This video addresses six common obstacles that keep Christians from reaching out, especially to Muslims. It is one of several lessons on how, where, and why to outreach, and what to expect.
OBSTACLE # 1 OH NO! DON’T GO!
It’s not uncommon for well-meaning people to try to stop us from what we think God is calling us to do, especially in outreach.
Once a local missionary told our team not to go to a mosque, because it was radical and dangerous. But the team was committed and prepared. What to do now? They prayed more. Then they decided to go anyway.
Praise God that they did! The Muslim worshippers accepted hundreds of Jesus videos, and they shared with an imam for over an hour.
A similar thing happened when an Arab missionary told us not to do an outreach in a Muslim country. But we were convinced that it was God’s will. We went ahead, also with success.
Even good Christians may try to stop you doing outreach – especially from family and friends. Usually, they are thinking first of your safety, or an inconvenience it may cause them. They have good intentions, but not a kingdom mindset. (Mark 8:33)
To counter warnings, we SUGGEST that you:
- Pray in advance about outreach and other ministry decisions
- Sincerely seek God’s will, not your own
- Research and adequately prepare
- Listen carefully and respectfully to advice from others, but
- Realize that usually people trying to stop you are reacting without thought
DECIDE: If the person obstructing you has not given the event as much prayerful consideration as you have, continue in faith along the path that God directed.
OBSTACLE #2 The FEAR FACTOR
Fear is the primary reason Christians are reluctant to reach out. Of what? Harm, their readiness, or simply the unknown.
It’s reasonable to have fears. But does valid fear mean we should take no risks? No! Christians are all called to reach out and share Jesus.
Are you afraid to reach out? Courage is not the absence of fear, but acting despite it. The Bible tells us that God will pour his love into our hearts, and that perfect love casts out fear. (Romans 5:5, I John 4:18)
God will not let something happen to us that is not for either our good, or the good of someone else (Romans 8:28). As great missionaries of the past have told us, “I am immortal until my work is through.”
OBSTACLE #3 What if I’m RECOGNIZED? As a well-known physician in her community Dr. C worried what would happen if she was recognized on outreach. This changed her mind: at a festival of an Indian religion, a hospital connection stopped and asked her what she was doing and why. A year later B contacted her and said, “Your words about Jesus and the rich man really struck me!” He continues, “I got a Bible and started reading it. Now I am a Christian!” You see friends, the fact that he knew Dr. C actually helped bring him to Christ! OBSTACLE #4 Beware the HERO HOLDOUT We share our outreach stories to inspire people. However, we have found that it often makes them think that we are special, like heroes, and do things that they can’t or are not called to do. Dr. C exposes that mistake. We are not really special. God uses ordinary and defective people to do his will, like David. In fact, he prefers if we have not much human strength to fall back on. (I Samuel 16, 17) OBSTACLE #5 The ABRAHAM DILEMMA Some Christians fear reaching out to Muslims either because they are “the enemies of God,” or that in loving them they curse Abraham, and will so bring curses upon themselves. The Bible tells us that those who curse Abraham will be cursed; but also that all who have faith in God are the children of Abraham. (Genesis 12:3, Galatians 3:6-9). Besides, the Bible is clear that Christians are to love everyone, even their enemies, and to bless those who curse us (Luke 6:28, Romans 12:14). Some Christians think Muslims unworthy of God’s love, but remember, we all are (Romans 5:8). God loves us even so. We have nothing to fear in accidentally cursing anyone by loving someone else. OBSTACLE # 6 The JONAH Factor Both the Bible and the Quran have books named after Jonah. God had compassion on the Assyrians because they did not “know their right hand from their left.” So, he told Jonah to go to Assyria and preach repentance. But since Assyria was his nation’s sworn enemy, Jonah took a boat in the opposite direction. Have you had a similar reaction to sharing the gospel? What difference might it make if you reach out to those who have threatened your country or your people? In CONCLUSION, we hope that our experiences with these obstacles to outreach will make it easier for you to recognize and overcome them. We hope that our experiences will make it easier for you to recognize and overcome obstacles to outreach, that it will put into perspective the advice of those who would discourage you, and give you tools for making the correct decision.
