The Gospel is the Hope of the Nations
- Why should we win souls?(Ezekiel 18:4) Behold, all souls are Mine. As the soul of the father, also the soul of the son, they are Mine. The soul that sins, it shall die.(Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Bible tells us clearly in the verses above, that a sinful soul is doomed to perish, but there is eternal life in Christ Jesus.
(2Peter 3:9) The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The verse tells us that God desires that ALL be saved and that none should perish.
(Jude 1:23) And to some give salvation, pulling them out of the fire; and on some, have mercy with fear, hating even the clothing which is made unclean by the flesh
A person dies twice – first a physical death and second a spiritual death i.e. in the eternal fires of hell. But one who has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord & Saviour dies once – only the physical death and, he is promoted to the kingdom of the heaven.
We are to be disciples and not mere believers. Disciples obey their masters! Call to preach the gospel is a high priority!
Different sources of the call to preach the gospel:
- Call from God-
(Mark 16:15) And He said to them, “Go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation”
The call is from Jesus Himself, Who is asking us to go & preach the good news!
- Call from hell –
(Luke 16:20-31) This call is from those who have not accepted Christ and are in hell. The rich man who after his death, is tormented in the flames asks Abraham to send Lazarus (seated at Abraham’s side) to go from the dead & testify to his brothers who are still living lest, they also come to this same place of torment.
- Call from within oneself–
(1 Corinthians 9:16-17) For if I am a preacher of the good news, I have no cause for pride in this; because I am forced to do so, for a curse is on me if I do not.
But if I do it gladly, I have a reward; and if not, I am under orders to do it.
Internal call – there is a call from inside of each of us to preach the gospel; a
compulsion for every Christian
- Calling from external sources –
(Acts 16:9) And Paul had a vision in the night; a man of Macedonia came, requesting him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia and give us help.
An external call – a call from outside. People without hope, are waiting.
Thus, it is the responsibility of every Christian to preach the gospel, not just of the pastor or the elders.
This Message was shared by Anil Aranha who leads the ‘Church Of Living Waters’ in Vasco , Goa on 9th October 2016
