By Ed Rumley

The mission of Bethany Place Baptist Church is clear: “To glorify God and in doing so, “faithfully share the good news of Jesus as He instructed…with the aim of making disciples of Jesus.” The question arises, “How do we faithfully share the good news?” There are actually many ways to do so.

At a recent Sunday morning worship service, Pastor Gene Cornett reminded the congregation that every time the plate is passed and an offering given, missionaries across the globe who have committed their
lives to sharing the good news are supported by the ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Bible is adamant in both the Old and New Testaments to provide assistance to those in need. The church’s collaboration with the non-profit organization CCHASM is one way to heed this directive. The group gives
out thousands of foodstuffs and items, annually, to those experiencing food insecurity. However, with the above being recognized, how do we as the body of Christ, and also on an individual basis, reach out to others with the lifesaving message of redemption? Interestingly, enough, the Book of Proverbs serves as a fine evangelistic tool of guidance and wisdom. Proverbs 18:24 states: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly.”

Jesus Christ was the ultimate example of this truth as He was a constant friend of sinners. Jesus experienced relationships with rulers and political leaders as well as social outcasts and those deemed as virtually worthless by many in the society of that day. Will Rogers once famously stated, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” Paul the Apostle wrote to the church at Corinth, “I am made all things to
all men that I might by all means save some.” The New Living Translation of I Corinthians 9:22 reads, “I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.” This truth is especially encouraging for those who are not getting older but getting better. (The Old Testament emphasizes that white hair is a sign of wisdom.) The difference between a 25-year old and a 75-year old is simply this:
50 years of life experience. So, those that have literally lived longer (no alliteration intended), have been blessed with more opportunities to, “find common ground with everyone.”

Recent developments in our society have, I believe, in general, diminished a lack of respect for elders and in particular, resulted in loud, unregenerate voices that seek to lecture on everything from morals to race relations. Never has the necessity of a Biblical world-life view been more necessary than today. Maintaining such and personal evangelism are not mutually exclusive, but rather, compliment one another. Jesus admonished his disciples to become, “fishers of men.” In the limited fishing experience I have had, I never witnessed an angler making a successful catch in which the fish jumps out of the water and is conveniently falcated by chomping onto the fisherman’s hook. Likewise, we must, to live out the Great Commission, cast out our nets and make conscious efforts to interact with those that have yet to accept Christ as Savior. This can be accomplished in many ways. Truly the words of Jesus ring
true: John 13-35-”By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, that you love one another.”

You very well may have had the experience that a relationship with a Christian that you have met and known for a relatively short time is much deeper than a non-Christian that you have known your entire life. The statements of Jesus emphasize that the believers in his day knew one another intimately.
Paul wrote, again to the church at Corinth, that he planted the seed, Apollos, watered, and God gave the increase. Paul also wrote to saints at Rome, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. But how shall they hear without a preacher?” Someone may respond, “I’m not a preacher.”

However, we can all invite someone to Bethany Place Baptist where they will hear the gospel message and the good news of Jesus Christ. There is definitely the gift of evangelism as Paul so aptly described. This gift can be exercised and recognized. My father, without exception, when eating at a restaurant or diner, upon walking out, would start a conversation with a person that had a glass of ice water and inquire, “Did you know that you can drink from the fountain of life that never runs dry?’ Lori and I had the privilege of witnessing Pastor Tom Mahairas of the Manhattan Bible Church speak to others about the gospel. There were stores that when he travelled to colleges or other churches that the pizza delivery guy would get saved. Another time, I was with an evangelist in an elevator that when the door closed, he clapped his hands and exclaimed to those inside, “Now I have a captive audience, I want to share some good news,” and then proceeded to quote John 3:16 and give a brief explanation. With these instances mentioned, we may not do the same but we can all support each other as believers, as well as our pastor and elders.

One thing we can do is to always speak positively about our congregation. God is dealing with churches now, not with congregations 10, 20, or 30 years ago. I was once asked to lead a Wednesday night prayer meeting at the Regular Baptist Church in Loup City, Nebraska. That particular evening, several regular attenders could now come. So, it was only me and one retired farmer. Folks in the Cornhusker State generally like things done in the same way, so I opened in prayer, read Scripture, directed singing out of a hymn book, delivered a brief homily, and concluded in prayer. I told the farmer, “It’s only me and you, so I hope you sing loudly.” The point is, when we describe our church, whether it be the pastor, elders, youth leaders, youth group, children ministry leaders and children, positive statements should be presented, especially to visitors.

Jesus only had 12 disciples but the Bible states that they (with the exception of Judas) changed the world. Memorizing John 3:16 and the Romans Road: Romans 3:22; 6:23, 5:8.9; 10:9,10, is a first step to being able to explain the gospel to another. Pastor Gene recently emphasized the words that Paul wrote to the young pastor Timothy, “Pray that all people be saved.” We can all pray for others.

Finally, the Bible states that Jesus, “came not to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom.”
What can we do to serve someone in our community? Perhaps a neighbor. How about a lost relative? Maybe the clerk at the grocery story we frequent. Truly, God can use all of us to plant a seed in the hearts of others.