IF YOU DON'T TELL THEM, WHO WILL?

America is a land of religious freedom. We are allowed to freely travel across these 3.79 million square miles of freedom and speak to over 300 million people without governmental resistance. But, even with this boundless freedom, and incredible opportunity, our needed goals are all too often met with excuses and reasons why "it can't be done".
The greatest fear that faces Christians today is not having our freedom of "religious expression" taken away. The greatest fear that faces most Christians today is the God-given responsibility of teaching others about the hope of Jesus Christ being their Savior. "The gospel need" is the greatest challenge of our life, but with the right approach and the right attitude, we can, and will, enjoy the rewards of success.

There are NO Gimmicks or Tricks!

If you are looking for the next great "gimmick" or "scheme" to trick souls into the church building you are looking for the wrong thing. We are not selling some invention of men, we are helping souls find the hope of Heaven (Matthew 25:21, 23). There are no "Bait n' Switch Programs" that are going to draw the right kind of hearts to the Lord.

The gospel power is not like any other product, that's marketing can be improved by man's scheming. The gospel is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16). It has been entrusted to our keeping and sharing (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:44-47). It is "the hope" for both ourselves and those who listen to us (1 Timothy 4:16).

Jesus Christ proclaimed life-changing words (Matthew 4:17). After His death ascension, His disciples began to echo His words of change, they also spoke concerning the new hope made available by His sacrifice and resurrection (Hebrews 9:22-28). This new hope for a new life is the "good news" for all the souls of mankind. God's desire for each soul's salvation is very apparent from passages like: Mark 16:15-16 where Jesus says, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned"-"Every" includes every soul. And 1 Timothy 2:1-4, where we are exhorted, "…that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth"-"All" includes all souls. And also 2 Peter 3:9, that says, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance"-"All" includes all souls.

The good news of the hope of salvation is not reserved for only the voice of preachers. According to the example of many first-century Christians, we learn that all individuals sounded and resounded the words of the gospel. Just one account found in Acts 8:4 tells us, that the disciples who were forced out of Jerusalem went "everywhere preaching the word". Do not be afraid to tell others about Jesus Christ. Jesus has provided the greatest opportunity ever, to each of us- He can be their Savior too.

Why Is This "On Me"?

Too many Christians want to be exempt from this responsibility, but God's word commands us to tell others about Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).

We should also see the ethical argument that involves us in this action of helping others know and obey the gospel. The truth is souls we know, souls we love, and souls we've never met, are perishing under the weight of their own sins. Since the time of Adam and Eve man has seen fit to pursue their own pathway, apart from God (Genesis 3:1-6). Adam could not excuse himself from the responsibility of his own choice (Genesis 3:7-13). The power of temptation drew Eve, and then Adam, into a situation that jeopardized all that they knew, sin changed everything (Genesis 3:14-19). The Apostle Paul in Romans declares plainly that sin is a factor for us "all"-"…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). God holds all souls accountable for their own sins (Ezekiel 18:20). The responsibility for one's own sins is still their own, even today. 2 Corinthians 5:10 declares, "We shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, giving answer…"

We Need to Activate Our Abilities

Our own outreach with the gospel is the most powerful method of congregational growth. There are other means of growth. There is migration: Movement from one congregation to another, but this does not expand the kingdom. There is also growing through progeny: Having more children and raising them in the truth-but this is a slow process. Talking to souls about their Savior and showing them His way (John 14:6) is a much quicker way to be actual growth to the Lord's church.

Every congregation can grow- it does not matter about age averages, financial capabilities, or our particular community-every congregation can grow. The current reality, however, declares, not all congregations are growing. We need to begin seeing the hope of reaching other souls in a different light. To be like our Master Jesus Christ we have to look at our fellow man more with our heart and less with our eyes (Matthew 9:36). We need to see their souls. We must have compassion for the hundreds of souls that pass by us every day.

We will grow. But it won't happen by itself. Growth requires diligence and sweat-equity. Our growth plans include the souls of friends, neighbors, and family. All souls, everywhere, need the hope that we can teach them.

Our growth plans also include the souls who attend our services but have not yet committed to the gospel. There is no excuse for further hesitation, confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Humble yourself before God and seek His forgiveness, through repentance and baptism that washes our past sins away. Rise and walk in the newness of life and join us, bringing your strength and abilities to the Lord's cause. There is an opportunity for you to begin, right now!

By T. Sean Sullivan

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