Outreach For the Lost Around Us

“…I have many people in this city”
Acts 18:10

In this remarkable statement, our Lord confirmed to the Apostle Paul that there were those in the city of Corinth who had been chosen by God for salvation but had not yet been converted through the preaching of the Word.  This is nothing less than a confirmation by God Himself as to His absolute sovereignty in man’s salvation, as well as His use of means in bringing it to pass.

In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul quoted the prophet Joel by writing, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”, but then added, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  …So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (10:13-14, 17).  We see therefore that God ordinarily uses the simple preaching of the gospel as a means of bringing people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

But this same Paul also wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians, “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (2:13).  Thus, in our natural fallen state, we are entirely unable to respond because we are dead to spiritual things.  Paul confirmed this when he wrote about us that we are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

So how does someone come to receive the things of God?  What hope is there that any will respond to the message of the gospel?  Why even bother to preach?  But the Apostle answered this question by stating, “… not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).  Thus God, on the basis of His sovereign election, sends His Holy Spirit to regenerate, or bring alive those who are predestined for salvation such that they are not only enabled, but made willing to receive the things of God.  This too occurs at a time of God’s choosing.  And so our Lord could tell Paul “I have many people in this city”, but still use the means of Paul’s preaching to bring them to conversion.

Now there will always be those who find this to be unfair on God’s part, but God has already stated, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion” (Exodus 33:19).  And so Paul concluded, “Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens” (Romans 9:18).  And yet, if one does not come to Christ at the preaching of the gospel, where does the blame lie?  Does it lie with God?  Never!

You see God presents the offer of salvation sincerely.  Jesus Himself said, “Come unto Me, all you who labor are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  Therefore, when one refuses this offer, shall they blame God for not making them willing?  No, the blame for their refusal still lies squarely on them!

What about you?  Do you pass off the blame on God for your refusal to come to Him, or do you now see your helplessness, and are you desirous of receiving His help?  Jesus stated, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (7:7-8).

And for you, who already know Christ, think what this truth of God’s sovereignty means to your impact on the world around you.  Christ Himself charges us as Christians to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).  And now, instead of looking to ourselves for the increase, we can now confidently rest in God for the results.  And therefore, through all ages where God places a witness of Himself, God still speaks to His people and says, “I have many people in this city”!

Have you ever thought this way regarding your town, or whatever town/city lies within the influence of your church?  Shouldn’t we as churches be praying that God would give us a new vision for our outreach to the lost around us?  There’s no room here for discouragement when we don’t see results, but only the command to get up and get to work!

O Holy Spirit, stir mightily in our hearts at that we might have a very lively sense of these holy things.  Revive us and lift us to a new sense of ministry and service.  We depend entirely upon You for the strength and we give You the glory for all that You will accomplish through us according to Your sovereign purposes.  In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.