‘Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel’  

MEMORY VERSE: ‘I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.’ John 9:4.

STUDY HELP:  Steps to Christ, pages 77-83.

LESSON SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 9:16-22.

LESSON AIM: To study the church’s need of a love for souls.  

Introduction  

‘The true missionary spirit has deserted the churches that make so exalted a profession; their hearts are no longer aglow with love for souls, and a desire to lead them into the fold of Christ. We want earnest workers. Are there none to respond to the cry that goes up from every quarter, “Come over and help us”?’ Testimonies, volume 4, page 156.  

‘Why stand ye here all the day idle?’  

1.        What story did Jesus tell to illustrate the need for workers in His vineyard? Matthew 20:1-7. 

NOTE: ‘Hundreds, yea, thousands, who have heard the message of salvation are still idlers in the market place, when they might be engaged in some line of active service. To these Christ is saying, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” and He adds, “Go ye also into the vineyard.” Matthew 20:6, 7. Why is it that many more do not respond to the call? Is it because they think themselves excused in that they do not stand in the pulpit? Let them understand that there is a large work to be done outside the pulpit by thousands of consecrated lay members. Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of the whole church so that everyone shall be working for Him according to his ability. When the members of the church of God do their appointed work in the needy fields at home and abroad, in fulfilment of the gospel commission, the whole world will soon be warned and the Lord Jesus will return to this earth with power and great glory. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14.’ Acts of the Apostles, pages 110-111.  

2.        What should be the theme of every sermon? 1 Timothy 4:1-2. Compare Acts 8:35, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19.

NOTE: ‘There are souls in every congregation who are hesitating, almost persuaded to be wholly for God. The decision is being made for time and for eternity; but it is too often the case that the minister has not the spirit and power of the message of truth in his own heart, hence no direct appeals are made to those souls that are trembling in the balance. The result is that impressions are not deepened upon the hearts of the convicted ones; and they leave the meeting feeling less inclined to accept the service of Christ than when they came. They decide to wait for a more favourable opportunity; but it never comes. Some may be listening to the last sermon they will ever hear, and some will never again be so situated that they can have the chain of truth brought before them, and a practical application made of it to their hearts. That golden opportunity lost, is lost forever. Had Christ and His redeeming love been exalted in connection with the theory of truth, it might have balanced them on His side. With an unction of the Holy Spirit upon him, giving him a burden for souls, he will not dismiss a congregation without presenting before them Jesus Christ, the sinner’s only refuge, making earnest appeals that will reach their hearts. He should feel that he may never meet these hearers again until the great day of God.’ Evangelism, pages 279-280.