Have we lost our passion for the unchurched?

Our Anabaptist forefathers quoted the Great Commission more than any other Scripture. This was their driving force. Mission has its roots in intimacy with Jesus. In our intimacy with him we are overwhelmed with his love. We can’t help but share that love with others. Intimacy results in being obedient to the Great Commandment, i.e. loving God with all our hearts. This love is expressed as we obey the Great Commission, sharing God’s love in word and deed.

I’ll make you fish for people.—Matthew 4:19
We hold meetings to define and defend fishing. We state that fishing is one of our core values. We have conferences on how best to fish. We read books on the latest fishing methods and train people to fish. We build buildings so we can come together to encourage fishing. But are we fishers if we never catch fish?

I wish Jesus would have been more “orthodox” when he said to Peter and Andrew, “I’ll make you fish for people.” I expected him to say, “Follow me. I’ll show you how to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” or, “Follow me, I’ll show you how to be my disciple.” Fishing for people sounds too assertive, too confrontive.

We have reacted to the direct approaches of zealous Christians in the ’70s and ’80s who gave little thought to building relationships as they shared the Good News. We bought Saint Francis’ statement that in essence said: “Witness 24/7, if necessary, use words.” That’s like saying, “Wash yourself, if necessary, use water.” We would all be lost if Jesus had not used words along with his life of sacrificial service.

Why are we so averse to using words in our witness? We have rightly emphasized serving our Lord and walking in love and humility. But too often we are shy in sharing the good things Jesus does for us on a daily basis.

Both authority and power

Jesus has given us the authority (Matthew 28:18-20). As a substitute schoolteacher I had authority because the superintendent placed me in the classroom. We have authority since we are seated with Jesus in heavenly places above all the power of the devil and his forces (Ephesians 1:18-23, 2:6). In addition he has given us the power to be his witnesses (Acts 1:8). While I had the authority as a substitute teacher, I sometimes found it difficult to have the power or influence to assert control in the classroom. Jesus gave us both the authority and the power (2 Timothy 1:7). Paul was not ashamed to take the Good News to the capital of the world because he knew its power to save all who believe (Romans 1:16).

Have we lost our passion for the unchurched? Do we pray more for the unchurched or for our physical needs? How do we develop passion for the lost? I have found praying the following daily prayer helps to keep my passion hot: “Father, you gave your only Son for me. I don’t have your depth of compassion. Give me your passion. Jesus, you gave your life for me, I don’t have that degree of passion. Give me your passion. Holy Spirit, you left heaven in all its splendor to come and live in my sinful heart to make me holy. I don’t have that love and passion for others. Give me your compassion. Amen.”

Jesus’ primary emotional response to people was compassion. He saw people as sheep that had been beaten and bruised. Rather than being filled with disdain, he was filled with love. He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Paul likewise had a continual sorrow for his lost friends (Romans 9:2-3). He writes that God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). An ambassador has an urgent and critical task.

As we mature, our love for others increases. How is it we can work beside someone at the office or shop and never get around to sharing the Good News of abundant life in Christ? Paul made much of his life in Christ so others would realize what they were missing (Romans 11:14). He reminds us that through our lives the fragrance of Christ is spread to everyone (2 Corinthians 2:14). He asked for prayer that whenever he opens his mouth, words may be given him so he could fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19). Peter and John could not keep quiet about what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:20).

In the parable of the great banquet, Jesus instructs the servant to compel people to come the banquet (Luke 14:23). I checked 16 different translations: six read, “make them come in,” four “compel,” three “urge,” two “force them” and one “drag them.” The Greek word means that this is of necessity. Do I have this sense of urgency to bring my lost neighbors to the banquet?

Who are we to invite?

In the parable of the wedding banquet, Jesus tells the servant to bring in the good and bad (Matthew 22:10). The Greek word we translate “bad” appears 25 times in Matthew. This is the only time it is translated “bad” in the King James. Sixteen times it is translated “evil” and eight times “wicked.” We are to invite the good people, the volunteer firemen and volunteer crossing guards, the Red Cross workers and schoolteachers but also the “bad” or “wicked” people. Do we shy away from both the good and the bad? Jesus’ brother Jude wrote, “Save others by snatching them out of the fire” (Jude 23).

We are sent

Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 17:18 and 20:21). The Father did not give Jesus $1 million, then have Jesus turn around and give us $10. No, what the Father gave Jesus he gives us. That’s why Jesus adds, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:23). We are joint heirs with Christ; what he receives from the Father we receive (Romans 8:17).

When I see a U-Haul in my community, I don’t need to pray to discern if I should stop and welcome the new family and find out if they have a church or if they have faith in Jesus. I can pray for wisdom to know when to stop, what to say or what to take as a welcoming gift. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, he included anyone moving into your community.

Unless I take Christ to the workplace and to my neighbors, the Lord will not add to the church those who are being saved. I believe one of our most frequently used Scripture passages is Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” In the following verses we are told that the Lord verified his word through mighty acts as the people supplied needs of others. The result was that the Lord added daily those who were being saved (v. 47). If the Lord is not adding to our churches, let’s ask ourselves if we are doing what the early church did in vv. 42-46. We earnestly teach, fellowship, pray and celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Are we lacking in the miracles, or do we experience his miracles every day and don’t share them with others? Are we sharing our material possessions as others have needs? When we hear the word every Sunday but do not apply it, we stymie our relationship with Christ. We need to repent of dead works, i.e. works that do not bring fruit.

It’s fascinating that the only way we know for sure to bring joy in heaven is to lead a person to Jesus (Luke 15:7, 10, 24, 32). We can worship, study our Bible, fellowship, serve and do 101 things for Jesus, but the only time we are told that heaven rejoices is when someone comes to faith in Jesus. All this points to the fact that there is one overarching purpose for God’s children, i.e. to share Jesus. We must be mission driven.
That’s why God sent Jesus (John 3:16), that’s why Jesus came (Luke 19:10), that’s why the Holy Spirit comes upon us (Acts 1:8). The devil will do his best to cause us to be religious as long as we don’t share Jesus with our neighbors. Let’s go forth in the authority and power that Jesus gave and boldly proclaim the Good News.