Christmas Outreach: Be Willing to Pay the Cost by Rick Warren (Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook)

Christmas Outreach: Be Willing to Pay the Cost
By Rick Warren
Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook

November 29, 2009

Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn't find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, he said, 'Friend, I forgive your sins.' Luke 5:18-20 (Msg)

Seven ways a small group can reach people for Jesus

#7 -- Your small group must be willing to pay the cost to bring someone to Jesus.

These four men wouldn't have made a hole in the roof unless they were willing to fix it. They had to pay the cost of bringing their friend to Jesus.

Bringing a friend to Jesus always requires sacrifice. For many small groups that means sacrificing their own comfort within the group. Many people have become so comfortable within their small groups that they are afraid of adding new people and messing up the group dynamics.

Before our friends will come to Jesus, they need to see us get out of our comfort zones. But we know that reaching others for Jesus is of eternal significance - it is the most important thing we can do for God while we are here on earth.

Therefore, this Christmas season, "pray that the Master's Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response, just as it did among you." (2 Thessalonians 3:1 MSG)

And then be an instrument of that prayer, doing the work required to bring others to Jesus.