Matthew 9:36-38 – “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Before the coronavirus paralyzed our normalcy, we were living in a time where people were boldly and gladly claiming that evil is good and what is good is evil. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).
They herald up everything from the lifestyles that they choose to live, to the musicians, actors, and “YouTube stars” that they look up to as being their idols. Because of this change from our normal routine in our lives, people have been able to slow down and ponder life and its longevity, not just the here and now. They are going to want more for themselves and their families. Indeed, the time in which we live is a peculiar time. We are in an upheaval of sorts. People are stuck at home wondering what they are going to do when the world they know goes back to normal. No doubt individuals and families have been thinking about changing their lives and becoming more spiritual.
More and more people are thinking about God and their religious ideologies. People are hungry for the truth and will begin searching for the right path. When churches reopen, I have no doubt that more people than ever are going to be visiting congregations of all kinds and fashions. They will be looking for what fits. They will notice the subtle and not so subtle nuances between beliefs and practices. We must prepare ourselves for this influx and opportunity to evangelize. We must hold to the pattern of sound doctrine and reveal to seekers the old and true path. “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).
During a time like this, the church needs to be ready to capitalize on the momentum at hand. We need to show people the light of Jesus Christ. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
We can offer a place of worship that does not call good evil and evil good. We can and will show them the pure bride of Christ and the beauty that she holds in simplicity and truth.
When this COVID-19 pandemic started, my initial reaction was not, “this is going to be great for evangelism”. It was the complete opposite. Consequently, the Devil might be thinking that he is winning souls and minds while people are alienated from gathering to worship, but God is stronger and wiser than the Devil could ever be. We must remember the words of Joseph, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20).
The church is the place of the old path and fellowship with God the Father. We will shine as that path of light amongst all the darkness.
It is now our turn “to save many people alive”. Our “2020: A Year of Evangelism” is not over! Brethren, it is just beginning! Have faith in the workings of God!
“Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.” (Jeremiah 6:16).
Your Brother,
The Preacher