DAY 14
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
PRESS PAUSE: Before you do anything else, take a moment to reflect on and celebrate all the Lord did in you, for you, and spoke to you yesterday.
READ: Matthew 28
John Wesley, an Anglican clergyman, evangelist, and co-founder of the Methodist movement in the Church of England, is often remembered for his passionate commitment to the spiritual well-being of others. His quote, "You have one business on earth – to save souls," emphasizes a profound calling for you and I to prioritize the salvation of others as one of our primary missions in life. In our time together today, I want to explore with you the impact of Wesley's words as well as offer practical ways that we can apply this calling to our own lives.
Taking a moment to reflect on that quote, we quickly realize that John Wesley's statement is a powerful reminder of our responsibility to evangelize and disciple others. It emphasizes that one of our primary goals is not to accumulate wealth, seek personal success, or pursue the ideas of worldly happiness but to guide others toward a relationship with Jesus Christ. This mission aligns with the Great Commission, which instructs, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). We see in these two verses Jesus’ command to His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything He has commanded. In other words, you have been given a great gift - now don’t keep it to yourself! Go out there and share it with others!!
Now, I think we all have a solid grasp on WHAT we are to be doing - sharing the good news of the Gospel and discipling anyone and everyone who will listen. So now we need to dig deeper into HOW we can accomplish just that! Though there are truly countless ways we can share Christ with others and literally thousands of books out there on discipleship, today, we are going to focus on 6 ways that we can all apply Wesley's words to our lives personally and individually.
Live a Life of Witness: Our lives should reflect the love, grace, and holiness of God. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, being in Christ means we are a new creation, with old things having passed away and all things having become new. Our transformed lives can then serve as a testimony to the power of the Gospel.
Share the Gospel: Romans 10:9 emphasizes the importance of confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead for salvation. Sharing this truth with others is a direct way to engage in the business of saving souls.
Pray for Others: 1 Timothy 2:1-5 encourages us to pray, intercede, and give thanks for all people. Prayer is a powerful tool in the battle for souls, asking God to open hearts and bring others to a saving knowledge of Him.
Serve in Love: Galatians 5:14 reminds us that the entire law is fulfilled in loving our neighbor as ourselves. Acts of service and love can open doors for conversations and demonstrate the love of Christ to others.
Disciple Believers: Discipleship is not just about leading someone to Christ but also about helping them grow in their faith. Matthew 28:19-20 doesn't stop at baptism; it includes teaching new believers to obey Christ's commands, guiding them in their faith journey.
Be Prepared to Give an Answer: 1 Peter 3:15 encourages us to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have, doing so with gentleness and respect. Knowing Scripture and being able to share the Gospel effectively are crucial aspects of leading people to salvation.
John Wesley's quote is a timeless reminder and conviction that we all have a responsibility to BE the gospel to those we encounter. By following these steps, we can actively participate in reaching our world and fulfilling the call that has been placed on us all. This quote is a call to action. It’s a reminder not to become complacent in our faith but to continually keep our eyes open to those around us that need to see and hear the Gospel message of Christ.
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