”Go into all the world and preach the gospel.”
What two drastic commands in one short sentence. Let’s look at the first part:
“Go into all the world.”
YES!!!! I love traveling so of course I’m all about this part. Africa? Asia? Yes Lord, I’m go! Eating scorpions in Asia? Sure! Living out of a backpack? Sure! Sleeping on the ground? Not ideal, but sure!
Now for part two:
“…and Preach the gospel.“ Ummmm….umm, can’t I just eat the scorpions?
Why is this part SO HARD. I would rather do all these other scary things, but then freak out when this missionary has to preach the gospel. What????! Can’t I just love people and give them puppies. sure that’s nice, but that wont matter in eternity.
God has been convicting and working on me in this area. Each time I step out, each time I am bold, God uses it in amazing ways. EVERY. TIME. No, not everyone turns to Christ, but seeds are planted. And I trust and believe God will use that seed in divine ways.
Here is a story about Chelsy going out and preaching the gospel.
Toal Prek, Cambodia.
“Today we are going to preach to the other floating villages. This village has never had someone come share the gospel before.“
Thats what ministry host told us one morning over breakfast. Immediately I felt panicked and started going through the Romans road in my head to see if I could remember all the verses.
Our host had several young people she had been discipling. They know some English, so we paired up with one of them and they would translate for us. Before we left we made little “gifts” to give to the villagers which had food, clothes and soap. We paired up and set off in our canoe to the first village.
When we arrived there, we pulled our canoe up to the shore, the people started coming out of nowhere. “Why are you here?” They asked. seeing White people in this village was a new thing.
There was about 100 people. We divided the large group into sections, and told them we would tell why we came, why we were here. Three other teamates and myself were going to “open air” share the gospel. I have not done this a lot, and it’s pretty terrifying.
Me and my amazing little translator found ourselves in an area by a boat. It was so crowded that we got in the boat. And the people sat around it.
I felt like Jesus. In the boat; with the crowds. The only think I was missing was peter James and John.
So, I started telling my group of elderly woman and children why I was here. I told them I was here to tell them about Jesus. I had the colors of salvation bracelet on, and was so nervous I told God he was going to have to use this little bracelet to speak through me.
We went through the colors, and I felt peace. I even got to through in some English lessons teaching them the colors in English lol. God was able to give me answers to the questions they asked, and I just sat there and shared with them what I believed, how much Jesus loves them, and how they can find joy and peace through him. It was simple. It was short.
At the end, I asked if anyone wanted to reviece Jesus. Four people raised their hands. And there, in the boat sitting on dry land, they gave their lives to Jesus.
Wow.
That was amazing! I just preached like Jesus (from a boat even!) to a crowd and it worked!
But wait, don’t EVER think for a second it’s YOU. Right then my confidence high was brought down when I heard; “Chelsy there’s more people that want to hear. You need to share again to this new group.”
I turned, and saw three men, smoking with beer bottles in their hands.
Whaaaaaaaat.
Okay God, I can share about you to sweet little old ladies and children. But this? I can’t!
This time, the men sat in the boat, and I was on the ground. (thanks for that humbleness God.). I just New they would think this bracelet/gospel thing is ridiculous sounding.
But I nervously began to tell these men the same thing I told the first group. Jesus loves them, he died for them. He can change their lives and give it meaning. It was simple, it was short.
They didn’t respond at the end, but they did ask me some questions and let me pray for them.
The gospel is simple! I don’t have to fancy it up just for a different audience. It can reach a child, and these tough looking men. The name of Jesus is powerful, And He is the one who convicts. I believe that if we do our part and share; God will reward our obedience and use it. That takes so much pressure off us, doesn’t it?
So don’t be discouraged when you do step out and share your faith, and get turned down. (You will get turned down a lot.) you may have to share it with over 99 people. But then you will reach that 1 person. The times that you do get to lead someone to Christ makes it all worth while. I can’t describe the joy and emotion that comes with it all. But it’s the most fulfilling, rewarding, exciting thing I have ever experienced. I’m excited to see how stepping out in boldness and sharing Jesus intentionally will change my direction in life. Lets get in the boat like Jesus, and share the good news!
