Spreading the Gospel through a Positive Reputation
Various Scriptures
Friday, March 9, 2007
SD Gideons State Convention
This is going to be a tough message at times. This has been on my heart for quite a while, and I think that the Gideons are in a position to impact this concern of mine and turn the tide of all this.
I’d love to just give you a fluffy “Jesus loves you and isn’t life wonderful” kind of message.
And while it’s true that Jesus loves you (and isn’t that good news?), and that life in Christ is wonderful, even in the midst of hardship, the fact of the matter is that we live in a world that, by and large, doesn’t recognize Jesus and won’t, except through people like yourselves who are willing to take the gospel to the workplace and your areas of influence.
And that is the setting of where I want to go with this. I hope that you will share my concern, but more than that, I hope you will share my confidence that through the Spirit of God and the Word of God, the tide can be changed for the glory of God and the advancement of Jesus’ kingdom.
Waaaaay back in the old days when I worked as a cook and waiter at Pizza Hut, there were times when a Christian family would come into the restaurant, and I tried to make it a point to have them seated in my section so I could wait on them.
But it wasn’t because they were good tippers or anything like that.
Actually, the reason I wanted to wait on them was because I didn’t want one of the other servers being subjected to the rudeness and meanness of these people.
They were demanding and impatient, and were lousy tippers.
They probably went to church every Sunday and Wednesday. They probably could quote a bunch of Scripture, and maybe even pray with anyone who wanted them to. They could probably share the plan of salvation with the best of them.
But can you guess what would happen if they had tried to share the gospel with those other servers who had to put up with them at the restaurant?
“Why would I want to accept Jesus? So I can be like you? No thanks!”
These people had absolutely no credibility at that place, and my guess is that they had little to none with just about anybody outside of their church.
I wish I could tell you that it was only one family. But unfortunately, it was more than one.
On the other hand, there were other Christian families who were a joy to serve.
They were friendly to the servers, ordered what was on the menu instead of demanding things we didn’t have, and were generally good tippers, which was the reason, I wanted to wait on them, of course…
Can’t let someone who needs to hear about Jesus get to them…
My guess is that I’m not the only one who has witnessed this type of behavior from people who call themselves Christians.
And you know, it’s not only at restaurants. The idea here is that there are people who call themselves Christians but who exhibit decidedly un-Christlike behavior, especially in public.
They worship on Sunday, but on Monday, they’re ready to take advantage of unsuspecting customers by over-charging them or doing work that wasn’t authorized.
They go to prayer meeting on Tuesday and withhold payment for an invoice on Wednesday, making the vendor wait longer than the terms for the deal because they think it’s no big deal to pay bills on time when they’re able.
They go to Bible study on Wednesday, and complain about their pastor on Thursday.
And dare I say – they go to their monthly camp meeting on Thursday and treat their employees like dirt on Friday.
Can we be frank here?
These are just a few examples of the type of thing that goes on in the real world that we all live in.
I saw it before I became a pastor and I still see it today in the workplace.
I could spend a lot of time harping on the negative examples I’ve seen over the years. But that’s not my purpose today.
But what a joy it is to see God’s people act like mature adults who love Jesus and love people. It shows in all they do, and it opens the doors wide for opportunities to share the gospel with people.
My guess is that we all know people like that, don’t we?
They’re successful in business or their jobs because not only do they work hard, but they honestly care about the people around them, whether they be customers, co-workers, employees, the community, or whatever.
They have a positive reputation in the community, and in many cases serve in responsible positions on community boards and such.
These people are a joy to be around, if for no other reason than the fact that you don’t have to be embarrassed around them, right?
So when these people have an opportunity to share the gospel with someone, they get listened to, because the other people have seen it lived out in the lives of these wonderful people of God.
The Bible says that we’re supposed to be people of good reputation in the community, and that God can use that good reputation to advance His kingdom.
The Bible talks about the effects of a good reputation among those who don’t yet know Christ.
I’ve been reading the book of Acts in my quiet times recently, and I’ve come across 2 specific instances where it mentions the reputation of the people of Christ.
2:42-46 –
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
5:12-14 –
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…
Now there are a few things we can look at here – the fact that they were in one accord, that they were in constant fellowship, or the fact that they had been committed to the teachings of the apostles.
But what was it that God used to let people see that the gospel being preached was the real deal?
I think that the issue was that these people were doing something that is sadly lacking in the Church of Jesus Christ today – actually living as though they loved Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Remember, Christianity wasn’t exactly appreciated in the first century. Calling yourself a believer in Christ opened you up to persecution in a big way, as the early church found out.
But these people said that come what may, they were going to live for Jesus. They were regular people like you and I, working for living, rubbing shoulders with pagans and “religious” people.
But God had done something in the lives of these people that made them stand out. He caused them to be Christ-followers, not just Christians in name only.
The people in the early church were not characterized by the convenient Christianity of today.
They gave of themselves and their property. They put the needs of others ahead of their own. They took advantage of opportunities to care about people and talk to them about Jesus, and they had credibility because the people saw them living it out in a hostile environment.
And this brought them a positive reputation.
Listen again –
…having favor with all the people.
…but the people esteemed them highly.
And did you catch what happened in each of these two instances?
… the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
…believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…
Isn’t that amazing? God was able to use the lives of His people to bring multitudes to Christ.
The lives of the people gave the preaching of the gospel credibility.
Now I understand that the book of Acts is a narrative, and that there is nothing in these passages that says, “Thou shalt have a good reputation.”
But guess what? The Bible does have such a command. In 1 Timothy, we find Paul giving some instructions to Timothy for appointing overseers and deacons and such.
1 Timothy 3:6-7 –
Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
I like the way the NLT puts it –
Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
Interesting, huh?
I know that not everyone here is a deacon or overseer or board member or whatever your church calls them, but the fact that you’re part of this wonderful ministry of the Gideons makes you a leader.
If you have any influence whatsoever, you are a leader. And because of that, you have a Scriptural responsibility to be a person with a good reputation.
By the way, maybe you heard the story about a pompous-looking deacon who was trying to impress upon a class of boys the importance of living the Christian life. "Why do people call me a Christian?" the man asked. After a moment’s pause, one youngster said, "Maybe it’s because they don’t know you." (SermonCentral.com. Contributed by: John Beehler)
I can guarantee that if you have been active in the goal of passing out a Worker’s Testament (is that what they’re called?), you have had people reject the message.
But the question is this: did they reject Jesus because they weren’t convinced of their need or was it that you had no credibility because you were like the deacon I just mentioned?
I’m talking about people rejecting Jesus, not because of the message, but because of the messenger.
If you’re a jerk and they reject your attempt to witness to them, don’t think they’re just a lost sinner who doesn’t understand because the devil has blinded them.
The devil’s not standing in their way, you are! And you need to repent! Can I be that bold?
I’m convinced that if more confessing Christians would actually act as Jesus would in the every day living, more opportunities to share the good news and more opportunities to experience the joy of seeing someone cross that line to salvation would come.
Why? Because they would see that Jesus is real in you. They’d see that Jesus isn’t just someone you claim to love but don’t endeavor to follow His commands to treat others as you would want to be treated. They’d see that Jesus is not only in the salvation business, He’s also in the life-transforming business, because He’s done it in you.
And when people see that He’s transforming you, they’ll listen. Because they won’t be concentrating on your lack of credibility, they’ll be listening for what Jesus can do for them.
Folks, it’s as simple as this:
A good reputation opens the door, and a bad reputation closes the door.
So what should you do with what I’m giving you today? Let me give you three things very quickly:
First, if you find that the Holy Spirit is speaking to you today, then allow Him to do His work through your humble repentance and rededication to be a person who reflects Jesus in every area of life and in every circumstance.
Second, think about your time here this weekend.
Conventions like this bring a number of problems with them, and sometimes stuff just happens. It’s just part of life at a convention.
You may not believe this, but your response to these things can make all the difference in the world to that person coming to Christ someday.
If you’re rude to the staff here this weekend, you’re making it so much tougher for another Brother Gideon or Sister in the Auxiliary to share the gospel with them.
“Oh, you’re a Gideon. Yeah, I remember them – they were the ones who complained about everything and then put a Bible in my face and expected me to just fall on my face in love with Jesus.”
Folks, I suggest that you do your utmost to make it as easy as possible for the people who work here. They’re busting their tails trying to make everything just right for you, and they don’t need a bunch of religious whiners making their job that much tougher.
Act in such a way that when you’re checking out, the people at the front desk are begging you to come back.
Third, when you get back to the grind on Monday, commit to the Lord that you will do all you can with the help of God to be a person who builds a positive reputation in your area for the sake of the kingdom.
Folks, it’s not lost on me that the theme of this convention is “The World is Passing Away.”
With that in mind, do we want to be people who contribute to that perishing through unChristlike attitudes and behaviors toward others for whom Jesus died?
Wouldn’t you rather be the one that God uses to break through the negative stereotypes so that one more person will see that the gospel is true and that forgiveness of sins and a home in heaven is ready for the taking?
My confidence is that you would rather be the second type.
Let me close with one last passage from Scripture:
1 Peter 3:15-16 –
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Develop a positive reputation – it strips the enemy of tool and it strips the unbeliever of an excuse, opening the door for the Holy Spirit to do His thing in bringing someone to Jesus.
Be a person about whom it can be said, “He has favor with all the people.” And, “The people esteemed them highly.
Not for your sake, but for the sake of the kingdom God, and for His glory forever and ever. Amen.
And one last thing: don’t forget to set your clocks ahead tomorrow night, especially if you’re giving a church report on Sunday!
