A new way of evangelism

Hi there.  Again long time no blog!  Many apologies - lots going on at the mo still!

Anyways so Isaiah 61 I LOVE

v 1-3 says this...
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,  
     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor. 


We are 'annointed' to do these things!  Not only this, but look at the order of the actions we are told we will do...


PREACH - i.e. speak good news to people and into peoples' lives - not preach AT them or shove things down their necks, but to talk to them, speak with them, care for them, communicate with them about Jesus


BIND-UP - break anything that has a hold over those who are not saved, clear the path of obstacles and chains that are getting in the person's way of salvation, bind-up any schemes satan has planned over their lives to make room for Jesus.  Remember John the Baptist was the voice of one calling in the desert, making a way for the coming of the King?  Shouldn't we do that in peoples' lives - make a way for the King?


PROCLAIM - proclaim salvation and goodness over their lives, bless them, proclaim freedom, joy, peace, happiness, and so on.  How cool!


COMFORT - comfort those who are in need, who mourn, who are sad, who are confused about what we say, who need love and support... not belittle them or judge them for their lifestyle choices or lack of faith.


PROVIDE - many people in society (Christian and non-Christian) need provision.  If we are too busy doing church stuff or busy with our own lives to notice, what good is that?  What message will that give to people.  We need to be helping people out, caring, loving, sharing, providing for their needs, being in relationship with them.


BESTOW - we need to bestow glory on these people and God's favour by blessing these unsaved people and telling them about the goodness of God.  We need to speak God's truth over them and into their lives.  We also need to ask God to bestow His goodness and pour out His love onto these people.


And then once these things have happened, look what these people will go on to do...


v4 'Rebuild ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated... renew the ruined cities...'  Perhaps this is talking on a physical level in the context of the era this was written.  But what about spiritual restoration?  What about once they come to the Lord, their own dark, desolate places get restored and fixed, filled with happiness, joy, love, favour and so on.




Just some thoughts and a different take on a familiar passage. 


:)