God does things according to his eternal plans. His plans involve the salvation of men and the glory of Jesus Christ.
The Church of Christ is to serve these two ends.
However, evidences of failure are staring us in the face. The ratio of Christians in the expanding world population is fast dropping. After the past 200 years of unparalleled missionary effort more lost souls than ever are dying in darkness.
Now, there is nothing wrong with God’s plan of winning men to a saving faith in Christ. Perhaps we are failing to practice the simple, direct approach which the Lord prescribes.
Our text is I Timothy 3:16, a great statement of basic Gospel truth. Study it carefully. It tells how God has unveiled Himself. Jesus is God come in the flesh.
Then note especially the words: “…preached among the nations, was believed on in the world.” There Is God’s Plan For Reaching Lost Mankind.
I. THE PROCEDURE GOD DESIRES FOLLOWED
Simply put it is preaching Jesus. That is what the text says.
What is preaching? According to Thayer’s Greek lexicon the word “preach” means to act as an official herald, always with a suggestion of gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed.
Thus, the official announcement and introduction of the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ is preaching. Whether privately or publicly, whenever there is the faithful, s1ncere, earnest presentation of the Lord’s death for sin, His resurrection and His future judgment of men — there is preaching of the real sort.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” I Corinthians 1:18,21.
According to our text, this preaching is to be done among the “Gentiles,” which means among the general nations of the world. See that hardened indifferent man? God calls him to repent. Go to him with the Gospel! See those entire nations, bound in unbelief? God says, “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:47-48. Support the missionary effort.
It is a grand thing to be God’s herald. Let men refuse to obey the message if they will, but let us not refuse to announce it solemnly, earnestly. Our very authority for doing so is given by Christ, Matthew 28:18-20.
II. THE RESPONSE GOD DESIRES TO WIN
First Timothy 3:16 shows that Jesus is preached in order to be believed on. We are put to the test. Will we or will we not believe the word spoken by God’s appointed witnesses?
Now, these were reliable eye witnesses. See I Corinthians 15. Jesus is now in the glorious heavens, and we are dependent upon receiving Him by faith in His Word. This Word is written in Scripture and preached by men.
“For, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ,” Romans 10:13-17.
Christian friend, is there some one resting as a burden on your heart? It is the will of Almighty God that those in the world believe in His Son and bow before Him in complete obedience. This will not happen without preaching. Perhaps you are the link that is missing. Prayerfully claim this text as God’s very plan (which He is bound to bless!) and go to your friends in Jesus’ name with the Gospel.
There is no escape for those who neglect such a great salvation, Hebrews 2:2,3.