In this video lesson we address six common obstacles that keep Christians from reaching out, especially to Muslims. It is one of several lessons to give complete training for those who really want to know how, where, when and why to do outreach, and what they will face in doing it.
OBSTACLE # 1 OH NO! DON’T GO!
When others try to stop you from reaching out: Has anyone tried to discourage you from going on outreach or mission work? We have found it’s not uncommon for well-meaning people to try to stop us from what we think God is calling us to do. How do we approach this? Dr. Cynthia addresses the situation in this video. Dr. C starts with the example of when a local missionary told her and another volunteer not to go to a mosque, because it was too radical and dangerous. The team was in a strange big city and already nervous. Getting this call shortly before they left was very unsettling. Since the missionary was experienced and knew the city well, naturally his word was to be respected. But the team was committed and had distribution material ready to go. What to do now? Cynthia and Joanna prayed more. They reflected that they had: come to the city for outreach researched the opportunity and prepared materials prayed seriously about it for days and were doing this for God, not in any way for themselves They decided that all this being the case, it would be best if they followed through with the outreach. Praise God that they did! The Muslim worshippers were very open and accepted hundreds of Jesus videos. Some people went back and reported inside the mosque that Christians were distributing outside (this is usual), so an imam came out to confront them. But he was for the most part respectful. He stayed for over an hour and asked Dr. C many questions, which she answered. His questions also gave her more insight to the Muslim way of thinking. A similar thing happened when an Arab missionary told Joanna and Cynthia not to do an outreach in a Muslim country. But the two were convinced that it was God’s will and went ahead, with success. From these events and others like them, we have learned in our ministry that when we step out of the box, people – even good Christians – will try to stop us. This is usually because they are thinking first of our safety, or an inconvenience it may cause them. Mark 8:33 is a perfect verse for these situations: “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Therefore, WE ADVISE: pray in advance about outreach and other ministry decisions sincerely seek God’s will, not your own research and adequately prepare listen carefully and respectfully to advice from others but realize that usually people trying to stop you are reacting without thought
DECIDE: If the person obstructing you has not given as much prayer and submission to the will of God as you have, continue in faith along the path that God is directing. If they have bathed their advice in dedicated prayer, weigh their advice more heavily. Another “Oh No! Don’t Go!” response is one that every Christian can expect from their family and friends. Again, these people are speaking with good intentions; but they are usually not seeing the situation with a kingdom view. Dr. C tells of a volunteer whose father-in-law had a heart attack the morning that she was leading an outreach team. Her husband was understandably upset. His father was an unbeliever who had rejected the gospel for decades. The husband told her, “If he dies it will be your fault that he goes to hell!” Wow! How would you like to hear that? With little time to decide, the volunteer prayed for guidance. God gave her a wise reply, “If you are getting the plane tickets right now, I will cancel the event. Otherwise, if you are waiting, I will finish this commitment first.” It was the right decision. The father lived; many Muslims got the gospel and new team members were trained.
OBSTACLE #2 The FEAR FACTOR
Fear is the primary reason Christians tell us they are reluctant to reach out.
What is the fear of?
- The Unknown
- Insecurity – We could answer wrongly or say/do something stupid
- Harm – that the threats of Islam will fall upon us
We think it is reasonable to have these fears. We don’t hide them. In our seminars we ask attendees to consider how much risk they are willing to take, for example in sharing their name, phone number, or life details, and how to reduce risks.
But does valid fear mean we should take no risks? No! As risk-taking author Brother Andrew says, “You can get into anywhere; but it’s not always certain that you can get out.” He reminds Christians that we are all called to reach out and share Jesus, and we need a special call if we are NOT to reach out!
Look at your life. Could you be called to reach Muslims? Do you have fear of it?
Courage is not the absence of fear, but of moving ahead despite it. Turn your mindset away from fear. Romans 5:5 tells us that God will pour his love into our heart. I John 4:18 tells us that perfect love casts out fear. If we really trust God, we know that he will not let something happen to us that is not for either our good, or the good of someone else (Romans 8:28).
Comments of the great missionaries of history can also encourage us, for example several said, “I am immortal until my work is through.”
Dr. C ends with an example of the power of I John 4:18 in the life of a Muslim that she was sharing with. After years of discussions and a day with Muslims who became Christians, it was reading this verse that flooded her with God’s love and brought her to Christ.
OBSTACLE #3 What if I’m RECOGNIZED?
From on location at a street festival, Dr. Cynthia shares with us her concern about being recognized. As a well-known physician in her community she was concerned about negative impact of being recognized by hospital employees. She had already been reported to hospital administration for offering to pray with cancer patient that she was going to biopsy.
Here she gives an example of what happened to change mind: Once while distributing Christian material at a festival of an Indian religion, she was recognized by B, the friend of a neurosurgeon she worked with. He was of that other faith. B stopped and talked to her about what she was doing and why.
Frankly, Dr. C forgot exactly what she said, because she was busy sharing with many strangers. A year later B contacted her. The two went out to lunch with the neurosurgeon. B said, “Your words about Jesus and the rich man really struck me! (Apparently it was something about gaining the whole world and losing your sou.) He continues, “I got a Bible and started reading it. Now I am a Christian!”
You see friends, the fact that B knew Dr. Cynthia, what she did and how she lived supported the gospel message: being recognized actually helped bring B to Christ! This doesn’t mean that living good lives is enough. What it means is the message supported by a Christian life – and a smile – is more powerful. (Note: this is Ethos, Logos, Pathos, as taught in rhetoric classes.)
OBSTACLE #4 Beware the HERO HOLDOUT
Working with Muslims we have many adventures. We also see the Lord work in a fantastic way! In order to inspire people to reach out to Muslims, we share some of these stories. But this can lead to problem. People can get the idea that we are more special than they are, and that we can do things that they can’t. So they give up before trying.
In this video, Dr. Cynthia dresses up with a silly crown to convince us that everyone is special and called by God. She shares with us that Bible heroes like David who did great things were considered insignificant. I Samuel 16 & 17)
OBSTACLE #5 The ABRAHAM DILEMMA
What is “The Abraham Dilemma?” Some Christians fear reaching out to Muslims either because they are “the enemies of God,” or that in loving them they curse Abraham, and will so bring curses upon themselves. We call this fear factor “The Abraham Dilemma.” In this video Dr. Cynthia addresses the issue to help Christians overcome it. We read together two passages from the Bible which help us understand this dilemma: Genesis 12:3, and Galatians 3:6-9. In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we are told that those who curse Abraham will be cursed. In the New Testament, which came after Jesus, we are told that all who have faith in God are the children of Abraham. So, the curse is not against one people group or nation, but against those who mistreat followers of the God of Abraham. That throws quite a different light, doesn’t it? The curse is not against us, but to those who curse us. So, we have nothing to fear in accidentally cursing anyone by loving someone else. Besides, the Bible is clear that Christians are to love everyone, even their enemies. We are even to bless those who curse us (Luke 6:28, Romans 12:14). It is much easier to see a black and white world than to engage in complicated situations before making a judgement. But Jesus told us to not judge by appearances but make a right judgement (John 7:24). This is difficult, but applies to courts and politics, as well as religion. The main concern we here at Christian from Muslim have is that some Christians think that Muslims are not worthy of receiving God’s love in word and deed. But does the Bible tell us that any of us are worthy? No! We are all unworthy (Romans 5:8); but God loved us even so. The Bible makes it clear: we are not to curse anyone. We are to walk in faith, not fear. In following Jesus we must obey his commands to love everyone and share his good news and blessings with everyone.
OBSTACLE #6 The JONAH FACTOR
Both the Bible and the Quran have books named after the Prophet Jonah (Yunas in Arabic).
God told Jonah to do something nearly unthinkable: go to Assyria, his nation’s sworn enemy and preach repentance. Assyria was known for aggression and violence. Since he thought them unworthy, Jonah took a boat in the opposite direction. Have you had a similar reaction to sharing the gospel?
But after a dramatic episode at sea, Jonah did go to Assyria’s capital, Nineveh. God had compassion on the Assyrians because they did not “know their right hand from their left.” They did eventually attack and destroy the Northern Kingdom of Israel; but in the short run, due to Jonah’s obedience, Nineveh did repent. God did not destroy Nineveh, and Nineveh delayed in attacking Israel.
What difference might it make if you reach out to those who have threatened your country or your people?
In conclusion, we hope that our experiences with these obstacles to outreach will make it easier for you to recognize and overcome them.
