“Rubbing Shoulders” (Colossians 4:5, 6)
Sunday, September 23, 2007
(Adapted from “Rubbing Shoulders with Irreligious
People,” by Bill Hybels)
Becoming a Contagious Christian
The “Why”
Question About Evangelism
1)
We’re blessed to be a blessing; 2) We’re agents of God;
3) Hell is real; 4) The rewards are huge!
If Jesus
Lived on my Block
1) He’d
talk to His Father about my neighbors before He talked
to them about His Father; 2) He’d be ready to answer
their questions; 3) He’d show His faith in loving
ways; 4) His actions would match His words.
Within
a year – no unchurched friends, no activities outside
church (too busy)
“Without
a proper balance of contact with believers and
unbelievers, it’s only a matter of time until our hearts
start growing cold toward people outside of God’s
family. We all need to take steps to develop and deepen
contagious relationships in our lives”
(Bill
Hybels)
1.
Balanced caring (“one-anothers”)
Suggestion: one to one ratio of caring for one another
and caring for others
“Compassion radar”
2.
“Contagious Consumers” - same gas stations,
restaurants, dry cleaners, stores – “support the local
merchants” STRATEGIC ADVENTURES!
3.
Sports and recreation: Get on a team. Take
someone/accept invitations, become a fan (HS and College
sports are great fun! Get parents and supporters talking
about their kids)
Table
games in your home or theirs,
Keen-Agers
played croquet! – Just add a non-Christian friend
John
Motz statement: “got to run watch my son play football”
4.
Strategic social and civic
relationships: shied away too long
Two
problems:
a.
Christian values absent from decisions – some of the
well-received ideas I share come from the bible! When
they ask, I tell them…
b. we lose touch with “up-and-outers” (key source
of networks)
Chamber of Commerce, Caring About Kids Council,
Children in Crisis
Services,
Billy Graham (when criticized for team members): “I’ll
partner with anyone who will help me share a simple
gospel message with the largest number of people
possible”
Clarion Partners, allies, and auxiliary. (hardest
concept to “sell”)
Last
week I said that secular organizations do this better
than we do. Answer is to join them in what they’re
doing.
5.
Service opportunities: Richard’s
availability, Pat and Morgan’s cards, Hanna’s
sensitivity and willingness to take risks, “Cup of cold
water”
Do what
and you’re doing with a one-one ratio of people in and
out
6. Develop creative small groups
Interest areas (do things together)
Recreational activities (go places together)
“Drives in the country”
Shows and entertainment (In-betweeners to the
movies)
Neighborhood Watch…Plate…Culvers in our
neighborhood (newsletter, block parties,
just say hi! Take walks!)
“Good deeds lead to good will
which leads to openness to good news”
(Ray Johnston)
Break out of comfort zone
Become creative (no one is as smart as all of us!)
When
I’m engaging non-Christians I study harder, pray more
intensely, seek counsel from fellow pastors more
aggressively, deeper devotions
Col 4:5-6 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;
make the most of every opportunity. Let your
conversation be always full of grace, seasoned
with salt, so that you may know how to answer
everyone.
We’re
around unchurched Harry and Mary every day.
HOW CAN
WE GET DISCUSSIONS GOING?
--“Well,
financially, my year has been so-so; family-wise, great;
and spiritually, fantastic. Which of the three would you
like to talk about?”
--How’s it going?”
They’ll reflexively say, “Oh, fine.” Then “You can tell
me the truth. It can’t always be fine. How’s it
really going?”
“YOU WOULDN’T LIE TO
ME WOULD YOU?”
DRAMA IDEAS FROM SMALL GROUPS VIDEO
SUPPORT EACH OTHER WITH PRAYER (CONTEXT -
Colossians 4:4 Pray that I
may proclaim it clearly, as I should
PAIR UP! Designed for community!
Salt and light
I am come that THEY might have life more abundantly
