Most believers are familiar with the Great Commission story but many do not realize it’s deep personal meaning to each individual Christian. Each believer receive the first call-come unto me – Matt 11:28, but has sadly forgotten the second call – take my yoke yoke of service. Many are content with being saved and are not willing to take up the commission of our Lord given to every Christian (John 15:16; Rev. 1:5-6; John 15:1-5, 8). As we grow in our love for the Lord, we must show obedience to Him by reaching out to win sinners and disciple others (John 14:21).
1. Principle – Eph. 4:11-12
God gave the five-fold ministry gift to the church so that they can train, equip, develop the ordinary saints to do the work of the ministry. The actual work of the ministry is to be done by the saints. The pastors and leaders were to be the coaches to train the laymen to be the players in the great commission league. Where this principle is not believed, not practised and adhered to, the church will not really grow.
2. Delivered to deliver
This is another biblical principle. When you are delivered from a problem and you find another of your fellow human-being in similar situation you have to rise up for his deliverance. This was repeatedly shown and exemplified in the bible – 2 Kings 6:25-30; 2 Kings 7:3-8; 9-10; 2 Kings 5:1-4; mark 5:18-19; Luke 19:10; 2 Cor. 1:3,4; Psalm 51:11-13; John 4:28-29; 1 John 1:1-3. it was a reoccurring principle that what you have heard, seen, experienced must be shared with others. The more reason that our Lord and saviour command that we must be His witnesses. Witness of what you have seen, known, experienced to others, so that they don’t perish.
3. The love depth I own
Jesus showed great love towards the saving of our soul. He endured great beatings and went through untold hardship, cruel mockings and sufferings in order to deliver man from eternal punishment (Isaiah 52:14; 53:3-5, 9, 10, 11). Не has to go through all these because of the love for our soul. Heb 12:2. the joy of seeing us saved helped Him to endure all the sufferings and we should pay back the dept of love. Paul realized this and called himself a debtor (1 Tim 1:12-16; Rom 1:14; 8:12). The love dept of what Christ has done for us should push us to preach and win souls, else their blood will be required at our hands. Rom 9:1-3; 10:1.
- Lack of proper teaching-2 Tim 2:2
- Worldliness and carnality
- Selfishness and self-centeredness
- Coldness, lukewarmness and half- heartedness
- Disobedience and rebellion 6. Discouragement and depression
- LACK of dedication, endurance and persistence
- Lack of vision-Prov. 28:19
- Backsliding in heart-Prov. 14:14
- Negligence and carelessness
Be wise – Prov 11:30; 11:13-14; 2 Cor. 12:15; Phil 1:20-24; John 21:15-17
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4. Basis for evangelism 10:14-15 Rom
(a) Sin: The human race is blighted by sin. It is a small word, but the whole world is staggering under its tyrannical influence. It has caused separation between God and man, turn man into God’s enemy and withhold good things from man and give the enemy a free and unhindered reign in the world.
i. The reality of sin – Rom 3:10; Ps. 51:5; Rom 3:21.
- The fall-Gen 3:1-9
- All under sin – Rom 5:12
ii. Biblical idea of sin
- God is not the author of sin -Job 34:10; Isa. 6:3; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 92:15
- Sin originated from the angelic world
- It carries the idea of rebellion, transgression against God.
iii. Consequence of sin
- Short of God’s glory – Rom 3:23
- Death-Rom 6:23
(b) Repentance: Acts 17:30: Two common errors that have been attributed to repentance are “do penance” and “Godly sorrow”. This will be cleared. In Greek, the word is Metanoia.
- More than remorse; simply feeling sorry is not enough. Matt 27:3; Acts 8;14
- A complete change in mind, attitude, and will.
- 180-degree turn. A complete change of direction and lifestyle, heeding God’s word.
(c) Faith: There should be faith towards God based on the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary (Acts 20:21). Saving faith fill come through hearing Eph 2:8-9. Rom 10:17;
- Saving faith is a gift of God – Eph 2:8-9
- Same for all
- has an object: Jesus Christ
- Must be exercised actively for salvation
(d) Confession: Upon hearing God’s word, the faith of the recipient will result in confession. A person can either confess silently from his mind or express it vocally. Scripture promotes the latter – Mark 8:38; Rom 10:9, 10. Vocational confession: It affirms our faith It identifies us with Christ It gives authenticity to our decision.