We often talk about growing the church but sometimes little is done to actively do so. We often feel as though our work is done when we lead by example, invite a neighbor to church services, or do a good deed from time-to-time.
Now, all of the above are important and certainly our responsibilities as Christians. Yet, here are some ideas to take it a step further:
1. As you’re leading by example turn your actions into words. We’ve heard it said, “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” That may be true with respect to some things, but how is my daily Christian living going to shed light on, or answer the question, “what must I do to be saved” (Acts 2:36-38)?
2. Turn an invite into a commitment to come. I love to invite folks to our services. Sometimes they come and sometimes they don’t. How often do you invite with the line, “come to church with me” but fail to give any specifics. I mean, why not say, “hey friend, this Lord’s Day we’re studying from Matthew and we’ll be talking about the popular topic of ‘judging.’ I would love for you and your family to join my family and after services, let’s have lunch together.” Then give them the time of service and follow up on Saturday with a call that says “I can’t wait for you to visit with us this Lord’s Day, and am looking forward to a good lunch together.” You might just be surprised by those you come in contact with and that they will actually join you on the Lord’s Day. Our quarterly “pest control guy” showed up Sunday after doing basically as described above. Folks, if you don’t invite, they won’t come.
3. Turn your good deed into an activity for the Lord and His church. The church is full of folks doing good deeds all the time. I think we sometimes feel that if folks aren’t part of a particular church program then they’re not involved in doing good works. I don’t buy that for a minute. The more I visit with folks one-on-one, the more I find that people are serving in different ways. Yet imagine it, what if our good deeds had a reference point. I mean, what if we did good deeds for folks and then let them know why we care, and serve. Just the other day, I went to one of my neighbors, a new grandma who lives alone, and put together a baby bed for her so that her grand baby would have a place to sleep when he comes to grandma’s house. The next day I went to the mailbox and there was a card along with a $20 bill thanking me for helping her out. I immediately called her to say that her gift wasn’t necessary and I helped her because that’s what neighbors do. What I should have said is, “Nancy, it was my pleasure. After all, that’s what Christians do.” What I said was okay, but the focus was on me and being a good neighbor. The other way ultimately turns it back to Jesus as the reason for the good deed.
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Otis Gatewood once wrote, “If he as the Saviour of the world takes a personal interest in all our affairs, cannot we learn the lesson that we as Christians can best help him to save the world by being personal . . . [workers]?”
Each area of service mentioned above is in essence a form of personal work. What will you do this week to work for Jesus?
These are just my thoughts today, and I hope you have a good one!
For previous devotionals, visit www.NeilRichey.com.
