Daily Dose of the Word of God - Beyond Sunday Ep. 74

Jeff Klein, Pastor of Outreach

Transcript

Jeff Klein 0:10 

 
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose in the Word of God. It's Monday, February the 3rd. This is Jeff Klein reminding you to take your faith into the week - Beyond Sunday - and make a difference for Jesus.

Jeff Klein 0:22  

In my previous job, I would travel from place to place trying to help churches get going on outreach and evangelism. One of the churches I worked with was right here in Bartlett, Illinois. As I headed into that church building to lead a worship gathering and a workshop on how to do outreach and evangelism, I noticed a guy who lived in the house next door to the church. He was up on his pool deck, in his front yard vacuuming out his pool. He didn't even look up as I parked my car and walked towards the church. He didn't seem to care or feel any reason to pay attention to what was going on the church on that Sunday morning. So, I decided to walk over. As I walked over and said hello, I asked him if he had ever been to the church. His response: "no, I'm not really interested." Then I asked him if anyone had ever invited him to attend or done anything to get to know him or talk with him again. His answer was, "No, I've never really talked with anyone at the church."

Jeff Klein 1:18  

Now, I don't know how long he had lived there, but I'm sure that he has seen hundreds or maybe even thousands of people heading to that church building every Sunday morning. The big question: how will that church capture his attention? He is their mission - they built their building right next door to his house! The parking lot butts up against his yard and no one ever thought to converse with him? Who will go and build a relationship with that guy and his family? We keep heading into our church activities with no sense of responsibility and no idea of how to begin to reach out to that man and countless others who are in his shoes. Jesus said in the same way that the Father sent him into the world and he is sending us. Who lives, works or plays right around you? How will you reach out to them? How will you act like one who's been sent by Jesus?

Jeff Klein  2:20  

Let's pray. Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see the people around us who need you. Lord, open our hearts to give us interest and even getting to know them. Lord, help us to see them as you would see them. In your name we pray, amen.