all preachers have never had the thrill of bringing a lost soul to God's saving grace. There is no ex cuse for such complacency and lethargy. We dare not neglect this command. Confronting people with the Gospel, urging them to receive Christ personally, IS the business of the church. It must have top priority. There are many wonderful things our Lord Jesus accomplished dur ing His three year ministry just prior to His crucifixion. Of all His miracles He makes a dramatic state ment that those who came after Him would do even more astound ing work (John 14:12). How could this be? Greater than stilling a troubled sea? Greater than feeding a hungry multitude? Greater than healing a sick person or even rais ing the dead? Oh yes, it is the work of winning souls to Jesus Christ. Nothing is more important in all the world than seeing others find eternal life. Keep in mind that the people whom Christ healed could get sick again. Lazarus was brought back to physical life only to die again later. The multitude was on ly temporarily satisfied with the bread and fish. To fail to tell others the good news is to be disobedient to our Lord's final command. It will result in failure to receive the soul win ner's Crown of Rejoicing. More than this, however, such will result in the eternal doom of the lost (Romans 10:13-14). The Bible loses no words in telling us that “he that believeth not is condemned al ready!" We should strive for the Crown of Rejoicing because it is necessary if our own spiritual lives are to profit and grow. The Dead Sea is
Use the word of God to feed that little flock of yours. There is a specific time given when we will receive the crown of glory. It will be “when the chief Shepherd shall appear (I Pet. 5:4). After the Rapture of the Church the judgment seat of Christ will take place. It is then that these crowns will be presented. Will there be this crown of glory for you? The Crown of Rejoicing It is important to emphasize again that crowns are rewards for faithfulness bestowed only on be lievers. They are not to be con fused with salvation, the free gift of Cod. The fourth crown is summarized in one word, “ Rejoicing." We find I Thess. 2:19-20 giving us a pic ture of this blessing we would all do well to seek. "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoic ing? Are not even ye in the pres ence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy." Salvation of the lost and rejoicing always go hand in hand. Psalm 126:6 reminds us, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." What joy is in heaven when a soul comes to Christ (Luke 15:10). Therefore the soul winner's crown should be called the Crown of Rejoicing. You and I should strive for this crown because it is commanded by Cod. Christ has called us to be witnesses for Him. We are to let our light shine brightly. Yet, it is a sad fact that about 95 percent of all Chris tians have never led a soul to the Saviour. Even more staggering is the revelation that 90 percent of
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