At times like these, what can I do to help my friends?

* An older man entering a building holds the door for a young woman following him. She stops and says angrily, “Sir you do not have to hold that door for me because I am a woman!” He says, “Ma'am, I am not, I am holding it open for you because I am a gentleman.”

 * At a dinner for the elite, a man passes a note asking if the beautiful woman across from him would sleep with him for $100,000. She smiles and says yes. He passes another note asking if she would do it for $50!  Upset she retorts back – “Sir what kind of woman do you think I am?” The man says – “we established that with the first question...now we are negotiating price!

What you are comes out in your actions. If we are children of God and know we possess eternal life, the best thing we can do during a time such as this is to encourage our friends to be ready for whatever may happen. We know the reality of salvation and should gently seek ways to help those we know have the same confidence.

Here is how we do that:

1.   Examine yourself.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless, indeed, you fail the test!

2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.

When you know who you are and what you believe, you are not selling something! You can share about your Lord naturally, gently and hoping only to give light to someone. The decision remains theirs!

2.   Walk and Talk what God has made you to those you know.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).

Matthew 5:16  In the same way, let your light shine before people so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

3.   Stretch to reach those that you see…outside the comfort zone

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 For since I am free from all I can make myself a slave to all, in order to gain even more people…I have become all things to all people, so that by all means I may save some. I do all these things because of the gospel so that I can be a participant in it.

This is not talking about becoming a “fake.” Scripture tells us that we must be sensitive to everyone. In doing so we communicate with no agenda, just because we care. So whether they accept or reject, it is not about us.

4.   Have the vision to see that God can use you to impact the whole world. Being a part of something so much bigger than yourself.  

Jesus gave this message to a handful of individuals – who changed the world!

The so what: Consider this – John Geddie went from Canada to Aneiteum and shared the love of Christ to all that would listen. John died in 1872. The people he had gone to placed a tablet in his memory. It said this; "When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians here, and when he left in 1872 there were no heathen."

All Roads Do Lead To God

Trying to get directions is very different based on where you are in the Country

* East Coast – Too Busy!

* West Coast – a flood of Names = San Diego Freeway to Pomona Freeway to Santa Ana Freeway to Sana Monica Freeway

* Truck Driver – a flood of numbers = 77 south to 51 east to 95 south to 101 north

* Farmer – Down to Clem’s farm, right past where the courthouse was before it burned down. Left than a fir piece to where Grandma Jones is sitting on her porch!

Joking around about directions on the road is fun, but when seeking directions to eternity, it is a very serious matter.

If that is true how can I use the title I have? How can I say all roads do lead to God? Is that true? Does the Creator of the world give His creation the right to pick their own way to Him?

Sadly, many in this world believe that. Even people who claim to be Christian, that is only for them! However, it is important to understand that there is some truth to, “All roads do lead to God!” Because they do!

Hebrews 9:27–28 And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment, so also, after Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, to those who eagerly await him he will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation.

Every individual, no matter their belief system or world view will stand before their Creator and give an account of their life.

The big question is what happens after that – from a face to face encounter with God, there are only two roads that can be taken. One is to spend eternity in the presence of God, the other takes a person into eternal separation.

Everyone you know, everyone you meet – everyone you SEE…is going to meet with God someday. At the end of their meeting, they are going to go to one of two destinations, the dilemma is at that meeting their decision has already been made. Only on this side of eternity can that decision be made.

Here comes the real twist – they don’t know the instructions – but you do. Most of the people we meet do not understand the Good News from God. Information that will determine a person’s eternal destination has been entrusted to you and me – what are we going to do with it?

The So What: I am going to share some very practical ideas of how you can help those you know and meet. For now, I ask that you consider this Scripture:

1 Peter 3:15  But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.

We are at a time in this world where people are going to begin asking those “scary” questions that they do not have the answers for. We need to be there for them.