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READ Jonah
1:1-3 (Read by Phil Collins) READ 2
Kings 5:1-15 (Read by Clayton Wise) READ Exodus
3:1-22 (Read by Mark Seaton) READ Genesis
12:1-4 (Read by Mark Joseph) An example for all to understand what happened in each of the above cases, when God commanded that these individuals go. If the Lord wills, we will have 366 days in 2008, and there is a sense in which we have been given instructions to “go” as well. 1.
Matthew
28:19-20 – the great commission, given specifically to the apostles; however, it
shows God’s interest in having all souls saved; this requires
action from us as well.
2.
Acts
8:4 – “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the
word”; the early Christians saw the need to spread the good
news. 3.
2
Timothy 2:2 – “And the things you have heard from me before many witnesses,
commit these to faithful men who are able to teach others also.”
The importance of teaching others is clear in the word of
God. Consider that there are now over 5 billion people on this earth. How many are truly Christians? What about some of the more obscure nations? Who will go and teach them? Why not you? Why not me? What about the souls in Franklin? Williamson County? Maury County? Davidson County? Who will teach them? What will be our response to the directive to “GO”? 1.
We can avoid the directive to
go, as Jonah did.
2.
We can decide we don’t have
to do our part with regard to teaching, that we can substitute
spreading the gospel with another function that may appeal more to
us; OR we can substitute the pure word of God with the ideas and
doctrines of men (e.g., the social gospel). 3. We can make excuses – someone else is a better teacher; too busy; Is someone else more able? Of course. There are always others we can point to who may be better equipped, but does that relieve me from doing my part? Are we busy? Yes, but keep perspective – what will matter 100 years from now? 4.
OR
we can obey; Not everyone has the same abilities, but everyone can
do something in the furtherance of the gospel and the saving of
souls. Let me offer a suggestion – decide that this week, you will invite someone to one of our services or to a Bible study. Is there anyone who cannot do this? What if the elders were to pass out questionnaires next week, asking if you had done this? Would that make it more important? 1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Invitation
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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