“REACHING OTHERS FOR CHRIST” (Lk. 14:16-24)
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden,
Come; for all things are now ready.
18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it:
I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them:
I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded,
and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges,
and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden
shall taste of my supper.
As we began 2020, I announced that our theme for the year is “Reaching Others For Christ.” We had many goals and objectives in alignment and development of this theme, and we were off to a remarkable beginning until forced to “shelter in place” due to COVID-19. Although this current pandemic has been a tremendous challenge for most of the world, COVID-19 cannot stop God’s church! God still desires His church to be diligent in regards to “Reaching Others For Christ.”
I am compelled to share that COVID-19 is not an acceptable excuse for the failure of “Reaching Others For Christ.” We see in the above parable how the Lord will not accept the excuses we make for our failure to do what He wants us to do. We also see in the above parable how the Lord will use others to do whatever we neglect to do. Moreover, we see in the above parable that the Lord will not allow us to later participate in His heavenly feast if we fail to do His will.
In light of this, as believers, we need to still be focused on “Reaching Others For Christ.” Obviously, we have to take a different and more creative approach in many cases due to this pandemic. Be mindful that God is not asking most of us (except for some essential workers) to put our lives at risk while “Reaching Others For Christ.” However, since so many people need help and need to be reached, God’s church is still in the business of “Reaching Others For Christ.” I encourage all of us to invest quality time with the Lord for Him to reveal to us individually what He wants us to do (Acts 9:6). Remember, “the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few” (Mt. 9:37), so let’s glorify God and secure a seat in the Kingdom by “Reaching Others For Christ” despite this pandemic.
MEMORANDUM
First, we should Vote. Protesting is often good, but we can contribute greater by voting; therefore, each of us should vote and encourage everyone that we can to vote.
Secondly, we should Stay Connected. I encourage everyone to Stay Connected to God through His word (Daily Bible Reading, Online Sunday School and Online Bible Study) and through prayer (praying at least three times daily, praying with prayer partner at least once a week and praying with others in our Wednesday Prayer Meetings at 12 noon or 6:30 pm). I also encourage everyone to Stay Connected to one another (our biological family and our church family).
Thirdly, we should Give. We currently contribute by mailing or dropping off our Tithes and Offerings to our St. John South Campus (662 South 52nd Street—Richmond, CA 94804) or by giving online through our website (sjmbc.org). If you are a member of St. John who is financially able but not supporting our church financially, allow God to bless you with more by giving today your Tithes and Offerings.
Furthermore, in addition to our regular Tithes and Offerings, let’s give a special offering for our 77th Church Anniversary which is the 4th Sunday in October (10/25/20). Even if we are not able to assemble, we can still contribute financially regarding our Church Anniversary. Traditionally, we have given a dollar per year, but this year we are not going to ask anyone to give a certain amount. We are asking each person to be God-directed regarding a certain amount which might be more than, equivalent to or less than a dollar per year.
May God bless and sustain each of us.
Your Servant In Christ,
Dr. Kevin B. Hall, Pastor