Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 10:5-10

Steve Gambill shares his heart on The Doorstep Challenge

The next Wednesday when I met Chivers, he seemed different. He was unusually quiet. He didn't offer to make tea, and he simply wanted to talk about Jesus. After a short conversation he said, "Right, I am ready to accept Jesus". What an incredible moment that was, as I had the greatest privilege to lead my friend in a prayer to accept Jesus. I was overjoyed and so was he. Little did I know that would be the last time I would see Chivers. That was the last week before Christmas break, and I was overseas for the next three weeks.

When I returned to my Leadership programme in the New Year, I couldn't wait to go see my friend. However this time no-one answered the door. Chivers wasn't home. I went back several times that week and the week after. Still no Chivers. So I began to ask his neighbours if they had seen him.

Eventually I found out that Chivers had taken ill and had been rushed to the hospital while I was away. Unfortunately Chivers never recovered, he died shortly after being admitted. My last memory of Chivers was praying with him to invite Jesus into his life.

Having finished telling this story to my Belfast friends, we planned where we would go following the church service. We decided to spend what we had budgeted for lunch to help others. So after the service, Owen and I raced to the corner store and searched the shelves until we found the best biscuits that all £10 of our lunch money could buy. After making our choice, we headed into the neighbourhood armed with cookies of kindness. I can't begin to describe the surprise on the face of the first woman who answered her door. She couldn't quite get her head around why anyone would want to give away biscuits free. She was puzzled as to why Christians could do such a thing. With a look of amazement, she asked me if I was a Mormon, a Jehovah's Witness or a salesman. "No!" I replied, "Just letting people know how Jesus loves people". Without any further words, she accepted the gift flabbergasted. She asked, "What church are you from? What kind of church does this?"

Instead of me TELLING her about church, she was genuinely intrigued and asked many questions about Jesus. She wanted to know! The conversation finished with, "I'm impressed. God bless you".

As the door closed I wished I could come back next week. Meanwhile, I noticed that Owen was having a brilliant conversation with two young students. In the next hour the recipients of our kindness expressed reactions that were a mixture of surprise, initial fear, relief, and finally eagerness as they received their simple gifts. Each one had never received or even heard of such a thing. What could have been intrusive had turned to intrigue as people's curiosity was awakened. What could have been awkward was turned into acceptance.

As the last door closed, Owen and I headed for the airport, thrilled that what would have been a routine lunch had become an adventure neither of us would soon forget.

Maybe you have heard of the Ice Bucket Challenge? This recently swept through our western culture like wildfire; as people everywhere began to dump ice-cold water over their heads, and to donate funds to the help fight the crippling disease of ALS. Well, what if we start another challenge? 'The Doorstep Challenge'. We simply knock on a door and bless someone practically with a simple act of kindness.

Luke 10:1 tells the story of how Jesus sent 72 people working in pairs into neighbourhoods where he was about to go, with the command, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into the harvest field." These were ordinary people like you and me. If they had any unique qualifications, it was only that they had been with Jesus and that they were willing to go. I'm not exactly sure what the 72 thought that day, but I can tell you what I felt. A bit of trepidation, maybe a little anxiety, but the anticipation of what COULD happen releases such excitement.

How about you take up the Doorstep Challenge? Take a few pounds, or your lunch or money for a takeaway, but something nice, and give it away in your street, or apartment building? Imagine what church would be like if every Christian actually took the words of Jesus straight to their heart and put them into practice.

In Luke 10:30, Jesus said: 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. "Look after him", he said, "and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have". Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him". Jesus told him, Go and do likewise.' (Luke 10:30, 32, 34-37)

A tragedy of our modern culture is that that it is entirely possible to live geographically close to someone and yet never even know their name. It is possible to sit next to, work next to, ride a bus next to the same people every day and never share God's heart with them. Just like the priest and the Levite Jesus showed that it is possible to be religious and yet never understand God's great love for people. It is possible to be saved, have Jesus in our heart, and yet never share His great love with those around us.

Jesus chose a Samaritan, who was the most hated person, in order to show that background, skin colour, or racial status does not stop anyone from His love. As you read these words allow the Holy Spirit to examine your heart. When you see a need, do you pass by on the other side? Do you geographically reposition your life to avoid those next to you? What is stopping you from sharing Jesus' love with others?

Jesus sent 12 ordinary people as harvest hands out with this charge: "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighbourhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. Don't think you have to put on a fundraising campaign before you start. You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light." (Matthew 10:5-10 Message Bible)

Jesus has chosen you as well! As I finish this writing I am reminding myself that one day hopefully I will be able to knock on Chivers door in heaven, so that I can thank him for helping me to understand the power of friendship so that I could introduce him to my best friend. I will look forward to hearing that sharp wit and seeing that mischievous grin. When I close my eyes I can still hear Chivers laugh. What a great memory.

Let's make more friends and introduce more people to our best friend starting today!