Each One Reach One

Each One Reach One

JOHN 1:35-46

INTRO: This records the calling of the disciples of Jesus Christ. There is a sequence here that we can follow:

Jesus called John and John followed the Lord (35-42)

John reached Andrew and Andrew followed the Lord

Andrew reached Peter and Peter followed the Lord

Jesus called Phillip and Phillip followed the Lord (43-46)

Phillip reached Nathanael and Nathanael followed the Lord

Each of the disciples were reached one by one!! And from this noble band of men, the word of God was preached throughout the land and the Gospel message went around the world. Each one of them continued to reach one.

· “If I don’t reach one, can I ever expect anyone else to?” (It’s a rare privilege to be part of a church reaching many souls…but don’t ride the coattails…have YOU reached one?)

BUT IT STARTED WITH ONE REACHING ONE!!

Throughout the history of Christianity, we see a profound effect that one person can have upon another:

Jethro (father in law) over Moses

Jonathan over David

Elijah over Elisha

Daniel over King Darius of Persia

Jesus over Samaritan woman (whole village revival)

Disciples over N.T. Christians (breaking bread from house to house)

Delilah over Samson (Satan believes in each one, reach one, too!)

CHRISTIAN APPLICATION: Each of us are absolutely vital to God’s program and to the ministry of the local church!!

We are His hands, His feet…He chooses to work thru us, He left us here for a reason!

I. EACH OF US HAVE A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY:

John 4, Jesus said, I must go through Samaria

Paul said, 1 Cor 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

To Remember…

A. THE WORTH OF THE SOUL

Jas 5:20

Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

B. THE WEALTH OF THE SAINT

All that God has done for us....He wants to do for others!!…and he will do it through us if we will but let Him!!

Personal responsibility to live our lives so that others will see Christ living in us and through us!!

· If there is little resemblance to Christ: there is little chance of reaching them

II. WE HAVE A PRESSING RESPONSIBILITY:

A. THE TIME IS SHORT

NO greater time to commit yourself than now!!

If it is ever to get done, you’ll have to do it now!!

B. THE TRUMPET IS CERTAIN

We are one trumpet blast away from eternity!

1 Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1 Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

But God has left you here for a reason!

People are not reached in masses like perhaps they once were. Most are reached just like the disciples....one person sharing his/her faith with another. and then that one sharing their faith with another...

APPLICATION to the LOST:

Realize 10 things:

1. You are lost

Romans 3

3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

2. You are longing

Ps 84:2 -

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

Ps 107:9 -

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

3. You need not labor

Titus 3

3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us

Ephesians 2

2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 2

2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.