home  |  about us  |  contact us    
   
 
Preached to the Poor - Friday, May 4th, 2007

“And He answered and said to them, ‘Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.’”
- Luke 7:22

If you were to ask me about the pulse of the revival, could I appropriately label it as any one word? No, not a chance. I don’t think it would be possible. But I do ask myself, has there been one similar, single thread weaving in and out throughout the days at the tent? Well, as I think about it, aside from the Holy Spirit being present, you can also count on the poor being there. As they stroll in from the half-way house, the boarding house, the crack house, or the streets, some of them might be barely making it financially, physically, emotionally, or mentally but regardless of their background, we are guaranteed the poor will show up. Why? Because they are curious. What is inside the tent? Are their free handouts? What is in it for them? All typical questions that many of us might ask.

So if the poor are coming, what are we doing about it? I know that many have taken individuals to McDonalds and bought them a burger. Others have gone to 711 and bought a sandwich and drink. Others have even driven people to pharmacies and got them their needed medicine. But the most encouraging news I have heard was that people are sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor. Please hear me say, I am not downgrading the acts of love towards the poor. But when I heard someone, as I did this morning, that some of the poor in the area are coming to know Christ I get excited. And I must tell others about what is happening. Why? Because Christ instructed John’s disciples to tell John the Baptist what they have seen in regards to Jesus’ ministry. Jesus said, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Therefore, I too believe I must share that God is using His people (those in particular that come the TENT) to minister to those around us, specifically the poor.

Why do I get excited about the people talking to the poor? Well, I get excited for TWO reasons. One, it means that someone is being exposed to the message of Jesus Christ. And even better, it might mean that someone has placed their faith in Jesus Christ. A person who was once lost, is now found. The homeless are hearing the hopeful words of Jesus. Because as we know according to Scripture, Jesus is the only way to God. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Whether it was at a bus stop, or walking down the sidewalk, the message of Jesus is being made known to the poor in our area. Praise the Lord for others’ faithfulness.

The second reason I am excited about people having preached to the poor (over these past 26 days) is because believers have taken the time to talk with someone about Jesus. (Alongside the obvious help from the Holy Spirit.) This can only mean that Jesus is important enough in a believer’s life that they would want to tell others. That brings joy to my heart. Ownership and growth in Jesus is becoming evident in peoples’ lives. Now please don’t get me wrong, we don’t have hundreds of people going out and about preaching Jesus before the evening worship service. And this preaching to the poor is not in the YELLING AND SCREAMING manner from the street corner, but people (in their baby blue Dallas Revival t-shirt) are setting aside time to approach individuals and tell them about Jesus. Praise the Lord.

The one thought I always have when I contemplate sharing the Gospel to others is, “If Jesus is so important to me, than why haven’t I shared with others about Him today.” Good question and very convicting for my own life. Makes me want to go out and talk to a person about Jesus.
- klm
" We cannot organize revival, but we can set our sails to catch the wind from Heaven when God chooses to blow upon His people once again."

- G. Campbell Morgan


 
   
© 2007 www.dallasrevival.org All Rights Reserved.
 
Website Design and Website Development by Chakery Design