Spiritual CPR - Part 2

Last week we discussed the basic concept of spiritual CPR and looked at the farming analogy with Isaiah 28:23-29.

Today we are giving you the tools to put into practice that will enable you to start seeing the power of the Holy Spirit work through your testimony and relationships.

Step 1) Cultivate

Just as the farmer in Isa 28 prepares for a harvest, he doesn't just walk out into a field and start throwing seeds.

I guess he could do that, but he's certainly not going to gain the harvest he is expecting, nor is it a good use of his time, energy, and resources.

The ground must be plowed and broken up to receive the seeds. All the rocks, debris, and weeds need to be removed.

Plowing the field is the hardest part of the farming process. It requires the most time, energy, dedication, and care. People who are living outside of a relationship with Jesus, are like that hard ground.

They need Christ followers who are willing to enter their world and cultivate a relationship with them.

The cultivation process requires a tremendous amount of energy breaking up the soil to remove any biases, negative thoughts/emotions, and walls of protection they have built around themselves.

Christians tend to skip this step and attempt to drive the seeds forcefully straight into hard ground. I see this a lot with people who try to shove the gospel down someone's throat, and they use the Bible as the weapon.

Attempting to force people to love God is not the Gospel!

Warning: Cultivating relationships does not mean build relationships with the lost and indulge or support their sin. It looks more like the way Jesus engaged with the lost and modeled loving people.

The important note here is loving people, not loving their sin.

As Christians, if we are not engaging in the lives of the lost, we are not living in obedience to the command of Christ in Matthew 28:19-20.