“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
Acts 13:2-3 NIV
http://bible.com/111/act.13.2-3.niv
Paul started his ministry sharing the gospel with the Jews he had spent his life persecuting. How difficult was that?only through the power of the Holy Spirit would his words convert them to Jesus. But, then he ventured into more difficult territory. He started converting the gentiles. This reminds me so much of what we do at CMA. Bikers are not all hostile to Christianity, but MANY have had such bad experiences with the church and its members. While there are a few that are outright hostile most non Christians we minister to just don’t understand what they are missing. They do not understand or see the value of faith in Jesus. They don’t know about or believe in the consequences of a life without Christ.
It is so important to minister with a heart for the lost. I’m not talking about an adversarial relationship. I’m not talking about us versus them and I’m not approaching ministry in a way that makes us out to be better than anyone. We are ALL sinners. I am no different. I’m talking about building friendships out of a genuine caring heart. I’m talking about genuinely serving those that don’t know Jesus, without ANY STRINGS ATTACHED. We don’t serve to convert, we serve to love. There is a huge difference in serving to convert or serving to show them the love of Jesus. We absolutely want them to come to know the love of Jesus. But, we can’t expect to get them to change unless we start by unconditionally loving them. We speak the truth but life without any reservations. That’s true ministry!
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