Many think that the big churches are the successful ones. But Jesus did not talk of success in terms of numbers.

In John chapter six, when Jesus was talking about being the bread that came down from heaven, all except the Twelve left him. He asked them if they were going too but they knew who had the words of eternal life. Later the eleven left him in the garden after the other one had betrayed him. He was left alone. He was rejected, despised, arrested, beaten, mocked and murdered. Was this failure on Jesus part?

Jeremiah had a long and unpopular ministry during which he was also rejected, despised, arrested, beaten, mocked and murdered. The people went off into captivity or were killed because they did not listen. Were his methods wrong? Was this failure on his part?

Noah was a preacher of righteousness. He was six hundred years old when he entered the ark. He had been preaching for a long time. He only had seven others on the ark with him and they were his own family. Did he get it wrong? Was he a failure?

From a human fleshly point of view these men and many more like them were not a success. But from God's view point they were an outstanding success. They remained faithful in the face of great discouragement. This is our challenge. Can we remain faithful regardless of distraction, persecution or discouragement to the end? Will we hear: "Well done good and faithful servant"?

Success God's way is in the area of faithfulness. If you really love Jesus and obey him, including his call to preach the gospel, you will be a success regardless of who listens or who does not. A small church can be more successful than a large one!

Successful evangelism is faithful evangelism.