Reaching Beyond Ourselves

By Edd Sterchi

    Reach: verb  1) stretch out an arm in order to touch or grasp something  2) be able to touch (something) with an outstretched arm or leg  3) arrive at or attain; extend to  4) make contact with  5) succeed in influencing or having an effect on (from the Oxford English Dictionary)
     In the Lord’s church, we are to be very concerned about reaching beyond ourselves. It is the Lord’s will that we do so. It is the work of the church. It should be a labor of love for us. Notice that we are to...

...“reach down” in benevolence to help the less fortunate. As Christians and as a church, we need to be compassionately doing good to all (Gal. 6:10; Heb. 13:16).
...“reach up” in worship of God. As Christians and as a church, we need to properly and sincerely glorify God in our praise of Him (John 4:24; Phil. 3:3).
...“reach in” in edification of one another. As Christians and as a church, we need to lovingly encourage each other in companionship and fellowship (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thess. 5:11).
...“reach out” in evangelizing the lost. As Christians and as a church, we are to always proclaim the saving message of the gospel of Christ to one and all (Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 4:2).

     Indeed, let us be reaching beyond ourselves by reaching down, reaching up, reaching in, and reaching out. And let us, like Paul, always be “...reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Phil. 3:13).

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/