Four Simple Things

      Max Dawson presented a phenomenal lesson last Sunday entitled Four Simple Things Anyone Can Do to Reach the Lost. That lesson fit in so well with our goals I want to provide a recap. I want to share it with those who missed it because of their New Year’s traveling. I also want to remind everyone who heard it of the work we can all do.

      We must shine. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” We need to stand out in the world. People need to wonder what we have that they do not have. They need to see our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control. They need to see the world does not impact us as it does others. While this exemplary living will not teach others how to be God’s child, it will cause them to wonder and sometimes ask us how they can be like us.

      We must speak. I have become painfully aware of one thing. Most of Franklin has no idea who, what or where the Franklin Church of Christ is. We must not think our prime meeting location and nice lighted sign are getting the job done. We need to be talking. We need to be talking about the congregation. We need to be talking about God. We need to be talking about the Bible. We need to be sprinkling these things in our speech, letting others know who and what we are.

      We must invite. While we are talking and bringing up spiritual issues into everyday conversations, we need to invite people to visit our classes, assemblies and special services. Let them know about specific topics. For instance, next Sunday’s lesson in the AM assembly is going to be Wrestling with God. Do you ever feel like God is wrestling with you? Find out why and how to respond to that. The lesson in the PM assembly is going to be a look at Ephesus as seen in Revelation. How can we maintain our first love? Let people know and invite them to “come and see” (John 1:39, 46).

      We must welcome. When guests come to visit, every single one of us should be involved in welcoming them. If you see someone you don’t know in the parking lot, foyer, class or auditorium, shake their hand and introduce yourself. Let them know you are glad they are here. Help them find their class and a seat. While we will be assigning a role of greeter in the near future, that will be strictly to make sure guests receive a welcome packet and to help those who arrive late find a place to sit down. We must all welcome our guests.

      This year is going to be a turning point year for us. We are going to get God’s word out. We are going to bring others to Jesus. We are going to grow. May God’s hand be with us as we shine, speak, invite and welcome.

Edwin L. Crozier