The open door to go

Mateo 4:18–20 KJV 1900

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.

Review: The last three messages. - our motive, our decision, the open door to pray, the open door to send…

Tonight I want to preach to you about the open door to go.

If you are a Christian, if you are follower of Jesus Christ you are commanded to be a fisher of men.

We talked last night how some are called to go to the mission field.

To leave their home country and across to world even to preach the gospel.

I pray God would call some in this church to go to the field and that this church could in the future send out missionaries to other places.

But you do not have to wait until you go to another country to go and preach the gospel.

We can begin right here right now right in your town.

Christ calls all to be fishers of men.

The open door to go and preach the gospel is right in front of you tonight.

Why to go

Why should we go through the open door to preach the gospel?

A. Because Christ commands it

Marcos 16:15 KJV 1900

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

The reason that we go is because our Lord commands us to.

Remember: Our motive is our love for Christ.

2 Corintios 5:15 KJV 1900

15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

We are commanded to go and tell others the gospel, and to not do so is to live in disobedience.

Example: How we see fruit from evangelism, but I see as a pastor how good it is for those people and their spiritual growth.

When I see people really start to grow spiritually is when I see them start coming to evangelism.

Its an important part of our spiritual growth and our spiritual life.

Christ commands it, and we cannot disobey that command and be healthy spiritually.

B. Because the lost require it

Juan 5:1–9 KJV 1900

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

Explain: The story of Bethesda and how that man waited 38 years because he had no man to take him to the pool.

Many lost people today are in the same position.

All of them need to hear.

Many will reject the gospel, but many many people would be healed if they just had someone to take them to Jesus Christ.

God has chosen us to bring His message to them so they can receive it.

And they would be saved if they only have someone to tell them.

Example: Patrick and how he almost missed the opportunity to be saved.

Judas 22–23 KJV 1900

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

C. Because eternity will declare it

Daniel 12:3 KJV 1900

3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Explain: How the everything on this earth is going to burn

The only thing that you can take to heaven with you is another person.

Proverbios 11:30 KJV 1900

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise.

If you are wise, you will invest your lives in what really matters, helping others get to heaven.

Reconciling others to God.

These precious souls are eternal treasure.

Example: How all of us are going to wish that we would have done more to reach the lost at the judgment seat

Mateo 6:19–20 KJV 1900

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mateo 6:21 KJV 1900

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The wisest investors on this earth are not the ones who bought bitcoin ten years ago, its the ones who live their lives trying to reach lost souls for Christ.

How to go

Perhaps you want to start reaching lost souls for Christ.

You want to go through this door of opportunity.

But you don’t really know how or where to start.

Your nervous.

Where can you start?

What are some specific things that you can do right now to get started reaching others for Christ?

A. Go fishing

Example: How I used to catch a lot of fish

How today I have fishing rods and a tackle box, but have never caught one fish in Colombia.

Because I never go fishing.

It doesn’t matter how much you know about fishing, or how equipped you are to fish, you will never catch fish if you never go fishing.

The same is true with fishing for men.

Some have a ton of knowledge of the Bible, but they never win people to Christ because they never go fishing.

Others have very limited experience and knowledge, but they are always bringing people to church because they are constantly going fishing.

Go with your church on their days of evangelism or visiting or street work or whatever.

If you can’t make that for whatever reason, ask you pastor to go with you some other time or go yourself with a friend.

Put it on the calendar.

This is not the only time that you can tell others about Christ.

But it will guarantee that you have a specific time every week where you get to go fishing.

Example: How we don’t do what we don’t schedule

If you want to catch fish, go fishing.

B. Go with a friend

Marcos 6:7 KJV 1900

7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Explain: The benefits of going with a friend to win souls

Eclesiastés 4:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Explain: How when I first started evangelizing I went with friends who knew what to say and just watched and was their prayer partner.

In time I learned how to speak myself.

Note: this is another great benefit of going to your churches scheduled evangelism times.

C. Take some time to prepare

1 Pedro 3:15 KJV 1900

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Take time to learn some good ways to explain the gospel.

Example: How I teach a soul winning class every year or two at our church to help people learn how to explain the gospel.

If you don’t know how to explain the plan of salvation to someone ask your pastor to teach you. I am sure he would love to.

Example: How you can write verses on the inside of your Bible you use while evangelizing to help answer people who have different beliefs.

Read books on how to reach people with the gospel.

Books on how to reach people from different religions.

2 Timoteo 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Don’t wait to start going to evangelism, but constantly try to get better at explaining the gospel.

And every week that you go soul winning with your church you are going to see how you get better and better and more and more comfortable with explaining the gospel.

D. Take care of your testimony

1 Corintios 15:34 KJV 1900

34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Explain: How some are a hinderance to their friends coming to Christ because of their bad testimony.

Don’t let your sin and bad testimony keep others from coming to know Christ as their Savior.

Note: It is to our shame when we are silent and do not try to win souls. Let’s be good witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.

When to go

This week is the time to go

Explain: Take opportunities that arise in the week to witness, and plan every week when you can dedicate time to go fishing for men.

And you will see God begin to bless in a tremendous way.

Now is the time to go through this great door of opportunity.

Don’t wait any longer.