Win The Lost
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Man is lost without Christ. Our sins separate us from God. This separation will lead to eternal death (John 3:16-17). But salvation is possible through Jesus Christ. He has borne our sins on the cross.
Disciple Beleivers
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, NKJV).
The word “disciple” comes from a Greek word which means a “learner” or “pupil.” The essence of the Great Commission is not the going or the evangelizing, but the making of disciples. Evangelism initiates the journey, but discipleship is the aim.
Marvin J. Newell in his book, Commissioned, offers a good definition of discipleship. He states, “It is a process where mature believers build personal relationships with new believers for the purpose of producing growing and competent followers of Jesus Christ.”
Discipleship is a path that we follow to be like Jesus. It is the acceptance of His beliefs and obeying His commandments. It is walking in truth, as He gives it.
In Luke 14:27, Jesus reminds us that we cannot be His disciples without bearing His cross. In John 8:31, He says, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples.”
Care for the poor, homeless, and needy
This core value of Church of God (FG) in India is commanded by Scripture. We are to serve others. Notice these references from the New International Version:
- “Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan” (Exodus 22:22).
- “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land” (Deuteronomy 15:11).
- “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling” (Psalm 68:5).
- “For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death” (Psalm 72:12-13).
- “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9).
- “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses” (Proverbs 28:27).
- “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1).
- “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35).
- “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God” (Acts 10:4).
- “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need” (1 Timothy 5:3).
- Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).
- “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (1 John 3:17).
The Bible contains over 300 verses about the poor and needy. It clearly expresses God’s love and concern for them. We cannot be like Christ and not have a desire and willingness to help them. We must exercise our mercy toward those in need. Caring for the poor, the homeless, and the needy is required of every believer. We must not ignore them.