It boils down to:
How we are to live, How we are to work, and How we are to die.
A faithful fruit tree will bring forth faithful followers.
How do we live?
By being a faithful Servant.
Habakkuk 2:4, Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Romans 1:17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 3:11, But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Hebrews 10:38, Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Church Hymnal, page 162, Living By Faith:
I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything
And all of my worries are vain.
Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.
We are also to live justly, to live holy, to live upright, to be transformed, and to be renewed.
Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
We are to be Situated in the Lord.
We are to be Saturated in the Word.
We are to be Separated from the World.
We can be Sanctified by God.
The unfaithful will not get the same rewards as the faithful. We are not to strive for rewards but for the love of the Lord.
How do we work?
By Searching for souls.
Ezekiel 34:11, For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
Matthew 9:38, Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Mark 16:15, And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Luke 19:10, For the Son of Man is come to seek and save that which was lost.
John 20:21, Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Are we are losing the battle for souls? We can see that the world has so much more to offer today than ever before. We have failed in evangelism, we have failed God, and we have failed the souls that are out there. We do more for the church building, the music programs, and our church functions may have increased, but the winning of souls has decreased. We have been too busy making the church look like the world and pleasing to the world, instead of training disciples to go out into the world. Those who preach the Gospel, those who teach the Gospel, those who witness the Gospel, and any other believer should live the Gospel.
There should be a difference between church growth and growing the church. It is not about filling the church house but emptying hell and filling heaven with souls. The only people that do not know that there are souls out there searching for something are those who are not out there searching for souls. Have we ever wondered why some churches are so popular? Because they go out to where the souls are. They do not just sit in their comfort zone waiting on people to show up.
Luke 14:23, And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
How do we die?
By being a good Soldier.
2 Timothy 2:1-4, Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Ephesians 6:11-13, Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against the flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Where are all the good spiritual soldiers? Have they all retired, or did they all die in battle?
What does the military do? They train to fight. There is a war out there. A spiritual war. There should never be a war within the church.
God did not call us to be a CEO, (Chief Executive Officers) of the church but Combat Effect Officers…spiritual workers. It is not about the pay, the position, the prestige, the perks, or the promotions. It is about our sacrifice, our servanthood, our soldiering, and soul-winning. Where are our battle scars?
We have been chosen to reach the lost.
1 Peter 2:9, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Who bids for our soul?
The Devil promises fame, fortune, wealth, and praise, but only delivers sin and sorrow. Jesus is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, forgiveness, patience, and everlasting life. Who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land.
Church Hymnal, page 397, Who Is That Knocking?
Who is that calling for me to come, Come and be saved from sin?
Who is that knocking at my heart’s door, Wanting to be let in?
Who is that knocking, calling, seeking, Who is that troub’ling my soul?
Surely tis Jesus, asking, pleading, Wanting to make me whole.
