Sunday Message Life in Christ Bible Church LICBC Headquarters, 154 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA 91024, USA http://www.licbc.org ********************************************************************************************** Special Study OUR URGENT RESPONSIBILITY OF SOULWINNING John 9:4 From what Jesus said in our text, we learn what ought to be our decision and how we ought to act concerning the great work He has given to us to do. Time is brief for all here on earth. The period of the Church age is very short and will soon come to an end. Therefore, we are to be sober and watch unto prayer, not neglecting the most essential work (soulwinning) that the Lord has given to us to do. The early church was made up of witnessing Christians who had the mind and the Spirit of Christ. They lived a life of practical holiness and purposeful witnessing. Soulwinning was not to them an extra-curricula activity nor a weekend picnic. Rather, it was their central responsibility. They took soulwinning as an evidence of genuine salvation, as a common mark of being part of Christ’s flock. Likewise we are to be preoccupied today. Christ has commanded us to “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Nothing else can be acceptable as substitute. Evangelism or soulwinning should be our urgent responsibility, especially as we see the age coming to an end. Except we reach out urgently to the unsaved with the gospel, their cry is going to be “the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20). The danger that lies in the church being pre-occupied with many activities is that the central and most essential activity may become buried in the sand of many programmes. Hence, it is imperative for the church to consider her urgent responsibility in soulwinning. I. THE SUBSTITUTES THAT DISPLEASE THE LORD 1 Kings 20:39,40; 2 Kings 7:8,9; Song of Solomon1:6; Mark 8:36,37; Luke 12:16-21; 10:38-42; Revelation 2:19-29; Philippians 2:3-5; Mark 1:36-38; John 6:15,27; Ezekiel 34:1,2,4; Luke 9:59-62. It is tragic when good things are allowed to displace and destroy the best. Legitimate things become illegitimate when they turn our minds away from the priority the Lord has set for us. We stand in danger of judgement when we concentrate on other things to the neglect of the Great Commission. Anything that takes away holiness, commitment to soulwinning, love for God and His Word, is displeasing to the Lord. Whatever replaces desire and efforts for the salvation of others is a substitute which will attract God’s judgement, here and in eternity. The displeasure and the wrath of God was upon the shepherds of Israel who fed themselves (a legitimate thing) but neglected to feed the flock. The shepherds failed in their responsibility to the flock. Are we not guilty today of the same offence? Have we sought those who are backslidden and brought them back to the fold? Are we seeking out the lost? We might be doing other things which may not be outrightly sinful, but they should not be done at the expense of soulwinning, else they become evil in the sight of the Lord. There was severe famine in Samaria as a result of besiege of the city by the Assyrians. The prophet Elisha prophesied that there would be a change in the situation. Prosperity and provision came suddenly and four lepers were the first beneficiaries of the miraculous provision outside the city gate. Initially, they only thought about themselves, yet people were dying in the city. To think of only ourselves and fail to care for others is a great evil in the sight of the Lord. However, the lepers had a sudden prick of conscience and said: “... We do not well; this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace” (2 Kings 7:9). Similarly, we do not well if we hold our peace while multitudes are perishing. Whatever we see as substitute to the preaching of the gospel to sinners becomes illegitimate, evil and sinful. Christ never allowed anything to be a substitute to the preaching of the gospel. There is a lot to learn from His burning zeal and commitment. 2. THE SUFFERING AND DAMNATION OF THE LOST Hebrews 9:27; Luke 16:19-31; 13:1-5,23-28; Matthew 3:10; 7:13-20; John 15:6; Matthew 13:38-42, 47-50; Mark 9:43-48; Matthew 4:48-51; 25:41; 1 Peter 4:17,178; Revelation 21:8. The task of soulwinning is urgent because of the sure and imminent judgement that awaits sinners and backsliders. “And now also, the axe is laid unto the root of the trees; therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Sinners who fail to repent will face the judgement of eternal punishment in hell. Suffering on earth or punishment by man does not remove God’s punishment in eternity. However, suffering on earth is meant to lead us to seek the Lord. But if the sinner fails to repent and be saved, the eternal consequence is terrifying. Hell fire is real because Jesus Himself spoke about it as a place of torment. The Scripture speaks about it as a place of everlasting burnings. “Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.” Sinners do not have much time. We see them today and they are gone tomorrow. Our task of winning them to the Lord is therefore very urgent. The language of the Lord is clear: sinners will go to hell, except they repent. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone” (Revelation 21:8). We must therefore not be negligent to preach the gospel to our neighbours and friends. Otherwise, our failure will be met with eternal regrets. 3. THE SOULWINNER’S DEDICATION TO SAVE THE LOST Ezekiel 3:17-20; Proverbs 24:11,12; Romans 1:14-16; 9:1-3; Exodus 32:9-14, 31-33; 1 Corinthians 9:16-22; Romans 10:1-4, 8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:13-20; John 4:34-38; Acts 8:4-8, 25-40. Believers with genuine salvation experience are the only hope in Christ for reaching out to sinners with the gospel. No matter what sinners possess — wealth, health, fame, position — their eternal loss will cancel out all their earthly gains. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). The Lord has given every believer the responsibility to take His word to sinners: “If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain: If thou sayest, behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it... and shall he not render to every man according to his works?” (Proverbs 24:11,12). If we neglect to save the lost, God will bring judgement upon us. We have to spend and be spent for the gospel. Only what we do in effective soulwinning can benefit those around us. Our responsibility is great and the consequence of neglect is great and terrible. The day of privilege and opportunity is still here; the night is coming when no man can work “... for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
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