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From the Eyes of the Visitor
Stacy Dean Crim
What are we saying to our visitors? This is an important question for any congregation to ask and what it boils down to is, ‘What am I saying to a visitor?’
Paul told the church at Colosse to “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:5-6
What can we do to walk in wisdom towards them that are not Christians and are visiting our services?
I. REALIZE THAT EACH MEMBER IS A CRUCIAL PART IN WELCOMING THE VISITORS
What are we saying to our visitors when only a few members take the time to speak to them?
What we are saying is that the congregation is not very friendly, and that as a whole we are not really interested in their presence.
Brethren each member is a critical part in the welcoming of any visitor. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16
And each member needs to be aware of the impact they have upon the congregation.
In 2 Corinthians 6:1-3, Paul was deeply concerned about the ministry, he did not want to give any occasion for one to stumble and blame the ministry of Jesus Christ. "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:"
II. SHUT DOWN THE “US” vs. “THEM” SYNDROME
Have you ever noticed that some members always refer to the brethren as “them” or “they” and are always standing on the outside looking in.
What we are saying to the visitors is that we are not really apart of the work they are visiting. What we are saying is that the congregation is not really united.
Acts 2:47, “… the Lord add to the church daily such as should be saved.” The Lord added us to His church and now it is our responsibility to be an active part of a local work where we live.
We must acknowledge our responsibilities to the work. We must acknowledge the truth that the responsibilities are not someone else’s but ours as well. The Lord Expects “Us” all to work and not Just “them”
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
If there is spiritual work to be done let “us” do the work and not just “them” because we are God’s workmanship in Christ to do good works. This excludes no one.
The Lord expect us to be united. "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” I Corinthians 1:10
There was division in Corinth and there was the us over here and the them over there. But Paul charged the Corinthians to speak the same thing and to be perfectly joined in mind and judgement.
The visitor will pick up on the closeness of the members when all of the members think, speak and act the same way.
III. ATTEND THE BIBLE STUDY CLASSES WHICH ARE
IMPORTANT AND SPECIAL TO USGod’s people are to study to show themselves approved unto God, II Timothy 2:15; they are use the Word of God to furnishes them unto all good works, II Timothy 3:16-17; they are to realize the Word of God makes them wise unto salvation, II Timothy 3:15; and they are to learn to use the Word of God which is quick, powerful and sharper than any toedged sword, Hebrews 4:12.
What are we saying to our visitor when we do not think it is important enough to come and study the word of God?
What are we saying to our visitor when we show up late?
What are we saying when the members arrive during the prayer?
What are we saying when we show up unprepared for the Bible class? What is most important is what are we saying to God about the importance of studying His Word?
What we are saying is to the visitor is that God’s word is not all that important to us.
Brethren we are the means whereby some might be led to Christ, Matthew 5:14. What can we do to assist in bringing one to Christ? We can we do to demonstrate our Bible Studies are important? We can …
1. Be present each and every time the meeting doors are open!
2. We can be on time!
3. We can be prepared for Bible Study!
IV. ATTEND AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE WORSHIP SERVICES
"A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." Psalms 122:1
What are we saying to our visitors when so many of our members forsake the assembly?
What are we saying when so many are not present on Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights? Again what is most important is what we are saying to God?
What we are saying to our visitors is that our worship together is not all that important and that there are plenty of other things to do.
What can we do to let our visitors know that our worship in spirit and in truth is most important? We can…
1. Be there every time the meeting doors are open.
2. Come prepared to worship
3. Be attentive to all aspects of worship.
4. Give our best
"God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in Reverence of all them that are about Him." Psalms 89:7
Our worship is special for it is designed by God to praise His High, Holy and Matchless Name. And it is designed by God to build His children up and lift our spirits. Does the visitor hear and see this in our services?
Conclusion:
What we are doing as the Lord’s church is the most important thing one can ever be a part of and participate in. I hope you will step back in the days to come and consider your life, your worship and consider just what is seen through the eyes of the visitor.
&
GOD’S PLAN TO SAVE MAN THROUGH CHRIST JESUS
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Ephesians 2:8)
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:8-10
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" (1 Peter 3:21)
See also: (Romans 6:1-7, Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:26-28, II Corinthians 5:17)