In response to your question of how do we allow Christ to reach out to humanity through us I must humbly confess that even though your suggestion of demonstrating Christ's love through how we treat others is one powerful way, I feel ill equiped at that. You made a good point in your sermon that SOMETIMES inviting someone to church is not the right way to bring someone to Christ. I think you suggested that living like a loving example is often the way to go.

I believe that I had a God inspired revelation that has given me insight as to why it is so much easier for me (and for many Christians) to just invite them to church rather than to live as a Christian example. I AM FRIGHTENED TO TRY AND LIVE AS A CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE. I often fail at it. Non-Christians will put me to shame in how they love and how they treat people in the community. To even match many non Christians is hard. To surpass them to the point that I am radiating Christ is an overwhelming prospect. When someone yells at me or mistreats me, I just don’t feel Christ’s peace take over and guide me.

Yesterday Phil, the same guy who painted your house Britt, and also painted Reality Carpentaria, was over at my house following up after he had already finished the job. Yes, he is a Christian, but still amazing that on his own dime he was providing such a service above and beyond. I walked out of my house and there was my NON-CHRISTIAN neighbor on one side working on my lawn and my Christian neighbor on the other side vacuuming up leaves from my driveway. I had not asked them to do this, they were just there helping, while I was watching little Stella (age 3) and holding Matthew (5 months).

No matter how committed I am matching these people is daunting. Trying to surpass them to radiate Christ’s love – I almost want to give up before I even start. I might be O.K. 28 days out of the month, but it just takes your non-Christian business associates seeing you those other two days at your worst for them to see a hypocrite and someone who is judgmental rather than loving.

Lord Jesus, help change me so that I can be a light.

Brother Brian,
Thank you so much for sharing this. You are so right... so humbling. I know so many non-Christians that act more Christianly than me!! I am so humbled.
One thing that brings me comfort in this is that it is Christ's mission and not my own. So even in my failures He is still working to save people. His ability to do this is evidenced in history through the church... Church history is disgustingly messy, and yet Christ's mission still goes forth! Thank you Lord!
And, what further brings me comfort is that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).
So even when my witness fails, God's Gospel is powerful to save!!
To God be the Glory.
This post has helped me Brian... Thank you!
britt

http://thepoorwillbeglad.com/documents/Poverty-Curriculum_03.pdf

There are some great insights, tangible questions, and perspectives to look at the global perspective of poverty, perhaps how that transcends to the local realities as well! Thanks for the challenges and reminders to be intentional, on mission, open and ready! Grace in and for the journey, Chris

I am reading this book called Through Fire and Sea and it's written by a humble/gnarly missionary woman, Marilyn Meyers telling about what the Lord is doing around the world, in missionaries lives and through specific mission outlets and fields. I just read this quote and it seemed like a sweet and simple statement about how Jesus was missional through word and deed, affecting this life on earth and in eternity.
"Many Christians and organizations tend to use only one means of expressing the gospel. Showing acts of mercy is easier for some Christians, causing them to overlook the need for proclomation of the gospel. This is like offering a cup of cold water, but not telling whose name it is in. Leaving Jesus out of the equation is to become wonderfully humanitarian, changing lives only on this side of eternity. On the other hand, evangelism through the telling of the gospel is far less effective without the modelling of mercy. A 'faith without works' is a dead faith, James warns in his epistle. (James 2:17) Hand in hand, word and deed work successfully, caring for both body and spirit. Jesus, Himself both healed and taught. His acts of mercy demonstrated the Fatherheart of God while His teaching offered restored relationship with God. By expressing the gospel message through showing and telling, change occurs for this life and eternity."

It is SO encouraging that the Lord has called us to focus way more on loving others and showing His love in the way we live. I would be the biggest failure of all time if showing Jesus to others was based merely on historical facts, Biblical knowledge, pursuasive debates etc. Being on mission through every aspect of our life seems like a way bigger responsablity than just knowing all your stuff in your brain, but I guess that just makes us more depandant on the Holy Spirit to transform us. I love that we are called to use both. "Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence and learning." (Fredrick Faber)
Thankyou Jesus. Praise the Lord.

Basically amen-ing to the entire Missio Christi series.