“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:13-14
Jesus preached the good news and he lived the good news. He loved and served everyone around Him, while also telling them the truth about their sin and need for salvation. Someone recently pointed out to me how “Jesus wasn’t nice. He was kind.” Niceness is basic politeness, which usually avoids confrontation and anything unpleasant. True kindness makes sure people see their blindspots and selfishness in order to help them get past them.
Jesus’ ministry was the perfect balance of proclamation and demonstration. He healed people, drove out the demons that plagued them, took outsiders (prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers) and brought them into the fellowship of His new family. But His ministry did not stop with loving service and good deeds – it naturally and continually overflowed with good news.
We see the same pattern in the early church. They continued to preach the gospel of the kingdom in the Risen Christ. But at the same time they gave sacrificially to take care of one another and they continued the healing ministry of Jesus
“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.”
Acts 8:4-8
Seeing the love of Christ and hearing the good news of Christ produced “much joy.” Eric Swanson (Externally Focused Quest) sums it up well: “Good deeds create good will to help people hear the good news.”
Whom can you serve this holiday season? How can you reach out with the love of Christ to help people better hear the gospel of Christ?
An important first step in reaching out is noticing. Watch this short video as a reminder that a lot more is going on in the lives of people than we can ever see on the surface.