The term “Outreach” means, “The extending of services or assistance beyond current or unusual limits.” The American College Dictionary defines it as “reaching out.” The Great Commission defines it as “going and making.” In the commission given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28, God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.” Each definition of outreach indicates there must be an effort on our part to go forth, to reach out to people who are in need of something they don’t have but need.
Effective outreach happens as we:
FIRST: Recognize that every person is a diamond in the rough.
Every person, according to Psalm 139, was “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and “chosen in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4), and “called with a holy calling . . . according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9). You and I and the worst of the worst of sinners all have the potential of being something special—a diamond—but the rough has to be removed by the blood of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
I’ve heard it said, “Hate the sin, but love the sinner.” We, however, seldom apply it equally to everyone. The fact is: Christ died for the sinner, even the sinner of whom you and I don’t approve. Perhaps, instead of making statements, passing laws, and boycotting stores, the most effective way to combat “their” sin is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor—yes, the drug addict, liar, child molester, porn addict—as ourselves. Let’s not forget, Christ loved sinners so much that he was willing to be beaten, ridiculed, and nailed to the cross where He died. We’re all diamonds in the rough, but most people just aren’t aware of the power of God’s Word or the Holy Spirit to make them into a new creation, so we must tell them.
SECOND: Pursue the more excellent way.
Jesus said, “Nevertheless I tell you truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you” (John 16:7). I find this striking: “Now, I tell you the truth.” It’s like Christ is saying, “Pay attention, guys; you need to hear this. You will need the Holy Spirit.” In John 14, 15 and 16 He gets to the core of what He wants these men to understand about the purpose and need of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17; 14:25-26; 15:26; 16:7-14).
Paul continues the topic of the Holy Spirit by emphasizing the need of the gifts of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, and being led by the Spirit. Then he says, let me tell you what is really important, and what will change the world and insure the effectiveness of any outreach. He says in 1 Cor. 12:31, “But from your heart you should want the best gifts. Now I will show you even a better way” (NLV). He writes his famous “love chapter,” and in it he reminds us that without LOVE, nothing else matters.
Christ was effective in all He did because He loved people. Without this love, Christ would have been ineffective. “God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5, GWT). Let’s ask our Helper, the Holy Spirit, to do to us whatever is necessary for us to manifest this love. God’s love is a motivator that will enable us to love the sinner and reach out to those in need.
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