Planing for the Future, A Work Plan, Part C

How do you achieve the best results?

We have already talked about this. What is the job? Make disciples. Be a shower of the way, a teller of truth, and sharer of the Gospel.

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

What is the Mission Statement?

"if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

There is no other way. There is no Plan B.

Last time we talked about the S.O.P. or the Standard Operating Procedure.

1- Tell the Truth.
2- Give it out freely.
3- Do it with gentleness and love.

What is your Part?

EVERYTHING. It is totally up to you. You ARE the Child of God. You may very well be the only Jesus someone will ever see and or meet in their life. You are IT. It is your Job.

This leaves us with this question. What is the best way to achieve the best results?

Hitting someone in the head with the Bible never works. Shoving the Word down someone's throat never works. Hounding, arguing, screaming at someone, even threatening someone with fire and Brimstone doesn't work.

However, not telling them about Hell doesn't work either. Hell IS a very real place. Did you know that Jesus talked more vividly about Hell than He did about Heaven? Some say, and I see this as accurate, Jesus talked more about Hell than He did Heaven. Why? Because of His great love for us and His desire that none of us go there. This is also why some see Him as delaying His return.

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

It is never compassion to stand back and watch someone do something that will harm them. Fire is beautiful. My kids love it. They love when Daddy grills, and or when we have a fire outback. I was watching my kids play one day and my 9-year-old boy decided he wanted to go and play with the fire. He went over to it and I called to him to stop. "But Daddy? It's so pretty. I just want to make a torch." No Son. You will get burned if you go to close." "But Daddy?" It is not compassion to just allow him to go and play with the fire because he really desires to do so or that it may hurt his feels if I tell him about the dangers of the fire. It IS compassion to try to stop him from burning. Same thing with Hell.

It is not compassion to say something like, "Well, the world says it is ok, and they really like it or believe that it is ok, so, I won't say anything. They will find out somehow somewhere else." It is compassion to tell people, especially those you claim to love, that there really is a place called Hell and if you get too close you will burn. There is compassion in explaining the dangers. There is compassion in trying to stop someone from behaviors that are dangerous, and that there is a far better way.

Yet as we talked about before, this cannot be done by getting in people's faces and yelling and screaming. It has to be done with love and kindness. It is your job to sow the seed.

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Here is the important detail that many leave out.

Leading by example.

I can be as compassionate and on fire as I want. You may even like what I'm are saying. I may have opened a door. But then? A little bit later? You come to the local store and see me buying two 12 packs of Beer. Or you go to a neighborhood BBQ and see me there smoking, drinking, and pretty much raising a little Hell. You know, just "having fun." You come over and try to talk to me, but all of a sudden, I seem to never use the name, Jesus. After all, this is not the time or the place. After all, this is Soandso's BBQ and they do not believe. I do not want to offend them.

So now what? What do you think the person is gonna think of me? More importantly, what are they gonna think of the Message? Is it real? Is it simply like any other religion? What is the difference in me, and anyone else out there? Worst yet, what is the difference in me, and them? The lost?

This is why we are told as Children of God, to live for God.

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." {Romans 12:1}

We are to be different. We are to be unique. We should stand out. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”."

God calls us the "Salt of the Earth" {Matthew 5:13} He calls us "Children of Light" {Ephesians 5:8} He calls us equal to Jesus Christ Himself {Romans 8:14-17} We "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10} This is why Jesus taught us things like "Turn the other Cheek." and to "Love our Enemies." In Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Who is first in your life? Are you looking to serve yourself or do you serve others? Are you living by example, or are you attempting to tell people "Do as I say, not as I do?" Can people clearly see that you ARE the "Salt of the Earth," "Children of Light," equal to Jesus Christ Himself? Do they see ANY difference whatsoever?

Tell them the truth. Show them compassion. Love them. Lead them by example. Let them see you are different. Let them see how God works in your life. Be the child of God you are.

Just as your earthly job. You are working towards retirement. You know your 401 k. How about your 401E? More on that next time.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He raised from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!