Before God sends us out, He sends us in.
Since time immemorial, the church has discovered that in order to fulfill God’s plan and purpose, we need to grow numerically. If we want to learn about planting churches that grow and achieve the mission of Jesus, we don’t have to look any further than to the examples of the churches in Acts.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.” (Acts 1:8, NIV).
God gives His disciples a purpose, plan and strategy for the church that goes beyond what is on Earth. God gave us this growth plan to show the church develops from one stage to the next, moving from the first stage to the second, and so on and so forth.
1. Family- Keep in mind that you are sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ because you care about their eternal destination. Time is slipping away from us so don’t waste it. It may be hard to convince your own family, but remember that they are not rejecting you, but they are rejecting Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:5
For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
2. Work- As God’s ambassador, do not be ashamed of sharing the Good News. Remember that you always represent God. When you go to work, participate in a meeting, meet with a client, work on a project, create a blueprint, welcome a customer, or write on a paper, you are God’s ambassador. Beyond evangelism, living as an example will be the best way to tell about God.
Ephesians 6:7
Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
3. Neighbor- Love radically. Do not be afraid to trust the untrustworthy. Do not be angered by those who persecute you.
Mark 12:31
The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Mark 6:4 says:
“Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”
SO WHAT ARE THE POINTS TO CONSIDER?
1. Be intentional.
2. Live with integrity.
3. Envelop in prayer.
4. Speak truth in love.
Where is God sending you? Is it out or in?
