Last week, we began a crucial conversation with the message “A Life-and-Death Mission.” We were confronted with the undeniable truth, revealed through the Word of God, that the only way to salvation and hope for humanity is through Jesus Christ and the redemptive work He accomplished on the Cross.
We then recognised that you and I, as His followers, are part of an urgent mission: to rescue lives that, every single moment, are heading towards eternity without Jesus. Every second counts.
Therefore, we’ve learned, and I reiterate today, that “The primary purpose of the Church – the body of Christ on Earth – is not merely to keep us Christians together, but to go out and win souls, make disciples, and expand the glorious Kingdom of God!”
This is why we have been called, equipped, and sent.
Today, I want to go deeper. It’s not just about understanding this reality; it’s about taking up responsibility. Because to know and not to act is to disobey.
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17 NLT
Illustration: Imagine you are walking through the Town and, suddenly, you see a house on fire. The people inside are sleeping, oblivious to the imminent danger.
What would you do? Would you grab your phone to record a video? Would you post it on Instagram with the hashtag #tragedy?
Or would you run over to try and warn them? Would you try your best to save them? Run to call for help? No normal person ignores a burning house and people about to die. No person with an ounce of compassion would stand idly by.
But every day: People around us are “on fire” spiritually. They are dying without Christ, and we know it. The question that should be echoing in our hearts is: What are we going to do?
Eternity is approaching, and many depart without Jesus. We are the alarm bell, the “Fire Brigade” that God has called to warn and rescue!
Jesus gave us a rescue mission, a clear command, not a suggestion: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15).
Jesus did not say: “If you want to…”, “If you have time…”, “If you feel ready…”
He said: “GO!” This is a military command. It is an urgent mission. In the Bible, there is no such thing as a “retired believer” from God’s work. There is no such thing as a “spectator believer” who merely watches the game of life. Every saved person is sent. Every convert is a potential missionary.
God Relies on Ordinary People
The church did not begin with famous pastors, great TV preachers, or celebrities. It began with fishermen. With tax collectors. With ordinary, everyday people.
Why? To show us that: It’s not about our ability or our natural talents; it’s about our availability and obedience. God doesn’t use the most talented. God uses the most obedient and the most willing.
- The Urgency of the Message: Why Can’t We Wait?
Illustration: Think of a doctor who discovers the cure for a fatal and highly contagious disease, but decides to keep it a secret, waiting for the “right” moment or for someone to come looking for them.
That would be a crime! It would be an unspeakable negligence!
Millions die every day without knowing there is a cure – and that cure is Jesus Christ. Every second, people depart for eternity. We do not have the luxury of waiting for them to come to us. The urgency is not because the antidote will run out, but because their lives will!
The Word of God itself reminds us in Romans 10:14: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
We cannot be complicit in eternal ignorance. We have the best news in the universe, the only hope for humanity!
The Seed of the Word
Jesus taught us that the Word of God is like a seed, and the human heart is the soil where that seed is planted. (Matthew 13:3-9)
This means you do NOT control:
- When the seed will sprout.
- How the plant will grow.
- How much fruit the seed will bear.
Your part is clear and simple: Plant the seed, preach the Word.
There are people who get discouraged to talk about Jesus because they don’t see quick, immediate results. But the seed takes time to germinate and grow. Sometimes, you share the Word today, and the person will only convert 10 years from now. But one thing is certain: If you don’t ever plant, you will never harvest!
- How to Preach: Building Bridges, Not Walls
Last week, I mentioned the importance of relationships with unbelievers. And today I reaffirm: Before an unbeliever becomes a disciple of Jesus, they must, first and foremost, be your friend!
Research in various churches shows that over 80% of those who are born again come to church through a friend, relative, or family member. This proves the power of relationships!
Therefore, before you start preaching, make friends, spend time with them, genuinely care about the person, value them. Only then will they be truly willing to listen to you.
Illustration: building bridges for people
Preaching the gospel is like building bridges for people. An architect won’t just throw building material from one side to the other, hoping the bridge will build itself. They first study the possibilities, understand the terrain, create a link. No one likes to hear a stranger imposing their ideas. People open their hearts to those who care about them, to those who know them. You cannot expect someone to trust your message if they don’t trust you.
Practical Tips: How to make friends who will listen to the Gospel:
- Be Interested: Ask about their lives, listen more than you speak. Remember what Jesus did: He dined with sinners, walked with people, was deeply interested in their pains and needs. He built relationships.
- Be Service-Oriented: Help with practical needs. A selfless act of kindness opens more doors than a thousand sermons. Perhaps a neighbour needs help with their garden, or with something practical at home. Be the good Samaritan, a reflection of Christ’s love.
- Be Authentic: Let your life reflect the joy and peace you have found in Christ, without forcing or being artificial. People are attracted by genuine light and lived truth.
The Gospel is transmitted by word of mouth, yes, but also, and perhaps primarily, from heart to heart. Your life testimony and your attitudes speak louder than your most eloquent words.
- The Challenge: We Are Sent!
Illustration: Imagine that you’ve received a personal, sealed, and extremely important letter to deliver to a specific person. This letter contains the only hope of eternal life for that person. Would you keep this letter in your pocket, hoping it would miraculously reach its destination? Or would you feel compelled, driven, to find the recipient and deliver this vital message? We have this “letter”: it is the Gospel!
We are all messengers, not just the pastor, not just the missionaries. Jesus did not say “Only pastors and missionaries go.” He said “Go,” to all of us!
Practical Challenge: Where you can start TODAY:
- Start small: Share your faith with a friend, a work (or school) colleague, a neighbour. Start with those closest to you.
- Pray: Ask God to show you who you should approach, who He has already been working on the soil of their heart.
- Invite: Invite someone to your Life Group, for coffee, to visit the church, to a special event.
- Serve: Look for a need a neighbour of yours might be having, your friend at school, your colleague at work, in your community. Help them out with love, expecting nothing in return.
The Preacher’s Testimony: My Journey and God’s Harvest
I had the joy and privilege of preaching to many of my friends at school, college, work, and in different aspects of my secular life before becoming a pastor. And, by His grace, I saw many people reached.
At that time, I could see a young man, a drunk, a drug addict… And I didn’t know that, by sharing the love of Jesus, I was reaching and investing in the life of a future pastor, an apostle, a worship leader, a businessman who would use his influence for the Kingdom.
I simply obeyed. God did the rest.
Profound Truth: You Don’t Know Who Is In Front of You.
Perhaps today you are talking, praying, or preaching to:
- A future pastor
- A future missionary
- A future leader who will transform a nation
- A mother who will bring her entire family to Jesus
- A father who will raise a God-fearing generation
But today, this person could be: broken, lost, addicted, confused, depressed, sick, and without hope.
Don’t judge by appearance; invest for the destiny God has for them.
Transition to Testimonies: Fruits of Obedience
Now, you will hear from people who are in the Kingdom of God because someone obeyed. You will see the fruit of a willing life. None of this was due to human talent. It was due to love, compassion, and obedience to Jesus.
Now, listen to what God has done and continues to do through available lives.
(Watch Video with testimonies)
This is not about me, (Marcio). It is about obedience to God. If God did it through me, He wants to do it through you too!
Direct Challenge to the Church: To You!
- Who was the last person you evangelised?
- Who was the last person you discipled?
- Who have you been praying for and befriending lately?
- In whose life are you investing today for the Kingdom of God?
If the answer is “no one”… Then, beloved, something is profoundly wrong with our understanding of the Great Commission.
We Need to Have an Eternity Mindset
One day, we will arrive in Heaven. And the Bible shows us that there will be a great feast, a great celebration!
And, on that day, people will come up to you and say: “Thank you for not giving up on me.” “Thank you for telling me about Jesus.” “Thank you for inviting me to church.” “Thank you for discipling me and teaching me how to walk with Christ.”
That will be the greatest reward, a joy that no earthly wealth can buy.
Today I challenge you:
- Don’t live just for yourself anymore. Live to save lives!
- Who here wants to commit to the Great Commission?
- Who wants to say: ‘God, use my life for Your purpose’?
- Who wants to be an instrument of salvation in the hands of the Most High?
Conclusion: The Joy of an Accomplished Rescue Mission!
When a firefighter rescues someone from a burning building, the joy is indescribable, both for the rescued and the rescuer. There is genuine celebration!
Now, imagine the joy in heaven and in our hearts when someone accepts Jesus because we said “yes” to the call. This is the greatest reward we can have. Every saved person is a transformed life, a blessed family, and a piece of Ireland (and the world) that experiences the light and power of God.
Let’s go together, Shalom Church Ireland, to be these rescuers, full of passion, compassion, and obedience! The world awaits us!