opened.  God helped her with the rest of what to say.  When you open your mouth in obedience,  God will fill it and use you.

Fear that they’ll get angry with us – “I don’t want to make them mad.”  A few may get angry, but many will not.  Those who get angry will one day regret it and wish they had listened instead.  If they get angry, don’t return venom for venom.  Just walk away silently, try to maintain a good countenance, and pray for them.  They don’t realize how bound they are, and we may not see what Jesus is doing inside of them to change their heart.  If we respond inappropriately, it could fuel their anger toward the Church and cause them to never come.  But a peaceful response may stick in their mind and work on their heart.  

2 Timothy 1:7 -  God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of POWER (that power comes when we receive the Holy Ghost – Acts 1:4), and of LOVE (loving others can reach them more than words can at times so let the love of Christ flow out of you to others), and of a SOUND MIND (this word means disciplined, having self-control.  When others react harshly toward us, we need to exhibit self-control and not open our mouth to return evil for evil just as Jesus did not open His mouth to retort when He was being reviled and spit upon.).

The Bible says, ‘he that winneth souls is wise.’  (Prov 11:30)  Pray for God to give you wisdom on how to reach them and what to say.

The enemy of our souls wants us to think and believe that we’re not capable of winning the lost.  He’ll give us excuses such as, ‘that’s not my calling.’   Yes, it is!  It is the calling of each and every person that Jesus redeems from the mire of sin.  When we receive the Holy Ghost, He gives us the power to be His witnesses….

Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive POWER, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be WITNESSES unto Me…

We DO have the ability and God wants to use each of us to reach those in our circle of influence.

One soul winner wrote that he follows this rule:  he shakes off the feeling of rejection immediately and tries to reach for someone else almost right away because he realizes some will, some won’t, so what? Someone’s waiting, somewhere.  That’s a good rule to follow.

With some, you can reach them with the Gospel Truth and they’re open to receive a Bible study right away.  Others, may have a wall of resistance up so you have to be wise.  You may need to build on friendship with them first by inviting them over for coffee and cookies, calling to check on them, having small chats.  Eventually, the door may open for you to witness to them.

With some, it will take persistence.  These are the ones that you will need to COMPEL to come in that God’s House may be filled.

Some will be time wasters – They want your time and your attention and to see what all you will do for them.  It doesn’t matter what you show them in the Scriptures, they do not want to change or be converted.  Pray for wisdom and discernment to know when it is time to move on to find a truly hungry soul.

 

Ways we can help visitors and new converts:

As we see more and more people enter the Church doors, we all know to be friendly and welcoming.   Everyone does a great job making them feel welcome. 

Smiles can help a person feel more comfortable.  😊 

Visitors – our goal and commission from Jesus is to reach the lost and help convert a sinner from the error of their ways.  I know this sounds redundant but it needs to be taught in all of our churches:  if a person visits from a neighboring Truth teaching Church, make them feel welcome but don’t try to pull them out of their Church to start coming to ours.  Our mission is to reach the lost, not sow discord among the brethren.  Trying to knowingly convince someone to leave their Church that already teaches Truth to switch to another Church is sowing of discord and God calls it an abomination (Prov 6:16-19).  It is something God hates so we want to be careful not to do that.

Pray during prayer time – this examples to the visitor that we are here to worship Jesus.  Pre-service prayer also helps to get the focus on Jesus and can affect whether the Spirit of God can freely flow and move during service. 

If someone or even children come and start to chat with you during prayer time (unless it’s a first time visitor), you can quietly and politely try to bring the conversation to an end.  If need be, you can ask them if they can help you pray for your needs and offer to help pray with them for theirs. We need to example the importance of prayer.   We reserve the 10 minutes before service starts to greet each other and any visitors.  

If you can get their contact information, call or visit them and try to build a friendship with them.  Some of you will be able to establish and build a friendship with them quicker than the pastor/pastor’s wife. 

Guard your words.  Don’t let the visitors/new converts hear you gossiping or talking negative about others.   One: it’s not pleasing to God.  Two: it could turn them away from coming back.   I’ve seen some chew on and tear up this one, and that one, and also the pastor yet they can’t understand WHY their family member will not come to Church.  ☹  Our words can help or they can hurt.

 

Matthew 9:37-38 - Then saith He unto His disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.

Too many look at it as ‘someone else’s job’ or the pastor’s responsibility to grow the Church and get upset with him when it doesn’t.  The pastor preaches and teaches and he oft times reaches, but it is the responsibility of every Born Again Christian to reach the lost.

If every born again Christian would grasp that concept, the harvest would be easier to reach and reap.  Jesus said the harvest is PLENTEOUS.  We look at it as being small and hard to reach.

John 4:35 – Say ye not, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, LIFT UP YOUR EYES, AND LOOK ON THE FIELDS; for they are white already to harvest.

It’s not that the harvest is small and hard to reach.  It’s not that they’re not ready.   The problem is that the laborers are few therefore the harvest is not being reaped, because we’re not doing what Jesus commissioned us to do.

Jesus, help us to get a burden, get out into the field, and COMPEL THEM to come in that Your House may be filled.

 

Scriptural Prayers for the Prodigals and the Lost

 

Lord Jesus, we pray that you would deliver them from the power of darkness and translate (transfer) them into Your Kingdom.  (Colossians 1:13)

Redeem them through Your Blood and forgive their sins. (Colossians 1:14)

Open their eyes and turn them from darkness to Light.  Turn them from the power of satan unto God so they may receive forgiveness of sins. (Acts 26:18)

Move on them to repent, turn to God, and do works meet (suitable) for repentance.  (Acts 26:20)

Help them to seek the things which are above (spiritual, holy, to seek Jesus Christ). (Colossians 3:1)

Help them to set their affections on things above, not on the things on this earth. (Colossians 3:2)

Help them to get a hunger and thirst for Righteousness.  Help them to crave for You and Your Word.  Let nothing else satisfy. (Matthew 5:6)

Jesus, Your Word says that the Gospel is hid to them that are lost because the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ should shine on them.  Jesus, we are praying that you would remove the blinders from their eyes.  Help them to see and believe the Gospel.  Let Your Light shine on them and dispel the spiritual darkness that has blinded and bound them for far too long.  Command the Light to shine out of the darkness and into their hearts bringing understanding.  (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)

Thank You, Jesus, for Your longsuffering to them and to all of us.  We know according to Your Word that You are not willing that any should perish.  Your desire is for all to come to repentance.  Lead them to repent, turn from all sins, and turn to serve You with all of their heart.  (2 Peter 3:9)

Help them to purge themselves of all iniquity and sin.  Make them into a vessel of honour (valuable to You), sanctified (purified), and meet (prepared) for the Master’s use unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21)