“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).
In more recent years, it has seemed to me that the church and her people have unintentionally moved from doing the church’s work (proclaiming the gospel) to doing the work of the church (the mechanics). What I mean is that it seems to me our desire to make disciples has shifted from winning the lost to educating the saved. Making disciples out of lost individuals or making better people out of saved individuals — that is the $64,000 question.
Where is the urgency to rescue the perishing?
Let me illustrate it with this story. Vicki and I were heading to a coordinating council meeting one day when a minivan coming toward us crashed into the ditch, flipped a couple of times and came to rest on its top. We stopped and ran to help. With smoke coming from the vehicle, the woman inside was shouting, “Get me out!”
Once I determined she was in a movable condition, although bruised and bleeding, I cut her seat belt off as she was hanging upside down. Moving her a safe distance away, she immediately ran back to make sure no one else was in the vehicle, realizing the lady, while hurt, was out of immediate danger. I felt that if there were others, they would need me more than she. She was saved while others may have needed saving.
I can remember when it was a special time in the church when a soul came to Christ, and it still is for many. But when was the last time you stopped and thanked God for the salvation of an individual who was not close to you or a part of your family?
I realize that we are called to lead new believers to maturity, but not at the expense of those who are lost. Please don’t get me wrong.
What really brought this to light for me was a conversation I had with a man who asked how my job was going. I began to explain that souls were being saved and lives were being changed. He, in honesty, made the statement, “Yeah, I guess ours and most churches seem more focused on the ones who are coming and if they are making ends meet.”
I don’t know about you, but that broke my heart.
Is your church evangelistic? Should not all churches be? How many have come to know Christ through her ministry? Have we become so lax that we are no longer bothered if people are not being saved?
Of course, we love for people to find Christ, but are we engaged in the work of finding them? We all know the only way to Heaven is through Jesus — “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). I could not help but think of Rev. 2:4 and the address to Ephesus: “Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” While the Lord commended them on several things, it appears they had moved away from the warmth and zeal they once had for Christ, and when that happens, a lot of what they were doing was reduced to going through the motions. Their once-love relationship cooled into mere religion.
I know firsthand, for I am woefully lacking in my witness for Christ. As an old expression once quoted, “Churches are not to be sanctuaries for the saved but a hospital for sinners.” Yet, I had a preacher tell me that church was not for the lost, but for the saved.
I was saved in a church. My mother was saved in a church. Most of the people I know were saved in a church. Thank God sinners were once welcomed in our midst. We must take care that we do not become a little “holier than thou.”
I used to tell congregations that unless we can encourage our lost friends, neighbors and family to come under the hearing of the gospel, no one will ever be saved — even if Jesus were doing the preaching.
I believe that some of the doctrines being circulated have a direct effect on the passion, or lack thereof, that we have for the lost. One day, we will stand and give an account for this life. May God have mercy on us.
From Our Missionaries
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “We want to share with you some of the blessings God has recently bestowed upon us at Ebenezer. First, we are immensely grateful for the life of Camilo Jaramillo. Last Sunday, August 31, we had the privilege of accompanying him to the lake for his baptism. Camilo, originally from Colombia, has experienced a profound change in his life through God’s grace. We have witnessed his remarkable spiritual growth and are delighted that he participated in the Lord’s Supper for the first time last Sunday. God continues to add new people to Ebenezer.
“In early September, we were able to establish two new Bible Discovery Groups (BDG), bringing the total number of home groups to four. We ask for your prayers that each of these groups will attract people who would not otherwise attend our congregation in Chenal. Let us pray that God will continue to add new believers to the Ebenezer family. We also ask for your prayers for Gladys, who is from Panama and has a deep spiritual longing. Gladys has two jobs. She works at a school during the day and then at UAMS in the afternoon. She came to us through Pablo Rumbos, but her two jobs prevent her from attending church regularly. Whenever we encounter a case like Gladys’, we pray fervently that God will provide her with a Monday through Friday job with a good salary, allowing her to attend and worship at a BDG and on Sundays at Ebenezer. We are filled with joy to know that she has made the effort to attend the last two Sundays. Many good things are happening at Ebenezer, and it is difficult for us to recount them all. We deeply appreciate your constant support and encouragement. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had another great week at Faith Chapel! Our numbers were back up a little, even though we still had some folks out sick and others traveling. But we still had a wonderful time of worship with one first-time visitor. We have many individuals and families going through various challenges, both physical, emotional and spiritual. So, since we finished our series in Romans last week, our message this week was from Psalm 34:19: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”
“You can watch it on our Facebook page if you like. But most importantly, let us always pray for each other and for each other’s church, because like I always say, everyone is going through something. We thank you for your prayers, and we thank God for His answers.”
Faith Journey, Benton: Bryan Clay writes, “After the holiday weekend, Faith Journey was back in full swing this week. Both our men’s and ladies’ Bible studies met, with strong attendance at each. It has been encouraging to see everyone diving deeper into God’s Word and growing together through study and discussion.
“Sunday was also a blessing as we welcomed many of our church family back after recent sicknesses and surgeries. It was wonderful to see our folks worshiping together again.
“We also ask you to join us in prayer for one of our own, who is not only a Faith Journey member but a member of our own family. He will be undergoing surgery this week, and we lift up both him and his wife, asking God’s peace and strength to surround them and wisdom for the doctors providing care. We know God’s hand will be on him, and we are so thankful for His presence.”
Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA:Roberto Marcelletti writes, “This week, we helped our sister Nannie, who had knee surgery. We visited her on Monday to pray and support her because she was in a lot of pain. On Tuesday morning, it was wonderful to see Sisters Iris, Angeles, Angela and Patty take turns helping her clean her apartment and prepare her food. We also had to move our connecting group from Springdale to Nannie’s house so she could attend, since she can’t go out during her post-op recovery.
“On Sunday, we had breakfast together before Sunday school, and then we had Sunday school with a good group of brothers. At the end, we went to the sanctuary and began our service with a beautiful special by our sister Audry, accompanied by Bro. Elton at the piano.
“We are praying that God will provide a van for the church so we can pick up the children on Sunday morning for Sunday school.”
Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, “It’s been great to see the host family of our Woodbridge group step up and facilitate the Bible Study. I’ve been meeting with the leader weekly as we work through the study. We’re currently walking through Scriptures focused on being our true selves before God and one another. Our Garfield group is working through the ‘one another’ passages of the New Testament. This Sunday will be our worship night! I’m looking forward to it.”
