Marc Estes

This is the third post in a series of posts entitled, “Reaching Those who Need Christ.”

Jack Hayford once said, “You will never reach spiritual maturity until you realize you are in a spiritual battle.” This profound statement holds the secret as to why many of us today are limited in our effectiveness to reach people for Christ. In addition it holds the key to changing us into becoming more fruitful in our witnessing experiences.

There is a real enemy alive on planet earth, and is working 24/7 to keep the kingdom of God from moving forward; that includes you and me! Whether you believe it or not, you are in a battle. It is too late to change your involvement. In fact, it is unwise to ignore it.  When you got saved, you got the marching orders to fight for the King. Christianity was never intended to be a “Love Boat” but a battleship.

Our adversary has one mission in mind; to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Unfortunately that includes you as well. It is amazing how quickly we forget that we are the carriers of the most powerful transforming truth on planet earth, and it is us who He is attempting to distract, resist, hinder and even destroy. He started in the garden with Adam and Eve, continue with his attempts to destroy Moses (the carrier of the message) and even took a stab at Jesus, the Message Himself. Don’t stop and think for a moment that you aren’t on his hit list as well.

As a threat to the enemy’s purpose, he will do whatever he can to keep you from seeing your true purpose here on earth. That purpose is to share the good news with everyone, everywhere (Matthew 16:15). That is why Paul admonishes us to remember there is an enemy and we need to be aware of his cunning schemes. He writes in 2 Corinthians 2:11, “Do not be ignorant concerning the enemy’s tactics…” There are two basic tactics the enemy has used for centuries, that have never changed. Our ability to realize and discern these daily will determine whether we are successful in touching the lives of those that desperately need Christ.

His first tactic is to paralyze the church (you and me).  There are five predominant ways he accomplishes this task. They are; intimidation, fear, apathy, busyness, and deception. Stop for a moment and think about the last time you felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to share with someone. Did any of these five thoughts or emotions surface? Chances are they did. Unfortunately, statistics would say that you may have succumbed to his soothing voice and missed an opportunity to touch a life for Christ.

If we are not careful, we can allow the enemy to influence our actions in the most subtle ways, without ever even knowing he was the instigator of our actions. The Apostle Peter drives this point home and gives us some great advise, “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

The second tactic of the enemy is to paralyze those we are trying to reach. It is amazing to see the distaste that has been created in the minds of the unbeliever towards Christ, His church and His followers. I do admit, some of this is our own fault, but much of it has to do with the enemy’s strategy to create a spiritual DMZ zone between us that believe, and those that don’t. Distance is the greatest deterrent to the gospel message. Paul hits the nail on the head by revealing this truth about the devil’s deterring schemes. He says in 2 Corinthians 4:4, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”  We are the light of the world!  God’s ultimate plan is that people without Christ will ultimately see the light of Christ in you. So if the enemy can put a distaste in their minds regarding you, the church-the light of Christ, he has accomplished the second part of his strategy to distance them from you and from the message that will save their souls.

The challenge then lies in us to realize the spiritual battle we are in, and do our part to destroy the works of the devil. Evangelism is one of the most resisted activities on planet earth and we must do our part in waging a good fight in the spiritual realm, if we are to be successful in reaching people in the natural realm. It is imperative that each of us recognize the enemy’s tactics as well as our place of spiritual authority in this real war we face daily. Over two-thousand years ago, Jesus made a riveting statement that still applies to you and me today. “I  have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you” (Luke 10:19).

It is time for each of us to realize we are in a spiritual battle and become spiritually mature in discerning the tactics of the enemy by realizing the authority that has been entrusted to our care and use it to win people to Christ.

Our next post, Reaching 4, we will discuss how prayer plays a role in dismantling the enemy’s tactics.

I was walking along the beach early this morning in San Diego enjoying the morning breeze coming off of the pounding surf. Once again I was taken back by God’s incredible creation, and all of His splendour. As I was enjoying the moment with Him, He reminded me again of something that supersedes His creation, and that is His unfailing love.

 

Psalm 36:5-7 says, “Your unfailing love, O Lord is a vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God!”

 

Maybe today you are needing to know that there is someone who loves you; someone who cares. His unfaililng love is within your reach right now. Be encouraged today, He loves you…and ALWAYS will!

In our first post, REACHING 1, I discussed the importance of building relationships with those that need Christ. I emphasized that the majority of people who give their life to Christ and remain committed to Christ and His church, come to Christ through a relative, friend, neighbor or co-worker. Let me encourage you once again, make it your aim to develop quality relationships with those that need Christ.

After we begin developing relationships with those that need Christ, it is imperative that we realize the importance of our example. People ALWAYS see more of what you do than what you say. How you live your life really defines your beliefs and convictions, moreso than some grandiose talk in the employee lounge. What you ‘possess’ is more important than what you, ‘confess’ to the spiritual seeker.

Non-Christians today are looking closely at those that call themselves a Christian, that includes you. I think they are genuinely looking for some real answers to the complex problems facing our world, as well as those that are haunting their own soul. People are perplexed! Conciously and subconciously, they are mulling over some seemingly critical questions regarding our Christian walk such as, “Does their lifestyle match their confession?” or, “Do they live what they believe?” Unfortunately, in many cases, the evidence gathered leads them down the path to a disturbing conclusion, “They are all talk, not much walk.”  Ouch!

Many years ago while attending the University of London, Mahatma Ghandi was on a pursuit to find the one, “true super religion.” He decided to stay with a Christian family to observe their lifestyle and learn about their Christian beliefs. For the next six months he would observe their blatant hypocrisy, cringe at their negative comments about church leaders, and become appalled at their lack of commitment to their cause. At the end of his stay he made this chilling statement, “Christianity is not the one true religion I hoped to find, it is just one of many… I would have become a Christian if I just could have found one to convert me.”

Let’s get real for a moment. If I was to ask your friends and neighbors about your lifestyle, attitude, habits and commitment to Christ, how would you score? Would there be overwhelming evidence that attracts them to the God you serve, or a distate that repels them to pursue other options? You might want to ask them.

The Apostle Paul communicates the secret to his ncredible success of reaching people. In 1 Corinthians 9:27 he says, “I put my flesh in subjection to my spirit that when I preach the gospel I might not become disqualified.” Paul’s powerful words should remind us all of the importance of making sure that we discipline ourselves to live a godly life so that when we get the opportunity to share the Good News, that it has a powerful impact in the lives of those around us.

What areas of your life do you need to change today? What habits have had a negative impact on your testimony? Are there some attitudes that need adjusting? How about your speech? Make the decision today to change any area that might disqaulify you. You never know, you just might end up being an example to someone who needs Christ.

Stay tuned for REACHING 3

People today are starved for meaningul, lasting relationships. One of the greatest ways to reach those that need Christ is through quality relationships. In fact, 86% of all people that ever come to Christ and stay commited to a church family come through a relationship with a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or a relative.

Unfoturtnately, today many Christians don’t have much relationships with those outside of their church family, and if so, are often reluctant to share the Good News within them in fear that they might be rejected or because it isn’t a priority in their lives.

My encouragement to you is to make your life count by touching those that need Him through building healthy relationships with them! Don’t over-complicate touching the lives of people for Christ. RELAX! Just love them, spend time with them, enjoy their company, be an example, meet their needs and allow the Holy Spirit to do His part.

The Bible is filled with examples of reaching people for Christ through relationships:

- Andrew reaches out to his brother Simon Peter.
- Phillip reaches out to his friend Nathaniel (John 1:35-36).
- Cornelius, the Roman centurion, reaches his relatives and family (Acts 10).
- The Philippian jailer brings his circle of relationships to Christ (Acts 16:27-34).

Here are some practical ideas to help you in reaching people for Christ.

1 Pray and ask God to give you 7-10 people in which to build meaningful relationships. These relationships might come through existing friends, relatives, neighbors or co-workers. You may also consider getting involved in your community to build relationships as well.

2. Take the time to nurture those relationships by spending quality time with them. Plan time each week to spend time with them. Those that fail to plan, plan to fail.

3. Pray for each person regularly.

4. Find common interests and use them as opportunities to bond with them.

5. Look for any needs in their lives and take the opportunity to meet those needs to the best of your ability.

6. Introduce them to others from your church family.

7. Don’t lose sight of the reason you are establishing these new relationships.

Hopefully, these simple thoughts will encourage you in your journey of touching the lives of those around you. Make the decision today to implement these seven simple truths into  your life. You won’t be disappointed, in fact, you just might enjoy it!

Stayed tuned for REACHING 2

Over the past few months, many of you have asked questions regarding the publisher of my new book. Relevant books out of Orlando, Florida is the publisher. Go check out their site, they have some cool stuff.  www.relevantmediagroup.com

I love the title of the article already! Sounds like a line in a rap song? Maybe not, but it does sound liberating, promising, enticing; but is it even possible? For those that have lived a life under the cloud of inferiority, it sounds like another one of those, ‘too good to be true’ offer. If you are already drawn in to this distant possibility, if you are honest with yourself and need a breakthrough, this word is for you today.

 

To begin, relax…you are not alone in this struggle. Many Christians today suffer from the same nagging problem. It is one of the enemies most popular, age-old tricks of making us feel like we are less than we are. He knows that if he can get your eyes off of who you really are, you will never be able to accomplish all you were intended to do. It is in this process that we make to critical errors.

 

The first mistake we make is looking at others around us as the mearsuring rod for our own lives. In the purest sense this is not a bad thing as it is inbred into us to look for those that we respect and try to emulate their great Christ-like character qualities. The apostle Paul even encourage us in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” However, there is a fine line between looking up to someone and wishing to be someone. This is one mistake that can cause years of insecurity and confusion. Settle it now, you were never intended to be anyone else but you! Be excited you are you! Don’t try to be someone else and sell yourself short. Learn from those around you and apply important life principles to your life, but don’t try to become them.

 

The second mistake made is that we look at our own weaknesses, mistakes and shortcomings. We convince ourselves that we are not good enough for the plans God has for our lives. None of us will ever measure up to God’s perfect standard, so relax! That is where Christ comes in…phew! Don’t get me wrong, I am always looking at ways to improve myself, but I am not going to beat myself up in the process. The deeper issue is that it is not me that is going to do great things for God anyways, but He who lives in me. Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.” My strength is not in me, but in Him, in me. I am a high school drop out, and realized early on in my Christian walk, “without Him, I CAN DO NOTHING.” It is apparent that my only hope of ever doing anything significant would be found in the one that has made me significant.

 

Moses made this same mistake repeatedly. I can just hear his arguments with the Lord in his early days of ministry, “I’m not a good speaker… I’m clumsy with my words… you’ve got the wrong guy… get someone else!” His focus was on his weaknesses and not God’s strengths. Thankfully, God replies to his statements of inferiority with a simple,  yet riveting statement that should jolt us all towards breaking free from inferiority, “‘Who makes mouths? Who makes people so they can speak or not speak, hear or not hear, see or not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go, and do as I have told you. I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say.”

 

“Yes sir!” Moses received his wake up call and the rest was history. My encouragement for you today is to let this simple thought for the day be your wake up call. Like Moses, and like me, you will never overcome your inferiority by focusing on others or yourself. Focus on the God that made you, the God who saved you and filled you, and the One who has positioned you for greatness. In doing so, you will be free just being you. Make your aim today, break free from inferioirity!

For all those that are following the progress of my new book, here is the latest.

 

Relevant will be finalizing the layout and design of What Now as of this week. I have had the opportunity to get a sneak preview and it looks hot! They have done a great job in making the book look very ‘edgy’ and inviting at the same time. They have been quite creative in show casing the entry stories in a different font and design without breaking up the consistency of the content. In addition, the self-discsovery assessments are done quite tastefully and seem very easy to use. The desingn team at Relevant get an A+ from me! I look forward to getting your opinion on the book!

 

I will make sure to get a sample chapter posted soon for your reveiw, along with the table of contents.