I think most people would agree that the world is not in good shape. All you have to do is turn on the television to see all the depravity running rampant in the world. What we are seeing is what happens when sin rules in the human heart. Evil is a result of the condition of the heart, and when the heart is controlled by sin, wickedness will follow.
The question then arises, “How do we change the world?” Someone might say, “With all the evil happening, is there any hope?” The answer to that is absolutely. As Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you WILL have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” The only way to overcome evil is with the life-altering, heart-transforming power of the Gospel. Sin can only be removed by the grace and forgiveness that comes through Jesus Christ. In short, the world needs Jesus!
That all sounds fine and good, but how do we get the Gospel to a world that desperately needs it? The answer? God’s church, His people, must awaken and see the privilege and responsibility of taking Jesus to the world. The problem is two-fold: 1. Many Christians do not feel the burden to share the Gospel, and 2. Many Christians have never been trained to share the Gospel. The church must address these two issues if there will ever be change.
When it comes to feeling a burden for unbelievers, this begins with a heart change. Pastors and teachers of the Scripture must teach to penetrate the heart. Actions will never change if the heart does not change first. For a burden to be felt for the lost, Christians must get their hearts right with God. A Christian should love what God loves, and we know that God loves the people of the world!
Once a Christian’s heart is right, what should follow next is a passion to take the Gospel to others. Jesus said in Matthew 28, “Go into the all world and make disciples of all nations…teaching them all that I have commanded.” In other words, the way we change the world comes through people investing their lives in others for the explicit purpose of introducing them to Christ. 2 Timothy 2:2 says, “And the things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Mature Christians need to disciple younger Christians so that they can lead people to Christ and begin teaching them to teach others. This is how we change the world…one life at a time! Simply put, we need disciples who make other disciples!
If you are a Christian, do you feel a burden for those who are not Christians? Do you feel a responsibility to pour your life into younger Christians? If no, why? If yes, look around and see who God has placed in your life and begin investing in them. Show Jesus with your life and share Jesus with your lips. This world will only change as Christians seek to make a difference in it, and that happens one person at a time. Together, we can change the world.
Tomorrow at FBC Newcastle, we will talk about this very thing and call one another to get busy making disciples! Join us on Sunday, February 14 at 8:15 or 11am if you can!
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