JESUS WANTS YOU
(by Emerson Blythe)
(Mat 11:28-30 KJV) "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Today I want to take a new look at Christian Evangelism.
It seems in many churches preachers are almost too timid and ashamed to actively call upon people to make a commitment to Christ. We tend to hint at the need of commitment. Or maybe we just lay out the facts and try to let the individual come to a natural conclusion as whether he or she ought to be a Christian. But the fact of the matter is that Jesus wants YOU! --And he gives His disciples the mission of evangelizing. He calls upon us to be "fishers of men."
(Mat 4:17-20 KJV) "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. {18} And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. {19} And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. {20} And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."
(Mat 28:18-20 NASB) "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. {19} "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, {20} teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.""
(Mark 16:15-16 KJV) "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. {16} He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
Look at the Apostle Paul's attitude of urgency in evangelizing:
(1 Cor 9:20-23 KJV) "And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; {21} To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. {22} To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. {23} And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you."
Again, He said, (2 Cor 5:18-20 KJV) "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; {19} To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. {20} Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
Listen to the Apostle Paul's urgency as he speaks to King Agrippa: (Acts 26:27-29 KJV) "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. {28} Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. {29} And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds."
When have you lately heard a preacher speak with this urgency in persuading people to accept the gospel and be Christians?
(Rom 1:14-17 KJV) "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. {15} So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. {16} 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. {17} For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
(2 Cor 5:9-11 KJV) "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. {10} For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. {11} Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men..."
Jesus states in no uncertain terms that He wants You!
(John 5:39-40 KJV) "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. {40} And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
He lamented over the city of Jerusalem of His day: (Mat 23:37 KJV) "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
The Gospel Preacher is given the mission of evangelism. God told Ezekiel: (Ezek 3:17-21 KJV) "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. {18} When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. {19} Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. {20} Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. {21} Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul."
He tells Ezekiel: (Ezek 33:11 KJV) "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
Jesus warns: (Luke 13:3 KJV) "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Again: (Luke 13:5 KJV) "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
WHAT THE LORD WANTS OF US:
WHAT HE DOES NOT WANT:
A. He does NOT want unbelievers: Mk 16:16 "...he that believeth not shall be damned."
B. He does NOT want half-hearted followers: (to the church at Laodicea:) (Rev 3:15-16 KJV) "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
C. He does NOT want temporary followers--fair weather friends. (Mat 10:22 KJV) "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Rev 2:10 KJV) "... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
D. He does not want mere sympathizers--He wants disciples. A lot of people to some extent "admire" Jesus, but He wants people who are totally committed. (Mat 12:30 KJV) "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."
WHAT THE LORD DOES WANT:
A. He wants people who have obeyed the gospel. (Rom 10:16 KJV) "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" As a matter of fact, (2 Th 1:7-9 KJV) "...The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, {8} In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: {9} Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power."
B. He wants people who will go to church, stand up and be counted. (Mark 8:38 KJV) "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
(Heb 10:25 KJV) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."C. He wants people who LOVE HIM, and are totally dedicated to Him out of that love. I am persuaded that many of us "Christians" are half-way dedicated to the Lord, not because we really love Him, but just because we think we have to "side with Him" to go to Heaven. It even shows in the songs we sing. (Now, I'm not condemning these songs--I'm just saying that our selfish profession to the Lord shows through their words.) Like the song, "I'll Be a Friend to Jesus." It says "Because He brought Salvation is why I am His friend." It's not because He made me, that I'm His friend. It's not because He loves me that I am His friend. It's not because He is dying for me, that I am His friend. It's not because He is being falsely accused and suffering wrongfully that I will be His friend, and stand for Him. It's only because He brought salvation, and I don't want to wind up in the wrong place when I die. --Is that not a little selfish?
Some of our religious neighbors teach that what we do--the way we live--has no bearing on whether we go to Heaven or hell when we die. Now I don't subscribe to that idea, though I do understand that salvation is by God's Grace, and not the result of any human merit. Yet many of them--though they are not doing it because they think they must to stay out of hell--are putting many of us to shame with their love and commitment to the Lord. They are totally committed to the Lord and serve Him diligently just because they love Him and appreciate Him, and want to show Him that they do. That's the kind of commitment the Lord wants of us.
D. He wants people who will keep His commandments and serve Him BECAUSE THEY LOVE HIM. (John 14:15 KJV) "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
(John 14:23 KJV) "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
(John 15:13-14 KJV) "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. {14} Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
(Luke 17:10 KJV) "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."
E. Jesus wants people who will be more than outsiders looking in. He wants people to be His sheep, in His sheepfold. (John 10:14 KJV) "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."
(John 10:27-28 KJV) "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: {28} And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
Yes, friend, no matter who you are, nor where you are, JESUS WANTS YOU!
QUESTION: Are you what the Lord wants you to be? Are you a Christian? Are you committed to the Lord in love? Are you doing what Jesus wants you to do?
A. He wants you to believe in Him--that He is God's Son, and that He died for you and rose again victorious over death, hell and the grave. He wants you to realize that without Him you are hopelessly and eternally doomed. He wants you to realize (Isa 64:6 KJV) "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." And, thus, He wants you to realize your need for Him. (Acts 4:12 KJV) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
B. He wants you to repent of your sin. Whether you have been a sinful person, or just have to regret mostly the sin that you have not heretofore made that commitment to Him, He wants you to repent. To repent means to turn. It means to have a change of mind that will result in a change of life. (Acts 26:20 KJV) "... that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance."
C. He wants you to confess Him before men: make a public commitment to Him. (Mat 10:32-33 KJV) "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. {33} But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Rom 10:10 KJV) "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Before the Ethiopian Nobleman was baptized, He made the confession, (Acts 8:37 KJV) "...I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
D. He wants you to be baptized. He told His followers, (Mat 28:19 KJV) "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Baptism is that step that separates you from the world and puts you into Christ. (Acts 18:8 KJV) "...Many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." (Gal 3:26-27 KJV) "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. {27} For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
E. Then He wants you to continue to confess Him as Lord every day by the way you live and serve. He wants you to love Him, and be totally committed to Him.
YES, JESUS WANTS YOU! He does not want you just for His selfish reasons. He wants to bless you, and take you to be with Him in Heaven. (Luke 19:10 KJV) "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Gal 1:4 KJV) "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:"
(Titus 2:14 KJV) "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
Paul said, (Gal 2:20 KJV) "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Jesus wants you in church, in Bible study, and in the Christian walk of life. Are you where the Lord wants you to be?