Are You concerned About Growth?

Matthew 28:18-20

The great commission is straight forward. Jesus told us he had all authority, and then his very next word is supposed to tell us what to do. “Go.” Today, it seems the Lord’s church the world over has gotten lazy with this command, but especially in the United States. Jesus didn’t say, “when you feel like it” or even “maybe as you go throughout your day.” He was very specific that we are supposed to make an effort to seek and save the lost. We are supposed to take the initiative and “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” Last night at the Coffeeville church of Christ’s annual gospel meeting, the speaker Joe Ruiz from Southaven, MS gave some very alarming numbers.  In the 1950’s the Lord’s church was the fastest growing religion in the United States. Today, on average, the Lord’s church is baptizing only 5 people a year for every 100 members. Some places that is less or more. 2 of those 5 are young people raised in the church. What’s even more alarming is that out of those 5 baptized 2 of the 5 will be back in the world within two years. So not only are we not going, teaching, baptizing new christians, we aren’t keeping them.  We have to do better. According to USnews someone in the United States dies every 10 seconds. Every 10 seconds someone who is in a lost state dies and goes to hell. Are we doing our part to make sure that everyone we come in contact with knows the gospel and the gospel plan of salvation?  Are you and I taking the great commission seriously? Are we following the command to “Go” so that we can seek and save the lost? I challenge you this week to work on “going” so that no one’s blood will be on our hands (Eze. 3:18-20). I love you all!
In His Service,
Steven Hugley
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