"Attending Church Isn't Enough"
The Saved have a responsibility to save others
OPENING: Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV) "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ...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..."
SCENE-SETTER: The church is akin to the military in terms of the above opening verse. The military organizes, trains, and equips (OT&E) individuals state-side in order to be deployed overseas to fight and win our nation's wars. In this context, the Bible and church owns this OT&E role so that saved members can follow Jesus' "Great Commission" charge in this opening verse, going outside church walls to be the salt-and-light to this lost-and-dying world (aka, "Mission Field"), like Christian missionaries.
Ephesians 6:11-18: "War" is the right word to use because believersfight against the powers of the rulers of darkness and wickedness of this age, wearing the whole armor of God1":
1. The belt of truth - when confronted with the truth of God, the father of lies (Satan) can gain no ground against us
2. Breastplate of righteousness - protects our hearts from which all of life flows (Proverbs 4:23)
3. Sandals of the Gospel of Peace - His Gospel makes us surefooted as we carry out His plans
4. The shield of faith - This most important protection wards off flaming arrows of doubt. When locked together with the soldiers next to us, we create an impenetrable wall
5. Helmet of salvation - guards our heads as we put on the mind of Christ to make every thought obedient to Him
6. Sword of the Spirit - God's Word represents the only offensive weapon in our arsenal; know it to take down our enemy
...and praying always - stay in constant communication with the Captain of angel armies
This gives powerful and relevant meaning to the 1865 hymn, Onward, Christian Soldiers, as verses include "marching as to war" and "forward into battle"
Hebrews 10:24-25: We are to organize in the form of "assembling of ourselves together" in church, Bible studies, and organizations dedicated to Jesus' Great Commission (e.g., Christian Motorcyclists Association [CMA]) in order to learn and encourage each other in love and good works
In other words, we are not to go this alone
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 explains the value of a friend: how two is better than one when one can be overpowered, alone; and, yet, "a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (which brings to mind the Father-Son-Holy Spirit Trinity)
Mark 6:7: Jesus sent out his 12 disciples, two-by-two, and gave them power over evil spirits
Matthew 28:18, Mark 16:15-17, Luke 10:19: Jesus said to his disciples that "all authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth" and, as such, he delegated a level of authority and power to his disciples to carry out His Great Commission and "cast out demons"
Just as they had it, we believers (the Saved) also have it because we have the same Great Commission to carry out
1 Peter 3:15: In witnessing to others, "...Always be ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be gentle as you speak and show respect." -- which includes your 1-2 minute testimony of how you were Saved
You witness in two ways: active and passive
ACTIVE: you see someone hurting or in need and you approach to begin a conversation and help, in a reasonable way
PASSIVE: being observed by others in your dress-and-appearance (e.g., wearing your CMA vest) and actions (e.g., if you're genuinely happy, others will want to know what you have and perhaps want it)
There will be some believers who do not want to interact with certain communities or groups of people who associate themselves with organizations or clubs of "ill repute"
Matthew 9:10-13: The Pharisees held a very similar viewpoint when they asked Jesus why He chose to eat with "sinners" and He replied, "For I did not call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance", which excludes no one
James 2:10, Isaiah 64:6: Along this point that we should not avoid encounters with anyone, these verses state that there is not one sin greater or lesser than another (although consequences will vary) while, conversely, all "good deeds" done by believers and sinner, alike, will--in itself--not justify entering Heaven after this life
Matthew 15:11: As to those who wish to avoid such groups/communities because they don't want to be exposed to what they say or do, know that Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees that it's not what man is exposed to that defiles him, it's what comes out of man that does (words, actions)
John 14:15, 1 Samuel 15:22: If you love Jesus, prove it through following his commandments, as obedience is better than sacrifice
CLOSER
Ephesians 6:12: Believers are spiritual soldiers at war against evil powers and principalities -- it's the world's longest war there ever will be, since Adam ate the apple
If you lead a church-only spiritual life--not witnessing outside its walls--that's akin to being military OT&E'd but never deployed, for which that soldier is utterly useless
Ezekiel 3:19-20, Romans 14:12: HERE'S THE CONVICTING VERSE-- If you warn a wicked man of his sinful life and he does not turn, you will have done your part to warn them; however, if you don't warn a wicked man when you had an opportunity, he will die and God will require his blood at your hand, which you will have to explain at Judgment Day
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