Unfinished work
Our Lord Jesus didn’t leave the earth (in flesh) without leaving instructions, he told us clearly what to do.
Mark 16:15-16;
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
That’s instructive, it’s active: GO!
The sole reason why the believer is being taught is so that he can do the work of ministry more effectively. We have ministry gifts in the body to this end – to train and equip the believer to carry out this great commission.
Ephesians 4:11-13;
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
The perfection of the saints is so that he can be involved in the work of ministry.
If there is something you can never do wrong, it is soul winning. If you do not know the will of God a bit, just know that he would have all men to be saved.
1Timothy 2:3-4;
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
We were not told to bring sinners to church. We are told to go to where they are, to reach out.
The proof of ministry is that we are actively involved in soul winning, that is what God committed to our trust when we got saved.
2Cor. 5:17-21;
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We are ambassadors for Christ. The reason for our edification is ministry.
2Tim. 3:15-17;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The reason why scriptures are explained is to bring conviction and correction which is towards spiritual growth (Instruction in righteousness) – IT’S FOR GOOD WORKS. He explains the good work in the next chapter, he puts it as PREACH THE WORD
2Tim 4:2;
2 Preach the word; be instant n season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Our edification is to the end that we are more effective in doing the works of Jesus, turning men from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God.
The first thing that happened after the event in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost was that they won souls.
Acts 2:37,38,41;
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Same in Acts 4;
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Apostle Paul, after being filled, went to preach.
Acts 9:18-20;
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
Preaching the gospel must not be secondary in any local church, it is the core of our gathering. We gather to go!
We have not gathered to discuss the economy of the nation or for relationship seminars; No, we must preach Jesus. He is not one of our messages, he is the message, what moves God should move us, we must GO.
The preaching of the gospel and soul winning is not a finished work of Christ. We must constantly remind ourselves that we are men on a mission, and the mission is possible.
Therefore TODAY, this week, this month and beyond, preach Jesus, make it a lifestyle. Irrespective of your profession or status, you are first a believer, so, do the word.
Do what the word say – GO! The nations call.
Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Num. 8 – 10
TEACHING OF THE DAY
Supernatural Discipleship (2)