Reach One More For Jesus

Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Member, Gerry Mouzis:

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" Matt. 28:19-20 (NIV)

This past week, I received a copy of a Face Book post from Pastor Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church. It is entitled Why I Do What I Do—The Theme of My Life. I am not a social media guy but, for those of you who are, I strongly suggest you read the entire post. I had heard the story many years ago. This time, however, I was so moved by the story that I was reminded of the Great Commission and our obligations to fulfill that commission.

Pastor Warren eloquently describes the relationship with his father, who was a church planter and pastor for more than 50 years. He actually built church structures throughout the world and considered the local church to be the Hope of the World. Pastor Warren’s father lived by one saying, “Got to save one more for Jesus.” Just before he took his dying breath, he placed his hand on Pastor Warren and said, “Reach one more for Jesus.”

Pastor Warren’s definition of “Reaching one more for Jesus” is compelling: “You build a bridge of love between your heart and theirs, then you let Jesus walk across. You cannot bring enemies to Jesus. They must become your friends first. Before people trust Jesus they want to know if YOU can be trusted.”

We cannot live in a “Christian bubble” and fulfill the Great Commission. While Ale and I value our Christian church family, we have friends who are atheists, gays and lesbians, Muslims and Jews, conservatives and liberals. Pastor Warren notes that his association with similarly labeled people has brought him great criticism. Pastor Fred and our church were recently chastised by a local resident for feeding the hungry and homeless at the church. But aren’t we all just trying to “Reach one more for Jesus?”

We all need to equip ourselves for ministry by studying and serving at Grace Harbor; by building a bridge of love between our hearts and unbelievers; by gaining their trust; and by letting Jesus walk across the bridge. At Grace Harbor, like at thousands of other local churches big and small, we are the Hope of the World. That carries a huge responsibility.

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