It's My Responsibility Series

Serious: Personal Evangelism

Subject: It’s My Responsibility – Part One

Dr. Charles Matthews’s made a challenge years ago -- that is still relevant today. He said, and I quote, that it is important -- that pastors and church leaders help their congregations to understand that witnessing to the lost is “Every Christian’s Job.”

Former Seminary Professor -- Dr. L.R. Scarborough once said, “to refuse to witness a saving Gospel to a lost world day by day is nothing short of high treason, spiritual rebellion, and inexcusable disobedience to His holy commands.”

Did you hear that church – very strong words? Yea, but they line up -- with the challenge of Jesus who said, “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Just prior to His return to heaven Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “. . . And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Years ago, all America – and the world – was appalled over newspaper reports regarding apathy and indifference toward people in trouble. The story was told -- of a 28 year of female -- years ago – who was stabbed to death in Queens New York.

The victim was attacked three different times before she died. Investigating officials reported that at least thirty-eight people saw the slaying or heard the screams – without notifying the police! One witness was quoted as saying, “I didn’t want to get involved.” Another said, “I was tired: I went back to bed.”

Even more amazing was the situation in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, when a young mother was compelled to deliver her baby without any assistance in subfreezing weather on a downtown sidewalk because those who passed by refused her pathetic cry for help. The story was told that a taxi cab driver refused to stop and give her ride to the hospital and hotel refused to give her a blanket.

How shocked we are -- at such pathetic indifference -- to the desperate need of our fellow man, but perhaps it should not be so surprising after all. “When born again believers, can ignore the pitiful Macedonian cries of a Hell-bound world with a nonchalance attitude, when they do not want to get involved – in providing aid and assistance to those who are perishing, when we – who are Christians – are too tired – to make an effort -- for a simple word of witness of warning to poor souls condemned already, it is easy to understand why the unconverted don’t get involved – but, it’s hard for me to grasp – when those who claim to know Jesus Christ – as their personal Savior – don’t get involved in winning souls to Christ souls to Christ.

I have few questions for you this morning – those who are saved, sanctified, fire baptized and Holy Ghost filled.

1. Have you ever won a soul to Christ?

2. Did you follow-up with that person?

3. When was the last time you won someone to Christ?

4. Have you ever tried?

Oh, how pitifully – few of God’s children are guiltless in this matter!

We put more emphasis (and we should be concerned) when a child is lost or abducted, we contact the police, the neighbors, the firemen, the National Guard and we even have amber alerts.

I don’t’ want you misunderstand what I’m saying; we should do everything in our power to find our children, family and friends.

But, how strange it is -- that so great an effort be made – when only a mortal body is involved, and so little effort is made – in seeking immortal souls – who are lost. It is strange indeed, that we, who are God’s people, do not spend sleepless nights – and agony-driven days – in an all-out effort to discharge our responsibility – before God and clear their hands of the blood of souls.

In Ezekiel 33:8-9 we are told, “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die, and thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way; that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thy hand”. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it, and he turn not from his way; he shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul.

There are four points I want to share with you.

Point Number One - Our Knowledge Makes Us Responsible.

In 2nd Timothy 2:15 God gives us a command – 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.