It's A Rich, Rich Mission Field
I had a preacher that always used the term, "rich, rich mission field". Recently my mom and I went into a bar to see someone. Some people would be shocked we were there but I say, "it's a rich, rich mission field!" I have a lot of cool stories I can share where God used me. (Not early in life.) It is not unusual for someone to come up and share openly. It is also not unusual to see their eyes well up. People are hurting and people are seeking. Mark 16: 15, "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'" I believe Jesus would be there. I believe Jesus is there. Let me go ahead and say, I am not promoting bars.
Mike and I used to go to this restaurant and often time we sat at the bar for dinner. As I got to know people I made some friends and I believe God brought us together. Some of them have gone to church with me. I love my church and I love going BUT I am not going to reach the unchurched at church! I am not saying going to a bar is for everyone - some people should not go to a bar. God can make divine appointments anywhere!
There are many, many places that are rich, rich mission fields. "Every Christian is a missionary; every non-Christian is a mission-field." The Apostle Paul lived his life on the mission field - then that was what the whole world was. He gave Timothy advice on how to respond to nonbelievers, even those who opposed him. 2 Timothy 2:24-26, "And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
I do not want to have blood on my hands meaning I do not want to be responsible for not telling unbelievers how to be saved. According to Ezekiel 3: 17-18 God will hold believers responsible for telling unbelievers how to be saved. "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood."
"Whatever we do, we must not treat the Great Commission like it's the Great Suggestion."