Reaching People

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 (New International Version, NIV)

Wherever Jesus went in His earthly ministry, He impacted people, whether He spoke to the multitudes or to just one. Jesus took time with people. The reason He came was to seek and save that which was lost. The thing that drew people to Jesus was the fact that He cared for them. He met tangible needs like physical healing, deliverance from demonic oppression and possession, giving to the poor, as well as feeding the multitudes. He reached out to the outcast, like lepers or the woman at the well. Jesus stood for truth, defended the helpless, and took time to really listen to people. He answered questions, and He taught and explained God’s Word to the spiritually hungry who were searching for truth.

Jesus set an example for us to follow. Do we really listen to hurting people? Do we take time for those who have been rejected? Do we reach out to the outcast? If not, we should be. Share the gospel with others- whether in a crowd, in a small gathering, or individually. A lot of people have been won by one. Maybe a family member, friend, acquaintance, or some other person led them to the Lord.

Jesus demonstrated God’s power wherever He went, casting out devils, healing the sick and broken, and raising the dead. He rebuked religious hypocrites. He helped widows. We was a light to those in darkness, bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, and life to those who were spiritually dead. He brought whatever each person needed. He released God’s power, rebuking storms and walking on water.

Jesus expects true believers to go into the world and preach the gospel to ALL people and to have the same signs follow them that followed Jesus. We should be casting out devils, speaking with new tongues, using our authority over that serpent, satan. Even if we take poison into our bodies, whether knowingly or unknowingly, God can and will protect us from harm. We shoud be laying hands on the sick and seeing them recover.

We are to do the works of Christ and greater works than He did. As we share the Word of God, God will work with us, and we will see miraculous signs and wonders take place.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16:15-20 (KJV)