Introduction:
We bring you greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”. (Psalm 118:24) Let us rejoice and thank the Lord for His abundant blessings and for His constant revelations to remind us to be ready as the end of the age approaches. The whole world has taken notice of the floods and destructions caused by hurricanes in the Caribbean, Mexico and the United States of America. They have taken notice of the destruction caused by earthquakes in Mexico. They have taken notice of the extensive flooding caused in many parts of the world especially those caused by the monsoon rains in Bangladesh. They have notice of earthquakes in other parts of the world, drought and famine the senseless loss of innocent lives. These destructions are not new but are becoming more intense and more frequent and, according to Scripture, are the signs of the end of the age. Jesus Christ refers to these signs as birth pains. Every mother knows that just before the birth of the child the pains become more frequent and more intense and the signs of the end of the age are becoming more frequent and more intense. This is the time for believers to see the urgency to reach the world with the good news of the gospel of Christ to save the lost.
Step One: God does not want anyone to perish
a) Man was created in the image of God
God does not want anyone to perish. He created man in His image and likeness to rule with Him on earth. When Adam yielded to sin he died and lost God’s image and likeness. All of us have inherited Adams sinful nature for in Adam “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).
b) Christ restored God’s image and likeness
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16) Christ came to restore our godly image and dominion and paid the price for our salvation with His blood. Our salvation does not depend on anything we have done but on what Christ has done for “By grace are we saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God”. (Eph. 2:8)
c) Christ died in our place to give us eternal life
Christ died in our place to give us eternal life “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. (Rom 6:23) “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. For whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God”. (John 3:17-18)
Illustration:
The sacrifice of Christ has made godly living possible for those who believe in Christ for “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive”. (1Co 15:22) Godly living is to live the life of Christ and share the good news of the grace of Christ. Every believer receives the Holy Spirit and is anointed to bring the lost into the kingdom of God. We cannot achieve anything in our own strength and must not do anything to hinder God’s power in our lives. This power is freely available to every believer because Jesus Christ has fully paid the price for it. It does not cost us anything but it cost God all He had, His only Son. Jesus Christ took our place and bore the full judgement of God on sin so that we could take His place.
Application:
If, as believers, we have taken His place, then we also need to do the will of God by living righteous, godly lives. We have received the Holy Spirit to anoint and empower us share the good news to save those who are perishing.
Step Two: The hindrance to the spread of the gospel
a) Misapplication of God’s Word
God’s work must be done God’s way, in God’s time and in God’s power. A major hindrance to the spread of the gospel is ignorance and the misapplication of God’s Word. God’s Word teaches us to renew our minds and live by faith but we neglect the Word of God and try to lead godly lives in our own strength.
b) Dependence on self
The moment we depend on self we begin to find substitutes to replace the realities that are found in God’s Word. Many believers have sought to find solutions to their problems in what the world has to offer instead of what Christ has already made available to us. Instead of being filled with the spirit they rather turn to being filled with alcohol.
c) Focus on the things of the world
As soon as a believer begins to depend on self, he loses his focus on Christ and focuses on the things of the world. He forgets his identity as a child of God and his position as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
Illustration:
God’s Word keeps us focused on Christ and a neglect of God’s word takes our focus off Christ. Whenever we begin to search for substitutes for the things Christ has already provided it is an indication that we have neglected the Word of God. Why would any person leave the provisions of Christ for the provisions of the world? Why would anyone take hold of substitutes when the real thing is available? It is the result of a failure to renew the mind. Alcohol is an effective way the enemy employs to prevent the renewing of the mind. It drags a person down physically, mentally and financially and creates a mindset that contradicts the Word of God.
Application:
Alcohol destroys life. It will dictate your way of life, destroy your family, and end up killing you.
Step Three: Alcohol hinders the work of Christ
a) Alcohol addiction changes personality
Alcohol is a very effective weapon employed by the enemy to hinder the work of Christ. The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. Alcohol does all these and is a common tool used by the enemy. A person addicted to alcohol has a changed personality that cannot glorify God. He lives a sedated life without inhibitions that adversely affects his thoughts, emotions and judgment.
b) Alcohol defiles the body
Alcohol defiles the body leading to sickness and disease. A vast number of people die every year from alcohol related deaths. Some die from medical conditions brought on by alcohol and others through accidents directly related to the use of alcohol. Statistics in America estimate that about 400 people die daily from alcohol and alcohol-related problems.
c) Alcohol destroys life
Alcohol is responsible for many destroyed lives. Alcohol is involved in 50% of spousal abuse - 50% of rapes -32% of child abuse cases.
Illustration:
Alcohol is a drug that is not only legal but widely advertised. The advertisements from the alcohol industry link drinking with happiness, wealth, prestige, sophistication, success, maturity, athletic ability, virility, creativity and sexual satisfaction. The irony is that these are the very things that chronic alcohol abuse destroys. Alcohol destroys the liver, the pancreas, and causes gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems and often lead to diabetes or low blood sugar, high blood pressure, heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Alcohol also affects the nervous system, causing numbness of your hands and feet, disordered thinking and dementia. It also results in an increased risk of cancer.
Application:
Alcohol promotes the work of the devil by destroying lives. Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
Conclusion:
God has a solution for all the problems we encounter. Let us know who we are in Christ, that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and that we are God’s beloved children. Let us not allow Satan to hinder our spiritual walk by doubting the Word of God. When we constantly remind ourselves of who we are in Christ as a result of His great sacrifice, we cannot continue to do the things that dishonour His name.
Personal Response:
Let us value the sacrifice of Christ and live righteous lives and fulfil the words of John in 1 John 4:17 that “as he is so also are we in this world”. We are like Him for He lives in us so let us live godly lives to the praise and glory of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
