Seize The Moment! How Do We Feel About Outsiders?

Do We Ever Outgrow Childhood Teaching? Don’t talk to strangers! Sound advice for children. Do we ever outgrow these kinds of childhood teachings?

The Nature of Christianity John 18:36 -- Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.“ We are members of a heavenly kingdom. Who can be a part of this kingdom?

Matthew 8: I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.“ Christianity is an exclusive kingdom. Those in the kingdom of the world will not be welcome in the kingdom of heaven without conversion.

1 John 5: He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. A kingdom entered only through Jesus.

Those outside are without hope. Ephesians 2:12 -- …remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. What does it mean to be without hope?

First Century Evangelistic Fervor

Records From Acts Acts 2:41 -- …about three thousand were added to their number that day. 4:4 -- …and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5:14 -- …more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 6:1 -- …the number of disciples was increasing 6:7 -- The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly

Acts 9:31 – Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria…grew in numbers…. 12:24 -- But the word of God continued to increase and spread. 16:5 – So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Jesus’ charge to His disciples: Matthew 4:19 -- "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

Embracing Evangelism Colossians 4: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

There is something we each can do! Devotion to prayer Prayer for preachers and teachers Some to clearly preach the gospel. All of us living wisely – righteous lifestyles. All of us considering outsiders – paying attention to those around us who are lost. All of us seizing every opportunity to reach the lost. All of us speaking words that are seasoned with salt and full of grace.

What is our role in spreading the gospel? 1 Peter 2:9 -- But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Will we be faithful to our commission? Go Make disciples Baptize Teach to observe