JESUS SPEAKING
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God.” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. (Luke 4: 40 – 44)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
During His Earthly ministry Jesus performed many miracles; He healed the sick, cast out demons, and even raised the dead. And yet these divine feats were somewhat secondary. According to Christ His primary purpose was to “preach the kingdom of God.” Thus spreading the gospel message was paramount. The gospel is an invitation to be reconciled to God and thus walk in eternal fellowship with Him; an invitation which can be accepted or rejected. Those who choose to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are called to repent from evil and be reborn (an act of submission and transformation expressed through baptism.) Those who are washed by the blood of Christ are then called to continue spreading the gospel message to others.
As the story goes, Dr. Len G. Broughton once told of a minister who called his leaders together and said that he was about to resign his ministry at that church because he had seen no more people converted for a considerable period. They begged him to stay, and pointed out how edified they were by his preaching. “Edified for what?” he asked. Turning to one leader he asked him if he had ever led a soul to Christ. “No” was the answer; so the question was put to the next man with the same result, and to the next man again. Finally the minister got all the members at the meeting to promise that they also would resign with him, if within a short period they had not led anyone to Christ. On Monday morning one leader began with his confidential clerk, and by the next Sunday he had eleven saved men with him in church for company. The rest of the meeting brought the tally up to thirty.
As followers of Christ we share His purpose; to spread the gospel message and to reconcile those who are lost to God. This is our work; this is our mission. We must be bold and brave. We must step out in faith and be obedient to God’s calling. There are souls that need saving; and the fields are ripe for the harvest.
“Lord Heavenly Father, may we continue Your work upon this Earth. Remove our fears and fill our hearts with faith. May we spread Your gospel message to all those who are willing to listen; so that many may be reconciled to you and receive the eternal gift of salvation through the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ name we pray. Amen.” God bless all of you!
Jesus Speaks 