Text: John 4:27-38
Memory verse:
“For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
II Corinthians 6:2 NKJV
Millions of lives are wasted on a yearly basis in developing countries to preventable deaths, resulting from accidents and illnesses. Death becomes inevitable without effective emergency response to meet the golden hour. A local air crash survivor said, “…had help come on time, all or most of the passengers would have survived because it took about one hour after the aircraft crash-landed before it finally exploded, incinerating the occupants.” My God!
As touching as this tragedy is, it can’t be compared to a soul who died without ever hearing the good news.
About 55.3 million people die each year, 151,600 people die each day, 6,316 people die each hour, and 105 people die each minute! The IBM 2014 publication shows that about 44,000 people perish each day without hearing the Good News.
Now, consider what the lepers said again. “This isn’t right. Today is a day to celebrate, and we haven’t told anyone else what has happened. If we wait until morning, we will be punished. Let’s go to the king’s palace at once and tell the good news.” (1 Kings 7:9 GNT).
After a moment of complacency, they finally recognized the seriousness and the urgency of sharing the good news instead of keeping silent. The first implication of not sharing is that the people of Samaria will die of the famine. What about the good news of Christ’s salvation? It’s much more serious. Eternal death awaits everyone who dies without Christ. “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” (Heb 9:27).
Christ is the only way out of this judgment (John 5:24; Rev 20:15). There is no return route or exit door in hell. After death is judgment. One night or even a minute can make a difference between eternity in heaven or hell. Once the Master shuts the door of mercy and grace, it can’t be opened again (Luke 13:24-25). An unrepentant sinner’s last heartbeat and last breath announces that the head of the house has shut the doors. Paul, knowing this urgency pleaded with sinners to be reconciled to Christ at the acceptable time before it becomes too late (2 Cor 5:20). He used ‘Behold’ twice in our memory text to call the sinners’ attention to the urgency.
Friends, don’t delay or procrastinate to share the good news. Don’t look for the right season; for now is the right season. Acting promptly will save a life from eternal doom.
Prayer points
1. Father, please put the urgency and seriousness of sharing the good news in my heart, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, help me to always maximize the time and to preach in season and out of season, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. I will not postpone, but I will take advantage of every opportunity to share the good news.
2. I am Christ’s ambassador and Emergency Response corp to rescue perishing souls.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng