Reaching Beyond Borders: The Power of Accessibility in Ministry
Mark 1:45b ... Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
People will go to where they know they can get help! Question: Are you a place people know they can go to for help? What about your house, or your church? These are important questions for those who are truly interested in being effective in their witness for The Lord.
You see, the fact of the matter is, although there are many who are not looking for God, at the same time, there are many others who are, and those are the ones we can help if our testimony is honoring to God. Take Jesus for example; He had a reputation of healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out devils, preaching the Gospel to the poor, etc. Word got out that wherever Jesus was, good things happened! As a matter of fact, His ministry became of such demand that He could no longer go into the cities for the sheer size of the crowds that would be physically unmanageable.
That said, He began to go out of the cities into desert places, as if to avoid the potential dangers of being overcrowded by the people. However, even at that, the Bible says that they still came to him from every quarter. Why? Because they knew that if they could just get to Jesus, they would get the help they needed from Him!!
I wish to point out here that when it’s made known that Jesus is in town (or outside of town for that matter), geographical location is not an obstacle for those hungry for His help. This speaks volumes to us of what we can expect of others seeking out real answers for life’s problems. If they have a need, and they hear you are able to minister the Word of God in such a way that they will be blessed, then they will travel the distance to get to where you are, if they think they can get help!
Why is this important? It is important because you need to understand that your effectiveness is NOT limited by your location! As the old saying goes, “Word travels fast!” So, if your testimony is Christ-honoring, then when people hear tell of what God did for you, and what God is doing through you, it’s just a matter of time before people will start searching you out for answers to their problems. It is at that point that we have the privilege of leading them to the only One who can really help them…Jesus Christ!
So, what about it? Are you letting your light so shine before men, regardless of your location, so they may see Christ in you? Or, are you waiting to be in a more convenient location before you reach out to others? Because if you are, you’re wasting precious time!!! Get busy!!!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
People will go to where they know they can get help! Question: Are you a place people know they can go to for help? What about your house, or your church? These are important questions for those who are truly interested in being effective in their witness for The Lord.
You see, the fact of the matter is, although there are many who are not looking for God, at the same time, there are many others who are, and those are the ones we can help if our testimony is honoring to God. Take Jesus for example; He had a reputation of healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out devils, preaching the Gospel to the poor, etc. Word got out that wherever Jesus was, good things happened! As a matter of fact, His ministry became of such demand that He could no longer go into the cities for the sheer size of the crowds that would be physically unmanageable.
That said, He began to go out of the cities into desert places, as if to avoid the potential dangers of being overcrowded by the people. However, even at that, the Bible says that they still came to him from every quarter. Why? Because they knew that if they could just get to Jesus, they would get the help they needed from Him!!
I wish to point out here that when it’s made known that Jesus is in town (or outside of town for that matter), geographical location is not an obstacle for those hungry for His help. This speaks volumes to us of what we can expect of others seeking out real answers for life’s problems. If they have a need, and they hear you are able to minister the Word of God in such a way that they will be blessed, then they will travel the distance to get to where you are, if they think they can get help!
Why is this important? It is important because you need to understand that your effectiveness is NOT limited by your location! As the old saying goes, “Word travels fast!” So, if your testimony is Christ-honoring, then when people hear tell of what God did for you, and what God is doing through you, it’s just a matter of time before people will start searching you out for answers to their problems. It is at that point that we have the privilege of leading them to the only One who can really help them…Jesus Christ!
So, what about it? Are you letting your light so shine before men, regardless of your location, so they may see Christ in you? Or, are you waiting to be in a more convenient location before you reach out to others? Because if you are, you’re wasting precious time!!! Get busy!!!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill