27 Sep 05 Intentional

I’m in a bit of time crunch today. I have several appointments - I hate it when ministry interferes with my job. So, I may review this later and make some edits!

Let me explain more about the concept of intentional relationships. We are involved with many people on various different levels. We have friends, neighbors, co-workers and the stranger we meet here and there. There are numerous reasons for interacting with these people and differing ways in which we interact.

In our relationships with our immediate neighbors we seek to be intentional. The purposes of investing in their lives are many. The primary purpose is to live Christ among them. Secondary purposes include being a good neighbor or being a good person. Everything we do with them has as a primary purpose of being Christ among them. The result of which is we are good neighbors and good people.

The same is true, specifically of Beth, and her relationships with the girls on the softball team she coaches. Through this venue Beth has access into the lives of these girls and their families. We’ve been able to socialize with parents of school friends also because of the involvement Beth has in the school and PTA.

I’m not intending to brag, certainly some of you are far ahead of us in relational evangelism. I do want to leave the realm of theory and enter the reality of specifics. We eat with our neighbors, socialize with them, help them with yard projects, house projects, whatever way we can with specific intent. The time will come, for it is something I pray for, that we will engage in deeper conversations of faith. Those conversations will be genuine because of the groundwork of trust paved by relationship.

The most effective evangelists in Bible where those with a personal message. Those who simply shared what Jesus had done in their life attracted the largest audience. They had the greatest impact for the kingdom. That’s the intent of the relational evangelist. Pave the way for the opportunity to share what Jesus has done and is doing in your life. Perhaps our struggle with evangelism is we, ourselves, are not quite sure how to answer that question?

I’m not telling you anything new today - nothing you do not already know. I am reminding you to begin to invest yourself in the lives of those around you. Keep focused in the purpose of your relationships with others - that Christ may be seen.