There’s something powerful happening in our church. Last week, I preached a message about the end times that’s already been accessed over 64,000 times in just a couple of days. That tells me there’s a blessing on this house for preaching the Word of God rightly divided—something that’s increasingly rare in today’s world.
Today, I want to talk about something that’s been burning in my spirit: Reaching a Lost and Dying World with Christ (Including Your Family). And I’m not just speaking theoretically. This morning at our Long Island campus, one of our pastor’s brothers raised his hand and gave his life to Christ during this message. There’s a special grace on this word to reach families. Let me show you how.
Understanding the Slow Poison of Sin
Let’s start with a basic diagnosis of our world today. Proverbs 14:2 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Think about it. When you talk to those finance bros grinding out 80-hour weeks in Manhattan, there’s a way that seems right to them. When people calculate exactly how much they can drink to get just buzzed enough without getting a hangover, there’s a way that seems right to them.
I know the sinner mathematics:
- How much can I drink without getting too drunk?
- Get high, but not too high
- Sleep around, but be “safe” while doing it
This is the reality for most people you know. What’s normal to them is this equation of indulging in sin “responsibly.” But here’s the truth: sin is a slow poison.
The reason they won’t stop drinking is because they haven’t died from it yet. Every time they got too drunk, they sobered up, ate well for a while, and continued the cycle. The poison is slow, but deadly.
Romans 6:23 tells us, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” But don’t just think about physical death. The wages of sin is relational death. Emotional death. The death of your purpose. Long before physical death, sin kills everything else in your life.
Sin in your marriage will kill your marriage before it kills you. Some people are so accustomed to toxic environments that they create conflict just to get to the resolution. They want the intimacy that comes after a fight because they don’t know how to have intimacy without conflict.
When the serpent deceived Adam and Eve saying “you won’t die,” the truth was they wouldn’t die instantly. Sin changed the very fabric of the universe. It’s a slow poison that eventually catches up.
Your Light Attracts People to Jesus
What’s the solution? However real Jesus is to you is how real He will become to others.
Some of you expect people to get a revelation of a fake Jesus in your life. You haven’t let Him into your addiction, but you want Jesus to break their addiction. But God wants to work through you to reach them.
Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Listen—nobody invites moths to their house, but their lights do! Stop trying to invite people to church. Turn on your light, and they’ll come.
We have Christians who know how to invite but don’t know how to shine. And some of you shine brighter before Christians than you do sinners. Some of you code-switch—you know how to talk when you’re around other Christians, but the buried people who need that prophecy are the ones who don’t know the One who gave the prophecy.
Stop code-switching. Become the same person in every situation. That’s the definition of integrity.
Telling the Truth in a World Full of Lies
We’re living in an era where the most compassionate thing you can do is tell somebody the truth in a world full of lies. It might be uncomfortable, but remember—there are two kinds of people:
- Those who, when you tell them the truth, you’re just confirming what the Holy Spirit has already spoken
- Those who will reject it completely
What you don’t realize is that the Holy Spirit is your team member. He’s already been working on them—giving them prophetic dreams and sending other messengers. When you come to them, you’re not giving them information; you’re giving them confirmation.
Some of you think that when you’re out in the world, you’re doing a solo side quest, not realizing Jesus promised, “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.” He’s your team member!
Let People Know You’ve Been With Jesus
Acts 4:13 is one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible. After Peter and John were boldly preaching, the people’s response was, “Whoa, they’ve been with Jesus.” They could tell by how these men talked and moved that only somebody who’d been with Jesus could operate like that.
My private prayer for years has been that when people encounter me, they would say, “He’s been with Jesus.” That without me saying anything, however real Christ becomes to me, He would become real to them through me.
That prayer was answered when I was sitting alone at Buffalo Wild Wings. The waiter kept coming back to take my order, and suddenly he asked, “Are you a Christian?” When I asked why, he said, “Every time I came to your table, I felt something on you. I felt the presence of God.”
I flipped it on him and asked if he was a Christian. He said, “I used to be.” Then he revealed he had been in seminary training to be a pastor! Right there, I led him back to Christ and spoke his destiny over him.
That’s what Acts 4:13 is about. These men had been with Jesus. There are many people who’ve been to church, worship services, and conferences who haven’t been with Jesus. Do you want that said about you?
The Kindness that Leads to Repentance
Romans 2:4 tells us, “It’s the kindness of God that leads to repentance.”
Let’s keep it 100. You had an experience with Jesus that set you free. Things in your life changed, and some of your friends and family members don’t understand why you come to church. If they find out you give financially, they think you’re in a cult.
Yet you can spend $200 at Buffalo Wild Wings on those same family members, and they’ll never question your finances. Do the equivalent at church so we can feed the poor, break addictions, cancel suicides, and reconcile marriages—and people will think you’re crazy.
What does that reveal? It shows there’s the kingdom of heaven, and there’s the kingdom of darkness. As long as you play by the rules of the kingdom of darkness, you’ll have no problems. But when you flip the script and follow the kingdom of light, everyone thinks you’re crazy.
I say bring it on! If you’re not in a head-on collision with the devil, it’s because you’re heading in the same direction. When you stop getting fought, that’s when you need to worry.
If you show up to work and don’t offend anybody, ask yourself: “Am I shining or am I compromising?” Something about you should both irritate the demonic and confirm what the Holy Spirit is speaking to them.
A Message to Your Family and Friends
As your pastor, I want to send a message to your friends and family who just don’t understand your faith journey.
If you’re watching this, it’s because your friend or family member wanted me to explain something to you. I used to be an atheist who destroyed my marriage through alcoholism. I know addiction firsthand.
First, let me disarm you—we don’t want anything from your loved one. Many people attend our church without giving financially. We even provide cards listing other churches they can try if ours isn’t a fit. We’re not about numbers; we want people to encounter Jesus.
What happened in my life—and I think in your loved one’s life—is simple: they met Jesus. When I met Jesus, He broke my alcohol addiction and reconciled my marriage. In response, I gladly gave finances that previously went to alcohol to support the church’s mission. I willingly served where I once spent nights partying.
Your friend or family member met Jesus, and something dramatic happened. Their brokenness was healed, and they no longer wanted to do what they used to do. Jesus went to the source and healed their brokenness.
If you’ve watched this far without getting upset, it’s probably because the Holy Spirit is already speaking to you. Jesus wants to meet you right where you are—in your car, in your home, wherever. Let’s pray together:
“Heavenly Father, I give my life to you. Forgive me of my sins. Wash me with your blood. I choose to be your disciple, to follow you, to do your will. I choose to surrender all my brokenness, all my pain at your feet. Take my life, take all the broken pieces, put them back together, and make something beautiful. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Let Your Light Shine Brighter Than Ever
The world is desperately seeking truth, even when they don’t know it. Your testimony—your changed life—is the most powerful evangelism tool you have. When people see the transformation in you, they’re drawn to the light they see.
Don’t be surprised when people ask questions about your faith. It’s not because you’re weird (though you might be a little weird now, let’s be honest). It’s because they see something different, something authentic, something real.
Remember, you’re not just going to church—you’ve encountered the living God. You’re not just following rules—you’ve been transformed by love. Your family may not understand it yet, but keep shining. Keep being consistent. Keep loving them while refusing to compromise.
What I’ve learned in my journey is that the most powerful ministry happens outside the four walls of the church. It’s in Buffalo Wild Wings. It’s in Uber rides. It’s in everyday conversations where the Holy Spirit can create divine appointments.
Every moment in your life should be a Holy Ghost hijacking. That’s the adventure of following Jesus—you never know who He’s going to place in your path or what divine encounter awaits.
So shine bright. Be the same person everywhere you go. Let people see that you’ve been with Jesus. And watch how God uses your transformed life to transform the lives of your family, friends, and even strangers you meet.
Remember, it’s the kindness of God that leads to repentance. Show that kindness. Live that love. And trust the Holy Spirit to do the rest.
Your family is watching. Your friends are watching. And yes, Jesus is working—even when you can’t see it.
Keep praying. Keep loving. Keep shining. Your family’s salvation may be closer than you think.