The Urgency of the Gospel of Christ
Written by Eric Liljequist
I want to thank and praise the Triune God of the universe, who loves me with unending grace, mercy and compassion. I also want to thank my wife, who is my love, strength and delight. This message is dedicated to my lovely wife, whom I would be lost without, and to my children whom I truly love, and pray that they become completely immersed in God’s love, presence, and mission. Thanks for enduring such an imperfect husband and dad, who ultimately desires to live life empowered by the Holy Spirit in accordance with Romans 8, but so often struggles with sin and selfishness per Romans 7. I also dedicate this message to my sister.
Before I leave planet earth, I really wanted to jot down my most urgent concerns regarding the plight of humanity, a message that would endure beyond my physical lifespan, guidance to my children for reference, and a hope that it will spur Christians everywhere to fulfill the Great Commission via worldwide evangelism until proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has reached all unreached people groups.
Proclamation of the Gospel must be a top priority in Christian’s lives. Christians must be people of action, intentionally and daily pursuing God’s will, of which I believe a significant part is preaching or helping spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. This action should not be reckless or self-determined; it should be thoughtful and unwavering action based on our Lord’s commands and the fact that mankind’s souls hang in the balance of eternity. These actions should be based on God’s leading, with much time in thoughtful and Spirit-led prayer throughout the entire process of evangelism and proclamation of the Gospel. Prayer should involve/engage/ immerse every aspect of our lives. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV). After all, only God can draw people unto Himself and save them. We are the conduits, His hands and His feet. We need to understand God’s will, go where He directs, give how He leads, asking Him to orchestrate our lives in perfect concert with the entire body of Christ to fulfill His will and reach all people with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I can think of no other effective or productive way to achieve the proclamation of the Gospel to the entire world.
We need to properly explain the tenets of the historic Christian faith, including the fallen state of humanity based on Adam and Eve’s original sin, resulting in death. For “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 (NIV) and "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans 6:23 (NIV). But the greatest news of all is that Christ came down from heaven in the likeness or form of man in order to live the perfect live we could never live and die on the cross at Calvary to pay the price for our sins, a price that no one else could ever pay. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” Acts 4:12 (NIV). We need to clearly explain the dire and eternal consequences of sin, including not only physical death, but eternal separation from God for those who do not receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2:8,9 (NIV). Since no one knows the timing of their demise, this message of the Gospel is the most urgent of all callings and must be proclaimed over the entire globe, until all people groups have had a chance to understand the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Moreover, no one knows when Jesus will return to collect his faithful ones and to inflict divine retribution and judgment on those that rejected Him. It is an all-or-nothing proposition. The day and the hour is unknown, thus making the proclamation of the Gospel preeminent in our daily lives and actions. Any one of us at any moment may die physically. Let us thoughtfully, accurately and urgently proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and fulfill the Great Commission so others will have the opportunity to receive salvation through Jesus. This must be done with gentleness, respect and sincere love. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...” I Peter 3:15 (NIV)
The Great Commission does state, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV). In my viewpoint, discipleship should flow naturally in and from the believer’s life and is integral with evangelism. Some may have the gift of evangelism, and others may be more gifted at providing detailed teaching and instruction for new believers, helping them mature in their faith in Christ. Both are important components in reaching the entire world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and indispensable for ensuring new believers are adequately equipped and discipled in the deep truths of the Word of God and can replicate their lives in others, thus continuing multi-generational discipleship in the body of Christ, creating an exponential growth of new Christians.
What prevents or hinders Christians from urgently pursuing God’s will in doing all they can to do their part in fulfilling the Great Commission (which were Jesus’s last words on earth before His ascension to Heaven)? How can we mitigate these issues?
[Before I go any further, I want to make it clear that there are many ways to live effective and productive lives with respect to worldwide evangelism, as God ordains. To some, he gives the task of planting, to others watering, to yet still others cultivation of the planted and watered seeds. But as Paul so aptly puts it, …”So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” I Corinthians 3:7(NIV) Some Christians, who are unable to travel overseas to proclaim the Good News to unreached populations can be wonderfully and effectively used by God through prayer, encouragement, and giving, just to name a few.]
Potential Challenges and Hindrances:
1. Procrastination:
Just keep putting things off until a later date or time
We have time, don’t worry about today
Just relax, and don’t burn yourself out
Reflection/Contemplation: Sometimes we really are burned out and do need a break, a time of peace and resting, prayerful time with our Creator.
Resolution: Take regularly scheduled time off from work/evangelism to rest and recharge in the presence of God. This in turn will lead to more longevity and overall effectiveness in evangelistic activities. If we are not burned out, and just lazy, complacent or unmotivated, we should fervently ask God to revitalize (invigorate) and revive our hearts, minds and spirits in the pursuit of His perfect will. We should pray earnestly to our Heavenly Father to pull us out of any stupor we may be in, as I have been asking Him, and still waiting and hoping for a complete renewal of my heart, mind and spirit.
2. Slothfulness:
Just not doing what you know you should be doing
I’m too tired Not Now.
I just want to watch a movie and relax.
Reflection/Contemplation: See Procrastination above. Resolution: Intentionally, willfully and purposefully set out (by God’s grace and enabling) to make an eternal difference in God’s Kingdom. Make conscious efforts to pray, serve, and reach out to the unreached and surrounding areas within our sphere of influence. Do this with willful intention in accordance with God’s leading in our lives. See also Procrastination above.
3. Mental/Physical Problems:
Depression, anxiety, fears, stress, etc.
Reflection/Contemplation: Many individuals have varying degrees of mental and/or physical problems. Depending on the situation, this can make it more difficult, not only to just make it through each day intact, but to effectively and proactively witness to others or perform other evangelistic tasks, let alone the other daily duties of life.
Resolution: Obtain whatever medical help (used broadly here – Physical and/or mental) you may need in this matter if possible. I don’t believe it is a sin to take proper medication as needed, and this may help individuals lead a more effective and productive life for the Lord. Pray and trust God in these matters, ask Him for leading and direction for the right course of action, doctors, etc. Consult with your local pastor(s) as well for additional guidance. At the end of the day, some may not be able to go to the field as active oversea missionaries, but they can be instrumental in God’s plan and in accordance with God’s will through prayer, generous giving, and encouragement to local and overseas missionaries.
4. Demonic Oppression or influences:
Actual demonic oppression
Reflection/Contemplation: May be difficult to discern or is really attributed to something other than demonic oppression (I do not believe a born-again believer can be demon-possessed) Resolution: Prayer, Prayer and more Prayer. Resist the devil and rebuke him in Jesus’ Name. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” I Peter 5:8,9 (NIV) Consult with your local pastor(s) for additional guidance and support.
5. Sin:
Entanglements of sin Active, ongoing sin in the believer’s life
Other footholds of the evil one
Reflection/Contemplation: I am really trying to live a righteous life, but am continually struggling. “Who will God rescue me from this body of death?” Romans 7:24 (NIV) Resolution: Romans 8. The process of sanctification in the believer’s life. Believers need to live life through the Holy Spirit and be filled, empowered and led by Him. Sin will hinder us from doing God’s will. Having a heart and mindset of continuous and immediate repentance for sins will assist in the process of sanctification in our lives. Furthermore, this will transform our lives for His purposes as He purifies and refines our hearts and minds, making us more holy in anticipation of complete holiness in the eternal state with Him forevermore.
6. Security/Safety:
I’m safer here, doing what I’m doing, living where I’m living, driving what I’m driving, working where I’m working
My loved ones and I may be seriously harmed in a foreign country
I might become homeless
How can I provide for my family?
Reflection/Contemplation: Some pretty good points above, at least at first glance. We do need to provide for our family (I Timothy 5:8), and it is a legitimate concern about protecting our loved ones who may be harmed in a foreign country.
Resolution: We must realize that the best place to be is in the center of God’s will for our lives (Romans 12.1,2). Easier said than done. If we are in God’s perfect will for our lives, our lives will be the most fruitful, effective and productive for the Kingdom of God. I don’t want to mislead anyone, there may be difficulties and even tragedies along this path, but God is not to blame and will bring us through these times with His comfort, peace and love. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV).
7. Comfort/lifestyle/status quo:
Enjoying your nice neighborhood
Eating at nice restaurants
Buying nice clothes
Buying other miscellaneous items, i.e., electronic devices, phones, computers, toys, etc.
Purchasing boats, second homes, cars, RV’s, etc.
Expensive Vacations
Predictability
Stability
Familiarity
Reflection/Contemplation: None of us are immune to these desires to some degree. They are not necessarily bad or evil things in and of themselves but can lead to an ineffectual Christian life if not put in the proper perspective and truly placed in the hands of our Almighty God.
Resolution: Surrender all to the One and Only, Almighty God. Pray and ask Him what we should do, where we should live, where we should work, what we should own, etc. Consider downsizing and “frugalizing” in order to facilitate global evangelism. This ultimately may be one of the biggest hindrance in believers’ lives today. It would seem we have become a society of zombies racing to and fro with our newly acquired electronic gadgets, being so wrapped up in our personal lives and matters, that we often fail to kneel before the Triune God of the universe, and take time to be still before the Creator of all things, to worship Him and be amazed and in wonder of His glory, beauty, and awesomeness. “We harness the mighty energy that rushes through our world; we subject it to fingertip control in our cars and our kitchens; we make it work for us like Aladdin’s jinn, but still we do not know what it is. Secularism, materialism, and the intrusive presence of things have put out the light in our souls and turned us into a generation of zombies. We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper ‘mystery’” (A.W. Tozer “The Knowledge of the Holy”)
8. Stinginess Toward God:
Not giving generously towards God, especially in regards to International Missions
Keeping the best for ourselves, time, money, talents.
Reflection/Contemplation: What if my gift isn’t giving or going into missions? I barely have enough money or time for myself and family or would prefer to spend it somewhere else.
Resolution: This is a matter of the heart, and generally in accordance with our spiritual maturity I believe. Prayerfully consider what God wants you to do with your time, talents and treasures. After all, they are all His. The giving of the aforementioned should be done with a grateful and generous heart, never …”under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV). I know Paul was referring to financial generosity, but I believe the same principle applies to the disposition of our time and talents as well.
9. Family Concerns:
What to do with your children, parents and other relatives who may need us, whether physically, mentally, spiritually, financially or emotionally?
Reflection/Contemplation: I Timothy 5:8 (NIV) states that…"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." This is a legitimate concern. We must prayerfully trust God in this matter and ensure by His leading that we are providing for our immediate family and relatives as God allows and instructs. Resolution: However, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God in order to wait on tables.” Acts 6:2 (NIV) Also, “No one who has left home, or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age….and in the age to come, eternal life.” Mark 10:29,30 (NIV) This requires wisdom from God, and much prayer and spiritual guidance, to determine whether we should move forward unto full-time missionary work, or stay where we are at in order to meet the local needs, such as Stephen did. A lot of help, right? Keep your eyes on the Author and Perfecter of your faith.
10. Fear of Premature Death:
I might die if I go overseas
Reflection/Contemplation: You might die, things are often more dangerous overseas if you are from America like I am. Resolution: You also might die where you are currently living and working, possibly even sooner than if you went overseas, like from an out-of-control driver on the freeway. Only God knows when our last day on earth will be. We should be open to God’s leading and calling and fully desiring His good, pleasing and perfect will for our lives, including the potential of being an overseas missionary. This is not to take anything away from those whom God has chosen to stay where they are and support global evangelism with prayer and finances. We are all members of Christ’s body, hopefully working together more and more collaboratively to effectively reach the world with His message of love, hope and redemption.
11. That’s not my ministry, Don’t send me; I don’t have the gift of evangelism:
My ministry is giving I don’t have the skills, knowledge, education or strength for overseas missions.
Reflection/Contemplation: It may be true, as stated earlier, that overseas missions may not be God’s calling in your life.
Resolution: No one can do anything on their own, or in their own power. We need the leading, infilling and empowering of the Holy Spirit in order to be effectively used by God in evangelism and in every other aspect of our lives. But He is calling all believers in all countries to reach out to others where they are and whenever they can, and to pray for the unreached. “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV)
12. I can’t save anyone, and anyway, I’m not good enough for this line of work:
I’m not righteous enough to do missionary work of any kind
No one would listen to me or come to Christ because I preach to them.
Reflection/Contemplation: You are right, you can’t save anyone, and no one is good but God alone.
Resolution: Our righteousness is from Christ Jesus, and through the empowerment of God’s Spirit we can effectively witness. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…” John 6:44 (NIV) Our task is obedience to His commands and leave the results with God.
13. I’m too old:
I’m really too old now and would be ineffective on the mission field.
I have health problems.
Reflection/Contemplation: Age can have its challenges, as us who are over 50, like my wife and I, can attest.
Resolution: God can use anyone of any age to further His Kingdom work. To some who cannot go out of their homes, he can use tremendously through prayer and sacrificial giving to mission causes as God leads. One option is to volunteer as an online missionary through Global Media Outreach, as my wife is currently doing (I’m not saying she is old though, you understand).
14. I’m too Young:
My whole life is ahead of me and there are other things I want to do first.
I’m too inexperienced in my faith and understanding of the Holy Scriptures.
Reflection/Contemplation: It can be difficult to surrender all to God at any age, especially youth. Resolution: Our lives are extremely short by eternal standards. Proper training in the understanding of God’s Word is readily available through your local church, or even online (Please make sure you are visiting an approved and vetted orthodox church or site that is in accordance with the essentials of the historic Christian faith.) You can always go to gotquestions.org for any outstanding issues you have not yet resolved for assistance on the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. God can use young people in extraordinary ways for His purposes and will. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity” 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Some thoughts on Hell: I have spent considerable time lately pondering and researching the topic of and nature of Hell. I know that because of who God is (including His holy and perfect attributes), Hell will be a just punishment for the wicked and unregenerate. I trust the Creator in this regard (and in everything else) and am fully confident that His judgments are true and altogether righteous. Although Hell is a just punishment, God has provided a way for mankind to receive salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (the unblemished Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world) and spend eternity in Heaven with Him. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. “Say to them ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live’”. Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV). And “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is Patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9,10 (NIV)
Regardless of a person’s view on the actual nature of Hell, evangelical Christians believe Hell is real and represents eternal punishment. Most Christians believe in the traditional view (since around 200 AD) that the nature of Hell involves the eternal conscious torment of bodily resurrected unbelievers who will be made immortal and will suffer conscious torment for all eternity. Other Christians believe that the Bible teaches the complete destruction of the unsaved who are thrown into Hell after final judgment, which is the second death. In the latter view, the ultimate punishment is death, which indeed will last forever and therefore represents an eternal punishment. There are different views on the details of how God will destroy the unsaved, including the duration of the "dying" process and any associated proportionate pain or torment that is inflicted on them before they are completely destroyed or killed.
I personally don’t want anyone to have to go to hell unless they are fiercely adamant in wanting to go there by display of a constant rejection of God and of His only Begotten Son. After all, no one should be forced to reside in Heaven. The Triune God greatly values humanity and human choice. He demonstrates this is by the granting of free will. That being said, the body of Christ must witness to those who would otherwise believe the message of salvation and gladly receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord if they were only shown the Way. That is why we must expeditiously and collaboratively fulfill the Great Commission and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation and people group, until everyone has had an adequate opportunity to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Based on today’s world population and a very rough estimation of mortality rates, it appears that well over 100,000 people die every day throughout the world (please perform your own research if you want a precise figure – this is an order-of-magnitude figure for illustration purposes). If that reality doesn’t knock the wind out of your sails, I don’t know what will. It overwhelms me at times. No one knows when Jesus will return to earth to gather those who are His and pronounce final judgment on humanity. Just think how many souls will be lost for all eternity at that moment, since…unfortunately “…wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to eternal life, and only a few find it”. Matthew 7:13,14 (NIV) This is the most saddening and disheartening Scripture in all of the Bible to me. I hope in the end it will propel me and the rest of the saints to urgent action in reaching the unreached, making the wide gate as narrow as possible, and the narrow gate as wide as possible through global evangelism. In closing this section, I will include a quick and rather unrefined poem that I wrote for my family to read in the event that I should die before the Lord returns (it was inspired by a very sad movie I recently watched).
We must share the good news of Jesus. The Gospel must be proclaimed
Surrender your life, and take up your cross
Follow Jesus, and preach to the lost
Love everyone, both day and night
Reach out to them with God’s perfect Light
Give, go, pray, love, and encourage
Rest in the Lord and don’t get discouraged
Time is so fleeting, I’m sounding the bell
Rescue many from the clutches of Hell
Fulfill the Great Commission without delay
Reach the unreached while it's still called today
Lose your life in fulfilling God’s Word
What will it benefit to gain the whole world?
Be ambassadors of Christ Jesus the Lord
Love the lost, needy and poor
Be faithful to Jesus & His Commands
Proclaim the Gospel, His perfect plan
That leads us to Jesus, leads us to Jesus
So much we need Him, So much He loves us
Rest and glory in His awesome presence
The joy, peace and love of all ages.
Also, I have included an article that I wrote many years ago on tithing, and how the body of Christ’s giving can expedite the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Thoughts on Tithing/First-fruits
"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Psalm 24:1 (NIV)
Everything (more than just 10%) belongs to the Lord! On earth, we are simply His stewards. He entrusts us to manage all He owns in the ways that will glorify and honor Him. We need to use our time, talents, and treasures wisely and according to His will.
We need to give all of ourselves to the Lord. Many give 10% and consider that the rest of their resources can be spent at their discretion. Let’s realize that God owns all of us, including our resources. Let’s spend them as He leads us by His Word and His Spirit. The New Testament portrays the concept of freewill sharing and equity among believers. "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 (NIV)
We, as the body of Christ, are called to reach out to a lost and dying world. We need to deny ourselves, carry our crosses, and follow Jesus. We need to live lives of "New Testament" simplicity, and not in luxury and self-indulgence. I believe there is a significant mismanagement of God’s money among His Church (the body of Christ) in affluent countries. The Church should not be spending billions of dollars on church buildings, church salaries, and unnecessary or extravagant personal items/hobbies/property. (Certainly, the worker deserves his wages, but his work must be in accordance with our Father’s will. The Church is not a business, although sadly that’s what appears to be occurring among some mainstream churches today). These resources should be spent on reaching the millions of people who have never heard of the Gospel even once, and on providing them with the Word of God in their own language. Sadly, we are spending the majority of our resources on the areas of the world where Christ has already been preached. The Majority of affluent country church budgets are used for their own “in-country” programs, whereas only a tiny fraction is utilized to reach the unreached people groups of the world. It is unjust to share the Gospel of Jesus repeatedly to people who have already heard when there are those who have not heard the Gospel of Jesus even once. These resources need to be quickly redistributed so that the majority of the Church’s resources are sent to the unreached people groups of the world.
We need to give to native missionaries who are reaching the unreached, to organizations that are actively sharing the Gospel in unreached areas (i.e., CRU's Jesus film ministries, including StoryRunners), and to organizations that are actively translating the Bible into “unreached” languages (i.e., Wycliffe).
We should also generously give food, clothing, shelter, and medical supplies where possible to the neediest from among mankind. We need to give to those who could not otherwise receive the basic needs of life from anyone else. Many of us are so comfortable and wealthy compared to these needy ones. If we live simply and pool our resources together, by God’s grace there will be enough for everyone throughout the world who is in need (remember the five loaves and two fish). We need to join together in praying and giving to those in need across the world as God directs.
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33, 34 (NIV)
Lastly…………
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9: 36,37 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV).
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” Acts 20:24 (NIV) "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14 (NIV)
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done.’” Matthew 16:24-27 (NIV)
I recommend listening to Steve Camp’s song “Consider the Cost”
“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” Revelation 22:20,21 (NIV)
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
Eric Liljequist
