Preaching the gospel is the heartbeat of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our Lord once saw a multitude of people and he was moved with compassion for them in Matthew 9:36, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
From our Singapore Department of Statistics on Population Census 2020, only 11.9 % of our Singapore population are protestant Christians. About 1 out of every 10 is a Christian. In your class of 40, it is probable that only 4 are Christians and 36 are non-Christians. As we look at the statistics, we know the harvest is truly plenteous. We need not look beyond our shores to do gospel work. As we look at the great harvest field, we do acknowledge that the labourers are few and the harvest is plenteous. It caused our LORD to pray for labourers to go to the harvest fields in Matthew 9:37-38, “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” May we, likewise, pray with our LORD Jesus for labourers who will go and win souls for our LORD in our small country of Singapore.
As we read in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Therefore, rest assured that God will grant us success in doing the gospel work for it is God’s will that none should perish but that everyone should come to repentance and receive salvation.
Many of us have possibly been praying and reaching out to our loved ones with the gospel truth. Each time we invite and share the gospel, it may seem hopeless or that there is possibly not a chance for our loved ones to be saved. However, God encourages us that in Matthew 19:26b “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” May we not give up but persevere in our gospel outreach to our loved ones. We have heard of testimonies where our loved ones come to trust the LORD and receive salvation after praying and witnessing for more than 20 years.
There are many things we can do for gospel outreach. Invite a loved one or a friend to our church gospel meet. Pray fervently and keep in touch with our loved ones. We can do it over a simple meal or through a phone call to keep in touch. Always lend a helping hand and go the extra mile should our loved ones need our help. Be exemplary in our conduct as a Christian. Keep close to the Lord and bear a good testimony through our conduct and life.
Give ample time for our loved ones or friends to respond to our invitation to our gospel meet. Arrange a time to meet and bring them to church for the gospel meet. Send the e-invite for the gospel meet to our friends and loved ones. Follow up with a phone call and persuade our friends or loved ones to come. Our church choir is practising hard and will be presenting during the gospel meet. For choir members, use this as an opportunity to invite your friends and let them know you will be singing on that day. Let our invited friends know that there will be choir presentation during that day.
There is great reward in preaching the gospel which is of infinite value. God said in Mark 8:36-37, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” The soul of man is of infinite worth. Obeying the Lord’s command is critical. Without us preaching the gospel, people will not be saved.
Let us endeavour to work hard for the gospel meet which is of infinite value. We know we are guaranteed success for this is God’s will and work. Let us be encouraged to go by faith to invite our friends and loved ones to the gospel meet. Rest assured that there is eternal reward in the gospel work.