Have you heard the one about the two salesmen? Well, looking to expand its business a shoe company sent a salesman to a remote part of the country. When he arrived, he was dismayed because everyone went around barefoot. So he sent word back to home office: “No prospect for sales. People don’t wear shoes here.” Later, another salesman went to the same territory. He too immediately sent word to his company saying: “Great potential! People don’t wear shoes here!” Isn’t it remarkable how different our perspectives are! It is no different when it comes to spiritual perspective. Where one Christian sees opposition another sees opportunity. This is certainly true for evangelism. Why do some of us so regularly have opportunities to share our faith whilst others see only opposition? Could it be a matter of perception?
In Numbers 13 we read of the twelve spies spying out the promised land and reporting back to home office. All of the spies saw the tremendous fruit of the land, a land “flowing with milk and honey”. But they also saw fortified cities and inhabitants so large they felt as grasshoppers in their own eyes. Due to the opposition ten of the spies gave a bad report of the land and its opportunity, whilst two (Joshua and Caleb) said, “go for it”. Ten of the 12 spies forgot God’s promises. They forgot his faithfulness, he provision, and his works. All they could see was opposition. They took their eyes off the solution, off what they knew to be true, and dwelt on the problem. Is it possible that you sometimes focus upon the “problems” of evangelism rather than being part of the solution? Do you ask the Lord to show you the opportunities you regularly have to express your Christian faith to those you know and love in a way unique to you?
This Sunday is Missions Sunday and we are privileged to have Alex Muir of Pioneers Canada preaching on this passage. I trust as we are encouraged by the Lord’s work across the globe we will likewise be encouraged in our own work across the street. I will leave you with just a few of the many precious encouragements and promises we have in God’s Word regarding evangelism. See you Sunday!
Much love,
Pastor Gary
For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
“I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:47
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt 5:15,16
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matt 28:19,20
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
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21
As we gather for Sunday worship, we want you to meet with God and be transformed by the Word. Prepare your heart by reading the passage and listening to the songs for Sunday.