Matthew 28:16-20
I worked at many things before becoming a Pastor. At one time, I was an Engineer and traveled from steel mill to steel mill, from country to country.
What I learned, among many other things is that when a steel mill is down, they are willing to pay just about anything to get it back up and running; even if it includes a plane ticket from the U.S. to China and all of the engineer’s expenses.
Many times, well often…they would run the mill into the ground, just to get the last piece of steel out the door. Often times, doing so was destructive and would end up costing them a lot of money to restore the mill.
It didn’t seem to matter because money/production was king to them.
People, those who are lost, remind me of those steel mills of long ago. They are operating on the brink of disaster, thinking that they can afford the risk, just to have that last good time…that last drunk.
In doing so, they are jeopardizing this life and their eternal life as well. Too many are checking out of this world without knowing our Lord. They don’t realize they are traveling to a ‘God-less eternity.’
What compounds the problem is that it’s too easy for Christians to stick their heads in the sand and make believe this isn’t really happening…but Oh it really is.
Why should Christians care? Because, it’s all about OBEDIENCE?
In Matthew 28, it would seem to most, that He left us with a command; not a request.
God believes that one person going to Hell is one too many; for He loves them too.
Believe it or not, God’s plan to rescue them from Hell…well…it’s us…you and me.
We…you and I…can have a huge impact on this eternal loss of God’s children.
What keeps running through my brain is John 14:15…If you love me, you will keep my commandments…
OBEDIENCE…what do you say we have a little OBEDIENCE test?
Do we OBEY His command to attend church? And Bible study?
Do we support abortion? Are we GOING out and making disciples?
Maybe we are just being SELECTIVE in which commands we think apply?
When we sit at our table for our next meal…we should imagine a family of six who won’t be eating that evening because both parents have lost their jobs and had to pay for heat instead.
Or, when we are in Walmart trying on clothes…we should think about that family just down the road who have no winter coats and no gloves for their children.
And then, let us imagine Mom and Dad standing before God on that day of Judgment and we look down from our throne and realize that we knew these people and that they are going to the Lake of Fire.
They are in this predicament because They didn’t know Jesus…but they could have. They will never see or hold their children…ever again!
Imagine it. It’s not a pretty picture. But, none of it has to happen. We can stop it!
Revelation 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
We should GO…because He commanded us.
We should GO…because it is OUR commission.
We should GO…because we do NOT want this to happen to anyone.
We should GO…because if we don’t…we too are guilty…we too were commanded.
We should GO…because these are the LEAST of them.
Matthew 25:34-46
We should GO…so that we inherit the kingdom of God (v.34).
We should GO…so that we are NOT considered the GOATS on His left…and cursed to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire which prepared for the devil and his angels (v.41).
We should GO…because it’s the right thing to do.
