Using the Word GOSPEL to Fulfill the Great Commission

(Article written by Jerry Ferrso in the September 2007 issue of The Baptist Voice published by Lancaster Baptist Church)

Have you ever asked someone to deliver a message and then found out later it was never communicated??? Every Christian has been commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ to share the message of salvation with anyone and everyone!!! Have you been communicating this important message faithfully???

As we consider the Gospel message and its importance, may this acrostic of the word "GOSPEL" be of help to you in being a faithful and frutiful messenger.

Go soulwinning every week - Matt. 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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 alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus commanded his disciples to "... go ye therefore, and teach all nations..." Dr. Don Sisk has often said, "Christ's last command should be our first priority." One way we can make soulwinning our priority is by scheduling time every week to go.

Opportunities are everywhere - John 4:34-35 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

It amazes me that there are certain people who can find great deals on anything. The reason for this is simple - they are looking for them. This is the same idea with soulwinning. If you want to see more people saved, look for the opportunities.

Seek the filling of the Holy Spirit - Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We need the empowerment that comes from the Holy Spirit. Seek His filling so that you can accomplish the Lord's work in His power!!!

Persuade people to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour - 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.

Do not give up on people who do not readily accept Christ as their Saviour. Pray for them, encourage them, witness to them, and even plead with them to receive Jesus Christ.

Eliminate any excuses why you can't be a soulwinner - Php. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

With God's calling comes God's enabling. We must recognize our dependency is on the Lord. It is not my personality, my strength, or my presentation, but it is by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ that He enables me to be His messenger.

Live with eternity in mind - James 4:13-14 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

We live as if we have an unlimited amount of time to do God's work. The Bible says, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work." We cannot believe Satan's lie, "We can serve God tomorrow." With all honesty, tomorrow may never come for you. We do not have a guarantee that we will have tomorrow to serve the Lord. May I encourage you to find someone today with whom you may share the wonderful message of Jesus Christ. Today may be your last opportunity!!!