There’s a grocery store in my town I just love. It’s so cheap I don’t need coupons, so small I can get in and out quickly, so friendly they know me by name. I am a true fan—I even “liked” them on Facebook and joined their email list. I plan menus around their special buys. I’ve even taken girlfriends on field trips to learn about the shopping cart system and self-bagging.
It’s easy for me to rave on about my fave little grocery store. It’s one of the things we women do best, isn’t it? We gab about sales, coupons, pediatricians, hair stylists, restaurants, insurance policies or auto mechanics.
So, why is it so hard for me to talk about Jesus?
Why can I say, “God bless you,” to a stranger, but can’t tell a friend how God blessed me? Why does my throat get dry and my palms get sweaty when the Holy Spirit nudges me to tell my neighbor about my Savior? How can I sing praises in the pew at church yet stutter pitifully when chatting across the fence in my back yard? Jesus, my precious Jesus, had done so much more than save me a few cents at the grocery store. He saved my very soul! Doesn’t my testimony of the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) merit more than a fish bumper sticker on my minivan?
In 2 Corinthians 5:11 and 20 (TNIV) we read:
“Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade people… We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
That’s strong language in our “anything goes” culture of tolerance and moral relativism, isn’t it? What would it look like if we lived this out in our homes and neighborhoods? Let’s look at four key words
- Persuade: Persuasion is not a debate with a winner and a loser. Persuasion is assuring others of God’s lovingkindness through your personal relationships with people around you. Our every word and deed ought to persuade people that God is good.
- Ambassador: As believers, we have an official position in Christ’s kingdom as his representative to the lost. You are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV).
- Appeal: The root words mean “to invite by name to one’s side.” What a beautiful picture of inviting your neighbors to a Neighborhood Café Bible study! This word also means to comfort, encourage, strengthen, exhort, teach and instruct.
- Implore: There’s urgency to this word as we deeply desire and pray for our neighbor’s salvation.
Ladies, you are God’s plan for reaching the world. He placed us in this time, at this place to share His love and comfort through us, His Holy-Spirit filled believers. He doesn’t ask us to be pushy or overpowering. He simply places people around us to love deeply and urgently.
One way you can do this is by hosting a Neighborhood Café Bible study in your home. You’ll receive tools and teaching on how to represent our King in your little corner of the kingdom, along with follow up support and encouragement. As you open your home and your heart, you just may open the gates of heaven for your neighbors who have never met Christ!
Even if a Neighborhood Café is not your cup of tea, you are still Christ’s ambassador to your neighbors, coworkers, family and friends. Pray about ways you can use your one-of-a kind personality and distinct passions to connect with your neighbors and meet their unique needs.
There is no Plan B, my sweet sisters! You will not find an insert in your Sunday paper with the current specials on sin removal and a sale on the Bread of Life.
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