Do you think it is easy to persuade people to buy an ordinary medicine, for example, “Panadol”? The difficulty is two-fold. First, it is intimidating to approach a stranger and then not knowing what to say. Second, the thought of being rejected adds to the discouragement. Next Sunday (28^th March 2010), we shall be “salesman” for Christ: we are going into the neighbourhood of West Coast and Clementi to persuade the residents to come for the gospel rally. The conditions are about the same: we are approaching strangers and we face a high possibility of being rejected several times. The difference is this: we have very good reasons not to be afraid but to do it with confidence and joy.

The Gospel is Cure for Death

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). Man’s greatest enemy and fear is death. We are inviting them not to attend some party or to give them $1 million dollars. What we can give them is muchbetter than that: eternal and abundant life, a life filled with peace, meaning—a victorious life that can be experienced now, and we will have heaven when our life on earth ends. We need not be afraid as we invite them because they need it. No matter how happy they may look, how rich they may be, how resentful of the gospel they are, the fact is they need the gospel and they know they need such a salvation; they need Jesus more than anything or anyone because they have no true meaning in life and also they must one day face death.

 The Almighty God Jesus is with You

Jesus says: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:18-20). This is Jesus’ promise to you, that if you are willing to obey Him by going into the world, including West Coast and Clementi neighbourhood to invite them to hear or to share with them the gospel, Jesus your Almighty God who is above all authority will go with you. He will prepare hearts for you and teach you what to say that you may be an effective witness for Him. You may be frightened inside but you must not allow a stranger or your limited abilities to stop you from opening your mouth to invite him. Your duty is to invite or share the gospel, then God will take care of the rest. God can use you if you allow Him to use you by not being afraid. When you pluck up courage to invite and share, your heart will be filled with joy because you have obeyed your Lord and done what your Saviour is most concerned about. You will be filled with joy also because “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy” (Psa 126:5)—In other words, if you work hard, your hard work will bear fruits when the time is ripe. For now, pray for God to prepare hearts for you, pray that God will use you and then go out to invite them next Sunday. God will go with you.