PREACH THE GOSPEL
And said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).
It may surprise you to know how many of your next-door neighbours are yet to hear about Jesus. This thought should motivate you, to go all out, preaching the Gospel to everyone.
Go from street to street, and from house to house, tell people about Jesus.Tell the untold, reach the unreached; let the whole world know that Jesus came into the world to die for our sins, and was buried, and raised back to life for our justification.
This is the greatest news on planet earth!
To receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and be born again, is the best thing that could happen to anyone. As a Christian, you have a divine mandate to preach the Gospel to those in your world and the regions beyond. God has committed to you the ministry of reconciling men back to Him (2 Corinthians 5:18).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope for sustainable progress and development for any nation or a people. It holds God’s answer to all of the predicaments of humanity. In Romans 1:16, Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation; in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:16-17).
For the influence, impact and effect of righteousness to increase in every nation, we must keep preaching the Gospel. The realization that Jesus, the Son of God, died for the salvation of the world and yet some still haven’t heard about Him should motivate you to preach and tell everyone you meet about Jesus.
LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:14-15).
You’re the light of the world; you’re a city set on a hill (Matthew 5:14); meaning that you’re the solution to the darkness in the world.
The Bible says, “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people…” (Isaiah 60:2). The gross darkness in the world is a sign that it’s your time to arise, shine and light up your world.
Romans 8:19 says, “For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” The world is waiting for you to manifest the glory of God, to free it from the decay and corrupting influences of Satan.
Psalm 74:20 says the dark places of the earth are filled with the habitations of cruelty. That’s talking about spiritual darkness and wickedness that’s prevalent in today’s world. But when you show up, the darkness and cruelty are dispelled. When you come into the world of the unsaved, bearing the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, salvation comes to them.
Your light gives meaning, direction and beauty to your world.
You’re the light in a dark world. Jesus said, “…As my Father hath sent me, even so, send I you” (John 20:21). He came to give our lives a meaning and then sent us as lights to bring glory, excellence and meaning to the lives of those around us.
This is your ministry. This is your life. 1 Peter 2:9 AMP declares, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.
CALLED TO SAVE
Luke 10: 2 therefore said he unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.
You are the answer to the prayer for more laborers for the harvest. Isn’t it exciting to know that we are God’s answer to Jesus’ prayer? Now that you know you are the answer, you must make yourself relevant to the ministry of reconciliation. You must make up your mind to harvest more souls for the kingdom. You must look ahead to the work that is set before you, and say, “Lord, I give myself entirely to be used by you; I want to be relevant in your house.” The Bible says that God “…is a rewarder of they that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Take an active role in the expansion of His kingdom. Be active also in prayer and praise. Look out for a soul to save every day. Bring someone to the place of salvation. Remember you are God’s answer for more laborers in the harvest. And He seeks to reach the world through you.
Make up your mind to be a faithful laborer today. If you’re not yet born again, all you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ and confess him as Lord to receive eternal life into your spirit, and become a brand new creature in Christ, so that God’s beauty and power can be seen in you.
INFLUENCE YOUR WORLD WITH THE CHRIST LIFE
You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on your hearts, to be known and read by all men; and you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:2-3 RSV).
Many people have the wrong perception about Christianity. Some say it’s the worship of God. Others say it’s the belief in Jesus Christ; and some others say it’s going to church. Though Christians worship God, believe in Jesus Christ, and go to church, none of these really define Christianity.
Christianity is the out-working of the Christ-life in a human being. It’s the manifestation of the righteousness of God in a human person. It’s the daily walk of divinity in humanity; God’s daily walk in a man; that’s Christianity! Christianity is the Word of God in manifestation; Christians live-out the Word of God.
Your life, as a Christian, is the expression of the Word of God; you’re the epistle of Christ. Therefore, your lifestyle should reflect who you really are; you’re a true witness, a living proof that Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, and is alive today. The Apostle Paul, in explaining this, said we’re living epistles (letters).
Your life is being read by all; therefore, your words, actions, and attitude should transmit, and transfer, the Christ-life to the people around you. Influence your world with the grace and glory of God’s Kingdom. Impact those in your world with the Christ-life! That’s your calling; that’s your purpose; that’s your life!
WE’RE HIS PARTNERS IN WINNING OTHERS
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance (Luke 15:7).
In life, many people give attention to things that aren’t so important. They strive to be famous and gain human recognition, but these aren’t what God wants. When you eventually stand before the Master, He won’t ask for the accolades you received from men or the wealth you amassed while on earth. Rather, He’ll be interested in what you did with the Gospel in saving souls. It’s clear from our opening verse what God is after; He wants you to love Him and live for Him as His partner in soul-winning.
Daniel 12:3 says, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Living for the Lord and partnering with Him to win the lost is the highest calling and greatest honor! You’ll only experience maximum fulfillment and joy if your passion, emotions, desires, and appetites are founded on Christ, and your pursuit is the establishment of His righteousness in the hearts of men.
Every soul on earth is valuable to God. He ransomed all men with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus. That’s why when one sinner repents, there’s joy in heaven. We therefore have the responsibility of taking His Gospel to the ends of the earth; the salvation of souls should be our passion.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus has reconciled even the worst sinner to God. It has made it possible for men to become sons of God. But many in the world still don’t know this; it’s our job to proclaim this truth to them. So, make soul-winning your top priority in everything.
Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” We’re the wise ones, sent by God to shine the light of the Gospel and bring men out of darkness, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. We’re His partners in soul-winning. Hallelujah!
DON’T KEEP QUIET!
Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life (2 Corinthians 3:6).
The Prophet Joel in the Old Testament foretold what would happen in the lives of God’s people when they receive the Holy Spirit: “…your sons and daughters shall prophesy…” (Joel 2:28). Notice he didn’t say, “They shall keep quiet,” but that “they shall speak words of power.” An evidence that you’ve received the Holy Spirit is when the Gospel of Jesus Christ is your number one passion; when you preach it with boldness because it’s like a fire, shut up in your bones.
Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life is to strengthen you to function as an able minister of the Gospel. After the Apostle Peter received the Holy Spirit, his fears disappeared. The once “unlearned fisherman” began to say and do supernatural things, so much so that in one day, through his preaching, three thousand souls were converted.
Perhaps, you’ve experienced so much pressures and persecutions from preaching the Gospel, and now, you feel like giving up; don’t be discouraged; don’t keep quiet. When Jeremiah preached the Word of God, he was severely persecuted by those around him, and was eventually put in prison. In spite of the pressure and temptation to give up, he exclaimed “…But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay” (Jeremiah 20:9).
There shouldn’t be enough discouragement in this world to stop you from preaching the Gospel. Anywhere you find yourself, open your mouth, and declare the Gospel freely and boldly. Let those you meet know that salvation has come; God is not mad at them, and that they can now embrace life and immortality through the Gospel.
SANCTIFICATION OF THE MESSENGER
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:21).
Being a Christian, you’ve been commissioned to preach the Gospel; to take the message of God’s saving power to your world and beyond. The Bible says you’ve been enriched by Him in all utterance (1 Corinthians 1:5), letting you know that you’re equipped for the job. Nevertheless, as a preacher or one ordained to bear His message of divine life, the way you deliver it has a lot to do with the quality of your personality, such that the result is either positive or negative, impactful or unimpactful.
Our opening scripture says, “If a man therefore purge (sanctify) himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour….” To be “sanctified” means to be separated or set apart unto God for His sacred use. It begins with the sanctification of the messenger; sanctifying the vessel. If the heart and mind of the one who bears the message aren’t renewed and purified by the Word, it doesn’t matter what message he’s carrying; it’s corrupted. Soon enough what influences his personality will come to the fore, and the Christ-nature will be hidden behind the “ugly” frame.
This is why you must be fully yielded to the Word of God to mould your life and character. None of us was made for “dishonour”; each one of us has been raised for His glory, but you can decide if you’re going to be a vessel of honour or a vessel of dishonour, by the kind of life that you live.
But thanks be unto God! He’s granted each of us the ability to lead a life of righteousness and true holiness, and qualified us to be effective ministers of the Gospel of His grace: “[It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive” (2 Corinthians 3:6 AMPC). Therefore, live up to your calling.
THREE REASONS WHY WE MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL
The three major reasons why we must preach the gospel and win souls.
* The first is - our faith in the Lord Jesus and His glorious gospel;
* Second is our love for Him and hope of His soon return.
* Third is His instruction to us to win souls.
These three reasons should compel anyone who believes in Jesus Christ to win souls. If you don’t win souls then your love for the master is questionable.
God has determined that souls be won into His Kingdom every day, and He’s given us the responsibility to locate the lost in the world and share the gospel with them. As His representatives, we must reach the unreached and bring them to Christ; it’s our primary responsibility as Christians. We must tell the untold about the love of God manifested in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore be truly committed to the Gospel and see to its furtherance around the world.