When the church makes evangelism a priority, God goes to work. But how do we detect when God has actually done something? What proof do we have that God moved in a special way?
Of course all heaven celebrates when one sinner repents. The church celebrates on earth when people get baptized and tell their story. But there are more evidences of grace we can spot if we are looking. Here is what I saw over the past few weeks that encouraged me and alerted me to God's special activity:
1. More prayer for the lost. Paul provided us with an example to follow: "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved." (Romans 10:1 ESV) God generated more prayer for the lost over the past few weeks. At men's leader meetings, in small groups, at kitchen tables, in staff meetings---I heard more prayer, and it blessed my soul. When God's Spirit lays lost people on our hearts, it produces more prayer for the lost. This is evidence God is at work.
2. More sorrow and anguish for the lost. If we are going to effectively reach the world with the Gospel, we must see what God sees. When God's Spirit lays the anguish of eternity upon our hearts, making us feel burdened for some who are not saved, this is evidence of God's activity.
The apostle Paul lamented, "I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." (Romans 9:1-3 ESV) Wow. If he could give away his ticket to paradise, he would. I personally felt more sorrowful and heartbroken for some of my friends and family over the past few weeks, and I heard others expressing the same feelings. This is evidence God is at work.
3. More believers courageously inviting others to church. I heard many stories of believers taking risks leading up to last Sunday. Pastor Brandon invited his neighbors to church. A woman in our small group challenged herself to invite perfect strangers to church---someone at the grocery store, a waitress at the restaurant, etc. My wife invited a homeless woman. I invited a neighbor I grew up with who is going through a very tragic time. I also invited a few of the realtors we are working with on the facility search (they both showed up!). I was blessed to hear people reaching out and extending a friendly invitation to church. This is what it means to be on God's rescue team.
4. More people surprised by who came to church. One young woman accidentally invited her cousin to church a week early (before "bring a friend Sunday"). She sent me a Facebook message saying, "I thought last week you said it was bring a friend Sunday so I invited my cousin. He brought his entire family. They haven't been to church in a long time and not walking with God. There were 7 in my family & 9 all together. My uncle looked at me and said thank you & started crying and was so glad that they came this week. They will be back next week!!!! Praise God!!!!! He is changing lives." I was personally surprised after the first service last Sunday when a group of six people called me over. One of the women asked if I remembered her. It took a second, but then I realized she was my babysitter when I was growing up. She pointed to another woman and asked if I remembered her. I looked and said, "You were my gym teacher in elementary school!" I hadn't seen these people in over twenty years! God surprised my by who came to church.
While we want to see the final product of salvation, God shows His work through a process. He takes His time and involves His people. As we wait patiently to see what truly happened in the hearts of those who came to church last Sunday, let's rejoice at all that God has done leading up to a memorable service!
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