This morning, I want to speak about something that truly matters as we step into this new year: growth. Growth in our personal walk with Christ, growth in our mission as His church, and growth in reaching the lost. I believe with all my heart that God has called us to carry on the work of Jesus here on earth. It’s a mission filled with purpose, urgency, and eternal significance.
There’s a God in heaven, as Daniel 2:28 reminds us, who breathed life into us and loves us beyond measure. He sent His Son not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). Jesus didn’t come for the righteous but for sinners, calling them to repentance (Matthew 9:13). His mission was clear—to seek and save the lost. And this mission wasn’t just for His time on earth; it’s the very heartbeat of what we are called to do as His followers.
Early in His ministry, Jesus gave a compelling vision of the work ahead. In Matthew 9:35-38, He looked at the multitudes with compassion, seeing them as sheep without a shepherd. He declared, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” That plea still rings true today. The fields are ripe, but it takes workers—you and me—to bring in the harvest.
Jesus ministered to the masses, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing the sick. But He also focused on individuals, showing us the power of personal connection. Think of Nicodemus, who sought Jesus by night with questions about eternal life. Or the Samaritan woman at the well, whose life was transformed by one conversation with Jesus. Remember Zacchaeus, the tax collector whose encounter with Jesus led him to repentance and restoration. These examples remind us that ministry isn’t just about reaching crowds; it’s about touching hearts one by one.
When Jesus ascended to heaven, He passed this mission to His apostles, commissioning them to go into all the world and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them (Matthew 28:18-20). And as the apostles spread the gospel, they entrusted the same mission to us—the church. This is a call for every believer. It’s not optional or secondary. It’s our responsibility to continue the work of Jesus.
The early church understood this. When persecution scattered them, they didn’t stop sharing the gospel; they preached it wherever they went (Acts 8:4). Paul, too, felt a deep sense of indebtedness to spread the message of salvation. In Romans 1:14-15, he said, “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you.” That same urgency should drive us today.
Friends, sharing the gospel isn’t just for preachers or missionaries. It’s for every one of us. It’s God’s design that His truth be shared through personal relationships. Social media and modern tools have their place, but nothing replaces the impact of a one-on-one conversation about Jesus. It’s like planting a seed—an acorn that can grow into a mighty oak. But it takes someone willing to plant it.
Are you willing? Are you ready to say, like Isaiah, “Here am I, send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)? Soul-winning requires wisdom, diligence, and readiness to share God’s truth with love and grace. Proverbs 11:30 reminds us that “he who wins souls is wise.” We must be prepared, not only in our knowledge of Scripture but in our approach. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22, we must become all things to all people to save some.
If you’re wondering where to start, begin with prayer. Pray for open doors, for courage, and for the words to speak. And then take action. Be the watchman who warns of the coming judgment, the sower who scatters seeds of truth, and the laborer who rejoices in the harvest. God gives the increase; we are simply called to be faithful.
As we close, I ask you to examine your own life. Are you doing your part in continuing Jesus’ mission? If you’re not yet a child of God, the first step is to hear the gospel, believe it, repent of your sins, confess Jesus as Lord, and be baptized for the remission of your sins. If you’ve already taken that step but have stumbled, know that the blood of Christ still cleanses, and you can find restoration through repentance.
Today is the day to respond. The mission is urgent. The harvest is ready. Will you join in the work? If you need to make a decision, don’t wait.
