The True Reformer of Mankind

Political and social reforms labor in vain because they ignore the fall of Adam and original sin. These are great stubborn facts, which ruin all their calculations. Without acknowledging the reality and consequences of sin, the great problems of human nature can never be solved.

How much we ought to hate sin and to make the checking of sin the first object in our efforts to do good! How much we ought to long and strive to promote the progress of the Gospel of Christ! This, after all, is the only true reformer of mankind. Just in proportion as men are brought under the influence of the despised old Gospel will be the increase of peace on earth and goodwill among men.

The more Christ is known and loved, and the more the Bible is read, the more will the inhabitants of the earth love one another. The more grace reigns over hearts and lives, the less hatred and violence will there be in the world. If pure and undefiled religion prevailed everywhere, then such plagues and pests and nuisances as quarreling, robbing, murder, drunkenness, immorality, swindling, gambling, idleness, lying, and cheating would be comparatively unknown. Most of the prisons and workhouses would soon be shut. Lawyers and policemen would have little to do. Taxes would be cut in half.

He is the truest friend to human happiness who does the most to spread the knowledge of Christ and evangelize the world!

[J. C. Ryle]

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Romans 10:15 ... And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Acts 5:42 ... And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Mark 16:15 ... And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.❤

Only One Way

God does not have two ways for any of us, but one. Not two things for us to do which we may choose between, but one best and highest choice. It is a blessed thing to find and fill the perfect will of God. It is a blessed thing to have our life laid out and our Christian work adjusted to God’s plan.

Much strength is lost by working at a venture. Much spiritual force can be expended in wasted effort and in scattered, indefinite and inconstant attempts at doing good. There is spiritual force and financial strength enough in the hands and hearts of the consecrated Christians of today, if it were only wisely directed and used according to God’s plan, to bring about the evangelization of the world in a generation.

Christ has laid down a definite plan of work for His Church, and He expects us to understand it and to work up to it. As we catch His thought and obediently, loyally fulfill it, we shall work with purpose. In so doing we please Him far better than by our thoughtless, reckless and indiscriminate attempts to carry out our ideas and compel God to bless our work.

[A.B. Simpson]

Philippians 2:13 ... For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

John 15:2 ... Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

John 15:5 ... I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Proverbs 16:9 ... A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. ❤

The Best Preacher

He is not the best preacher who tickles the ear, but who breaks the heart.

[Thomas Brooks]

Jeremiah 23:29 ... Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Ezekiel 36:26 ... A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Psalm 34:18 ... The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.❤

Go!

I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

2 Timothy 4:2 ... Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

 

Mark 16:15 ... And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Jude 1:22-23 ... And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.




Matthew 28:19-20 ... Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.❤

Preach The Word

Lift up the Messiah, then, both before Jew and Gentile. Tell of Mary’s Son, the eternal Son of God, the Man of Nazareth, who is none other than the incarnate Word, God made flesh, and dwelling amongst us.

Preach his hallowed life - the righteousness of his people; declare his painful death - the putting away of all their sins.

Vindicate his glorious resurrection, the justification of his people; tell of his ascent on high, their triumph over the world and sin;

Declare his second advent, his glorious coming, to make his people glorious in the glory which he hath won for them, and Christ Jesus, as he is thus preached, shall surely be the means of making these bones live.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Acts 18:9-11 ... Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

2 Timothy 4:2 ... Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Luke 4:18 ... The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Romans 1:16-17 ... 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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. ❤

The Commission of The Call

We make calls out of our own spiritual consecration, but when we get right with God He brushes all these aside, and rivets us with a pain that is terrific to one thing we never dreamed of, and for one radiant, flashing moment we see what He is after, and we say—“Here am I, send me.”

 

This call has nothing to do with personal sanctification, but with being made broken bread and poured-out wine. God can never make us wine if we object to the fingers He uses to crush us with.  If God would only use His own fingers, and make me broken bread and poured-out wine in a special way!  But when He uses someone whom we dislike, or some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit, and makes those the crushers, we object. We must never choose the scene of our own martyrdom.  If ever we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.

 

[Oswald Chambers]

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Colossians 1:24 ... Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

 

 

John 15:2 ... Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

 

 

Isaiah 6:8 ... Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.❤

Shepherd-Less Sheep

There is a great harvest, a large number of sheep without a shepherd!  Jesus has compassion for these sheep, he brings the good news and miracles so these people would see the glory of God, and follow him.

God wants his sheep to find him!  There are people in the world that Jesus wants to bring his truth and provide miracles for.

The only way he’s going to do this is through you – who Christ lives in. He wants to share his message and power through you! And you can be assured that you are empowered to share his glory!  Is there someone in your world that God is wanting you to reach out to?

[Jack Nuttall]

Colossians 1:27-28 ... To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Matthew 9:35-38 ... And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  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 28:19-20 ... Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Luke 4:18-19 ... The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.❤

Be An Example

A preacher's life should be a commentary of his doctrine; his practice should be a counterpart of his sermons. Heavenly doctrines should always be adorned with a heavenly life.

[Thomas Brooks]

1 Timothy 4:12 ... Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:16 ... Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

John 13:15 ... For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Hebrews 8:5 ... Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

1 Peter 2:21 ... For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:❤

Evangelism

Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry? Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patients die? Could a fireman sit idle, let men burn and give no hand? Can you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you damned?

[Leonard Ravenhill]

Luke 5:30-32 ... But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?   And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 9:35 ... And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Romans 15:19 ... Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Mark 16:15 ... And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ❤

The Revival We Need

A true revival is a quickening according to God’s Word, not according to some man’s magnetism or eccentricity. A talented evangelist may swoop down upon a community and make a stir by sharp, striking sayings, draw large crowds and quicken a kind of interest; but such a quickening may be according to the evangelist, not according to the Word of God.

Now, what we need is an increase of spiritual life which is in line with scriptural teaching. A revival means a giving of more life. David had life; what he wished for was life more abundant. We have love for God and men; what we need is more of the same quality; but be sure that it is love according to the Word of God. ‘This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.’ Obedience, not sentimentalism or unctuous joy, is love.

Such obedience to God will be linked with unselfish ministry to man. A missionary by the name of Crossett died years ago in China. He was greatly loved by the Chinese people. He chose a life of poverty, because he did not have time to make money. He spent his days and nights with the sick, the poor, the anxious. He led many of them to Christ. He thought not of himself, but of others. He loved men, not because of the ties of kinship or nationality, but because they were men with immortal souls precious in the sight of God. Such love we need in abundance: a love producing a zeal that consumes us. A love that burdens us for the salvation of men.

 

[A. C. Dixon]

 

 

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Psalm 119:25 ...   My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

 

 

Psalm 119:107 ... I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.

 

 

Psalm 119:154 ... Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.❤

Your Mission

So the business of bringing people into a relationship with Jesus Christ apparently has some things in common with fishing. For example, you don't try to attract the fish with what you're interested in, but what they're interested in. Now look, I like pizza. I don't like worms. But if I put pizza on my hook, I'm going home with an empty bucket buddy. I've got to offer what will be interesting to the fish that I'm trying to attract. And so it is with reaching people for Jesus Christ.

 

If all we offer is religious bait, coming to a religious meeting to hear a religious speaker talk on a religious subject in a religious place, we probably won't attract many of the lost people who need Christ so desperately. But if we're talking about needs they care about in a place where they feel comfortable, in words they can understand, we have a far better chance of getting them within hearing distance of the Gospel, don't we.

 

 

But there's another very important fishing principle we need to keep in mind as we present Jesus to the people around us. It's a principle it seems many believers have never thought about. You don't clean fish until you catch them! See, too many times, lost people feel judged by us rather than loved by us, because we're attacking the things they do. And they do those because they're lost, and instead we should be leading them to the One who will take them from lost to found!  You catch them, then you clean them! Actually, God catches them and cleans them, through you.

 

 

Zacchaeus got clean, but he got caught first! The problem with the lost people you know is not their profanity or their dishonesty or their immorality - they're lost and they're living like it! Their real problem is they need a Savior! Yes, they must repent, but that's part of being rescued by Jesus from their sin! Don't make their lifestyle the issue. Make Jesus the issue, and say with the great spiritual fisherman, Paul, "When I came to you...I resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). If you want to help people be in heaven with you, stick to Jesus. And stick to His cross!

 

[Ron Hutchcraft]

 

 

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Mark 1:17 ... And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

 

 

Matthew 4:19 ... And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

 

 

Luke 5:10 ... And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.❤

To Save A Soul From Death

What is it for a soul to die?
It is to remain under the just wrath and endless curse of God!
What is it to save a soul from death?
It is to snatch an immortal brand from burning in Hell!

To save a soul from death, is . . .
to rob Satan of his prey,
to deprive Hell of its fuel, and
to prevent endless and indescribable torments!

To save a soul from death, is . . .
to place a jewel in the crown of Jesus,
to bring a sheep into the great Shepherd's fold,
and to tune a harp to the glorious harmony of Heaven!

To save a soul from death, is . . .
the greatest work which one can do,
the highest honor which one can gain,
the most glorious triumph which one can win!

 

[James Smith]

 

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James 5:20 ... Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
 

 

 

 

Jude 1:23 .... And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
 

 

 

2 Timothy 4:2 ... Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.❤

God's Identity

It is a striking thing that God's identity is linked to man. He was first known through the life of Abraham, and was called "the God of Abraham." The world's ideas about God came first from seeing what sort of man Abraham was. His life portrayed his God, and served as a recommendation for Him.

When Jacob first fled from home, and from the murderous threats of Esau, he referred to the Lord as the "God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac." That is how he identified God, by how their God had shaped their lives. This brought a sense of awe upon Jacob. He resolved that one-day, their God would be his God. He did not feel that that could be a reality, until his own life reflected his God. If the name of Jacob was to be associated with his fathers' God, he wanted to maintain the reputation of that God.

Some people say, for example, "I believe in my mother's God" or "I believe in Paul's God" or "I believe in Jean's God." People talk about presenting the Gospel ‘in a nutshell,"  but the Gospel can only be presented in a person. The Gospel is more than a formula for getting to heaven when you die. The Gospel offers life, not just a life belt. The essence of evangelism is to show what God is like.

 

 

Make this the cry of your heart today: "God, I want to be your bold evangelist, pointing the way to life in Christ Jesus."

 

[Reinhard Bonnke]
 

 

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2 Corinthians 3:12 ... Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
 

 

 

Acts 4:31 ... And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
 

 

 

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;   ❤