Sunday, October 21st, 2018 - AM - Why Try? (Rev. 22:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10-20)

Introduction

For those joining us online, you’re listening to the Services of the Broomfield Baptist Church. This is the Pastor bringing the Sunday Morning message entitled “Why Try?” We invite you to follow along with us in your Bible in the Second Book of Corinthians, chapter five, and verses 10-20.

Revelation 22:10–12 KJV 1900

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

2 Corinthians 5:10–20 KJV 1900

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. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 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. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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. 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.

In this great chapter—penned by a great man—inspired by a greater person—for the greatest purpose in the world.

We cannot all be: Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries etc. But we can all be Soul Winners.

God is a God of Three’s. We’ve seen two great revivals in our recent American History, is America ripe for a third? Will the history books some day look back and tell how there was a resurgence of faith in our generation?

If we win this generation to Christ it will not be by mass evangelism, it will be by face to face, person to person contact.

Notice five reasons why every born-again person should try and win the lost to Christ.

I. THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST—2 Cor. 5:10.

[START LOW.]

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV 1900

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.

A. Different Rewards.

1 Corinthians 3:14–15 KJV 1900

If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Note - “every one may receive…according to that he hath done...”

B. Special Reward.

Note - Apart from all other crowns

Note - Five Crowns

Illustration - As seen in ISBE:

There are five uses of the crown as seen in the Scripture references studied, viz. decoration, consecration, coronation, exaltation, and remuneration....

(4) Exaltation.—The ‛ătārāh, the Stephanos and the diadēma were used as crowns of exaltation. Stephanos was the usual crown of exaltation for victors of games, achievement in war and places of honor at feasts. The ‛ătārāh was worn at banquets (Cant 3:11; Isa 28:1, 3), probably taking the form of a wreath of flowers; also as a crown of honor and victory (Ezk 16:12; 21:26; 23:42). Stephanos is the crown of exaltation bestowed upon Christ (Rev 6:2; 14:14; He 2:9). “Exaltation was the logical result of Christ’s humiliation” (Vincent). The Apocalyptic woman and locusts receive this emblem of exaltation (Rev 12:1; 9:7). The symbolic dragon and beast are elevated, wearing diadēma (Rev 12:3; 13:1). The conquering Christ has “upon his head … many diadems” (Rev 19:12). See further Tertullian, De corona.

(5) Remuneration.—Paul, witnessing the races and games, caught the vision of wreath-crowned victors flush with the reward of earnest endeavor. See Games. He also saw the persistent, faithful Christian at the end of his hard-won race wearing the symbolic stephanos of rejoicing (1 Thess 2:19 AV), of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8), of glory (1 Pet 5:4), of life (Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10). Paul’s fellow-Christians were his joy and stephanos (Phil 4:1), “of which Paul might justly make his boast” (Ellicott). Long before Paul, his Heb ancestors saw the ‛ăṭārāh of glory (Prov 4:9) and the ‛ăṭārāh of a good wife, children’s children, riches and a peaceful old age (Prov 12:4; 14:24; 16:31; 17:6). For Apoc references see 1 Macc 10:29; 11:35; 13:39. [William Edward Raffety, “Crown,” ed. James Orr et al., The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915), 762–763.]

C. Soul Winner’s Reward.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 KJV 1900

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Psalm 126:5–6 KJV 1900

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Illustration - Leading a Man on His Dying Hospital Bed (at Good Sam) to Christ and the Joy and Rejoicing that filled the room.

II. THE TERROR OF THE Lord—2 Cor. 5:11

[GO SLOW.]

2 Corinthians 5:11 KJV 1900

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Note—If you doubt this notice:

A. People of Noah's Day

Genesis 7:18–23 KJV 1900

And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

Luke 17:20–27 KJV 1900

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Note - Many today are lacking in a healthy dose of the “Terror of the Lord”, but this is exactly what brought me to my knees before a thrice holy God to plead for His mercy to save my wretched sinful soul! I didn’t know just how He could do it (except for what He had said to me in His Word), and I surely didn’t know why He would ever do it for a sinner like me, but just like Paul said, and as Spurgeon recounted that is was none of me, and All of Grace, I found it to be so for my soul:

Romans 4:1–8 KJV 1900

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

B. Sodom & Gomorrah.

Genesis 19:24–28 KJV 1900

Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord: And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

Luke 17:28–30 KJV 1900

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Note - Thank God for the prayers of Abraham that moved the hand of Jehovah to snatch the soul of carnal, backslidden Lot out of Sodom just before the fires of judgment fell, and thank God for a dear sainted grandmother who moved the heart of Jesus to intervene in the life of a stubborn, rebellious, living for himself teenage boy, or else, surely I’d not be standing before you today, having met my fated doom determined against my wayward soul!

C. Last Judgment.

Revelation 20:11–15 KJV 1900

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Jude 19–25 KJV 1900

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Note - Two ways to reach the lost, and discernment must help you determine whether the lost soul with whom you witness needs to be won with compassion or terror. None can be saved until he is certain he is lost. He must know that he has fallen short of God’s grace, and that in his flesh dwells no good thing, and that there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Only then is he ready to consider that God would have grace undeserving to save his fallen, dead soul.

III. THE LOVE OF CHRIST—2 Cor. 5:14.

[CLIMB HIGHER!]

2 Corinthians 5:14 KJV 1900

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

Note —In His Love He:

A. Called Us.

Mark 1:17 KJV 1900

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Note - Four calls. Four times did the LORD call unto Samuel, who finally said, “Lord, here am I.” Four times throughout Mark’s Gospel and chapters one through eight, Jesus calls His disciples with the purpose of making them fishers of men. Four times has the Lord called me personally, at great altar moments in my life for Him, first for salvation, then for preaching, third for missions, and fourth for church planting. Four callings in the church does Paul mention in Ephesians 4:11-12. And yet, four times did God call to Israel in her gluttonous idolatry through the prophet Amos. How many times, friend, has the Lord called you? More importantly, how have you responded to that call?

The Four Calls

The Spirit came in childhood and pleaded, “Let me in,” But oh! the door was bolted by thoughtlessness and sin; “I am too young,” the child replied, “I will not yield today; There’s time enough tomorrow.” The Spirit went away.

Again He came and pleaded in youth’s bright happy hour; He came but heard no answer, for lured by Satan’s power The youth lay dreaming then and saying, “Not today, Not till I’ve tried earth’s pleasures.” The Spirit went away.

Again He called in mercy in manhood’s vigorous prime, But still He found no welcome, the merchant had no time; No time for true repentance, no time to think or pray, And so, repulsed and saddened, the Spirit went away.

Once more He called and waited, the man was old and ill, And scarcely heard the whisper, his heart was cold and still; “Go leave me; when I need thee, I’ll call for thee,” he cried; Then sinking on his pillow, without a hope, he died!

Our Daily Bread, February 22 [Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).]

μαθητής always implies the existence of a personal attachment which shapes the whole life of the one described as μαθητής, and which in its particularity leaves no doubt as to who is deploying the formative power.

[Karl Heinrich Rengstorf, “Μανθάνω, Καταμανθάνω, Μαθητής, Συμμαθητής, Μαθήτρια, Μαθητεύω,” ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 441.]

B. Chosen Us.

John 15:16 KJV 1900

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Note - Not angles.

Matthew Mead said something to the effect that if the gospel is to the world foolishness, then disciples of Christ must be to the world fools. "He is no true Christian who is not the world's fool." Strange that today we should expect to be popular, for our Lord said, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:19). [Vance Havner, Pepper “N” Salt, Vance Havner Bundle (Baker Publishing Group, 2009).]

C. Commands Us.

Matthew 28:19–20 KJV 1900

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.

Note - Has never changed.

Note - Evangelize, Baptize, Disciple. Repeat. Multiply. Just start with ONE!

IV. THE CHANGED LIFE—2 Cor. 5:17.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

A. Christ in Us.

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

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.

B. Concern.

Luke 13:34 KJV 1900

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

“How often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen gathereth her brood under her wings.” Bunyan counts this a singularly happy simile. The hen has four calls to her brood: A warning call, as when the hawk hovers near; a war[m]ing call, when the night comes with its chill; a feeding call, when she has a morsel for hunger; and a fostering call, when she would invite them to her cherishing care.

[Arthur T. Pierson, Knowing the Scriptures: Rules and Methods of Bible Study (New York: Gospel Publishing House, 1910), 334.]

C. Compassion.

Matthew 9:35–36 KJV 1900

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

V. THE APPOINTMENT AS AMBASSADORS—2 Cor. 5:20

[TAKE FIRE!!]

2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV 1900

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.

A. Commissioned.

John 20:21 KJV 1900

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

B. Channel for Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV 1900

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Illustration - CHANNELS ONLY - Mary E. Maxwell, 20th century

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Tim. 2:21)

A vessel He will make of you, if small or great, ’twill surely do—

Great joy and peace will always fill the one who’s yielded to His will.

—Unknown

To be a channel of the purposes of God is the highest calling in life. Every believer has been given at least one spiritual gift for this work (1 Peter 4:10). When we use that gift, our own lives are blessed and enriched by God as we bless others. For instance, after a visit to a nursing home or an invalid person, we often come away spiritually rejuvenated. Ministering to the needs of others is one of the best remedies for self-centeredness and joyless living.

Our ministry to others, however, is always based on what we have first received and experienced from God. We can never give out spiritual nourishment until we have first taken it in ourselves. Our experiences of suffering can be used to equip us to help others who suffer as we do. Difficulties can either make us bitter or they can fill us with a compassion and sensitivity for the hurts of others. People who are hurting can sense when we really understand and care for them in Christian love.

Our Lord is seeking representatives who realize their insufficiencies but are willing to be a channel filled with His power and love. That’s the vessel He can use.

How I praise Thee, precious Savior, that Thy love laid hold of me;

Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me that I might Thy channel be.

Emptied that thou shouldest fill me, a clean vessel in Thy hand,

with no pow’r but as Thou givest graciously with each command.

Witnessing Thy pow’r to save me, setting free from self and sin,

Thou who boughtest to possess me, in Thy fullness, Lord, come in.

Jesus, fill now with Thy Spirit hearts that full surrender know,

that the streams of living water from our inner man may flow.

Chorus: Channels only, blessed Master—but with all Thy wondrous pow’r

flowing thru us, thou canst use us ev’ry day and ev’ry hour.

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2Cor. 4:1-7)

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you your particular gift in channeling God’s love to others. Share an encouraging, comforting word with someone you know is hurting. Use this musical message to help— [Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1996), 300.]

C. Carrying the Kings Message.

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

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.

A farmer's clock ran amuck one morning and struck seventeen. The man of the house jumped up and ran all over the place, saying, "Get up, it's later than it ever has been before!" It is later than it ever has been by God's eternal timepiece. It is later than you think [Vance Havner, Pepper “N” Salt, Vance Havner Bundle (Baker Publishing Group, 2009).]

CONCLUSION:

But in spite of the fact that we are ambassadors, that God has limited Himself to one channel in which He works, that no one is saved from hell except as a born-again believer gives the Word of God, in spite of all this only 5% of today's professing Christians ever win a soul to Christ.

Yes. 95% of the professing Christians today NEVER WIN A SOUL.

In just a moment, we are going to have an invitation for you to respond to what you've heard about the Lord today. Friend, God loves you, and His Word has shown you something about yourself. Your greatest need is to be right with Him. It's not okay for you to leave here today without realizing how much trouble you are in with God because of your sins. Why don't you change your mind toward Him? His love sent Jesus Christ, God's only Son, to die on the cross for all your sins. He simply invites you, though spiritually dead in your sins, to come to Jesus and put your faith in His death, burial and resurrection for you. Come to Jesus, right now, don't wait. Come, and simply agree with God's Word that He has risen from the dead, and that He can and will give you eternal life by believing on His name. Won't you come and ask Jesus to come into your life and save you?

[Adapted from: Why Be a Soul-Winner? By: Evangelist Harold Boyd, (Box 1347, Fort Smith, AR) in - Maze Jackson, Golden Nuggets for Pastors, Evangelists, Teachers, Bible Students, n.d.]