Series: Action [#72]
A LETTER OF CONCERN-
EACH ONE REACH ONE
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Introduction:
Many years ago, the Southern Baptist Convention had an outreach campaign called “Each One Reach One”. It is as simple as it sounds. Each Christian here today, (whether in person or online) needs to reach 1 person for Jesus. I Googled “Each One Reach One” so that I could remember what the banner looked like; and what I found was many other organizations, (not Churches) are using this method to grow their organizations.
This is not a new program. Paul was using this 2,000 years ago. This morning, I challenge each of you to reach one. You may be thinking, “I can’t do this”; but our text will prove you wrong.
1 Corinthians 2:1-2
1. What if I feel inadequate?
Most people consider Paul to be one of the greatest Evangelist ever, (and I agree); but Paul said he came to them humbly. He did not try to lure them in with great speaking skills or complex sermons. He preached to them what matters the most- Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead on the 3rd day.
You may feel like your ability to talk to people about Jesus does not exist; but you have the Holy Spirit of God living within you. Let Him speak through you. Tell them about Jesus and what He has done for you. You don’t have to be able to use some fancy formula or know all of the Bible by memory; you just need to know who Jesus is and what He has done.
1 Corinthians 2:3
2. What if I am afraid?
I have always seen Paul as a man who had no fear. I have always seen Paul as someone who was very forward; and never afraid to witness to everyone. Then, I read this verse and realized that Paul was a normal person. He was a Jewish man preaching the Gospel to Gentiles, and he was nervous to preach them; but he did it anyways.
If you want to experience the power of God in your life, then step out in faith and tell people about Jesus. Pray and tell. Trust the Holy Spirit to give you the words. The more you tell people about Jesus, the easier it becomes. (It never becomes easy, just easier.)
1 Corinthians 2:4-5
3. What if I am too weak?
Let me clear up something right now, “We all, (including Paul) are too weak on our own”. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can reach people for Jesus. Your faith should rest upon the power of God.
Conclusion:
Your challenge today is to reach someone for Jesus. I would love for them to attend Bel Aire; but that is not what matters. Several year ago, I led someone to Jesus; and a larger, more popular Church in town convinced him that Bel Aire was the wrong Church for him. He and his family attended that Church. He was baptized in that Church. At 1st, I took it personal; but it did not take long for me to see it differently.
A couple of years ago, that man died; and my 1st thought was, “God, I am so happy that he was saved; and is now in Heaven with you.” Each one reach one.
