Lead Neighbors to Jesus
Ex 12:4 says, “… the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls…”. From this text we’re going to preach about how to lead neighbors to Jesus. Our text is from the Lord’s instructions to Israel about the passover lamb. Families, in smaller households, were to share a lamb with their next-door neighbors.
Likewise, we should share our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, with our neighbors. This is the greatest way to demonstrate our love for our neighbors. As Paul said in
Rom 13:9-10, “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor.”
How to Lead Neighbors to Jesus:
Get to Know Them
When you see your neighbors, introduce yourself. Ask their name(s) and write them down.
Pray for them
Your prayer list is where to write their names. And then pray for them often and regularly. You can’t estimate the value of the divine work that is done on their behalf when you pray. However, you can be sure that the Lord hears and answers, Heb 7:25.
Befriend Them
Be friendly and sociable. Take an interest in your neighbors, their children, their occupation, and their lives. Greet them by name every time you see them. Invite them for a meal. Jesus ate with sinners. The Pharisees said, in Lk 15:2, “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”
Offer to help them when needed. Prov 27:10 says, “better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.” We were the recipients of our neighbors’ help during the recent freeze.
Witness to Them
In Mk 5:19 Jesus told the man in the Gadarenes to “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee.”
Witnessing should be natural; not forced. When visiting with our neighbors, I’m too cautious. We mustn’t fear risking our friendships by preaching the gospel.
Invite your neighbors to church. In Acts 10:24 Cornelius had “called together his kinsman and near friends.” My wife is very good at this.
Leave the Results to God
You might feel bad that you don’t “say” more to your neighbor on a given day. That feeling is the result of your expectations. Trust the Lord to lead you in these conversations. Trust the Lord to deal with them according to the gospel. Just be willing to be used by the Lord to give them the gospel as he leads.
Why Lead Neighbors to Jesus
By loving our neighbors and witnessing to them about Jesus, we are not keeping the Lamb of God to ourselves. Jesus already laid down his life for them. If we really love our neighbors, we will try to lead them to Jesus.
For additional help see Leading Family Members to the Lord.