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If Nobody Reaches Nobody gets Touched
Written by: Andrew Friesen on January 13, 2010
Recently, while I was reading my bible in my home, a passage of scripture seemed to leap off the pages at me. It was Luke 4:18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor;” The word “ME” here refers to Jesus. And then I saw it with new eyes. That the same Holy Spirit is upon US. The great commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature was never meant just for a certain group of believers, a special ministry, or certain people who have a special calling. But WE are the body of Christ on earth today and everyone must participate. We are his hands and feet to bring the message of God’s love to a lost world. The Holy Spirit IS UPON ALL OF US as ONE BODY to PREACH the good news! Hallelujah! Not everyone is a preacher or evangelist, however every believer has a gift and must contribute to reaching precious souls who have never the gospel. EVERY BELIEVER PARTICIPATES. The reality is that If nobody reaches nobody gets touched.
The apostle Paul felt this responsibility. He said in Romans 1:14 “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.” Also in 1 Corinthians 9:16 he said “woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” The Great Commission is not The Great Suggestion. Jesus cannot come back until first the gospel is preached to all nations. (Matthew 24:14)
The early church in the book of Acts understood they were all called. In Acts 13:2-3 it says, “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Do you notice how the Holy Spirit spoke to the church. They were all involved. and then in the next verse we read that “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia.” (Acts 13:4) Praise God! The Holy Spirit works through the body of Christ.
Dear friend, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ I want to challenge you in the name of Jesus. The Spirit of the Lord is upon US. The Spirit of the Lord is upon YOU to get involved in reaching people with the good news of Jesus Christ. God's love is so wonderful! What a joy and privilege to share Him with others! It’s so easy to think that somebody else will get involved or that one person can’t make a difference. However, if everyone thought that way nobody would get reached. With the Holy Spirit upon us, YOU can make a difference. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20) Your thoughts? -Andrew
Comments
Hey Andrew,
Good thoughts man. In started and leading a church I have come to those conclusions myself. Everybody needs to get involved!
I was going to give a positive comment anyway, but then saw something you may want to consider. I believe that Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Holy through the word of the Lord coming through prophets and teachers in Antioch - as opposed to the entire body in Antioch ‘sending them off’.
I’m learning a lot about the 5-fold min. stuff, especially how it is to function now, and how a full expression of the kingdom of God will be made manifest on the earth today, through the entire church.
The need for all of us to be connected is massive.
Danny Silk from Bethel Church in Redding, California has a new book out called, ‘Culture of Honor’ which talks about some of this stuff.
Andrew, may the Lord lead you and strengthen you as you pursue His heart and will with all your might!
By Josh Pitka on January 13, 2010 (Sarnia, ON)
I’m François and i’m a believer in Jesus. I’m interesting announcing Jesus at wall world. How can I continue or implant a succursal of WGE in my country and in Central Africa entire?
By SABOUNDOU François on May 6, 2010 (Bangui, Central African Republic)