March 28, 2024

‘We are not a driving force’

keyboard, letter to the editor

Today Dec. 19 a missionary to Germany spoke at our church and gave a report of the way God was doing things in extra ordinary ways to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He then preached a Christmas message, a message of profound importance. He pointed out three persons response to this message. Herod the King of the Jews, the Wise Men of the East and the Scribes, the students of the Old Testament prophets of the Bible in Jerusalem.

Each one of these mentioned handled this message of the birth of Christ differently. Like today each of us respond to the miracle of Christmas in similar ways. An Advent that changed the destiny of mankind of all eternity.

The fulfillment of the prophecy of the virgin birth, the coming Messiah the Savior of the world This is the theme of the bible from Genesis to Revelation.

For one this story is revealed to us in the book of Mathew the second chapter. This Advent is God’s gift to the world. God Himself coming into the world in the form of a man to live a sinless life and die and shed His blood as a sacrifice to atone for our sins for all who will accept Him.

The question is what will you do with Jesus?

What we do with the revelation of Jesus from the anger to His death on the cross, the power of His resurrection and His ascension back into heaven will determine where we spend eternity, heaven or hell.

Now the closing challenge. Not all have heard. If say 200 persons in Jasper County would take up the command of Mathew 28:18-2 sharing the gospel message it would turn our mission field upside down.

The bible teaches the world is dying for lack of knowledge of salvation. I am challenged by the hymns, “Rescue the Perishing: and “Go tell it to the Nations.”

We are told the harvest is ready but the labors are few. Pray there for the Lord of the Harvest, send labors. God’s command to us to go out and compel people to come so His house might be full.

Our churches are nearly empty 12 to 14,000 people in Newton alone and probably less than 3,000 in church any given Sunday. At my count there are at least 40 churches in the county. It is safe to say we are not a driving force to reach the cost and perishing in our mission field.

Clayton Newell

Newton