• You can only reach those who want to be reached, but you won’t reach anyone without trying to reach them.  Give God an effort to bless.  Even God cannot bless an effort you do not make 

•  If I love God with all of my mind, like Jesus said to do (Matthew 22:37), won’t I spend time using my mind to imagine ways to reach my friends?

•  1st Peter 3:15 teaches us to be ready to give an answer to those who ask about the hope within us.  What answer have you made ready to give? 

•  Even if I do prepare to reach out, there are no magic words, no snappy responses that will turn someone to Jesus who is not so inclined. 

•  Even miracles won’t reach those who are disinclined….. Luke 16:19-31 – The rich man in torment wanted Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to save his brothers saying that if one rose from the dead, he would be listened to.  Abraham said “no”, that if they will not hear Moses and the prophets, they will not believe even if one rises from the dead. 

•  Don’t go all over the Bible to reach people.  Paul said he “...determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1st Corinthians 2:2).  Perhaps this is because Jesus had said, “If I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself” (John 12:32). 

•  Jesus’ apostle spoke of the gospel as a treasure in “earthen vessels” (2^nd Corinthians 4:7).  You and I are the earthen vessels.  The focus is not on you and me, therefore, but the gospel within us.  Share it with those you love just as you would share a cure for cancer.  Cancer does not do half the damage sin has done. 

•  Don’t be so nice that you let your friends go to hell without saying anything.  The gospel makes some folks uncomfortable, sure, but not nearly as uncomfortable as eternal fire.  Perhaps nearly as discomfiting, is seeing friends lost to hell who never heard a word from you about Jesus.

Imagine what it will be like standing in glory with those whom you lead to the Lord!