KEY SCRIPTURE: John 7:31 KJV “And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?”

The Jews opposed, argued and threatened the Lord, yet at the end of the day, the scriptures said, many of the people believed on the Lord Jesus. This was the main purpose for which He came into this life. Believing on Him is receiving eternal life. (John 1:12,3:16) The Lord faced all these contradictions to have His joy fulfilled. Heb 12:2 KJV” Looking⁹ unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” What is that joy? According Isaiah 53:11, the Lord shall see the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied, and by His knowledge He would justify many. This was His joy, the salvation or justification of many. All the pain, disgrace and reproaches were worth going through, so long as lives were transformed.

What are you losing to get men saved? Many have sacrificed so much to get the gospel to our part of the world. The gospel was first sent to Europe by the early Christians through great sacrifices. This brought civilization to Europe. The Europeans came as missionaries and brought the gospel to Africa in the midst of all kinds of dangers (there were some who were not missionaries but came solely for commerce). Malaria which had no known cure killed many of them. Yellow fever was another culprit. Inspite of all these, what do we see now? Many people in Africa have come to believe on Jesus. The presence of the gospel in our part of the world has been a great blessing to Africa. Some people attribute poverty in Africa to the church. This is the most unfortunate analysis for anyone to make.

 The problem of Africa is simply poor leadership.

If African leaders were to practice a quarter of the teachings of Jesus, Africa would have been leading the world economies

I ask my question again what would you have to sacrifice to see men saved?

1. Sacrifice your comfort by seeking the face of God in intercessory prayers. Col 4:12, Gal 4:19

2. Sacrifice your money to get the gospel to the many who have not had the privilege of hearing the gospel. Ps 67:2

3. Sacrifice your time to send the gospel to your neighbours within your community and beyond Matt 28:19,20

4. Sacrifice your pride as people may ridicule you, because of the gospel. Some may physically attack. Count it all joy if you have to suffer for the name of Jesus.

THOUGHT: THE GREATEST JOY OF EVERY CHRISTIAN IS TO SEE SOULS SAVED.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luke 15:10 KJV “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

1Corinth 9:22 KJV “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”