A New Year

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” (Matthew 28:19).

I think we would all agree we can, and should, be more faithful in sowing the good seed. “Go” is not a suggestion, but a command. It is the will of God to proclaim the unfeigned word of truth. The pure Gospel, “…how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Why do we frequently neglect the commission to make disciples of all nations? Have you made plans for a fuller and better new year? Do those plans include a resolve to share the Gospel of Christ as you are directed by the Holy Spirit? You are where God has planted you. Career, circumstances, contacts, country, and city. It is no mistake. God desires to use you right where you are.

ARM YOURSELVES

Proper preparation for outreach is best found in scripture. The Holy Bible clearly provides the steps of preparation for our call to be useful ambassadors for Christ. What is the Biblical blueprint for effective outreach? I have discovered that if we will obey two primary teachings in scripture, we will become useful vessels in the hand of the Master Potter.

First, Jesus Christ directs us to pray. I realize this may sound somewhat minuscule or unimportant in our endeavors to reach out to the lost world, but it’s one of the most significant things we can do as Christians.

When we abide in Christ and His word abides in us, our prayers are in the center of His will.  We will ask for the right things because we have the mind of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ cares about people being saved. He died for everyone. He is not willing for anyone to perish. That’s His heart. So what does He say to His followers? “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38).

I can recall my years of serving in the pastorate and how I often tried to motivate the church members to share the Gospel with others. I fervently presented various series on evangelism, taught a variety of ways to witness, and organized specific times of outreach. I made sure we had a good stock of Gospel tracts. But week after week, the laborers were few. I tried many different things, but I failed to follow the Biblical mandate to specifically pray that He would send forth laborers.

I see now that it’s not my job to motivate and send forth laborers into the fields, that task belongs to the Lord of the harvest. It’s His harvest. They are His laborers. And He will send them forth. Fervently pray and ask Him to send forth laborers.

The second Biblical teaching is to simply follow Jesus. It’s so clear in Holy Scripture, yet for years I missed it because I was so focused on the process of outreach instead of the person of Christ. The best advice I can give any believer who has a real desire to share the Gospel of truth is to follow Jesus Christ. Love Him. Long to know Him. Walk with Him by faith, moment by moment. “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Follow simply means to come to Christ and pursue Him. If we do this one thing, He will make us fishers of men.

This new year, let us have a fresh start at knowing, loving, and following the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.Preach Jesus and Him crucified.”

never let me go online divx



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3 Responses to “A New Year”

  1. Don Says:

    Thanks Forrest. I hope you are doing well. Continue to encourage the Body. We love you.

    In Christ,
    Don DeSimone

    Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.



  2. Vince LaRue Says:

    Brother Forrest,

    I just want to say thank you for the challenge you gave me a while back on my blog which I answered by posting the “Perspective” item. I was called on to preach this afternoon and the time I was allotted was shorter than I could preach my other messages in, so I pulled that blog out, polished it up a bit, prayed God’s blessing and direction over it, and preached it this afternoon.

    I received several compliments on it (to God be the glory!) and my pastor was very pleased with how the Lord used me to preach. I know I’m nothing and worthless and it’s only God that can do anything with me, but thank you for your challenge to me.

    Vince LaRue



  3. Forrest Says:

    Thanks for the encouragement. I’m grateful the Lord used you, brother.

    “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2).