INTRODUCTION: Yesterday several of us went out to pass out our House to House magazines. We distributed about 400. It is not my purpose to moan over those who did not help. We are so thankful for those who did. But it brought to mind to me that what we are all about in the church is the saving of souls. Nothing is more important that the preaching of the good news of the gospel. 

Jesus tells us in John 6:44-45, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me." Concerning this telling of the good news let's notice:

BODY

I. OUR CHALLENGE.

A. The net population gain in the world is approximately three each second. 

1. This means that 5400 babies will be born during the time of this sermon, if I speak 30 minutes.

2. Approximately 100,000 dies every 24 hours. This would mean that 2,100 will die during this sermon.

B. These are not numbers - they are individuals, lost souls!

1. Ecclesiastes 12:7- "Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it."

2. Matthew 16:26- ""For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

3. There are souls dying right her in St. Charles without the gospel.

A. It is commanded by our Lord.

1. Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."

2. Luke 24:45-47 "And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

B. We are told about the necessity of spreading the good news.

1. 1 Corinthians 9:16- "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!"

C. The early church carried out this commission, to all their world.

1. Acts 8:4- "Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word."

2. Colossians 1:23- "if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister."

3. "We will either reach out, or fade out."

A. We are compelled by the gospel message to take it to the lost.

1. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."

B. We need to have tender hearts that care for the lost.

1. Luke 19:41- "Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,"

a. "Every saint this side of Heaven must be concerned with every sinner this side of Hell.

C. We must have eager hears that hear the many Macedonian calls that come our way.

1. Acts 16:9-10 "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them."

D. We must have willing feet that go.

1. Mark 16:15- "And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

2. "Some will go across the sea and others will go across the street; but, we must feet that go."

A. We will experience joy unspeakable at the conversion of lost souls.

1. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy."

B. Our hands will be clean from the blood of the lost.

1. Ezekiel 3:17-19 ""Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul."

C. We will have a home in Heaven because we have been faithful.

1. Matthew 25:23- ""His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'"

2. "Thou must save another's soul

If thou wouldest save thine own

For Heaven's doors are closed

To those who come alone."

CONCLUSION: Let's awaken St. Charles and tell them of a God who loves and a Christ who saves. The challenge is upon us. The commission is ours. We must possess the compulsion. The compensation will be exceedingly rewarding!