We are suppose to be reaching our brothers and sisters out there by the Highways & the Byways! Are we?
The Lord's messengers had proclaimed to the Jews the advent of the Saviour; they had pointed to Christ as "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
John 1:29
John 1:29
This is the message for the entire human race. BEHOLD, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! This is offered to all. But if we do not take this message out, how will they hear?
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set Thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that Thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Acts 13:46-48.
There are people out there. Hurt - sick- sad who need & want this message. The bible tells us, when they received the message they glorified the word of the Lord! Amen!
So then, why have we stumbled in this? Why do we keep this message for ourselves? It is not for a select few. It is for ALL! The Rich, Poor, Black, White, Small, Big! Christ died for the sin of the WHOLE WORLD.
Its not that we loved him, it's that He loved us FIRST!
This message set before men the hope, through faith and obedience, of sharing the inheritance of the saints in light.
John in the Revelation foretells the proclamation of the gospel message just before Christ's second coming. He beholds an angel flying "in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." Rev. 14:6,7.
Are you taking part in that? Or are you lukewarm?
We need to pray the Lord throws us into the sea! Revive us, Renew a right Spirit in us! We need to be on fire for the Lord! The gospel invitation is to be given to all the world-- "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Rev. 14:6. The last message of warning and mercy is to lighten the whole earth with its glory. It is to reach all classes of men, rich and poor, high and low. "Go out into the highways and hedges," Christ says, "and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled."
One meaning for Compel means = to secure.
Christ calls us to help secure their place in God's kingdom!
Christ calls us to help secure their place in God's kingdom!
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled. Luke 14:23
We are not to wait for souls to come to us; we must seek them out where they are.
When the word has been preached in the pulpit, the work has but just begun. There are multitudes who will never be reached by the gospel unless it is carried to them. ~ They are not going to come to us!!
The success of the gospel message does not depend upon learned speeches, eloquent testimonies, or deep arguments. It depends upon the simplicity of the message and its adaptation to the souls that are hungering for the bread of life. "What shall I do to be saved?"--this is the want of the soul. Thousands can be reached in the most simple and humble way.
Let the worker for Christ remember that he is not to labor in his own strength. Let him lay hold of the throne of God with faith in His power to save. Let him wrestle with God in prayer, and then work with all the facilities God has given him. The Holy Spirit is provided as his efficiency. Ministering angels will be by his side to impress hearts.
We are not alone. Christ has set His angels to be our gide and His Spirit to give us words!
TO THE HIGHWAYS & THE HEDGES!
Sound the battle
- Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh;
Raise the standard high for the Lord;
Gird your armor on, stand firm every one;
Rest your cause upon His holy Word.- Refrain:
Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,
Ready, steady, pass the word along;
Onward, forward, shout aloud, “Hosanna!”
Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.
- Refrain:
- Strong to meet the foe, marching on we go,
While our cause we know, must prevail;
Shield and banner bright, gleaming in the light,
Battling for the right we ne’er can fail. - O Thou God of all, hear us when we call,
Help us one and all by Thy grace;
When the battle’s done, and the vict’ry’s won,
May we wear the crown before Thy face.
